You’re lucky – and let us tell you why. You’re growing up in Wisconsin, the most awesome state of all 50. (Sorry, California, that’s just the way it is.) This lovely Dairy State is full of fun, whether you’re into exploring forests and lakes, racing go-karts, visiting exotic animals at the Milwaukee County Zoo, or just munching on delicious pizza. And here at Milwaukee Magazine, we like to think we’re experts when it comes to all that fun stuff. In these pages, you’ll find dozens of places to go and things to do, all collected and organized by us, just for you . Think of it as a young person’s guide to a summer in Wisconsin. Tear out your favorite pages, check off stuff you’ve done, leave notes in the margins – don’t worry, we want you to use this magazine, not keep it in perfect condition. U se the ideas in here to plan the perfect Wisconsin summer. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
FANTASTIC FIREWORKS Where to watch the skies this Fourth of July 6
DAREDEVIL PLAYGROUNDS Four spots to ride go-karts, play laser tag, climb rock walls and more 7
PIZZA PARTY The best pies in town 8
SPECTACULAR SELFIE SPOTS Where to snap a pic 9
GET WET! Cool off at these local beaches, waterparks and splash pads. 10
PANCAKES AND BREAKFAST Slather syrup on the delicious stacks at these five restaurants. 12
MUSEUMS Five must-see Milwaukee museums 13
TOY STORES Stop by these shops to find unique toys, games and more. 14
COOL TREATS Ice cream, custard, popsicles and more 15
FUN FESTIVALS The State Fair and four other fun local fests 18
HOT DOGS Where to get the best franks in town 19
THE GREAT OUTDOORS A guide to getting outside 20
DOING GOOD IN MKE Awesome ways to help others 22
ROAD TRIPS Trains, planes and more at these Wisconsin destinations
BASEBALL Wisconsin’s coolest stadiums 26 CATCHING FIREFLIES It’s not summer until you catch your first lightning bug. 28
THE MILMAG KIDS CALENDAR The must-do events of this summer 29
WHAT’S NEW AT THE ZOO Say hello to the latest residents swinging, swimming and strutting around the Zoo. 4
MEET A ZOOKEEPER Learn more about the folks who take care of the Zoo’s many animals – and learn how you could become a zookeeper yourself. 16
HELPING PAWS Discover how the Zoo is protecting animals around the world. 24
THE ULTIMATE ICE AGE CROSSWORD Test your knowledge of this freezing-cold era, when you visit “Dino Don’s Journey to the Ice Age.” 32
SINCE 1855, WAYLAND HAS PREPARED STUDENTS FOR LIVES OF PURPOSE. WE DON’T TAKE A COOKIE-CUTTER APPROACH TO EDUCATION; HERE, THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE IS EQUAL PARTS SELF-DISCOVERY, RIGOR, AND INNOVATION. THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX IS EXACTLY WHAT PREPARES OUR STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND THE REAL WORLD.
Meet some of the new residents prowling, stomping, swimming and swinging their way through the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Are you more like Happy or Patti? The hippopotamus pair at the Zoo’s new Dohmen Family Foundation Hippo Haven have super distinct personalities. Patti’s a chill hippo – she likes to hang out at the indoor pool in the shade. Happy’s more of a goofball, spending his days in the new outdoor habitat, swimming around and rubbing his gigantic nose up against the glass. But they’re both a lot of fun (and weigh a whole lot). Happy’s 5,300 pounds – that’s the same as about 30 adult humans.
We’re lucky to live in Milwaukee – it’s the only Zoo in the region with elephants. Chicago doesn’t have one; Minneapolis doesn’t have one; but we have three: Ruth, Brittany and Belle. The flappy-eared trio hang out in their big, new home at the Zoo’s Adventure Africa Elephant Habitat, where they roam, feed from hanging baskets, and if you stop by for the Zoo’s Halloween event in October, smash huge pumpkins.
Do you know what a scimitarhorned oryx is? They’re unique animals with long, curved horns (like scimitars, a type of sword). The Zoo has two half-sisters, Moza and Zahara, who are only 1 year old and Babe, a 6-year-old. The three of them are pretty tight (oryx naturally spend time in herds), so if you stop by, you’ll probably catch them hanging out together. The animals’ natural habitat is the desert, and they can go days without a single sip of water.
Red pandas are sort of like cats, pandas and raccoons all rolled into one tiny package –and they’re so cute. The red panda crew at the Zoo climbs and crawls around their habitat, adorable as all heck. The red panda babies start out life so tiny they can fit in a person’s hand. (Did we mention they’re very cute?)
A new member is joining the squad at the Zoo’s Harbor Seal Habitat. The new seal, which just arrived in April, joins three playful buddies who spend the days swimming and messing around. During the summer, guests can watch these torpedo-like mammals take their feeding every day at 3 p.m.
