Menominee Park is one of our family’s favorite destinations. Located on the east side of Oshkosh along the shores of Lake Winnebago. Menominee Park is part of the City of Oshkosh Parks Department and the Oshkosh Zoological Society supports the zoo’s animals, educational activities, and more!
The best part of this park is you can get away without spending any money, but for under $10 you can feed a couple of animals and ride the train. Spend the whole day or just an hour. Here are our favorite parts and a couple of tips.
BONUS TIP: To top off the day, stop by Leon’s for a treat! You will be greeted by a friendly server as soon as you pull up at this carhop. Eat in your car, although this doesn’t sound very appealing for little ones, or at the picnic tables. Enjoy vanilla and chocolate frozen custard, a special feature every day, homemade root beer, slushies, shakes, and more!
Menominee Park and Zoo
- 520 Pratt Trail, Oshkosh, WI
- 920-236-5082
Read More: 10 Oshkosh Area Family-Friendly Nature Trails for Biking, Walking & Hiking
The Menominee Park Zoo
The Menominee Park Zoo is located near the playground. Admission is FREE, but consider dropping a donation on the way out. The animals are all around a beautiful pond, and the trail is very stroller-friendly. The zoo is approximately 8 acres and houses about 30 – 50 animals, including goats, llamas, birds, otters, elk, wolves, and more. Permanent exhibits include wolves, elk, and otters. Also, check out the interactive educational displays created by kids to entertain and educate kids!
About the Animals
- The River Otter Exhibit is home to Minnie and Winnie. If they aren’t swimming, look for them in one of their favorite places to nap: the large log on the west side of the exhibit.
- Eagle Exhibit is located between the wolf and elk exhibits on the eastern side of the zoo.
- Visit the Gray Wolf Exhibit to meet the pack of wolves this summer at the zoo – Hula, Oki, and Koa!
- Menominee Zoo is also the home of a family herd of five American Elk – Papa, Mama, Georgia, Stella, and Lilly.
- Dash is the resident African Spurred Tortoise and is currently 25 years old and weighs 85 pounds! She loves to explore around the zoo and eat grass on warm sunny afternoons. If she isn’t out and about you can find her next to Bubba the baboon.
- The Aviary is home of Zeke the turkey vulture, 2 Rio Grande Wild Turkeys, Ring-Necked Pheasant, and Indian Peafowl. Make sure to also say hello to the Blue and Gold Macaw!
- Each summer the zoo features exotic animals and farm animals on loan.
Before you Visit
- Season: May 25 – September 29, 2024
- Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
- Admission: FREE
- General Rules: The following are NOT allowed: carry-in food, bicycles, rollerblades, dogs, pets, and smoking
Menominee Park Beach
We usually pack a lunch or snack and enjoy it by the beautiful beach. There are picnic tables by the beach and the playground, but our kids usually prefer a picnic blanket. Another great thing about Menominee Park is there is plenty of shade. Pack sand toys, and the nice sandy beach is a fun place to build castles, rivers, masterpieces, and more. It’s also a great place to watch for boats. The Oshkosh Yacht Club often teaches classes nearby. The Beach House also has restrooms.
Menominee Park Children’s Amusement Center – CLOSED for 2024
Pack a couple of dollars along for the train or if you are more adventurous a water rental! It’s a little of a walk from the other parts of the park, so if you have little ones you might want to follow the signs and drive or bring your stroller. The train ride runs around a pond, over an exciting little bridge, and through a “tunnel.”
- Season: The Children’s Amusement Center will be closed this year due to the continued construction in Menominee Park. Check back in 2025.
- Hours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm
- Admission: $1.50/person
Water Rentals – CLOSED for 2024
Kayaks, double kayaks, canoes, Aqua Bikes, and SUP boards are available to rent in the small lagoon adjacent to the rides. Rentals are available for same-day, as well as outside of regular business hours. Water rentals are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm.
- Aqua Bikes Rental: $7/hour
- Kayak Rental: $9/hour
- Canoe Rental: $9/hour
Snacks at LakeFly Café
If you get hungry snacks are available at both the zoo and by the amusement rides. The café great way to support the zoo and get a snack! The store carries fun zoo souvenirs and concessions including stuffed animals, puzzles, drinks, slushies, hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream treats. All proceeds go back to zoo exhibits.
- May 25 – September 2, 2024
- 11 am – 6 pm: weekdays
- 10 am – 6 pm: weekends
Little Oshkosh Playground
This community park reopened in the Spring of 2020. Although the iconic wooden playground was replaced there is still lots of fun to explore including reimagined extra high slides, climbing, swings, teeter-totters, tire swing, merry-go-round, and more!
2024 Events
Note: All events may be changed, canceled or rescheduled. Updates will be posted on the Oshkosh Parks Department Facebook Page.
- Wildlife Wednesday – Weekly June 5 – August 28, 2024
- A variety of FREE presentations and outdoor activities are designed to help children and families knowledge, a healthier attitude, and respect for wildlife.
- Wild West Day – Every Wednesday June 5 – August 28, 2024
- Zooloween – October 19, 2024
- Trick-or-treating, bounce houses, Halloween treats, concessions, games, crafts, prizes, mascots and more!
- Cost: $5 for adults (18 years old and up), $3 for children (2-17 years old), 1 year and under free. Purchase tickets in advance beginning October 1, 2024, online or at Oshkosh Festival Foods and Oshkosh Parks Department.
Other Fun Family-Friendly Things to Do in Oshkosh
- Ardy & Ed’s Drive-In, 2413 S Main St, Oshkosh
- Caramel Crisp & Cafe, 200 City Center D, Oshkosh
- The EAA Aviation Museum (formerly the EAA AirVenture Museum), 3000 Poberezny Rd, Oshkosh
- Leon’s Frozen Custard, 121 W Murdock Ave, Oshkosh
- MToxins Venom Lab, 717 Oregon St, Oshkosh
- Oshkosh Public Museum, 1331 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh
- Paine Art Center and Gardens, 1410 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh
