List of museums in Wisconsin facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Wisconsin is a state full of amazing places to explore, and that includes lots of cool museums! A museum is a special place where people collect and take care of interesting objects. These objects can be about art, science, history, or different cultures. Museums then show these collections to the public so everyone can learn and have fun. This list will tell you about some of the best museums in Wisconsin that you can visit!

Awesome Museums to Explore
Regions of Wisconsin
See also

Awesome Museums to Explore

Wisconsin has many different kinds of museums. Here are some that kids aged 12-14 might find super interesting:

Children's Museums: Fun for All Ages

Above & Beyond Children's Museum in Sheboygan: This museum is packed with hands-on activities designed for kids to learn and play.
Betty Brinn Children's Museum in Milwaukee: Get ready for interactive exhibits that make learning about the world exciting and fun.
Building for Kids in Appleton: Also known as the Fox Cities Children's Museum, it offers creative play and discovery for young explorers.
Central Wisconsin Children's Museum in Stevens Point: A great spot for kids to engage with exhibits and spark their curiosity.
Children's Museum of Eau Claire in Eau Claire: This museum provides a playful environment where children can learn through experience.
Children's Museum of Fond du Lac in Fond du Lac: Discover and imagine with many interactive exhibits.
Children's Museum of La Crosse in La Crosse: Known as the Gertrude Salzer Gordon Children's Museum, it's a place for hands-on fun and learning.
Madison Children's Museum in Madison: Explore art, science, history, and culture in a super engaging way.
Northwoods Children's Museum in Eagle River: Perfect for kids to discover and play in the beautiful Northwoods.

History Museums: Step Back in Time

America's Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee: This museum is a powerful place that teaches about the history of African Americans in the U.S., from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement and today. It helps us understand important parts of history.
Americanism Center Museum in Waubeka: Learn about the history of the American flag and Flag Day, including military items and local history.
Aztalan Museum in Lake Mills: See artifacts from the ancient Mississippian culture found nearby, along with local history, log cabins, and old churches.
Civil War Museum (Wisconsin) in Kenosha: Explore the American Civil War and how it affected people living in Wisconsin and other Midwest states.
Fort Crawford Museum in Prairie du Chien: Located in a 19th-century military hospital, this museum tells the story of the fort, city history, and frontier medicine.
Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Green Bay: This is a huge outdoor museum with 25 historical buildings spread across 48 acres. It's like walking through history!
History Museum at the Castle in Appleton: Discover local history, including collections from famous magician Harry Houdini and author Edna Ferber.
Milwaukee Public Museum in Milwaukee: A huge museum covering natural history, Wisconsin's history, and different cultures from around the world.
Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison: Learn all about Wisconsin's history and culture, from the Ice Age to modern times.

Science & Nature Museums: Discover the World Around You

Cable Natural History Museum in Cable: Explore the natural world of Wisconsin with interesting exhibits.
Dinosaur Discovery Museum in Kenosha: Get up close with dinosaurs and fossils, and learn about the connection between birds and meat-eating dinosaurs.
Discovery World in Milwaukee: This museum is all about innovation, technology, and the natural history of the Great Lakes. It's very interactive!
L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum in Madison: Part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, this museum has hands-on exhibits that show how physics works, from simple machines to modern science.
National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Hayward: See over 400 mounted fish, learn about fishing records, and explore the history of fishing.
Point Beach Energy Education Center in Two Rivers: Learn about how electricity is made, including nuclear energy, at this interesting center.
Tommy Bartlett Exploratory in Wisconsin Dells: With over 150 interactive science displays, you can experiment and learn about science in a fun way.
UW–Madison Geology Museum in Madison: Explore geology, fossils, and even dinosaurs at this university museum.
UWSP Museum of Natural History in Stevens Point: See wildlife dioramas, fossils, rocks, and learn about geology and Native American artifacts.
Weis Earth Science Museum in Menasha: Discover minerals, fossils, and geology at this museum, which is part of the University of Wisconsin–Fox Valley.
Wisconsin Science Museum in Madison: This museum inspires interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with exhibits and activities. It celebrates discoveries made by Wisconsinites.

Art Museums: See Amazing Creations

Alexander House Center for Art & History in Port Edwards: This center combines an art gallery with a historical museum, focusing on local industries like lumber and papermaking.
Charles Allis Art Museum in Milwaukee: A beautiful 19th-century mansion filled with French and American paintings, furniture, and changing art exhibits.
Chazen Museum of Art in Madison: Part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, this museum has a wide collection of American and European art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
Grohmann Museum in Milwaukee: This unique museum is dedicated to art that shows the evolution of human work, with a focus on European art.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan: A large arts center with ten galleries, a theater, and studio classrooms, showcasing various art forms.
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau: This museum hosts 8 to 10 art exhibitions each year in a lovely 1931 English Tudor-style building.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison: Explore modern and contemporary art at this museum.
Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee: A famous museum with collections of European and American paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from many centuries.
Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend: This museum focuses on art created by Wisconsin artists.
Museum of Woodcarving in Shell Lake: See a collection of amazing life-size and miniature wood carvings created by one artist, Joseph T. Barta.
Racine Art Museum in Racine: Known for its exhibits of contemporary crafts.
Rahr West Art Museum in Manitowoc: Housed in a 1910 Queen Anne-style house, this museum features various art exhibits.
Wisconsin Concrete Park in Phillips: An outdoor sculpture park with 237 colorful concrete sculptures created by artist Fred Smith. It's truly unique!
Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts in Cedarburg: Explore beautiful quilts and other art made from fibers.