Hang out up close and personal with these jungle creatures at the Zoo’s Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality Experience. Pop on a headset, and you’ll get a 360-degree live action view of gorillas in Rwanda. From inches away, you’ll see mama gorillas caring for their babies, and the males battling for dominance. It’s the closest you’ll get to being one of the gorillas yourself.
Wait for it ... in 2025 or shortly after, the Zoo is planning to welcome back rhinoceroses. The gray giants will get their own special enclosure where you can watch them roaming the fields. Keep an eye out for announcements from the Zoo so you can be the first to see the horned heavyweights when they arrive.
No summer is complete without watching Milwaukee’s spectacular Fourth of July fireworks on the lakefront. You’ll ooh and ahh at the bright explosions across the sky. This year’s show is on July 4. Most people go to Veterans Park (1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.) to get the best view, but don’t overlook Kadish (750 E. North Ave.) and South Shore (2900 S. Shore Dr.) parks, which are tons of fun that night, without the giant crowds.
And remember that not all of Milwaukee’s fireworks are for the Fourth. Summerfest, which goes from June 22-July 8 this year, hosts its awesome Big Bang Fireworks show on June 22, too (summerfest.com).
The karts here are fast – like, really fast. Some even get up to 50 mph (depending on your age, they might not let you on those super speedy ones, though). You can fly around the track in adrenaline-pumping races, or even join a racing league. On top of that, this place has a virtual reality arena, where you can pull on a headset and compete with friends in seven different immersive games. W229 N1400 Westwood Dr., Waukesha; acceleratespeed.com
Rock climb up to the ceiling; blast away in laser tag; dodge, dip, duck and dive through inflatable obstacle courses; and when you’re wiped out from all that action, head to one of the arcade games or grab a slice of pizza or some loaded tater tots from Bounce’s restaurant. 2801 S. Fifth Ct.; bouncemilwaukee.com
Impress your friends with a party at this indoor park – or just stop by for an afternoon of fun. You can leap, jump, fly, slide and climb around the trampolines, ziplines, walls and ladders.
W229 N1420 Westwood Dr., Waukesha; 4940 S. 76th St., Greenfield; skyzone.com
There’s so much crazy stuff to do at Urban Air, you probably won’t be able to fit it all in one visit – ride go-karts, scale the climbing walls, play Wipeout, swing around the rope-climbing course, bounce on the trampolines, face off with your friends in an inflatable beam battle, and we haven’t even mentioned the giant playground. 2440 E. Moreland Blvd, Waukesha; urbanair.com
Eatingdelicious pizza out in the sun on a beautiful
farm – what more could you want? Grassway Organics in East Troy serves “Pizza on the Farm” dinners in its scenic fields on Friday and Saturday nights all summer long. While you’re there, you can visit the farm’s chickens, cows and horses or play on the bales of hay W2716 Friemoth Rd., East Troy; grasswayorganics.com
Looking for other pizza spots?
Try one of these four:
This East Side spot is the granddaddy of Milwaukeestyle pizza – they serve up big, thin pies with tons of toppings. 1724 N. Farwell Ave.; 414-289-8776; zaffirospizza.com
1 2 3 4
Have you ever thought about putting mac ’n’ cheese on pizza? Well, Ian’s has – and it’s super tasty. Grab a thick, gooey slice here. Three Milwaukee locations; 414-727-9200; ianspizza.com
The original version of this classic Milwaukee pizzeria burned down –under mysterious circumstances. Today, there are two locations, and one of its pizzas has three different types of pepperoni! 2060 N. Humboldt Ave.; 414-272-1745; 11500 W. Burleigh St., Wauwatosa; 414-249-2000; pizzamanwi.com
Not a lot of pizza places also have organs, but this “music palace” does. Here, every pizza comes with the chance to watch a dude jamming away on the massive instrument. It’s pretty awesome. 4353 S. 108th St., Greenfield; 414-529-1177; organpiperpizza.com
The Bucks superstar is 54 feet tall, posing like Batman on this mural – a must-have selfie for any fan of our championship-winning team. 600 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Snag an unbeatable pic with these cool Milwaukee backdrops.
Villa Terrace
Decorative Arts Museum
Are you in Milwaukee or Italy? It’ll be tough for your friends to tell after they see your photo at this mansion. 2220 N. Terrace Ave.
Black Cat Alley
Home to more than 20 murals that make eye-catching backdrops. Between Kenilworth Place and Ivanhoe Place off Prospect Avenue
An immersive – and dog-friendly! – studio for snapping selfies. 2410 N. Farwell Ave.
East Town Salon & Spa
This brick building is painted a photo-perfect shade of pink. 718 E. Wells St.
The Mitchell Park Domes
Explore the jungle and desert in these massive, spaceship-like orbs – ideal for an exotic pic. 524 S. Layton Blvd.
