10+ Things to Do with Kids on Milwaukee’s East Side
The East Side of Milwaukee is home for me. I’ve lived in seven cities and five states in my lifetime, but the first 18 years of my life were all spent in one place.
The East Side is a quiet neighborhood nestled along the lakefront just north of Downtown. It benefits from the cool lake breezes in the Summer and the warm lake effect in the Winter.
It is an area with tasty restaurants, pretty parks, and a slow, quiet feel that I love. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this area, as a kid obviously, but also as an adult with my own kids.
Below are our favorite things to do on the East Side. I hope you’ll pop up the next time you’re in town.
affiliate links may be included below.
10+ Things to do on Milwaukee’s East Side
My definition of Milwaukee’s East Side does include part of the lakefront that is technically south of the “East Side”. Growing up on the East Side Lake Michigan was a huge part of my childhood. Below are ideas that stretch from Shorewood to the edge of Downtown within about a mile of the lakefront.
1. Walk in Lake Park
We are huge fans of walks with young kids and Lake Park is one of my favorite places to explore with kids. Whatever the season, put on some weather appropriate gear, grab some binoculars or bags for collecting and head to the park to look for signs of the season. (For more walk ideas for toddlers and preschoolers read this list!)
For a walk, I would park over by the golf course and head south. There is a map on the website to give you a better visual look.
2. Play on a Playground
There are several fun playgrounds on the East Side of Milwaukee.
Lake Park is the newest, most interesting structure in the area. It is great for kids who love to climb.
Riverside has some fun quirky things that my kids love.
There is also a playground by Atwater Beach at Lake and Capitol that is fun and wins for best view.
We also love the one along the lakefront on Lincoln Memorial Drive across the street from Colectivo. Grab a cup of coffee and then hang out while your kiddos play.
3. Urban Ecology Center
The Urban Ecology Center’s mission is to foster “ecological understanding as inspiration for change, neighborhood by neighborhood.” So far they have three locations in Milwaukee. Their site has more information about each location.
We love exploring their East Side Riverside location.
When you walk in you are greeted by this welcoming lobby. It is a warm space with various seating, a fireplace, and tables for sitting and working. There are also helpful volunteers at the front desk that can answer questions, help you find things, and offer information.
Beyond that, I was delighted to uncover several family friendly details tucked into this center. In the lobby there are books and puzzles tucked on a shelf.
There is a room with a variety of native animals, including turtles, snails, fish, and frogs in tanks. It is not overly impressive in design or size, but the exhibits are carefully placed at child’s eye view and our kids enjoyed peering at the different animals.
These river themed slides were a huge hit with our kids. You go up a stair case and briefly outdoors to go down the slides, which I found a little odd, but they found to be completely awesome. Apparently the Urban Ecology Center knows its audience. This is technically a “secret entrance” into the center. Our twins went up and down these slides countless times.
The Riverside Park location is situated on 15 acres of wooded land and riparian habitat along the Milwaukee River. The trails are short and easily adapted to various ages and walk lengths. In the past we have seen deer, a variety of flowers and trees, and birds on walks in the Arboretum.
Also Read: 10 Winter Activities do in Milwaukee with Kids
4. East Side Library
This library was recently updated and it’s beautiful. We always love a visit to the library. My kids could browse the stacks for hours and the stack we bring home borders of ridiculous every week.
The East Side branch has lots of story times and other programs for families so check out their calendar for the up-to-date dates and times.
5. Atwater Beach
The beach? In Wisconsin? Yes! There are a few places to hit the beach on the East Side, but our favorite is Atwater Beach.
The playground at the top is great for older kids (3-7ish) and the view is incredible. If you head down the stairs you will find a large, often uncrowded beach with lovely soft sand.
>> Also Read: A SUMMER WEEKEND IN MILWAUKEE <<
6. Boswell Bookstore
The Boswell Book Company is on Downer Ave on the East Side. It is an awesome independent bookstore with a cozy well-stocked children’s area. I don’t think there is a better place to spend a couple of hours on a cold day, but we love a visit to Boswell anytime of year.
7. Eat Yummy Things on Downer
Downer Ave is kind of Main St on the East Side. There are some little shops and a lot of restaurants.
Pizza Man is one of our personal favorites with kids. They have delicious pizza and pasta.
8. Get Outside by the Lagoon
Towards downtown on Lincoln Memorial Drive, in Veteran’s Park you will find the Lagoon. There are often fun events here like a kite festival and the view of downtown is one of the best, but the lagoon itself is fun with kids.
This is a great spot for watching sailboats, renting boats to try out on the calm lagoon, flying a kite in the open grassy area, ride bikes, and more.
9. Sledding
Winter is a big part of Wisconsin life when you’re a kid and sledding is one of the best parts. Our favorite place to sled on the East Side of Milwaukee is the hill by the tennis courts at Riverside Park.
10. Art Museum
The Art Museum is probably technically Downtown, but to me it was the end of our neighborhood when I was a kid and it’s a fabulous place to visit with kids.
Parking is available across the street and underneath the museum. If you arrive at opening you can watch the famous wings open.
Don’t miss the kid’s art space on the lower level. My kids always love the hands on activities.
And while you’re there, ask for one of the kids activity guides. They change with the new visiting exhibits and they do a great job engaging kids (about age 5 and up) in really exploring one of the exhibits in depth.
11. Climb at Adventure Rock
Adventure Rock is situated on the cusp of the East Side of Milwaukee by North Avenue, which is convenient for anyone on that end of town. (The other location is on the west side of town about a half an hour away).
On the main floor are locker rooms, bathrooms, and a huge climbing room with impressive vaulted ceilings. There is a good mixture of course difficulties and space for climbing. Upstairs is also a long area for bouldering.
For climbing with kids, I like that there are a decent number of auto-belays so adults can take turns supervising and climbing.
