# Havenwoods State Forest - Urban Nature Center & Family Forest Trail Adventure > Place to go for families in the Milwaukee–Waukesha area (WI). Times are Central Time. - When: Open on its own schedule - Dates: Starts Fri, Nov 27 - Where: Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee, WI 53209 - Ages: All ages (Free explorer backpacks and nature crafts for children) - Price: Free admission and parking (No Wisconsin state park vehicle sticker required) - Organizer: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Official page: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/havenwoods - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/havenwoods-state-forest-urban-nature-center-and-family-forest-trail-ad--listing-c5b20f8cdc1d9046dd0bf1d6 ## About As Wisconsin's only urban state forest, Havenwoods encompasses 237 acres of tranquil grasslands, wetlands, and hardwood woods right within the northern boundary of Milwaukee. Thanksgiving week offers families a peaceful natural escape to stretch their legs along six miles of gently rolling nature trails. Children can cross rustic footbridges over Lincoln Creek, explore wildlife viewing blinds, and complete nature discovery scavenger hunts. Inside the heated environmental education center, interactive hands-on exhibits introduce native reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, while loaner discovery backpacks equipped with binoculars and field guides help kids become junior naturalists. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Wide, hard-packed limestone trails and level limestone gravel pathways surround the nature center, easily navigable for sturdy all-terrain strollers. • Nursing & Rest Spots: The nature center features heated restrooms with infant changing tables, cozy rocking chairs, and an indoor nature library for quiet downtime. • Age Suitability: Excellent for infants, toddlers, school-age kids, and grandparents seeking level, easy walking trails. • Sensory Tips: Unhurried, low-sensory natural sanctuary with gentle rustling grasses and bird vocalizations; uncrowded and restorative. ## Similar picks in Milwaukee - [Havenwoods State Forest: Winter Animal Tracking & Snowshoe Trails](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/havenwoods-state-forest-winter-animal-tracking-and-snowshoe-trails--listing-d12a43e42f256b80870ae96a) — Open on its own schedule · Havenwoods State Forest · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. As Wisconsin's only urban state forest, Havenwoods State Forest preserves 237 acres of grasslands, ponds, and hardwoods right in Milwaukee. It is one of the state's most… - [Urban Ecology Center Washington Park - Freshwater Ecology & Autumn Lagoon Walks](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/urban-ecology-center-washington-park-freshwater-ecology-and-autumn-lag--listing-47905d489fac794f295e97b5) — Open on its own schedule · Urban Ecology Center - Washington Park · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Situated within historic Washington Park on Milwaukee's West Side, this branch of the Urban Ecology Center offers an inspiring urban oasis designed around a sprawling freshwater… - [Mequon Nature Preserve - Autumn Prairie & Woodland Family Trail Trek](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/mequon-nature-preserve-autumn-prairie-and-woodland-family-trail-trek--listing-a8e821064b8562c0bd86fe80) — Open on its own schedule · Mequon Nature Preserve PieperPower Education Center · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Preserving over 510 acres of restored prairies, wetlands, and native beech-maple hardwood forests in southern Ozaukee County, the Mequon Nature Preserve is a remarkable community… - [Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park - Milwaukee River Autumn Discovery & Outdoor Gear Loan](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/urban-ecology-center-riverside-park-milwaukee-river-autumn-discovery-a--listing-bb7ee34f9026ab4e97e4e3cd) — Open on its own schedule · Urban Ecology Center - Riverside Park · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Located on Milwaukee's vibrant East Side along the Milwaukee River Greenway, the Urban Ecology Center at Riverside Park is an innovative ecological community hub. Built with… - [Outdoor Classroom for Kids at Retzer Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/outdoor-classroom-for-kids-at-retzer-nature-center--listing-c597f72afb13b011b74217fd) — Wed, Nov 18 (+1 more date) · 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM · Retzer Nature Center, Waukesha · Ages 4–12 · From $6 · checked Oct 30. Guided, mostly outdoor nature lessons for ages 4-12: Glacial Wisconsin (Nov 4), Thankful for Nature (Nov 18) and Hibernation/Migration with snowshoes if trails allow (Dec 2). An… - [Wehr Nature Center - Autumn Woodlands, Mallard Lake Boardwalk & Family Trails](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/wehr-nature-center-autumn-woodlands-mallard-lake-boardwalk-and-family--listing-50fde8e64d56065376a69be0) — Open on its own schedule · Wehr Nature Center & Whitnall Park, Franklin · All ages · From $5 · checked Nov 5. Tucked inside southwestern Milwaukee County's Whitnall Park in Franklin, Wehr Nature Center preserves 220 acres of protected wetlands, oak savannas, mature beech forests, and… ## More for families - [Things to do with kids at Havenwoods State Forest](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/venues/havenwoods-state-forest) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/venues/havenwoods-state-forest.md) - [Things to do with kids in Milwaukee County, WI](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/counties/milwaukee-county-wi) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/counties/milwaukee-county-wi.md) - [Things to do with kids in Milwaukee — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/events/2026-11.md) - [This weekend in Milwaukee](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Milwaukee](https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee.md)