The Bronze Fonz
This reference is a little before your time, but trust us – no one’s cooler than the Fonz. East Riverwalk near East Wells Street
Only a short walk from Lake Michigan, Sheridan Park Pool has all the goods for a full day of fun, including water slides, a wading pool, and a big red mushroom that rains water down. 4800 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy
This pool has a nice deep end for older kids, plus a major water slide for you to fly down. 2657 S. 79th St., West Allis
Float the lazy river, score with water basketball or shriek with glee on the tube slides at this 1301 W. Hampton Ave.
A big slide, a water park and a sandy play area make this pool worth the trip. Invest in a season pass for a whole summer’s worth of fun, including special events such as a luau party, ice cream sundae night, movie screenings and live 1800 N. Swan Blvd., Wauwatosa
Atwater Beach
It’s a long hike down, but definitely worth the trip. There’s a playground on the sand and a number of benches for chaperones. 4000 N. Lake Dr., Shorewood
Grant Park Beach
You’ll find lots of space to spread out here, including some shady areas. Enjoy lunch at Ferch’s Beachside, with rentable lounge chairs and umbrellas. You can even join a beach volleyball game. 100 E. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee
Klode Park Beach
This small beach has tons of flat rocks, perfect for skipping. Plus, it has a nice playground, open, green space and nearby tennis courts. 5960 N. Lake Dr., Whitefish Bay
Pewaukee Beach
Enjoy the warm water (compared to chilly Lake Michigan!) of Pewaukee Lake. The nearby downtown area is full of cool shops and restaurants.
Hart Park
The playground here is pretty awesome, with climbing ropes and balance beams, and the splash pad next to it is loads of fun on a hot summer day. Chestnut St., Wauwatosa
Nixon Park
This big Hartland splash pad is full of wacky decorations, like little frog water cannons. And there’s a beer garden for your grown-ups to enjoy.
175 E. Park Ave., Hartland
Oak Creek
This splash pad is open all summer, right in Drexel Town Square, which also has shops, restaurants and a library to explore.
361 W. Town Square Way, Oak Creek
Doesn’t this picture get your mouth watering? These pancakes are from Canela Cafe: fluffy cinnamon topped with banana, peanut butter and honey. You might like IHOP, but trust us – these pancakes are on a different level. (2621 N. Downer Ave.; 414-226-6749; canelacafemke.com)
If you can’t get enough, try breakfast at one of these four spots.
This brand-new cafe serves up delicious pancakes, plus waffles and French toast. It’s super popular right now, so tell the adults to call ahead to reserve a spot and skip the line. 17915 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield; 262-333-0333; honeyberrycafe.com
Breakfast at Honey Butter is a sweet treat (like, don’t-tell-your-dentist sweet). You can pile berries and other toppings on the pancakes –and they make an awesome Oreo cookie one with cream filling. We also recommend trying the s’mores French toast. 7221 S. 76th St., Franklin; 414-367-2800; honeybuttercafe.com
You can tell by this spot’s name that pancakes are its specialty. It has tons – chocolate chip, blueberry, strawberry, bacon, peanut butter or just good ol’ buttermilk. 333 W. Brown Deer Rd., Fox Point; 414-247-4994; 2727 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa; 414-453-6000; maxfieldspancakehouse.com
This friendly diner in Greendale with its curvy counter and old-fashioned vibe is one of the most fun places to eat breakfast around – and the sourdough pancakes can’t be beat. 5636 Broad St., Greendale; 262-946-5759; milkcandiner.com
Milwaukee is jam-packed with awesome museums, all with loads of fun stuff to do. Paint, play, explore, bobble some heads and find other activities at these five.
This might be the most intensely cool museum we’ve ever seen. You can lay on a bed of nails, dance with a robot dinosaur, race mini go-karts and stare down piranhas. The exhibits are weird in a good way and will have you coming back for lots of return visits. 500 N. Harbor Dr.; 414-765-9966; discoveryworld.org
The Milwaukee Public Museum is moving to a new building in a couple of years, so be sure to enjoy all the cool stuff the current location has while it’s still around. Here are four must-dos for your next visit. 800 W. Wells St..; 414-278-2728; mpm.edu
On many Sundays, MAM has family events where kids get to make art of their own. With the help of the museum staff, you’ll sculpt, paint or craft something awesome. Plus, it’s in one of the most Insta-worthy buildings in Milwaukee, and admission is free for all kids 12 and under. 700 N. Art Museum Dr.; 414-224-3200; mam.org
Milwaukee kids have loved Betty Brinn for decades. At the Be a Maker space, you can build your own toys. And you can play on the museum’s kid-size railroad, or experiment at its Science City exhibit. If you have a little sibling under 4, they’ll love Pocket Park, a mini playground designed just for them. 929 E. Wisconsin Ave.; 414-390-5437; bbcmkids.org
Milwaukee is home to the largest collection of bobbleheads anywhere on earth, all on display in this one museum. You’ll find bobbleheads of just about everyone here – from Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to SpongeBob SquarePants. 170 S. First St.; 800-414-1482; bobbleheadhall.com
There are two secret buttons hidden in the museum – when you press them, you’ll get a fun surprise. If you want to find them by yourself, skip ahead to the next item and get searching. But if you’d like some help, here you go. One is on the first floor in the “Exploring Life on Earth” Montana Badlands exhibit underneath the description panel. The other is on the second floor in the “A Tribute to Survival” exhibit, where a Native American is hunting some buffalo. It’s lodged between two rocks in front of him.