Unique & Specialty Museums: Something Different!

A World Of Accordions Museum in Superior: If you love music, this museum features over 1000 accordions and related items!
Angel Museum in Beloit: A private collection of angel figurines and angel-themed items.
Ariens Company Museum in Brillion: See seven decades of power equipment, including tillers, tractors, and snow blowers from the Ariens company.
Badger Mine and Museum in Shullsburg: Take a tour of a real lead mine and learn about life in Wisconsin's early mining towns.
Circus World Museum in Baraboo: Dive into the history of the circus with artifacts, exhibits, and even live circus performances in the summer!
Chocolate Experience Museum in Burlington: Learn all about the history of chocolate. Yum!
Colfax Railroad Museum in Colfax: Explore the history of railroads with various exhibits.
Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bike Museum in Sparta: Learn about astronaut "Deke" Slayton, other Wisconsin astronauts, and the history of bicycling.
EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh: See historic and hand-made aircraft at this amazing aviation museum.
Elmer's Auto & Toy Museum in Fountain City: This museum has five buildings full of muscle cars, antique cars, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, and tons of antique toys and dolls.
Fennimore Doll & Toy Museum in Fennimore: A delightful collection of classic and collectible dolls and toys from all over the world.
Flyways Waterfowl Museum in Baraboo: See antique and modern duck decoys, learn about different waterfowl species, and the history of duck hunting.
Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee: Discover the history of the famous Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Honey of a Museum in Ashippun: Learn about live bees, the history of beekeeping, and how honey is made.
International Clown Hall of Fame in Baraboo: Celebrate famous clown performers and their achievements.
Little Falls Railroad & Doll Museum in Sparta: Enjoy looking at dolls and detailed model railroad layouts.
Logic Puzzle Museum in Burlington: Get your brain working with hands-on brain teaser puzzles.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom: Ride a historic steam train and see restored engines and railroad cars.
Mining Museum & Rollo Jamison Museum in Platteville: Take an underground tour of a real lead mine and learn about the history of mining in the area.
Motorama Auto Museum in Aniwa: See rare cars from around the world, army trucks, motorcycles, and race cars.
Museum of Historic Torture Devices in Wisconsin Dells: This museum displays a collection of historical torture devices.
National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee: See over 10,000 different bobbleheads from all over the world!
National Historic Cheesemaking Center in Monroe: Learn about the history of cheesemaking in Wisconsin and see old equipment.
National Mustard Museum in Middleton: A quirky museum with mustards from around the world and exhibits on its history.
National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon: Explore a huge collection of railroad engines, cars, and artifacts.
Paper Discovery Center in Appleton: Learn all about how paper is made and the history of paper manufacturing.
Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum in Eau Claire: Step back into an 1890s logging camp and learn about the history of forestry.
Peshtigo Fire Museum in Peshtigo: Learn about the devastating Peshtigo Fire of 1871, which happened on the same day as the Great Chicago Fire.
Potosi Brewery in Potosi: This museum includes a transportation museum with old wagons and trucks, and a National Brewery Museum with beer-making equipment.
Railroad Memories Museum in Spooner: See uniforms, bells, whistles, and other artifacts from railroad history.
Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center in Superior: Learn about the life of aviator Richard Bong and see military history from World War II.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Wisconsin Dells: A museum full of strange and unbelievable facts and exhibits.
Rogers Street Fishing Village in Two Rivers: Explore a museum village about commercial fishing, including a Great Lakes Coast Guard Museum.
Silver Wheel Manor Doll Museum in Fond du Lac: See over 2000 dolls, model trains, doll houses, and antique toys.
Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Germain: Learn about the history of snowmobiling with historic race sleds, trophies, and photos.
Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum in Burlington: A fun museum dedicated to spinning tops, yo-yos, and other spin toys.
SS Meteor in Superior: Tour a real 1896 whaleback cargo ship that used to sail on the Great Lakes!
Toy Train Barn in Argyle: Enjoy looking at amazing model train layouts.
Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford: See over 100 classic and vintage cars and automotive artifacts.
Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner: Learn about the history of canoes in North America.
Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center in Warrens: Discover the history of the cranberry industry in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in Eagle River: Celebrate important people in Wisconsin's amateur ice hockey history.
Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc: Explore the history of the Great Lakes, see nautical artifacts, and even tour a real submarine, the USS Cobia (SS-245)!

Regions of Wisconsin

Wisconsin is divided into different regions, each with its own unique history and natural beauty. These regions help organize where the museums are located:

Central Sands Prairie Region

This central area includes counties like Adams, Calumet, Clark, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Juneau, Marathon, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood.

Lake Michigan Region

This eastern area runs along Lake Michigan and includes the Door Peninsula. Counties here are Brown, Door, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Milwaukee, Oconto, Ozaukee, Racine, and Sheboygan.

Lake Superior Northwoods Region

The northern and northwestern parts of Wisconsin are in this region. Counties include Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn.

Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region

This region is in the south-central and southwest areas, following the Mississippi and Chippewa rivers. Counties are Buffalo, Chippewa, Crawford, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Trempealeau, and Vernon.

Southern Savanna Region

The south-central part of the state is the Southern Savanna. Counties here are Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha.