Visiting Discovery World in Milwaukee

Discovery World in Milwaukee is a family-friendly science and technology museum on the shores of Lake Michigan. Here, you'll find a wide variety of interactive STEM exhibits, including the Reiman Aquarium, as well as immersive experiences. Designed to spark creativity, innovations and “aha” moments, Discovery World offers hands-on learning opportunities for visitors of all ages, making it an ideal destination to explore the natural world and set out to discover the answers to all your curiosities. 

Learn more about the science and technology museum’s must-see exhibits, events and everything you need to know before you visit with our guide to Discovery World.

Hours, Ticketing & More

Discovery World welcomes visitors to dive into a world of exploration beginning at 9 a.m. when it opens until it closes its doors to new entries at 4 p.m. 

Admission

• $24 for adults
• $20 for children aged 3-17, and seniors over 60
• $18 for college students and military personnel
• Children under 2 enter for free

If you’ll be visiting multiple times throughout the year, purchasing a membership offers unlimited access, among other perks. Given the museum's dynamic schedule, including occasional free days, please check Discovery World's website for the most current information.

Must-See Exhibits

Discovery World offers engaging exhibits that cater to a broad audience, making it an ideal destination for families, especially those with elementary to middle school-aged children. Don’t skip the Reiman Aquarium, which invites you to immerse yourself in the vibrant aquatic life through touch tanks and interactive displays. 

For technology enthusiasts, Discovery World doesn't disappoint. With cutting-edge exhibits that include a flight simulator, a road racing simulator, and an innovation station featuring a pneumatic dinosaur, the museum encourages you to explore your scientific curiosities through a series of fascinating experiments.

Are you a budding geologist? The museum's interactive model of the Great Lakes captivates with its detailed exploration of the region's geology and geography. 

The museum also features a musical experience unique to Wisconsin with Les Paul's House of Sound. The exhibit takes visitors on a journey through Paul's creation of the iconic creation and the experiments that led him to pioneer the first solid-body electric guitar. 

Each exhibit at Discovery World is designed to be interactive, encouraging everyone in the family to engage deeply with the content, whether it's through hands-on science experiments or exploring the mechanics behind renewable energy. 

Events & Programming

Discovery World offers a variety of exciting events and programs throughout the week to keep visitors of all ages engaged. Want to see what goes into caring for the underwater world? Every Wednesday, join the Lake Michigan Divers as they feed various fish in the massive 85,000-gallon Lake Michigan tank. Other recurring events include the Girls & STEM initiative providing empowering sessions to inspire young women to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math. You can find a list of additional Discovery World events below!

Round Out Your Visit 

With Family-Friendly Dining Options 

Around Discovery World, you'll find plenty of dining options to choose from. Notably, SafeHouse, just a short distance away, offers a one-of-a-kind spy-themed dining experience for the whole family. Your junior agents will be thrilled with the kids' menu, featuring playful names inspired by spy flicks. Choose from the Carmen Cortez mac n' cheese, the Goldfingers fried chicken tenders and the Juni Specials burger, among other dishes.

Another crowd favorite is Tupelo Honey, which combines great food with goodwill, donating .50 cents from each kid's meal to the local community through their Kid's Meal Charity fund.

Finally, for the family that wants it all, head to one of the city's most popular food halls. The Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward is just a 15-minute walk from Discovery World and offers a wide array of food that will surely please everyone in your group. 

These are just a few restaurants near Discovery World, ensuring visitors have plenty of options to satisfy any craving after a day of exploration and discovery.