Discovery World
4.6(4,290)4.6 out of 5 stars, 4290 reviews Milwaukee, WI
About Discovery World
An interactive science museum and Great Lakes-focused aquarium featuring hands-on machinery, robotics, and unique fish-petting tanks, though experiences can be impacted by broken exhibits and high parking fees.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking hands-on science and technology exhibitsKids who love interactive animal encountersToddlers and young children who benefit from tactile, hands-on playSchool-aged children and science-loving kids interested in robotics and machinery
Why families love it
- Interactive sturgeon and stingray petting tanks
- Robotics area on the third floor that prints customized foam toys
- Great Lakes exhibit featuring a real boat to explore
- Engaging hands-on machinery and car displays
- Sturgeon petting tank where fish interact with visitors
- Custom foam toy printing machine
Insider tips
- Budget at least 3 to 4 hours on weekends to account for long lines
- Call ahead to confirm if major exhibits like the aquarium tunnel are open
- Be prepared for tight parking spaces if driving a large vehicle like a truck
Good to know before you go
- Visiting on busy Sundays if you want to avoid long lines
- Expecting a massive, world-class aquarium experience (it is relatively small)
- Many interactive elements and buttons (like the train display) were broken or non-functional
- Confusing museum layout, elevator system, and level names
- Key attractions, such as the aquarium tunnel, being closed for construction without warning
- Crowds
- High crowd levels and long lines on Sundays can prevent you from seeing all exhibits
- Value
- Admission can feel expensive ($50 mentioned) if major exhibits are closed or broken. Parking adds an extra $13, leading some parents to feel it is poor value compared to larger alternatives like the Shedd Aquarium.
What parents say
"Fun science museum with major areas on machinery and water. Loved the Great Lakes exhibit and aquarium, with a special emphasis on wildlife of the Great Lakes. You can pet sting rays. We were there two hours and saw a little over half of the exhibits. There’s so many hands-on exhibits plan on a few trips. Recommended, particularly for science lovers."
2 weeks ago
"What a huge disappointment. It may be great for young kids as there are a lot of hands on things to do, but the aquarium is really small and the major exhibit was closed. Paid $50 to get in and an hour later we were walking out the door. No sharks. One display of jellyfish. And just eh. Parking was $13 for that hour. And the garage is not made for a Chevy Silverado, but made it work. I would not go back and rather pay double for the Shedd. It was an adventure."
a month ago
"On the surface it seems like a really cool place... But unfortunately it left our entire group disappointed. The layout and the elevators and names of the levels was confusing, the tunnel under the aquarium was under construction and that was a main thing I wanted to personally experience so I was bummed. The train display was impressive but none of the buttons did anything. Lots of interactive elements seemed to be like that, or they were not well explained by any signage what it was supposed to do. Most things we just walked past there wasn't much to do. Overall the kids were bored, I was di"
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More new year's eve kids activities in Milwaukee
New Year's Eve Kids Activities Milwaukee County Zoo
4.6(16,424)4.6 out of 5 stars, 16424 reviews10001 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee
New Year's Eve Kids Activities Breakout Games
4.9(6,492)4.9 out of 5 stars, 6492 reviews4125 N 124th St suite f, Brookfield
New Year's Eve Kids Activities Milwaukee Public Museum
4.7(6,594)4.7 out of 5 stars, 6594 reviews800 W Wells St, Milwaukee
New Year's Eve Kids Activities Mitchell Park Domes Horticulture Conservatory
4.7(6,498)4.7 out of 5 stars, 6498 reviews524 S Layton Blvd, Milwaukee