Free & Fun Things to Do in Milwaukee This Weekend
The calendar and the cooler air are telling us that autumn is officially upon us. Although the temperatures this weekend won’t be as comfortable as they were earlier in the week, it looks like it will still be a very nice weekend. If you’re looking to get out and about and find something to do this weekend, there are some fun & free activities going on in Milwaukee.
Bridesmaids at Fish Fry & A Flick
Point Beer’s Fish Fry & A Flick wraps up its season tonight with a free showing of Bridesmaids at Discovery World. If you have never been to this popular outdoor event, it is a lot of fun. In addition to the movie, which starts at dusk, Bartolotta’s provides the fish fry and several local food trucks provide other dining choices. In addition, local retailers offer unique items for sale. Read more about Fish Fry & A Flick in our previous post: 2011 Fish Fry & A Flick at Discovery World.
Harvest Fair at State Fair Park
Harvest Fair at the Wisconsin State Fair Park runs Friday though Sunday. The festival is free to get in and features fun family activities - Pumpkin Bowling, Scarecrow Making, a Petting Zoo, a Farmers Market, and many other things to do. In addition, there is free music on three stages including shows from former Journey lead singer Steve Augeri on Friday and Great White on Saturday. Read more about Harvest Fair in our previous post: Free Admission to Harvest Fair 2011.
Museum Day – Free Museum Admissions
Saturday, September 24 is Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. Museum Day includes free admission to hundreds of museums nationwide. In the Milwaukee area the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, the Waukesha County Museum, and the Haggerty Museum of Art are all participating. Tickets need to be printed in advance. Read our previous post for more information: Museum Day 2011 – Free Museum Admissions on September 24.
Doors Open Milwaukee – Tour Local Buildings
On Saturday and Sunday, 100 Milwaukee buildings will open their doors for free tours. Included are dozens of historic and prominent Milwaukee buildings including the Milwaukee City Hall, the Bradley Center and the observation deck atop the U.S. Bank Building. Some attractions such as the Milwaukee Public Museum Planetarium and the S.V. Denis Sullivan are even offering free admission for visitors. For a complete list of participating buildings and details on free admission offers, visit the Doors Open Milwaukee website.
Free Admission to Harvest Fair 2011
Harvest Fair returns to the Wisconsin State Fair Park this weekend from Friday, September 23rd, through Sunday, September 25th. Harvest Fair features food, entertainment, and family activities for all ages to enjoy. However, the best part about Harvest Fair is that admission is FREE!
Family activities include the Natural Resources Park, games, pony and camel rides, a Farmers Market, Harvest Bazaar, an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, and much more. Some activities are free, such as the leaf decoration for kids, although most games have a charge. For a complete list of activities available, check out the Harvest Fair Family Activites webpage.
Free live music will take place on three stages and includes familiar names such as:
- Steve Augeri, former lead singer of Journey
- Sweet Tarts
- The Sociables
- Great White
- The Toys
- Crossfire
Hours for Harvest Fair are:
- 9/23 (Friday) – 5 to 11pm
- 9/24 (Saturday) – 9am to 11pm
- 9/25 (Sunday) – 9am to 5pm
For parking, enter at Gate 4 on S. 84th St., or enter at Gate 6 on near the Pettit Center and proceed east to park in the North Lot. A tram will be available from the North Lot to the Harvest Fair. Parking at State Fair Park is $5 per vehicle. Free parking is available on the street in the neighborhoods surrounding State Fair Park.
For more details, visit the Wisconsin State Fair website.
Free Things to Do in Milwaukee This Weekend
The calendar and the cooler air are telling us that autumn is officially upon us. Although the temperatures this weekend won’t be as comfortable as they were earlier in the week, it looks like it will still be a very nice weekend. If you’re looking to get out and about and find something to do this weekend, there are some fun & free activities going on in Milwaukee.
Fish Fry & A Flick
Point Beer’s Fish Fry & A Flick wraps up its season tonight with a free showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. If you have never been to this popular outdoor event, it is a lot of fun. In addition to the movie, which starts at dusk, Bartolotta’s provides the fish fry and local retailers offer unique items for sale. Read more about Fish Fry & A Flick in our previous post: 2010 Fish Fry & A Flick at Discovery World.
**This event has been rescheduled due to high winds at the lakefront. It will be held on Friday, Ocotber 1st instead.
Harvest Fair
Harvest Fair at the Wisconsin State Fair Park runs Friday though Sunday. The festival is free and features many fun family events - Pumpkin Bowling, Scarecrow Making, Cookie Decorating, a Farmers Market, and many other things to do. In addition, there is free music on four stages including shows from Jack Ingram on Friday and Skid Row on Saturday. Read more about Harvest Fair in our previous post: Free Admission to Harvest Fair at State Fair Park.