You’ll for sure want to get a picture in the museum’s butterfly room. Inside the heated space, the air is full of the pretty fluttering creatures. Stand very still, and in just a few seconds one might land on you.
The Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibit shows a little version of what Milwaukee looked like over 100 years ago. Walk around the cobblestone streets and find “Granny,” our favorite character from the exhibit. You’ll spot the little old lady in a rocking chair on a porch – she even has a Twitter account @MPMgranny, which you should definitely follow.
Sitting in the MPM Planetarium is like entering a giant spaceship. You sit under a big curved screen, and when the show starts, it lights up like the night sky. See if you can spot all the constellations.
Usually when someone says “this store has something for everyone,” they’re exaggerating. In this case, they absolutely are not. American Science and Surplus is overflowing with weirdness. You could spend an entire day exploring aisles to find anything from a rubber chicken to squirrel underwear to a science and engineering builder’s kit. 6901 W. Oklahoma Ave.; 414-541-7777; sciplus.com
Kids have loved this little toy store for over 50 years. It has it all: games, sports equipment, art supplies and plenty of colorful toys. 629 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay; 414-964-2131; winkiestoysandvariety.com
We love this store’s name! It’s the place to go for whoopee cushions, fake vomit, wind-up chattering teeth and tons of goofy gags you won’t get anywhere else. It also carries disc golf supplies, kites, boomerangs and more. 1695 N. Humboldt Ave.; 414-273-3278; jugglingsupplies.org
Do you like adventures? Fairy tales? Science fiction? Whatever your favorite, you’ll find a book to love at this kids bookstore painted like a giant bookshelf. It’s only open Wednesdays and Saturdays. 5704 W. Vliet St.; 414-774-7205; rainbowbooksellers.com
It’s an adventure every time you shop at this quirky little store stocking craft supplies, board games, action figures and much more. 2445 N. Holton St.; 414-263-1991; fischbergers.com
Pete’s Pops aren’t your average popsicle. These delicious, fruity treats are sold all across the Milwaukee area at fairs and markets in flavors like peanut butter and jelly, avocado, strawberry and more – and they all hit the spot on a summer day. Pete has a permanent location where you can actually watch the pops being made before buying one. But he also sells at events and markets all across Milwaukee during the summer. Find out where Pete is going to be selling these delicious treats next at petespops.net.
froYou can’t get more Wisconsin than frozen custard –a thicker, richer version of ice cream. Leon’s (3131 S. 27th St.; leonsfrozen custard.us), Kopp’s (Greenfield, Brookfield and Glendale; kopps.com), Gilles (7515 W. Bluemound Rd., Wauwatosa; gilles frozencustard.com) and Oscar’s (Waukesha, West Allis and Franklin; oscarscustard. com) are undeniably great – and have been beloved around here for years. But you should also try Dairyland (275 W. Wisconsin Ave.; ilovedairyland.com), a new spot in 3rd Street Market Hall, and Fred’s (4726 W. Vliet St.; fredsfrozencustard.com), a smaller operation that serves a mean vanilla-chocolate twist cone.
This collective hosts a bunch of different ice cream makers, including a few you may not have heard of like Liv A Little, which makes creamy vegan ice cream, Sweet Tooth Grin, which puts candy and cookie dough in its scoops. 8125 W. National Ave., West Allis; everyonesicecream.com
We particularly enjoy the chocolate brownie ice cream here, but all the flavors are great. 2205 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield; 2238 N.
The Walker’s Point location is usually mobbed on summer nights, but we’ll gladly wait in line for a scoop of mint chip or butter pecan. 205 S. Second St.; Mequon Public Market, 6300 W. Mequon Rd.; purpledooricecream.com
Shawn Miller has one of the most awesome jobs ever – he spends his days hanging out with anacondas, cobras, frogs and fish.
When Shawn Miller was just 3 years old, he and his grandma used to find baby toads on her lawn. Miller was fascinated by the tiny jumping creatures. “That’s when my passion for reptiles and amphibians really started,” Miller says. “If you asked my parents what I was going to be when I grew up, it was always a zookeeper.”
