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Updated 7/28/2026
A funny thing happened on our way to visit The Curiosity Cube when it stopped at Milwaukee, we found out our guest appearance included free passes for the whole family to Discovery World! I am not sure how we missed this amazing place in Wisconsin, as Miss Sarah and I make a point of checking out all sorts of fun museums, etc. We even spent the night across the street at the Betty Brinn with our Girl Scout Troop a few years back!
Key Takeaways
- Discovery World combines hands-on science and technology exhibits with the Reiman Aquarium, Wisconsin’s largest aquarium.
- General admission includes the museum’s permanent exhibits and aquarium; special programs or events may have additional requirements.
- Les Paul’s House of Sound celebrates the Waukesha native’s influence on music, recording, and technology.
- Kohl’s Design It! Lab and other hands-on areas encourage children to design, build, test, and sometimes completely start over.
- Discovery World provides complimentary sensory bags, designated quiet areas, wheelchairs, strollers, and other accessibility resources.
While we didn’t have time to peruse the entire place, we put a great dent in the floor map. We chose to start on the aquarium side. Down to the lower level we went and were amazed at the way the exhibits were set up. Walk under a waterfall? Walk over a sunken treasure ship? Pet a Stingray? Pet a Sturgeon? See the differences between tropical and non-tropical waters? Check, check, check and check! You even walked through a mock submarine.
The Reiman Aquarium at Discovery World
What makes the Reiman Aquarium so interesting is that it doesn’t focus exclusively on colorful tropical fish. Visitors can also learn about Lake Michigan and the freshwater ecosystems found right here in Wisconsin.
That meant we could move from stingrays and tropical water to sturgeon and Great Lakes habitats without leaving the building. Children may think they are simply petting something slippery or walking through a submarine, but they are also learning about marine biology, freshwater conservation, engineering, and the ways humans interact with water.
That is something Discovery World does incredibly well. The learning sneaks in while everyone is busy having fun.
| Aquarium Experience | What Makes It Interesting |
|---|---|
| Touch Tank | Offers a close encounter with aquatic animals |
| Lake Michigan Tank | Highlights species living close to home |
| Caribbean Tank | Introduces tropical marine life |
| Great Lakes Future | Explores the future of our freshwater resources |
| Me, Undersea | Creates an immersive underwater experience |
| Mock submarine | Connects underwater exploration with engineering |
Discovery World is currently completing work around its Caribbean tunnel, so check for construction updates before visiting if that exhibit is important to your family. Current Discovery World exhibits
Up we went to the other side, and the world of automation awaited us. I learned that I wouldn’t let Miss Sarah be my pilot because she kept crashing the plane in the simulation machine. When I took the girls upstairs to the “maker space,” we realized that we had lost the Mister.
Hands-On Technology at Discovery World
The technology side is where children can fly, drive, build, experiment, and occasionally crash something without raising our insurance rates.
Current exhibits explore automation, physics, electricity, transportation, design, and engineering. Flight and driving simulators allow visitors to test their skills, while Power On! and Automation Everywhere help explain some of the technology working behind everyday life.
I learned quickly that Miss Sarah should probably not be placed in charge of our next flight. At least, not until she gets a little more simulator practice.
| Exhibit | What Visitors Can Explore |
|---|---|
| Flight | Aviation and the basic physics of flying |
| Drive Sim | Driving, reaction time, and vehicle control |
| Automation Everywhere | Technology used in modern homes and industries |
| Physics & You | Forces, motion, and other physical-science concepts |
| Power On! | Electricity and energy |
| Virtual Explorer | Technology-assisted exploration |
Les Paul, a Milwaukee (Waukesha) legend, was featured in a detailed collection of his history, works, and even guitars. The Mister was sucked in and read every single thing he could.
Les Paul’s House of Sound
Les Paul was born in Waukesha, making this much more than a generic museum exhibit about a famous musician. Les Paul’s House of Sound celebrates a Wisconsin innovator whose work helped change both the way music was played and the way it was recorded.
He is best known for helping pioneer the solid-body electric guitar, but his experiments with multitrack recording, overdubbing, sound effects, and other recording techniques also left an enormous mark on the music industry.
That is what completely captured the Mister. While the girls were building and gluing in the maker space, he was reading everything he could about Les Paul’s instruments, experiments, career, and Wisconsin roots.
The exhibit is a wonderful example of how Discovery World connects science with subjects people may not immediately associate with STEM. A guitar becomes a lesson in acoustics, electronics, engineering, experimentation, and the determination to keep tinkering until an idea finally works.
| Les Paul Connection | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin roots | Les Paul was born in Waukesha |
| Solid-body electric guitar | Helped reshape modern popular music |
| Multitrack recording | Allowed musicians to layer separately recorded sounds |
| Sound experimentation | Connected creativity with engineering and technology |
| Discovery World exhibit | Introduces his life, instruments, music, and innovations |
They have a maker space! girls had picked a project off the Menu and were gluing away to their heart’s content.