Museum Day
Saturday, September 25th is Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. Museum Day includes free admission to hundreds of museums nationwide. In the Milwaukee area, the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and the Haggerty Museum of Art on the Marquette University campus are participating. Tickets need to be printed out in advance. Read our previous post for more information: Museum Day – Free Museum Admissions on September 25th.
Free Admission to Harvest Fair at State Fair Park
Does Pumpkin Bowling, Scarecrow Making, Cookie Decorating, Jeep Rocks & Road Tour, and a Farmers Market sound like good family fun to you? If so, check out Harvest Fair at the State Fair Park from September 24th to the 26th. Admission to Harvest Fair is free, although parking at State Fair is $5.
Harvest Fair also features many other activities and events including the Harvest Bazaar, Inflatable Midway, Apple & Pumpkin Pies, Petting Zoo, Camel and Pony Rides, and an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast. Free live music will take place on four stages, including Jack Ingram at 9pm on the 24th and Skid Row at 9pm on the 25th.
Hours for Harvest Fair are:
- 9/24 (Friday) - 5 to 11pm
- 9/25 (Saturday) – 9am to 11pm
- 9/26 (Sunday) - 9am to 5pm
For parking, enter at Gate 4 on S. 84th St., or enter at Gate 6 on near the Pettit Center and proceed east to park in the North Lot. A tram will be available from the North Lot to the Central Mall.
For more details, visit the Wisconsin State Fair website.
2010 Wisconsin State Fair Coupon Book
If you’re interested in saving a few bucks at the Wisconsin State Fair, you can stop by one of the eight official Information Centers at the Wisconsin State Fair and pick up a coupon booklet that contains over two dozen coupons. Most of the coupons are only valid at the Fair; however a few are good outside of the Fair.
Coupons for use outside of the Wisconsin State Fair:
- Mello Yello – Manufacturer’s coupon for a 20 ounce bottle of Mello Yello. This coupon is valid only at retail outlets outside of the Wisconsin State Fair grounds. Expires 9/30/2010.
- Jack’s Original Pizzas – Manufacturer’s coupon for savings of $1 on any two Jack’s Original Pizzas. Expires 10/31/10. (Could be a good one to use for double coupons at Pick ‘n Save. Check out our Guide to Saving Money at Pick ‘n Save for more details.)
- Discovery World – $5 off one general admission. (Or, click here to print the Milwaukee Consumer coupon for $5 off at Discovery World.)
- Harvest Fair – Harvest Fair is September 24th – September 26th at Wisconsin State Fair Park. This coupon is for $1 off scarecrow making. Admission to the Harvest Fair is free!
Coupons for use at the Wisconsin State Fair:
- U.S. Cellular – Offers from U.S. Cellular good only at the US Cellular State Fair Store.
- Brew City Pizza – Buy any 2 sandwiches, get a free fountain drink.
- Catalano Lemonade – Buy one lemonade and get 50 cents off the second.
- Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association – Buy 2 ribeye steak sandwiches and get 1 free soda.
- The Charcoal Grill and Rotisserie – $1 off a turkey leg.
- Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association – Buy one fresh-baked oatmeal cranberry white chocolate chunk cookie and get a free glass of Wisconsin-made cranberry juice cocktail.
- Express Promotions – Save $5 off a purchase of $50 or more on Wisconsin State Fair merchandise.
- Fiesta Garibaldi – Buy one entree, get the 2nd at half price.
- G&G Concessions – $1 off sandwich and soda (handcarved Greek gyros or chicken in a pita).
- Grebe’s Bakery – $1 off Grebe’s chicken dinner.
- Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill - 3 grilled cheese sandwiches for $5. (Located in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion.)
- The Machine Shed – $1 off purchase of all you can eat pancakes.
- Mi Linda Cuba – $1 off two sandwiches.
- Palermo’s Pizza – Two slices for $5. (Located in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion.)
- Pork Schoppe – Get a free drink with the purchase of 2 pork chops on a stick.
- Roberts – $1 off on ruebens and $1 off on hot wings.
- Root Beer Stands – $1 off a large soft drink cup. Not valid on floats, souvenier cups, or refills.
- S&J Popcorn – $.50 off medium popcorn and $1 off large popcorn.
- Star Lite Pub & Cafe – Buy 2, get 1 free smoothies and iced coffee.
- Apollo’s Gyro’s & Imported Beer – $1 off a combo.
- Mo-Joe’s Pizza - $1 off any whole pizza.
- Cousin’s Subs – Buy a 7.5 inch sub and drink, get a second 7.5 inch sub at half price.
- Wisconsin Baked Potato – Get 3 potatoes for $10. (Located in Wisconsin Products Pavilion. Regular price is $4 each.)
- Laura’s Gourmet Popcorn Wagons – Buy a large bag of popcorn, get a junior size snow cone for $1.