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Old World Wisconsin Announces Spring Season Opening on May 3

High-wheeled bicycling, spring planting, baby chicks, and much more await day-trippers looking for an affordable getaway filled with fun activities for the whole family, all set within the 600-acre living history attraction 

EAGLE, Wis.— Old World Wisconsin, recently voted as Milwaukee Magazine’s “Best of the Burbs” first place winner in the attraction category, is thrilled to announce it will open for the spring season on May 3 with an array of family-friendly experiences and outdoor fun for all ages. With returning favorites like goat yoga and hands-on workshops where visitors hone skills from a bygone era, Waukesha County’s gem of the countryside is great value, delivering a full day of enjoyment whether you’re embarking on a special daytrip for the general admission experience or returning to a beloved annual event.

“Old World Wisconsin offers a variety of activities for guests, from exploring our historic 19th-century Crossroads Village to discovering one or more of our many historic working  farmsteads. Adults and kids alike love meeting our heritage breed animals, planting seeds in our spring gardens, or hiking on one of our nature trails,” said Emily Duval, guest services manager at Old World Wisconsin. “We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to the site on May 3, or join us later in the month to celebrate a special grand opening for Wittnebel’s Tavern and the expanded brewing experience on May 17 and 18.”

Spring and summer admission rates are $20 for adults and teens, $18 for seniors (65+), $13 (children five to 12) and free under five. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission to all sites, including Old World Wisconsin, and 10% off ticketed events.

Wisconsin Historical Society membership starts at $60 annually and members are encouraged to pick up a Pastport for the 2025 season to start earning stamps towards special prizes for every Wisconsin Historical Society site visited!

Old World Wisconsin’s spring season occurs May 3 through June 8, with hours of admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., every weekend. The summer season starts on June 11 through Aug. 24, with admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each week on Wednesday through Sunday.

In addition to grand opening festivities for the grown-ups to mark the opening of the site’s expanded beer and brewing experience, Old World Wisconsin is a must-go attraction for kids and teens with highlights like free admission for children on Wednesdays from June 11-Aug. 20 and a patriotic celebration for Independence Weekend with special games, music and live performances. 

Book tickets online today to reserve your place at one of Wisconsin’s best-loved attractions for kids and families where the past comes to life around every corner. And don’t wait to get your tickets for special ticketed events throughout the spring and summer—space is limited and spots are expected to sell out for most events!

Upcoming Events at Old World Wisconsin:

Wittnebel’s Tavern Grand Opening Weekend – May 17-18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Step back in time and celebrate the grand opening of Wittnebel’s Tavern! This historic taphouse, first opened in the early 20th century, is the newest addition to the Old World brewing experience, promising an unforgettable experience from grain to glass. For guests ages 21+, Old World Wisconsin will serve a new flagship brew, “Kettle Brau,” on tap at Wittnebel’s Tavern. The event will also feature a special ribbon-cutting, live polka music by Mike Schneider, a special tap dance performance, complimentary Wittnebel’s Tavern can cooler and an exclusive sticker with beer purchases.

Goat Yoga – May 24 and Aug. 23, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Looking for a wholly unique way to relax and unwind? Old World Wisconsin is hosting an invigorating morning goat yoga class in a unique, historic location. Interacting with friendly farm animals is a great way to reduce stress and tension while improving your mental and physical health. This class, instructed in collaboration with Riverside Studio, with goats provided by Oak Hollow Acres in Burlington, is perfect for all ages and abilities. The cost is $35 per person per session.

Midsummer Celebration – June 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Old World’s Midsummer Celebration is back for another year with favorite activities returning like flower crown making, historic cooking demonstrations and the chance to frolic around the Maypole. These special activities, included in the general admission experience, highlight the Scandinavian tradition of welcoming the change of seasons on the summer solstice.

Independence Day Weekend – July 4-5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Enjoy two days of stars-and-stripes-themed fun during Independence Day Weekend at Old World Wisconsin! Suit up in your best patriotic gear and head to Crossroads Village for an unforgettable celebration full of food, games, music, performances and more. Join a spelling bee, churn your own butter, watch (or deck out your stroller and take part in) a children’s parade, and enter our famous pie-eating event for a little healthy—or should we say sweet—competition.

Hands-On History Workshops – Various dates June and July

Here’s the tools of the trades from a bygone era with hands-on workshops for ages 13 and up. Workshop attendees will learn from skilled staff in authentic settings with lunch included in the ticket price. Workshop topics focus on a range of interests—Spinning Wool, Blacksmithing and Baking & Cooking—and provide a chance to get your hands dirty while gaining the knowledge that helped Wisconsin’s early immigrants thrive in their new world. For ages 21+, a brewing workshop focused on Ales and Lagers will be offered for one day only on July 10! The cost is $200 per person per workshop for the day-long experience.

Get-in-Free Discount Days – May 11, June 15, Wednesdays June 11 - Aug. 20

What could be more fun than a day at Old World Wisconsin with the family? Getting in for FREE, of course! Join us on May 11 when moms get in free general admission for Mother’s Day or June 15 when dads get in for free for Father’s Day. And, every Wednesday from June 11 through Aug. 20, children ages five through 12 get into the site for free. Take advantage of these discount days for the best deal in history.

About Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin is one of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. Rated as one of the top attractions to take kids in the Milwaukee area, Old World Wisconsin is a 600-acre regional history attraction that features interactive environments and immersive stories of 19th-and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. The museum offers guests family-friendly, hands-on activities as they visit a crossroads village and eight working farmsteads, explore heirloom gardens, experience beer brewing traditions, meet heritage animal breeds and try historic crafts and skills. Old World Wisconsin is located on Highway 67 just south of Eagle, Wisconsin, within daytrip distance of Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison. For more information and a list of upcoming events visit oldworldwisconsin.org or call (262) 594-6301. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free general admission to this site during regular operating hours.

About Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org.