Kenosha Public Museum
Kenosha Public Museum
4.5
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Accredited natural science and fine arts Museum located in the heart of beautiful downtown Kenosha. Free General Admission and free parking. Permanent Exhibits include: Wisconsin Story, Kenosha County Woolly mammoth, Native American Village, Children's hands-on Field Station. Rotating exhibits and free family programs and events year-round. Unique Gift Shop carrying local, hand-made and green products. Includes rental spaces for corporate events,birthdays, weddings, parties, etc. Group tours for children and adults available. Shares a Lake Michigan shoreline campus with the Civil War Museum and a working electric streetcar which runs to the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. Short distance from Illinois/Wisconsin border.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
203 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
80
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Taco42
USA351 contributions
Aug 2020
This was a great find on our day trip to Kenosha. We spent about 2 hours roaming around the exhibits. The museum is well laid out and full of interesting information about the history of the area from the Ice Age to Native American culture to the development of the modern Natural History museum. We would definitely suggest a visit if you are in the area any time of the year.
There is a Civil War Museum next door.
The lakeshore and a small park is within walking distance
Parking is free and available
The entrance fee is by donation.
The docent was helpful and welcoming.
The museum shop was open.
There is a Civil War Museum next door.
The lakeshore and a small park is within walking distance
Parking is free and available
The entrance fee is by donation.
The docent was helpful and welcoming.
The museum shop was open.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A M
Downers Grove, IL417 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
We were very impressed with the museum. It was small and sweet. Sometimes, you get overwhelmed in big museums but this one was a good size. The gift shop was lovely and prices were not bad. The location is nice right by the lake.
Written February 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Big_bro_1_usa
Chicago, IL1,978 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
PROS: free; ample parking; within the loop that is serviced by the free ride rail car; right by Lake Michigan. Fascinating exhibits about the Kenosha mammoth, a unique diorama that shows native Americans carving food out of a dead mammoth; elevators for the 2nd floor that houses local art work. Another relaxing 1 hour stop.
CONS: No cafeteria for snacks or for lunch.
CONS: No cafeteria for snacks or for lunch.
Written April 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WITraveler3353
Milwaukee, WI288 contributions
Nov 2020
I think I've been spoiled by only visiting larger museums in the past (Milwaukee, Denver, and Chicago) so my expectations are somewhat high. We had heard the Kenosha woolly mammoth was one of the displays here which drew our interest. There was good information to read about the finding of the bones and the history of the wholly mammoths in this area.
We enjoyed the Native American exhibit because of the beautiful displays that made you feel what it would be like to live during that time period. This area was a really well done compared to the rest of the museum. I could see kids enjoying both this area and the display of all the local animals.
We found the "Insects in Focus" and "Masters of Their Era" very uninteresting. We are not at all interested in art and it felt like a waste of the space.
Overall the museum is a good free activity (donation encouraged) with free parking. We were the only guests there on a Saturday afternoon so it's a very safe COVID activity as well. Give it a shot with your family for something to do and if you don't enjoy it that much at least you didn't spend a lot of money.
PS: The gift shop has a some really nice Christmas gifts for kids and collectors!
We enjoyed the Native American exhibit because of the beautiful displays that made you feel what it would be like to live during that time period. This area was a really well done compared to the rest of the museum. I could see kids enjoying both this area and the display of all the local animals.
We found the "Insects in Focus" and "Masters of Their Era" very uninteresting. We are not at all interested in art and it felt like a waste of the space.
Overall the museum is a good free activity (donation encouraged) with free parking. We were the only guests there on a Saturday afternoon so it's a very safe COVID activity as well. Give it a shot with your family for something to do and if you don't enjoy it that much at least you didn't spend a lot of money.
PS: The gift shop has a some really nice Christmas gifts for kids and collectors!
Written November 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MamaBear
Waukegan, IL22 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
On a school holiday I took 1 teenager, 2 elementary-aged kids, and 2 toddlers. The museum is small compared to the ones in Chicago and Milwaukee but it is perfect for a local outing. The displays are informative, well-kept, and engaging. The staff were kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. The four younger kids really enjoyed the education room with the hands-on exhibits and learning-disguised-as-fun activities. The teenager loved the art exhibit upstairs.
It is not a full day trip for sure, but we spent a good two hours there. I highly recommend it as an outing for families as a way to give kids early exposure to museums and the idea that learning is fun.
It is not a full day trip for sure, but we spent a good two hours there. I highly recommend it as an outing for families as a way to give kids early exposure to museums and the idea that learning is fun.
Written February 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to review! We're thrilled that the wide range of ages in your group were interested and engaged with our Museum. We regularly change our rotating art exhibits on the second floor, and we will be opening a brand new permanent exhibit at the end of this month so there's plenty to bring you back for a second visit. Hope to see you again soon!
Written February 21, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mdcinbad
Kenosha, WI28 contributions
Nov 2017
We bring our children here often. Even though its kind of small our children haven't gotten tired of it. We spend hours and hours in the Creative area where the children can draw and explore many different imaginative activities.
Written January 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review! We may not be very big, but having a smaller space allows us to give attention to detail and build exhibits which are informative but not overwhelming. We're glad we've become a staple of your family outings, and look forward to seeing you again soon!
Written January 5, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
acm32068
Westville, IN185 contributions
Our kids are 14/12 so they kind of breezed through this but did enjoy the artwork display from area school kids. It's free which is awesome! Nice location. Clean.
Definitely bring younger kids to enjoy a family day.
Definitely bring younger kids to enjoy a family day.
Written April 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TDNY
Canandaigua, NY240 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
It's not huge, but there's enough to keep young kids occupied- especially in the kids room where there are activities for them to do.
Written March 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg M
Kenosha, WI16 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Interesting history regarding the dinosaurs and glaciers of Wisconsin and how prevalent this was in the local area.
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jesse White
Tacoma, WA2,664 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
The history of South Eastern Wisconsin is easily learned from this wonderful exhibit. The museum is "Free" but they accept donations just inside the door. There is a good size gift shop on the main floor as well. The Mammoths were my favorite. Upstairs there was an exhibit featuring works from an artist at National Geographic and the views of the lake from upstairs were great. A good, free place to learn something and stretch when traveling through Kenosha.
Written January 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Kenosha Public Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Kenosha Public Museum
- Kenosha Public Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Kenosha Public Museum:
- (0.47 mi) The Stella Hotel & Ballroom
- (0.37 mi) Wyndham Garden Kenosha Harborside
- (8.16 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites Kenosha Pleasant Prairie
- (0.77 mi) Southport Bed & Breakfast
- (7.57 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Kenosha
- Restaurants near Kenosha Public Museum:
- (0.31 mi) Sazzy B
- (0.31 mi) Frank's Diner
- (0.27 mi) Kaiser's Pizza & Pub
- (0.30 mi) Wine Knot Bar & Bistro
- (0.26 mi) Slip 56
Kenosha Public Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 107 |
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Very Good Reviews | 80 |
Kenosha Public Museum Photos | 63 |