FunKidsActivities

North Point Lighthouse

2650 N Wahl Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA

Overview

Category:Winter Break Activities
Location:Milwaukee, WI

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

North Point Lighthouse offers a blend of historical education and scenic outdoor exploration. Visitors can delve into history through engaging docents and informative exhibits, ascend a historic lighthouse for stunning lake/bay views, and enjoy well-kept grounds. It's an ideal spot for quiet, educational family outings, especially for those who appreciate history, architecture, nature, and photography.

Key Highlights

  • Engaging docents provide valuable information (Review 3).
  • Informative exhibits and placards offer self-guided learning (Review 3).
  • Opportunity to climb to the top of the lighthouse for great views of the bay (Review 4).
  • Beautiful and well-kept grounds with nice walking paths, statues, and lake views (Reviews 2, 5).
  • A gift shop selling shirts, books, and other lighthouse merchandise is available (Reviews 3, 4).
  • Short guided tours are offered upon admission (Review 4).
  • Proximity to a nearby park for additional nature walks and outdoor enjoyment (Review 1).

Standout Features

  • Historical lighthouse and museum with educational exhibits and engaging docents.
  • Scenic walking paths and panoramic views of the lake/bay from the lighthouse top.
  • A well-stocked gift shop for unique souvenirs.
  • A nearby nature park provides an excellent extension for outdoor activities.
  • Well-maintained grounds that are beautiful and suitable for photography.

Perfect For

Toddlers/Preschoolers (0-5): May enjoy the outdoor grounds and nearby park, but the indoor museum and the steep, hot lighthouse climb with an expectation of quiet 'library manners' might be less suitable or challenging. No dedicated amenities for this age group.
School-age (6-12): Good for curious children interested in history, learning from exhibits and docents, and capable of managing a steep climb. The heat at the top is a consideration.
Teens/Adults: Ideal for those interested in history, architecture, photography, and scenic views. The steep climb is manageable for able-bodied individuals in their 20s (Review 4).

Ideal For

Families interested in history and educational outings.
Nature lovers and those seeking scenic lake/bay views.
Photography enthusiasts looking for beautiful backdrops.
A quiet family outing or a stop during a bike ride.
Able-bodied adults or older children capable of a steep climb.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Be prepared for a steep climb if you plan to ascend to the top of the lighthouse (Review 4).
  • Be aware that the top of the lighthouse can get 'very very hot,' especially on warm days (Review 3).
  • Encourage quiet behavior from children, as 'library manners' are expected and noise levels may be monitored (Review 4).
  • Consider combining your visit with a walk or bike ride, as it's a good stop along a bike route (Review 3).
  • Explore the nearby park for additional outdoor enjoyment (Review 1).

Things to Consider

  • The climb to the top of the lighthouse is steep (Review 4).
  • The top of the lighthouse can be 'very very hot,' especially in summer (Review 3).
  • Visitors are expected to maintain 'library manners' regarding noise levels (Review 4).

Price & Value

Admission is described as 'reasonable' (Review 3), offering good value for an experience that includes engaging docents, informative exhibits, museum access, and the opportunity to climb the historic lighthouse for panoramic views.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • The climb to the top of the lighthouse is steep, making it inaccessible for wheelchairs or individuals with significant mobility limitations for that specific feature (Review 4). No specific details on ground-level or museum accessibility for special needs are mentioned.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Not mentioned in any reviews.

🚗Parking Info

  • Not explicitly detailed in reviews, but its mention as a stop along a bike ride (Review 3) and a place to 'tour the outside' (Review 1) implies general ease of access. No specific information on parking availability or cost.

👥Crowd Levels

  • No specific crowd level information or peak times are mentioned. The expectation of 'library manners' (Review 4) suggests an atmosphere that is generally not overly boisterous, or staff actively manages noise levels.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Appropriate warnings are provided for the steep climb to the top of the lighthouse (Review 4). No other specific safety features are detailed in the reviews.

When to Avoid

  • Families with very young children or individuals with significant mobility issues if climbing the steep lighthouse tower is a primary objective.
  • If you prefer loud, high-energy environments, as 'library manners' are enforced (Review 4).
  • Considering the heat at the top, avoid the climb during extremely hot weather if sensitive to high temperatures (Review 3).

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

2025 Fundraiser for the Lighthouse (Art Show)

Friday, September 19, 2025

Not specified

An art show to benefit the North Point Lighthouse Museum, featuring various artists.

🚗Parking Information

  • Available on Wahl Avenue and surrounding streets for general visitors.
  • No general visitor parking on lighthouse grounds.
  • Small lot on site may be used only for handicapped access.
  • For larger events (e.g., weddings), park in the County parking lot at Lake Park Bistro (one block North of the Lighthouse, off Newberry Blvd). Visitors can access the Lighthouse by following the pathway from the southeast corner of the lot.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

Recent Reviews

cliffb1930

cliffb1930

2 weeks ago

We just toured the outside, but cool building. You can also walk to the nearby park to enjoy nature. Will return in the future.

Andy Novikov

Andy Novikov

8 months ago

Beautiful place to visit. Nice walking paths, statues, lighthouse, view of the lake. We got some great pics from outside. Well worth a visit if you love lighthouses and history. Highly recommended.

Cathryn Stanek-Whisler

Cathryn Stanek-Whisler

7 months ago

Find little stop along a bike ride! Reasonable admission great little gift shop super engaging docents. Didn't do the guided tour but got all the information needed from all the wonderful exhibits and placards. If you go to the top of the lighthouse be warned it is very very hot

Savannah Aldridge

Savannah Aldridge

11 months ago

My friend and I visited in July 2022. While there, we could see the set-up for a gorgeous wedding in a private section of the property. For admission, we were welcomed, given a short tour, allowed to peruse the museum, and climbed the top of the tower to see some great views of the bay. The climb is steep and there are appropriate warnings for it, but for two able-bodied women in their 20s, the climb was fine. There is a gift shop with shirts, books, and other fun lighthouse merchandise. I recall being politely asked to quiet down during a loud chat, so if you're boisterous like me, keep in mind that the lighthouse honors library manners.

charlie compton

charlie compton

4 months ago

Beautiful old lighthouse. Very well kept grounds. Nice venue for events.

Contact Information

2650 N Wahl Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.7
Total Reviews806
Recent Reviews5