When Miller turned 15, he got a job working on the grounds crew at the Milwaukee County Zoo, cleaning. He knew that when he grew up, he wanted to work with the Zoo’s animals. After high school, he went to college to study biology, an important degree for any zookeeper to have. When he graduated, he got a job working at the Zoo’s Small Mammals building, taking care of armadillos, porcupines and other critters.
In the nearly 20 years since then, he’s worked at many positions at the Zoo, and now he’s the Zoo’s aquarium and reptile curator. That
means he designs many of the exhibits you see, handles snakes and frogs and fish, and even goes on trips to countries around the world, like Panama and Grenada, to study reptiles. He loves the whole job, but it’s all the time he gets to spend with the animals that really makes it great.
“I’ve grown up with the Zoo – it’s a part of me,” Miller says. “Now I get to work with super cool animals, and I’ve had the chance to do so many fun things over the years.”
YOU CAN BECOME A ZOOKEEPER, TOO
IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS, you can make a career out of caring for them as a zookeeper. The first step is to keep learning about
creatures big and small. Zookeepers receive special training on how to care for the animals because it’s really important that
As a zookeeper, Miller knows the Zoo’s reptiles really well. Here are just a few of his scaly pals.
DANGER NOODLE (KING COBRA)
“King Cobras are a little more intelligent than most snakes,” Miller says. “We’ll give her a closed cardboard box with food inside of it, and she’ll figure out how to open it.”
OLIVE (ANACONDA)
“Olive is 15 feet long,” Miller says. “She’s about 10 inches thick around her neck. I’m the only keeper who has big enough hands to hold her when we move her.”
KITTY (RED TAIL BOA)
“Kitty’s got a bit of an attitude,” Miller says. “But that’s actually a good thing because it allows us to train new zookeepers on how to handle a tougher snake.”
they know the animals well. Most zookeepers go to college to study biology, so be sure to pay attention in your science classes, too! And maybe most important of all is to get involved at the Zoo, which has tons of programs for kids that will help you learn more.
How to spot and prevent heat exhaustion
Five tips for keeping
What to do on a HOT day
swimming or playing in the water
If your child shows any symptoms of heat exhaustion,
Have fun at home
Eat cream puffs, fly down the Giant Slide, say hi to cute farm animals and take a dizzying spin on the giant, colorful swinging contraption at the Wisconsin State Fair, Aug. 3-13 this year. And be sure to try some of the Sporkies winners while you’re there – they’re super weird, delicious foods you won’t find anywhere else. 640 S. 84th St. West Allis; wistatefair.com
The State Fair isn’t the only festival this summer. Stop by one of these four, too.
June 19: Juneteenth
This all-day street festival celebrating Black culture begins with a parade. You’ll find delicious food, dancing and fun games. Multiple blocks of North Martin Luther King Drive; juneteenthmke.org
June 24-25: The Cedarburg Strawberry Festival
It’s all about summer’s yummiest berries at this festival – strawberry drinks, cakes, candies, contests and activities for kids. W63 N643 Washington Ave., Cedarburg; cedarburgfestival.org
July 22-23: The Air & Water Show
Head to the lake for all kinds of aerial and waterborne action, including the Blue Angels zooming around and performing tricks in their fighter planes. McKinley Park, mkeairwatershow.com
Aug. 17-20: Irish Fest
Play putt-putt golf, craft Irish toys and swing around the playground at this festival. Plus, the singing duo Fox and Branch, who put on really fun concerts, will be there. Henry Maier Festival Park; irishfest.com
Louie’s Char serves up wacky hot dogs in a bunch of different must-try styles. There’s the Chicago-style dogs pictured here, but if you’re looking for less vegetbales, you can also get a peanut butter and jelly hot dog, a chili dog, a corn dog or just the plain ol’ unbeatable hot dog smothered in ketchup.
2336 N. Farwell Ave.; 414-212-8761; louieschardogs.com
Try out these four other doggone delicious spots.
The doctor’s in the house, serving up footlong hot dogs smothered in delicious cheese. 6969 N. Port Washington Rd., Glendale; 414-540-0400; drdawg.net
These Vienna Beef hot dogs are phenomenal – and the corn dogs are warm and crispy. 1215 W. Layton Ave.; 414-281-5580; martinoshotdogs.com
You have loads of options to choose from at this hot dog emporium. 1433 E. Brady St.; 414-727-1224; facebook.com/TheDoggHaus
This West Allis joint makes delicious dogs, crispy fries and onion rings, and serves them up in big portions. You’ll leave very full. 1234 S. 108th St.; 414-774-0466; sammystasteofchicago.com
We think Wisconsin is one of the best states for hiking and camping in the entire country. There are lakes and rivers, deep forests and rolling hills, marshes and lagoons, and much more to explore. Here are just a few of our scenic state parks, perfect for a family trip.
