Museum Day: Free Admission At These Wisconsin Spots

WISCONSIN — There's no shortage of museums in Wisconsin offering free admission on Saturday as part of the Smithsonian Magazine’s 18th Annual Museum Day.

If you're in the greater Milwaukee area, though, the closest institution is likely the Racine Art Museum.

Other Milwaukee spots are largely absent from the Smithsonian's program. But if you want to make a day of it to learn more about maritime history, head out to Manitowoc. And if you want to give the kids a day, hit the road toward La Crosse.

Here's which Wisconsin museums are participating:

• Children's Museum of La Crosse.
• Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc.
• Manitowoc County Historical Society.
• Neville Public Museum in Green Bay.
• Racine Art Museum.
• Sheboygan County Historical Society and Museum.
• The Mining and Rollo Jamison Museums in Platteville.
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc.

Here are a few things to know:

You need to download a ticket by clicking the “get a ticket” box on the Smithsonian website. From there, you’ll be able to search by the museum’s name or by location.

When you find the museum you want to attend, another “get a ticket” box will pop up, and once you confirm your information, you’ll be able to download your ticket on the spot. You’ll also get an email confirmation.

Only one ticket is allowed per email address. Each ticket provides general admission for the ticketholder and one guest, but additional guests will have to pay full admission unless they’ve ordered their own tickets.

Generally, if admission to the museum is free for children, that policy will still apply and the child will count as the Museum Day guest. It’s best to call the museum you want to attend and sort this out.

Some museums require a printed ticket, while others allow electronic tickets. If a printed ticket is required, you’ll see an asterisk under the museum address stating **printed ticket required.