Seven Affordable Things To Do in Milwaukee on New Year’s Eve
If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to finalize your plans for New Year’s Eve! Here are some options and advice we’ve compiled for affordable New Year’s Eve events in Milwaukee.
Dining Out – A number of restaurants have special menus and require reservations for New Year’s Eve. If you’re looking to dine out, we suggest you call the restaurant of your choice and inquire about their menu and reservation options. If you’re looking to use a coupon, be aware that the Entertainment Book coupon policy states the coupons aren’t valid on major holidays such as New Year’s Eve. However, if you have a coupon you’d like to use, we suggest contacting the restaurant to see if they will accept the coupon. Chances are some businesses will still accept the coupons on a holiday as they won’t want to turn away business.
New Year’s Eve Family Celebration at the Mitchell Park Domes – The popular annual New Year’s Eve celebration is loaded with entertainment including children’s entertainers, crafts, balloons, and live music. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for kids (children 5 and under are free). The event takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information and to make reservations, visit the Friends of the Domes website.
Winter Fest Family Fun New Year’s Eve Celebration – A new celebration this year, Winter Fest offers many different family friendly activities. Starting at 6:30 p.m., there will be live entertainment, games and activities from Radio Disney, and Winter Fest activities including free ice skating and skate rental. At 8:30 p.m. and midnight, there will be a New Year’s countdown and ball drop. Admission is $15 at the door or $12 in advance from Ticketmaster. Children under three are free.
Free Ice Skating – Due to the warmer weather so far this winter, skating will not be available at any Milwaukee County ponds. The skating rink at Red Arrow Park is open, and free ice skating is available until 1:00 a.m. on New Years Eve/Day. Skate rentals are available.
As an alternative, the Pettit National Ice Center has open skate from noon to 9:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids. In Waukesha County, Eble Ice Arena is open from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. A buy one, get one free admission coupon for Eble is available in the Entertainment Book.
Watch a movie at home – Watching movies is a popular choice with people who like to stay at home on New Year’s Eve. If you reserve a movie in advance on Redbox.com, you’ll pay only $1 (if you rent directly at a Redbox machine, the price is $1.20). Reserving in advance online is a good idea since the selection on New Year’s Eve may be limited.
Harlem Globetrotters at the Bradley Center – The Globetrotters are back for their annual New Year’s Eve appearance. Games are at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Bradley Center, and tickets start at $19 plus fees. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster and the Bradley Center box office. We recommend visiting the box office to avoid Ticketmaster fees.
The Polar Express at the IMAX – See the popular holiday movie, The Polar Express, at the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater located at Milwaukee Public Museum. Show times are 4:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults ($8 for seniors/students/teens and $7 for children), and can be purchased online at the Milwaukee Public Museum website.
Do you know of any other fun and affordable options for New Year’s? If so, please leave a comment! Also, if you’re willing to spend a little more cash out on the town and are looking for a party, this list of from Between the Bars Milwaukee is a great resource.
24 Days of Holiday Giveaways – Cleopatra at the Milwaukee Public Museum
Today’s giveaway in our 24 Days of Holiday Giveaways is a package for two tickets to see the Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum! Museum admission is also included.
Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt features nearly 150 artifacts from Cleopatra’s time and helps visitors experience the present-day search for the elusive queen. The exhibit will be at the Milwaukee Public Museum until April 29, 2012.
If you don’t win today’s prize you can still save money at the Museum by purchasing a special Cleopatra $99 Pathfinder Membership Offer which will enable you to see Cleopatra exhibit for more than 50% off the general admission prices.
To enter today’s giveaway for a two tickets to see Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum, visit our 24 Days of Holiday Giveaways page.
Member Swap Day: Free Admission for Museum Members on Sunday
Sunday, December 4th is Member Swap Day at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and (new!) the Milwaukee Public Museum. If you are a members of any of the four museums, you will get free reciprocal admission to the other museums!
To participate, musuem members should present their membership card at any of the museums they wish to visit.
The event takes place between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The participating museums may have special membership offers available during the event to encourage you to join. More information is available on the Discovery World website.
Milwaukee Public Museum $25 Family Summer Exploration Pass
The Milwaukee Public Museum has announced a big money-saving deal with the $25 Family Summer Exploration Pass.
With the Summer Exploration Pass you receive the following benefits:
- Unlimited visits between June 1 and September 30, 2011.
- Discounted rates to the IMAX and Planetarium theater programs ($6 for adults, seniors and students; $5 for children).
There are a few stipulations:
- The pass is for the card holder and their immediate family. In other words, two adults and all children under 17 living in the same household.
- The pass cannot be combined with any other discounts.
- The pass is non-transferable. You must show a valid ID along with the pass when you enter the Museum.
Is this a good deal for you? Consider:
- If you are a Milwaukee County resident you can receive free admission to the Museum on Mondays with a valid ID.
- If you were to pay the regular admission rates for the Museum, you’d pay:
- Adults $12.50
- Seniors (60 and over) $11.00
- College students with ID $11.00
- Teens (13-17) $11.00
- Children (3-12) $9.00
- Children under the age of 3 Free
- If you have a busy summer planned and you’d like to enjoy the museum year-round, perhaps an annual membership is better for you. The Museum has various membership benefits and levels, one of which is a one year membership for two adults and their children is $70.
To purchase a Summer Exploration Pass, visit the Museum’s $25 Family Summer Exploration Pass webpage or visit the Milwaukee Public Museum in person.
Milwaukee County Resident Discounts
Most of the publicly funded attractions in Milwaukee offer free or discounted admission to County residents on certain days of the week. We have compiled the following list of Milwaukee County Resident Discounts, as well as discounts for non-residents!
The Gardens, located within Whitnall Park in Hales Corners offer Milwaukee County residents ages 60 and older a $1 discount off the $5 admission.
Milwaukee County Golf Course Discount Card
The Milwaukee County Golf Course Discount Card can be purchased by Milwaukee County residents for $22. Cardholders can save up to 50% each time the card is used at any Tournament through Executive course. Non-residents can purchase a card too, but at a higher price.
County residents save $1.75 off admission at the Zoo every day. On Wednesdays during the summer, the discount is $5.25 for adults and $4.75 for children ages 3 to 12. The price of admission during the off-season is less, so the discount is less too. See the Zoo’s website for complete information.
Milwaukee County residents get in to the Museum for free on Mondays.
Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes)
The Domes are free for Milwaukee County residents between 9:00 a.m. and Noon on Mondays (excluding major holidays and celebrations of major holidays). County residents ages 60 and older save $1.50 off admission every day.
Non-Resident Discounts
The following Milwaukee attractions offer free admission for everyone – not just County residents!
U.S. Bank and Fox 6 sponsor Neighborhood Night at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum the third Thursday of every month. Between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. admission is free and there are usually special activities and events.
The first Thursday of each month is free to all visitors of the Milwaukee Art Museum courtesy of Target.
During the off-season, the Milwaukee County Zoo offers Family Free Days. The free days are typically on the first Saturday of the month from November through April. Admission is free, however parking fees still apply.