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    Old World Wisconsin

    4.2 (43 reviews)
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    Updated 1 month ago

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    Fun artifacts from legions of old!

    Legends and Lore: Two adults 6 teenaged girls, some into scary, some scaredy cats wanted to do something fun at night during spooky season. This was perfect! We all had fun. We may have learned something along the way too! Important note: get there early and done feel the need to do it all in order. There is a lot to see.

    Trail

    If you allow yourself about three hours, you will see and read everything. Great exercise in a natural setting. Can't go wrong with old world, Wisc..

    It was amazing!! My daughter and I love history and it felt like we were transported back to the 1800's. Staff was super polite and were very prompt and knowledgeable with our questions. Definitely recommend this location if your looking todo something with your family

    One of the rooms in yankee home I believe,
    Kyle A.

    The Disneyland of frontier North America. And I do not put that lightly. There is a little something for everyone here and it was great that just about everyone - both staff and volunteers - seemed to enjoy what they do. The token system is great for the experience but the nature and historic value alone is worth its weight in gold. I like that the animals are well taken care of. The blacksmith was great and full of enthusiasm. The school house was very engaging. Having the tram system really helped us get around after our feet got tired. Great place. Highly recommend. Amazing for adults and kids alike.

    Marissa M.

    My family came to Old World Wisconsin, and I was super impressed! My nephews (3 and 5) had a great time, and there was plenty to keep us adults interested too. The transportation between each site was impressive. It was a very hot day, so it was really nice to have all the water fountains around the park that they did. Great spot!

    Ashton M.

    Old World Wisconsin is a beautiful museum of sorts out in the country. The staff were kind and helpful, teaching about the history of each building and its former inhabitants. There are many life animals on the farms as well. Our time here was limited, but I could have spent all day here! Be sure to check café hours. Bring your own snacks and water as well.

    Hannah H.

    We came to Old World Wisconsin on a class field trip. Seeing the pigs, the baby chickens, and the sheep makes this place worthwhile! The whole place is like a time warp, and they have some rope-making presentations by the farm, an opportunity to walk on stilts as a past-time, guided tours, and getting a tram around the area. Great place to walk around and explore. There are student rates as well as school discounts. Be sure to bring a packed or sacked lunch, since their restaurant was just okay - I did enjoy their Oatmeal Raisin cookies as they were quite delicious! Their Pulled Pork was okay, but more on the sweeter side, and their potato salad was very dill-focused. Definitely an educational experience! +great educational experience! +bring a sacked lunch

    Rankinen House (Finnish)
    Kathryn D.

    As a child, Old World Wisconsin was one of my favorite places in the world, and I continue to love to visit as an adult when I'm in the area. Growing up, my family would typically come to OWW three to four times a year, including for special seasonal events. Over the years, I've made corn husk dolls, carded wool, kneaded dough and baked bread, learned how to clean clothes using a washboard and wringer, ridden on a turn-of-the-century bicycle, become a master at stilt-walking, watched sheep shearing, sung Christmas carols at St. Peter's Church, and much more. On my most recent trip just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see a baby calf born that very day, with the umbilical cord still attached - such a cool and memorable experience! For families interested in history, OWW an absolute must while in Wisconsin. You could certainly spend an entire day here, and I'd suggest allocating at least four or five hours. If you're short on time, be sure to visit the Raspberry Schoolhouse (Norwegian), the black kitchen at the Schultz farm (German), the sauna at the Ketola House (Finnish), and the blacksmith shop (Yankee Crossroads Village). If you have the opportunity, stop by the African-American area and learn about the extraordinary 19th and early 20th century community of Pleasant Ridge, home to one of the first integrated schools in the U.S. in the 1870s. There are modern restrooms in the visitor center and Clausing Barn Restaurant, as well as the Norwegian and German areas. The food at the restaurant is quite good, if a little over-priced, and the gift shop is definitely worth a visit. I should also mention that last summer, I attended an amazing wedding at OWW. The couple held their reception in the Clausing Barn, and it was such a charming and one-of-a-kind venue!

    Homestead in the German area where they had "Life on the Farm" with lots of animals.
    Whitney S.

    Much larger place than I had imagined. We were there mid-week in the summer and it wasn't very crowded, but the trams were easily running every 15 min or more frequently. The buildings and grounds were amazing - I hadn't realized that the buildings are original and the furnishings are great to recreate the feeling of walking into a person's home during that time period. It was great that you could walk through everything and touch many items - the kids that we saw there were having a great time. The interpreters (dressed in period outfits) were also very knowledgeable and we asked lots of questions. The school house was great - a whole room of adults crammed into those little desks with the school teacher calling on us to ask our questions (I was scolded - playfully - for not standing to ask my question - which just helped create a more authentic feel for the time period). I was a little sad for one of the pigs who was on a farm by himself and ran over when we approached (we fed him grass from the yard). And apparently they slaughter some of the animals at the end of the season (disturbing, since we're vegetarians). One of the houses had a freshly killed, skinned and cooked squirrel which, while authentic, seemed like over doing it a bit. If not for these issues, easily a five-star trip. I really liked how the interpreters had been or were engaged in authentic activities of the period (farming, baking, washing) so you got a real sense that you were just walking into someone's every day life from over a hundred years ago. The larger gardens were also quite impressive. We were there for about 4.5 hours and wished we'd arrived a little earlier. We kept up a good pace all day (but asked lots of questions and tried to see everything) but ended up being a little rushed at the end of the day and might go back to finish up seeing some things we missed. It was a great day trip from Chicago and we loved being in all the very quiet, open space.

    Old World Wisconsin
    Ericka A.

