In Milwaukee, beauty and wonder are never more than just a few steps away.
With branches at Riverside Park, Washington Park and in the Menomonee Valley, find your connection to the great outdoors at the Urban Ecology Center. The center organizes volunteer cleanups and restoration projects and also offers classes about nature, science and sustainability. Enjoy a day immersing yourself in the splendor of nature by borrowing a kayak, bike, canoe or winter gear from the Urban Ecology Center.
The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center along Lake Michigan is home to 185 acres of wetlands, forest and restored prairie. It’s also a birdwatcher’s dream, with more than 250 species recorded since the ’70s. Raptors are the largest inhabitants, including eagles, hawks, owls and falcons.
Located on 220 acres of natural beauty in Whitnall Park, the Wehr Nature Center is a nature preserve and education center that’s open year-round. Five miles of trails around Mallard Lake let you walk and immerse yourself in the oak savanna, woodlands and wetlands.
Grant Park in South Milwaukee offers just about everything a family would want in a park — beach and water fun, hiking and biking trails, nature and wildlife areas, picnic areas and even disc golf. And don't miss Seven Bridges Trail.
Transport yourself and your entire crew to tropical and desert biodomes at the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory. These modern wonders boast a collection of more than 1,800 plant species indigenous to each climate. Wander the winding paths of these two domes, then explore the themed Floral Show Dome, with a specially designed display to suit the season. Carving its way through all of Milwaukee County is the Oak Leaf Trail. With 135+ miles of smooth asphalt and scenic views, it's the perfect way to immerse yourself in Milwaukee on foot, bicycle or even roller blades.
