Old World Wisconsin Summer General Admission

For centuries, people left old worlds for new life in Wisconsin. They faced unfamiliar landscapes and languages, learned to establish farms and communities, and blended the old with the new. Welcome to the world they created. Welcome to Old World Wisconsin.

Through stories of perseverance, explore the lives of those who called this place home. At the core of the storytelling is the understanding that history is about the past, present, and future, and is a story we tell together.

As the temperatures heat up, so does the fun! Visit homes, farms, gardens, and landscapes spanning nearly 100 years of Wisconsin rural life. Immerse yourself in stories of perseverance and the power of place that connect families from across the region and across time. Join costumed staff to get hands-on with history with gardening, cooking, running a farm or business, attending school, and of course, enjoying fun and games on a hot summer day. Time Travel Tokens let you shop like it’s the 1880s! While in the Crossroads Village you can be a part of the story and enjoy a soda water at Four Mile House, make your own key chain in the Shoe Shop, find a treat in the General Store, or buy a hook at the Blacksmith Shop. New for the 2022 season, tap into Wisconsin's brewing history with demonstrations and samples of historically inspired beer in the brand new Brewhouse!

Select days have special experiences included in general admission.

• June 18, 10 AM - 4 PM, Brewing Experience Grand Opening: Tap the first keg with us and say cheers as Old World Wisconsin welcomes guests into its new Brewhouse for the first time! Grab a beer and a brat, and listen to live German music as we celebrate Wisconsin's brewing heritage. Get a free koozie while supplies last.
  • From large breweries to corner bars, big labels to modern microbrews, beermaking is a huge part of Wisconsin’s culture and heritage. The new Brewing Experience presented by the Cleary-Kumm Family at Old World Wisconsin taps into the state’s brewing past by creating immersive environments where you can see, smell, feel, and — of course — taste this history. You'll get hands-on, see how beer is made, engage with brewers and bartenders, and relax with a few cold ones on your own.
  • The first phase of this exciting new experience begins with the grand opening of the site's new Brewhouse. Feel the heat from the kettle, smell the beer as it brews, and engage with beermakers producing authentic historic recipes right in front of you. Guests who are 21 and older can say cheers and enjoy a small sample of the beer produced in the Brewhouse. There is a lot more on tap for the future of this experience, and you'll be the first to get a sneak peek, including an exterior tour of the 1930s Wittnebel's Tavern.
  • Schedule:
    11:00 AM: Free koozie at entrance while supplies last
    11:20 AM: Keg tapping
    11:30 AM-3:30 PM: Beer, brats and BBQ for sale, live German music, preview of Wittnebel's Tavern.
    12:30 and 2 PM: The Drink That Made Wisconsin Famous. Doug Hoverson, author of The Drink That Made Wisconsin Famous, a resource used extensively in the development of Brewhouse exhibits, will give two 30-40 minute presentations at 12:30 and 2 PM in Caldwell Hall. Book signing after each program.
• July 2 - 3, 10 AM - 4 PM, Independence Day Weekend: Celebrate the Fourth of July at Old World Wisconsin with patriotic decorations, live music, great food, and more! Please note, the site will not be open on July 4. Included with general admission.
• August 27, 10 AM - 4 PM, Meet the Wheelmen: Explore the early history of cycling in Wisconsin and test your own peddling prowess at this special meeting of the Wheelmen at Old World Wisconsin.

About Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin includes 60 beautifully restored historic structures on over 600 acres of picturesque landscape. Through stories of perseverance, you explore the lives of those who came before us – connecting people and inspiring understanding. Your day will be fun, engaging, enriching, and authentic as you encounter history by exploring sensory-rich spaces, stories, and hands-on activities. Each area at Old World Wisconsin showcases different stories. As you travel through time from the 1840s to the 1910s, you will find historic spaces to explore, gardens and trails to wander through, and costumed staff ready to help you get hands-on with history. You will also meet a variety of animals that helped our ancestors survive and thrive in this new world. Experience the daily life of the people who called these buildings home as you help with chores and cooking, try your hand at crafts and trades, and play – yes, even the grownups!

Each area at Old World Wisconsin showcases different stories. As you travel through time from the 1840s to the 1910s, you will find historic spaces to explore, gardens and trails to wander through, and costumed staff ready to help you get hands-on with history. You will also meet a variety of animals that helped our ancestors survive and thrive in this new world. Experience the daily life of the people who called these buildings home as you help with chores and cooking, try your hand at crafts and trades, and play – yes, even the grownups!

Know Before You Go

The museum store will be open 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Food and beverage will be available. The site is open rain or shine. Experiences take place both inside and out, adjusting as needed for weather. In the event of severe weather, the site may close to ensure the safety of staff and guests. 

If it’s your first visit, we recommend you spend the full day. Most guests stay about 5 hours. This gives you time to explore the full 600 acres, have lunch, and not feel rushed. We recommend closed-toe shoes for all guests. Our paths are gravel and the terrain may be uneven. Flip flops and heels can make for a long and sore day. Shoes are required for all guests.

Accessibility

Because Old World Wisconsin simulates the rural environment of the 1800s and early 1900s, all the exhibit areas have limited accessibility. This is due to the scale used in historic restorations and the rural setting. Old World Wisconsin is committed to reviewing the accessibility issue and improving access for all. In the interim, guests arriving in wheelchairs and electric scooters are offered complimentary admission. Anyone with additional mobility needs is encouraged to contact the site.