This Door County gem on the shore of Green Bay has a wild beauty. There’s a sandy beach, a playground, kayak rentals, a fishing pier and a whopping 468 camping sites. A lot of the trails are super easy, but there are a few rockier, more challenging ones for older kids. Stop by Eagle Tower (which has a ramp for strollers), where you can catch a view over 250 feet above the bay.
As soon as you see the calm, clear water of Mirror Lake, you’ll understand how it got its name. This park is super fun for kayaking and canoeing. It’s also right by the Wisconsin Dells so you can always combine a trip to Mirror Lake with a visit to the Dells’ unbeatable water parks.
Snap a photo at this park’s 500-foot overlook above the mighty Mississippi River. It’s one of the best views in the state. There’s also canoeing and ancient Native American burial mounds at this popular park in southwestern Wisconsin.
You’ll have to sail on two ferries to reach this remote island – located off the Door Peninsula beyond even Washington Island – but the views are worth the trip. The park has 40 campsites, hiking trails all over, a peaceful beach and miles of shoreline to run around.
Find out more about these parks and explore others at dnr.wisconsin.gov
If you’ve never had the thrill of a bluegill tugging on your line, you’ve got to try fishing. And if you’re younger than 16, you don’t need to worry about getting a license. You’ll need a pole, a hook, some bait and a bobber, but you don’t even have to own any of it – the Wisconsin DNR loans out free fishing gear to use at parks around the state, including Milwaukee’s three Urban Ecology Centers (bit.ly/DNRfishing). Hook your bait, cast your line, and see what you catch. And don’t forget to wear a life jacket if
During your next outdoor adventure, keep your eyes peeled for these cool items.
Bring a shoe box to collect the items in this scavenger hunt.
Shell
From a nut, snail, water creature or eggshell
Pinecone that’s longer than it is wide
Branch with thorns
Don’t prick yourself!
Bird feather
Rock that sparkles
Look closely – the sparkle may be tiny.
Seed or seed pod
Piece of trash
Bonus points for keeping the Earth clean!
Blue flower
Leaf with a hole in it
What do you think made that hole?
Cattail
Stick in the shape of a letter
Try to find one that isn’t just an I.
Piece of bark
Don’t take it off a tree though!
Find these things but leave them in nature.
Animal track
What do you think made it?
Bark patterns that look like a face
Three different kinds of trees
Look for differences in bark and leaves.
Do you know what species it is?
Plant that is more than two colors
Berries on a bush or tree
Just don’t eat them!
Moss or fungus
Hole in the ground
What do you think made it?
Animal dung
Is it from a bird, rodent, deer or something else?
Nest or cocoon
Ants on a log
Real ones, not the snack!
The most beautiful thing you
Take lots of pictures and decide at the
You’ve probably spotted these tiny book-filled boxes somewhere around town, whether they’re in your neighborhood or at a park. The books are free to take, and free to give. Share some of your favorite reads with others by dropping them off at one of the many locations. Find the nearest at littlefreelibrary.org.
Do some good (and have some fun with adorable doggos) at these local humane shelters. Kids older than 13 can sign up to volunteer, including spending time with the foster animals to help them get used to humans. hawspets.org; wihumane.org
The United Way is all about making Milwaukeean’s lives better, whether that’s delivering Meals on Wheels, doing yard work for people who can’t do it themselves, or even crafting cute gifts for folks in the hospital. You can find an up-to-date list of all the great familyfriendly volunteering opportunities online, most of which are open to anyone older than 2. unitedwaygmwc.org
Every year, Kids Impact Community puts on about 90 different volunteering events. The organization partners with charities around the city, giving kids the chance to help in all kinds of ways, like serving dinners at a food pantry, hanging out with older folks at a retirement community, or helping pack bags full of the supplies for the homeless. kicmke.org
One in eight kids in Wisconsin doesn’t have enough to eat. You can offer a helping hand by working with Feeding America, which provide food for hundreds of thousands of people every year. The organization relies on volunteers to get all that food out, so they really need your help. Families can sign up to visit the Milwaukee pantry to package and load food for the hungry. feedingamericawi.org
BeingaWisconsiniteisaboutalotmorethanjust eatingcheeseandcomplainingaboutwinter.It’salso abouttakingcareofourneighbors.Herearefiveways youcanhelpothersthissummer.
A vintage bomber? A magical garden? An hour or two in the car is a small price to pay to check out these destinations.
Watch your favorite stories come to life at this massive garden. All the decorations here are inspired by kid’s books, and the place is full of delightful nooks to explore. There’s the Hansel and Gretel cottage, the Magic School Bus, a Little House in the Big Woods pioneer village, a Winnie the Pooh teahouse and plenty more. 1415 Campus Dr., Sheboygan; 920-287-7895; bookwormgardens.org
Check out fighters, bombers and other awesome historic planes here. At the KidVenture area, you can pilot your own radio-controlled airplane and even hop inside a flight simulator to experience what it would be like to soar through the sky in a real B-25 bomber. 3000 Poberezny Rd., Oshkosh; 920-426-4818; eaa.org
Take a trip around East Troy on a fancy old-fashioned electric train. The conductor will even let you up front to see how they drive it. Plus, it stops at The Elegant Farmer, where you can eat what some call the best apple pie in Wisconsin. 2002 Church St., East Troy; 262-642-3263; easttroyrr.org
Drive-ins like Hi-Way 18 might be the most fun way to watch a movie ever invented. You stare up at the ginormous outdoor screen from inside the comfort of your car. You’ll want to get to Hi-Way 18 early – before the movie starts, there’s a fun playground where you can run around. And don’t forget to grab some snacks from the concession stand, too. W6423
Explore rivers, learn wilderness survival skills, hunt for treasure, spot wildlife and more at this nature sanctuary. Riveredge offers daylong outdoor adventures every summer, plus camps and special events, like candlelight hikes and guided tree-climbing sessions, throughout the year. 4458 County Hwy. Y, Saukville; 262-375-2715; riveredgenaturecenter.org
SEEING ALL THE ANIMALS at the Milwaukee County Zoo is fun, obviously, but the Zoo is also doing really important work to protect species. Together, zoos and aquariums contribute more than $200 million to supporting conservation every year. We spoke with Kari Williams, the Zoo’s conservation, research and sustainability coordinator, about some of those projects.
For a long time, everyone thought the Jamaican iguana had gone extinct. But then, all of a sudden, a few were found alive. It felt like a second chance. Folks from around the world rushed to keep them safe, including a zookeeper from the Milwaukee County Zoo. She and others take baby Jamaican iguanas, which are tiny and easily hurt, and put them in protective habitats, where they live until they grow big enough to be safely released.
Habitat destruction and a dangerous disease left this tiny frog species critically endangered, which means that it could be wiped out if we’re not careful. The Zoo has been helping with breeding efforts, both at other zoos in the United States and in Panama. By breeding more of the frogs, they’ve helped keep the species from disappearing.
Pat was a jaguar from Belize, in Central America. After he was injured in the wild, he went to live at the Belize Zoo, and then was transferred to Milwaukee. Zoo team members decided they should also be helping Pat’s jaguar pals back in Belize. They launched Pat Gives Back, a program that’s coming up with plans so that Belize’s jaguars can live safely in the vicinity of local residents.
Zoo team members study animals all over the place. In California, one helped collar mule deer – which means marking them so they can be tracked. Scientists use the information from marked animals to figure out how the species is surviving, where they might be migrating, if they’re having babies, etc. Zoo staff have helped track rattlesnakes, tapirs, birds and many more animals.
The Zoo makes sure its animals stay busy in their habitats. Here are just a few ways.
FELINE FUNK
The Zoo’s big cats, like snow leopards, jaguars and cheetahs, have super intense senses of smell. To keep them engaged, the Zoo gives them smelly perfumes, as well as bedding that other animals have used.
OCTOPUS JARS
Octopus tentacles are crazy. They might seem like floppy noodles, but they can grab on to stuff really tight. To give the Zoo’s octopus a little workout, keepers sometimes stash her food in jars that she twists open.
SNAKE MAZE
To give the Zoo’s snakes a challenge, the zookeepers worked with an Eagle Scout to build a vertical maze. Snakes crawl up it, twisting and turning to find food at the end.
TP THE ELEPHANT
Elephants love exploring their environments. So the Zoo will sometimes hang streamers all around their habitats so that they can engage their instincts by tearing them down.
Obviously, Milwaukee has the Brewers, but there are plenty of other baseball teams to root for around the state – and they each have their own ballparks worth a visit. Cheer your way
The legendary Hank Aaron got his start in professional baseball at this stadium. It’s a must-see for any young slugger. 702 Carson Park Dr., Eau Claire
What makes a great game day experience? Walk-up music? A big, fancy video scoreboard? Fireworks after every weekend game? Whatever it is, the Timber Rattlers have it all.
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This big ballpark less than a mile south of Lambeau Field opened in 2019.
The team name “Rockers” is fitting, because every night, they host pregame concerts out in right field.
(They’re listed north to south.)
