Free admission days at Milwaukee museums and the zoo in November 2026
Looking for stimulating yet budget-friendly things to do with your family and friends in November? Here are free admission days at Milwaukee's museums and the zoo.
Milwaukee Public Museum
Admission to the museum, 800 W. Wells St., is free on Nov. 5 ,courtesy of Kohl's Thank You Thursdays. Reservations can be made up to a week in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult to receive free admission.
In its final year in its current building, the museum is taking a victory lap with "Greatest Hits" programs that celebrate popular exhibits. From now through Dec. 17, it's a salute to the Streets of Old Milwaukee and European Village exhibits, with some special events.
Milwaukee County Zoo
Admission is free to the zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road, on Nov. 7 for Family Free Day, sponsored by Tri City National Bank and Fox 6. Regular parking fees still apply.
Milwaukee Art Museum
Admission is pay-what-you-wish from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 5 and 19 as part of Thursday nights at MAM, 700 N. Art Museum Drive.
Children 12 and younger receive free admission to the art museum every day it is open, as do Wisconsin K-12 teachers with a valid school ID or pay stub.
RELATED: A look at the legacy of art museum's Calatrava addition as it turns 25
Betty Brinn Children's Museum
Admission to the museum is free Nov. 19 as part of Betty Brinn's Community Access Day program. The museum is at 929 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) at all times during Betty Brinn Children's Museum visits. Adults visiting the museum must be visiting with a child or have a scheduled appointment.
Wehr Nature Center
As part of Free Parking Thursdays, parking is free at Wehr, 9701 W. College Ave., Franklin, on Nov. 26. Trails are open from dawn to dusk. Note: That's Thanksgiving day, so the trails are open, but the nature center building is closed.
Charles Allis Art Museum
Admission is free Nov. 5 and the first Thursday of every month. The Allis is at 1801 N. Prospect Ave. The museum requests that people enter through the coach-house door located off the Royall Place driveway.
These museums are always free
The Haggerty Museum of Art , at 1234 W. Tory Hill St. on the Marquette University campus, always has free admission; the museum has rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection and is open daily.
Lynden Sculpture Garden , 2145 W. Brown Deer Road, River Hills, started offering free admission during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued since with support from donors.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Free admission days at Milwaukee museums and the zoo in November 2026
