Nature Within Reach

We have three Urban Ecology Center locations in Milwaukee. Each branch is located in beautiful green spaces that are free to explore.

Visit today! Admission is free!

See below for open hours.

Branch Locations

Riverside Park

Eastside Milwaukee, just a 3 minute drive from downtown

1500 E. Park Pl
Milwaukee, WI 53211

Tues - Thurs: Noon - 6pm
Fri: Noon - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 3pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

Learn More

Washington Park

North Central Milwaukee, just 9 minutes north of Mitchell Park Domes.

Temporary location:
4023 W. Galena St.
Milwaukee, WI 53208

Fall/Winter Hours

Tues - Thurs: 3pm - 6 pm
Fri: 3pm - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 3 pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

Learn More

Menomonee Valley

South central Milwaukee, just a 5 minute drive south of the American Family Field

3700 W Pierce St
Milwaukee, WI 53215

Tues - Thurs: Noon - 6pm
Fri: Noon - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 3pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

Learn More

Please note: Our Washington Park branch is undergoing some major renovations. Join us for our Grand Reopening on February 1, 2025.

We want to make it easy for you to plan a visit to one of our locations in Milwaukee's Riverside or Washington Parks and in the Menomonee Valley! Find some highlights from each branch below.

Things to Do

at Urban Ecology Center branches

Borrow an activity backpack for guided nature fun

Look for animal tracks

Spy on some birds

Hike in a beautiful forrest

Sip coffee and tea (hot chocolate in winter)

Enjoy a cosy fireplace (in winter)

Get out of the house and work remote (free WiFi)

Take a ride on a nature-themed slide

Visit our frogs, turtles, snakes, and fish in our Animal Rooms

Take a stroll along a river or lagoon

and more!

General Amenities

Gender-neutral Bathrooms

Available at our Riverside Park and Menomonee Valley locations.

Wheelchair Accessible

Each branch is accessible by wheelchair. Learn more about accessibility at UEC at the link below.

Accessibility at UEC

Trails

Our branches connect you to two Milwaukee County Parks and one city park. Many of the trails are paved or have compacted limestone. We're located on these popular trails:
• Oak Leaf Trail
• Hank Aaron State Trail