Kohl’s Design It! Lab
Kohl’s Design It! Lab gives children the chance to stop looking at exhibits and start creating something of their own. Projects and programming can change, which gives families another reason to return.
The girls selected a project and happily began gluing away while the Mister remained under Les Paul’s spell. That separation of interests is one reason Discovery World works so well for families with a wide age range. Children, teenagers, parents, and grandparents may become interested in completely different exhibits, but everyone still finds something worth exploring.
This isn’t about creating a perfect project. It is about experimenting, solving problems, and figuring out what happens when an idea doesn’t work the first time. As someone who has made plenty of recipes, crafts, and travel plans that went sideways, I can appreciate that lesson.
Check the daily calendar when you arrive because lab projects and other hands-on programming may have specific times, availability, or participation requirements.
It was neat to realize that the projects often change, making it wonderful for repeat visitors. During all of that, I found myself looking through the virtual telescope…seriously, there was soooo much to see and do, we have to go back for more.
We made sure to get our “pressed penny” for Miss Sarah’s collection before we headed out.
Discovery World is one of those museums where children can pet a stingray, crash a simulated airplane, build something with glue, explore freshwater science, and learn how a Wisconsin musician helped transform modern recording—all in one visit.
The children may not realize how much science, engineering, history, and problem-solving they absorbed along the way. They simply know they had fun. That may be Discovery World’s greatest trick of all.
We didn’t see everything during our first visit, but that gave us the perfect excuse to return. Next time, I am allowing more time—and I may attach an AirTag to the Mister before we enter Les Paul’s House of Sound.
Planning Your Visit to Discovery World
Discovery World is much larger than we expected. You could easily spend several hours here, and families that enjoy interactive museums may want most of the day. Start with the exhibits your family considers essential because it is surprisingly easy to lose track of time.
The museum is divided into an Aqua Side and a Tech Side. We started downstairs at the aquarium and worked our way into the technology exhibits, but there is no wrong way to explore it.
| Planning Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee |
| Location | Between the Milwaukee Art Museum and Summerfest grounds |
| Visit length | At least 3–4 hours; longer for families who explore everything |
| Food | Downtown Kitchen Express by Bartolotta’s |
| Parking | Paid underground garage and surface lot |
| Tickets | Buying online saves money and guarantees admission |
| Reduced admission | Available to qualifying Wisconsin families |
| Best for | Children, teens, adults, and multi-generational families |
The café currently serves grab-and-go options such as pizza, hot dogs, pretzels, salads, and sandwiches. It is generally open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on museum days. Hours can change, so check the official visitor information before leaving home.
Make It a Milwaukee Museum Day
Discovery World sits along Milwaukee’s lakefront between the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Summerfest grounds. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is also nearby, making this part of Milwaukee a wonderful place to plan a museum-focused day or weekend.
I would not try to squeeze all three museums into one day unless your family moves much faster than mine. Discovery World alone offers enough to fill several hours, and racing through it would mean missing the hands-on details that make it special.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Discovery World Admission Include the Aquarium?
Yes. General admission includes the Reiman Aquarium and Discovery World’s permanent science and technology exhibits. Certain special events, workshops, or programs may require separate reservations or fees.
How Long Should You Spend at Discovery World?
Allow at least three or four hours for a first visit. Families that like to read exhibit information, complete projects, use the simulators, and spend plenty of time in the aquarium could easily stay for most of the day.
Is Discovery World Only for Young Children?
No. Younger children enjoy the aquarium, touch tank, building areas, and sensory experiences, while older children and adults may spend more time with the simulators, engineering exhibits, Les Paul’s House of Sound, and other technology displays.
Is Discovery World Universally Accessible?
Discovery World provides accessible parking, family and companion restrooms, an adult-weight lift table, a height-adjustable sink, and complimentary wheelchairs and strollers on a first-come, first-served basis. A bariatric wheelchair is also available.
Trained service animals are welcome. Guest drop-off and pickup are permitted at the main entrance. Discovery World accessibility information
Does Discovery World Have Resources for Sensory-Sensitive Visitors?
Yes. Discovery World is a KultureCity-certified sensory-inclusive venue. Complimentary sensory bags contain fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, a feeling thermometer, and other resources.
Designated quiet areas are located near the BIG exhibit on the Tech Side and near the Upper Mezzanine restrooms on the Aqua Side. The museum also identifies louder headphone zones near Power On! and Great Lakes Future.
Is Discounted Admission Available?
Qualifying Wisconsin residents participating in programs such as WIC, FoodShare, BadgerCare, Medicaid, Wisconsin Works, MyWIChildCare, or Wisconsin Quest can receive $7 admission for up to five people. A valid ID and proof of program participation are required, and the tickets must be purchased at the admission desk.