    People pretty much covered all of the bases in the other reviews on here; however, I would also like to mention that they have great rates for people who become members. They also gave me a discount for coming with a member. Animals are mainly kept in the barns and/or fenced. There are some chickens and turkeys that run around freely and they are pretty easy to access and get some good pictures of. You're allowed to take pictures pretty much everywhere. I don't remember seeing any signs to prohibit it. Their gift shop is awesome! It's truly a general store. My friend's husband and I bought hoops and sticks after playing with the ones they had for visitors to use. I think they were $20, if that. They also sell nationality patches for different parts of the settlement and my all time favorite, rock candy! We stocked up on bunches of rock candy sticks and candy canes. They kept us occupied on the ride home.

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    Milwaukee Public Museum

    Milwaukee Public Museum

    4.3(204 reviews)
    31.1 miWestown, Downtown

    Though I'm sure the new MPM will be amazing, I'm still bummed to know this museum is closing soon!…read moreMy kids are big fans of this place. So crazy that it hasn't changed a bit since I would go here on school trips years and years ago. The exhibits continue to offer so much! From taking you through the dino-ages, to exploring the rainforest, and Native American history. Lots of areas to check out. Favorite has to be the Streets of Old Milwaukee which is just so immersive. We also love the butterfly room (so many live butterflies!) and the planetarium dome theater, which shows various educational films. They ask that you don't have food and drinks while touring around (understandable), but they have a huge cafe/dining area on the ground level. It's great because you can bring your own packed lunch and snacks, or purchase from their various offerings. Underground parking, easy check-in, and friendly staff, too!

    I grew up in the Fox Valley and have fond memories of the occasional field trip to the Milwaukee…read moreMuseum and the occasional family trip to visit as well. It took until adulthood for me to learn there's a button to make the rattlesnake move. (If you know, you know). I enjoyed bringing my own kids when they were little and seeing the exhibits through their enthusiasm. I have nostalgic memories of MPM and I really hope that transcends to the soon to be new facility. I hear the streets of Milwaukee exhibit will be modified in the move. To the powers that be that may stumble across this review - this exhibit and what you do with it when you move will do a lot to make or break public sentiment.

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    Milwaukee Public Museum - Skull

    Skull

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    Africa!

    Ten Chimneys

    Ten Chimneys

    4.5(17 reviews)
    8.6 mi

    I am obsessed with Ten Chimneys!!…read more The backstory is fascinating. This wonderful, glamorous Broadway couple found their way to the sweet little mid-west town of Genesee Depot is intriguing on it's own. Their summer home is lovely. I can feel the parties and good times that surely took place in years gone by. Everything has been lovingly preserved by those in charge and offer a wonderful glimpse into this adored couple's lives. The grounds are the perfect backdrop to the home. The entire estate gives off a quiet and relaxing vibe. It makes me understand why, on their time off, they would long to come home to Ten Chimneys. There were 2 tour times offered. Everyone takes a small bus from the starting point. A talented docent brings you on a detailed journey back in time and into the private world of Alfred Lunt and his wife Lynn Fontanne. Of course, there is a gift shop to visit after your tour. Be sure to check out the customer restrooms. The ladies room is glamorous with ladies finery and there is a huge King's throne in the mens room! Don't miss the walking tails if you want to take in a bit more nature!

    As a classic film and theater nerd, Ten Chimneys holds a special place in my heart. The former home…read moreof Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, the home and grounds are impeccable and just they was as they Lunts left them. Thanks to some love from investors, their stories are preserved and memorialized through the maintenance of Ten Chimneys and the many individuals from all over the world who come to this tiny Wisconsin town to remember them and Hollywood's days gone by. Cross the same threshold that the likes of Vivien Leigh, Helen Hayes, Lawrence Olivier, Katharine Hepburn, Noel Coward, Alexander Woolcott, and so many others crossed, as you become part of the storied list of visitors. Tours must be arranged in advance.

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    Ten Chimneys - Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in the Library at Ten Chimneys

    Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in the Library at Ten Chimneys

    Ten Chimneys
    Ten Chimneys - The ladies room sitting area.

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    The ladies room sitting area.

    East Troy Electric Railroad - Award-winning PBS documentary "The Trolley at East Troy" (1986) by Lou Rugani.

    East Troy Electric Railroad

    3.8(14 reviews)
    7.3 mi

    Definitely great for kids and train enthusiasts. The website is not as helpful with FAQs and…read moreticketing left our group a little confused. We were hoping to get on at Elegant Farmer and ride to the depot but opted to just go straight to the museum/depot instead due to the ticket instructions. They don't have a direct line, just an answering service. The answering service staff was unhelpful and sounded irritated by taking a message. We were irritated for leaving messages that were never returned. If you have questions, reach out via the contact us option on their website at least 2 days in advance and you should be good. They are doing a lot with a little and making it enjoyable for the kiddos. Probably won't return but happy we tried it.

    This weekend my husband and twin toddler sons went to Railfest at East Troy Electric Railroad. It…read morewas such a fun little event! They had trains doing rides every on the hour for a reasonable price and toddlers under 2 were free. Unfortunately, we didn't get to ride because the boys hadn't napped but it was so fun watching the trolleys and electric trains and hearing them go "choo choo" as my boys say. They had reasonable food - hot dogs and root-beer and model railroads to look at. My husband and k agreed that we will definitely bring the boys back next year and look forward to riding the trains! We also want to try the dinner train someday for a date night! How fun does that sound?!

    Photos
    East Troy Electric Railroad - Rita Rinelli in THE TROLLEY AT EAST TROY IMDb page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0224296/?ref_=ext_shr

    Rita Rinelli in THE TROLLEY AT EAST TROY IMDb page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0224296/?ref_=ext_shr

    East Troy Electric Railroad
    East Troy Electric Railroad

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    Old World Wisconsin - museums - Updated June 2026

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