Athletic Park
Wausau Woodchucks
Carson Park
Eau Claire Express
Capital Credit Union Park (Ashwaubenon)
Green Bay Rockers
Witter Field
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
Fox Cities Stadium (Grand Chute)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Copeland Park
La Crosse Loggers
Herr-Baker Field
Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
Kapco Park (Mequon)
Lakeshore Chinooks
The Duck Pond
Madison Mallards
Wisconsin Brewing Company Park (Oconomowoc)
Lake Country DockHounds
This gleaming new stadium looks like a train station on the outside, but step inside and it’s an awesome, modern park with a video board, party deck and luxury suites. 217 Shirland Ave., Beloit
Franklin Field
Milwaukee Milkmen
Simmons Field
Kenosha Kingfish
ABC Supply Stadium
Beloit Sky Carp
It’s not really summer until you see those little yellow lights flickering outside. Fireflies are a magical part of the season. Did you know Wauwatosa, a city next door to Milwaukee, actually gets its name from a Potawatomi word meaning “fire that flies?” It’s one of the best spots for finding fireflies, and by late June, there are loads of them fluttering around the Menomonee River. Check out Hart Park (7300 W. Chestnut St.), next to the Wauwatosa Village, to find floating, flickering clouds of the the little bugs. Feel free to catch some, but be gentle and release them right away – we want to make sure there are plenty of fireflies for years to come.
JUNE 10, KONKEL PARK
Hop inside some big rigs, dump trucks, excavators and other big, honking machines at this event. It’s so much fun to see what it’s like in the driver’s seat. bit.ly/ttruck
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS JUNE 14-AUG. 30, BAYSHORE
Spread out a blanket, grab some popcorn and watch a movie under the stars at this free weekly event. You can grab a slice at California Pizza Kitchen or a sweet treat from The Cheesecake Factory, too. Find the full lineup of films at thebayshorelife.com.
JUNE 23, SUMMERFEST GROUNDS
Milwaukee’s biggest music festival has a special day dedicated to kids. Admission is free from noon-3 p.m., plus they have special entertainers for kids performing. And, of course, you’ll want to run around the splash pad. summerfest.com
JUNE 25, JULY 30, AUG. 27, ANODYNE COFFEE
This charming folk-singing duo put on fun concerts that will no doubt have you singing along. Check out these three this summer. foxandbranch.com
JULY 8, AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD
B is for Brewers at this special “Sesame Street”themed day built around the game against the Cincinnati Reds. Everyone who buys a theme night ticket gets a special Brewers Cookie Monster bobblehead. mlb.com/brewers
JULY 11, 13 AND 14, MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
With a Milwaukee County Zoo membership, you get to have fun at one of these three fantastic summer events. There’ll be food trucks, arts and crafts, music – and obviously, you’ll get to hang out with some awesome animals. milwaukeezoo.org
AUG. 5, THE YARD AT BAYSHORE
Thanks to Sprecher Brewery, Glendale is the “Root Beer Capital of the Universe,” according to some folks, and the city celebrates that title with this big festival that has dancing, balloon artists, face-painting and, best of all, free root beer floats. welcometoglendale.com
AUG. 8, WISCONSIN STATE FAIR PARK
The Kidz Bop Never Stop live tour is coming to State Fair Park this summer, bringing your favorite pop hits all sung by kids. Dance along to your favorites like Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” and Lizzo’s “About That Time.” wistatefair.com
AUG. 19-20, MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART
The chalk art at this free, outdoor festival is mindblowing. You should go just to see it, but there’s also plenty more to do – glass-blowing demos, clay sculpting, caricature-drawing, and, of course, you’ll have the chance to make some chalk art of your own.
staycation!
Escape to other worlds in the heart of Milwaukee. Get up close with dinosaurs, wander among live butterflies, and immerse the whole family in ancient cultures. Take a journey back in time or through distant galaxies!
How much do you know about the Ice Age, when sabertoothed cats, giant sloths and woolly mammoths roamed the globe? Find these answers at the Zoo’s new special exhibit, “Dino Don’s Journey to the Ice Age” sponsored by Sendik’s Food Market. Check the signs by each animal for clues!
1. The continent where you might have found a sabertoothed cat.
4. Low temperatures caused bodies of water across the earth to do this during the Ice Age.
7. Scientists discovered Ice Age animals by digging up these preserved remains –like bones, shells, impressions in rock and more.
8. An animal that eats both plants and meat.
9. This modern animal, known for its laugh, lives at the Zoo’s Big Cat Country and has a giant Ice Age ancestor.
11. This marsupial was neither a panther, cat or dog – but it’s closely related to a cartoon “devil.”
2. Mastodons, giant wombats and other Ice Age animals traveled in these groups.
3. This trunked mammal could grow up to 12 feet tall and reach 16,000 pounds.
5. Sadly, this is what almost all Ice Age creatures are today.
6. Ancient animals like the woolly mammoth and woolly rhinoceros were covered in layers of this stuff to stay warm.
10. This big Ice Age cat’s teeth are named after this type of curvy sword.
12. Today, the slow-moving descendants of this giant creature like to hang on trees and spend most of the day sleeping.
13. The earth was full of giant, fascinating creatures during this time 2.4 million years ago.
