The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is a family favorite! Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the 1.5 hour drive is totally manageable as a family day trip from the Fox Valley. The museum has lots of space to run around and explore from the classic grocery store in the Our Town or makerspace to a multi-level indoor play structure larger and STEM exhibits. If your kids are out of the napping stage, lunchtime and afternoon visits are usually the quietest. Have any other tips? Please share in the comments below!
Where do we put our stuff?
FREE Limited lockers are available with a $5 deposit (returned) and driver’s license at the Information Desk. We hung up our jackets in the coat room right after we paid our admission. The bathrooms are also conveniently located right at the entrance. After we dumped our jackets and used the bathroom we were ready to play!
Can we bring in strollers?
It can get pretty busy on weekends, school break days, spring and winter break. Some areas also get pretty tight and won’t fit a stroller. We would recommend leaving the stroller in the car if its busy or using an umbrella stroller if needed. If you forget your stroller or thought you didn’t need one, there are some strollers available to use at the Information Desk free of charge.
Changing Tables & Nursing Areas
We were happy to find changing tables in both the men’s and women’s restrooms! Nursing can be done anywhere in the museum but if you are looking for a more private area there is a small nook in the Pocket Park – Toddler area. There is also a private nursing room. Just ask for the key at the Information Desk.
Parking
Make sure to budget money for parking. Thankfully most parking structures accept cash and credit. We always park at the O’Donnell Park Parking Structure on 910 E Michigan St when visiting the Betty Brinn Museum for convenience. It is the closest to the museum and attached through elevators and stairs. It is open air but also normally a bit warmer on colder days and you don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain. Make sure to tell the Information Desk when you pay for admission where you parked and you will receive a $2 discount on your admission.
There are also other parking ramp options or metered street parking if you are lucky enough to find them. Metered parking is FREE on Sundays.
O’Donnell Park Parking Structure – Parking Rates
- Monday – Friday, after 5 pm: $6.00 Flat
- Monday – Friday, after 9 am Hourly
- Minimum: $2
- .5 – 1 hours: $3
- 1 – 1.5 hours: $4
- 1.5 – 2 hours: $5
- 2 – 2.5 hours: $6
- 2.5 – 3 hours: $7
- Saturday and Sunday: $8.00 Flat
Museum Hours
Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday: Noon – 5 pm
Admission
Adults and children age 1 and older: $8
Seniors (age 55 and older): $7
Children younger than 1 year: Free
Museum members: Free
Children must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) at all times during their visit. All adults must be accompanied by a child. Admission is FREE on the third Thursday of every month from 5 – 8 pm during Neighborhood Night.
Do you have a Family Explorer Membership from the Building for Kids or another local museum? Admission is 1/2 off for the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum! Learn more about the membership here.
Food
There is a picnic area on the first-floor atrium level of the building with tables where you can eat food that you’ve packed and brought in. There are also snacks and beverages available for purchase. In addition, food and drinks can be enjoyed on the museum balconies and outside of the museum in O’Donnel Park.
Map
More Milwaukee Fun Ideas!
Here are some other Go Valley Kids suggestions and recommendations.
- Milwaukee Day Trip Ideas – includes the Domes and Milwaukee Public Zoo
- Milwaukee Public Museum
- Kids FREE at Milwaukee Art Museum
We love exploring outside of the Fox Cities at places like this Milwaukee children’s museum. How many Wisconsin Children’s Museums have you visited? Check out our complete list here.
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
929 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
www.bbcmkids.org
