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Cedarburg Cultural Center cultural center in Cedarburg, WI
Photo: Cedarburg Cultural Center
View of Cedarburg Cultural Center in Cedarburg, WI
Photo: Constance Harrison
View of Cedarburg Cultural Center in Cedarburg, WI
Photo: Asher Heimermann

Cedarburg Cultural Center

4.7(111 reviews)$Museum
🕑 1-2 hours for exhibit viewing; 1.5-3 hours if attending a workshop or class👶 Best for ages 4-14. Younger children (4-7) thrive in the hands-on art workshops and creative play activities, while older kids and tweens appreciate the more advanced art classes, theater performances, and exhibits that challenge their growing artistic sensibilities.

About

The Cedarburg Cultural Center is a welcoming community arts hub where kids can unleash their creativity through hands-on workshops, engaging art classes, and rotating family-friendly exhibits. With its blend of visual arts, live performances, and interactive programming year-round, this cultural gem offers children meaningful exposure to the arts in a relaxed, approachable setting that encourages participation and exploration.

Highlights

  • Hands-on art workshops where kids create their own masterpieces to take home
  • Rotating gallery exhibits featuring everything from sculpture to photography that spark conversations with children
  • Family-friendly theater performances and live music events throughout the year
  • Youth art classes taught by experienced instructors in various mediums like painting, drawing, and mixed media
  • Special seasonal programs and summer camps that dive deeper into creative exploration

Pro Tips

  1. 1.Check their website ahead of time for the current workshop and class schedule,many popular children's programs require advance registration and fill up quickly.
  2. 2.Visit on Saturday mornings when new exhibits often open and the center has the most energy, plus you can explore charming downtown Cedarburg afterward.
  3. 3.Dress kids in clothes that can get messy during hands-on workshops, as paint and art supplies are frequently part of the fun.
  4. 4.Ask about drop-in art activities if you're visiting without a reservation,the center often has spontaneous creative stations available.
  5. 5.Street parking is free and plentiful along Washington Avenue, with the Cultural Center conveniently located in the heart of historic downtown.

Best Time to Visit

Tuesday through Saturday mornings (10:00 AM - noon) offer the quietest browsing experience for exhibits before afternoon programs begin. Weekends provide the most programming options, though Sunday hours are shorter. Avoid the first hour on days when scheduled classes begin, as the lobby can be busy with students arriving.

What to Know

Most exhibits are free to view, though art classes and workshops have fees that vary by program (typically $10-30 per child). The historic building has street-level access, and downtown Cedarburg offers numerous family-friendly restaurants and shops within easy walking distance.

Seasonal Notes

Summer features expanded youth programming and art camps for kids on school break. The center hosts special holiday workshops and performances around Christmas and Halloween. Winter months (December-February) are perfect for indoor creative activities when outdoor options are limited.

Nearby Eats

The Chocolate Factory Restaurant (2 blocks away) serves kid-friendly American comfort food in a unique historic setting, while Amy's Cafe & Bakery offers fresh sandwiches, soups, and delicious baked treats that kids love,both are easy walks from the Cultural Center.

More Activities Near Cedarburg

Adventure

Ozaukee Interurban Trail

Free

The Ozaukee Interurban Trail offers 30 miles of smooth, paved pathways perfect for families looking to explore Cedarburg and beyond on bikes, scooters, or foot. This scenic trail winds through charming communities and natural landscapes, making it ideal for everything from short family bike rides to longer adventures with older kids who love covering distance.

Shopping

Cedar Creek Settlement Shops

4.9$

Cedar Creek Settlement Shops offers a unique blend of history and shopping that surprisingly engages kids with its scenic creek-side setting and charming stone mill buildings dating back to the 1800s. Children love exploring the winding pathways between buildings, watching the creek flow below, and discovering quirky treasures in the eclectic mix of specialty shops and galleries.

Nature

Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve

4.8Free

Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve offers families an exciting Lake Michigan adventure with dramatic ravines, towering bluffs, and real fossil hunting along the shoreline. Kids love scrambling down the wooden stairs to the beach, searching for ancient fossils in the rocks, and exploring the winding trails through forested gorges that feel like a wilderness expedition right near Milwaukee.

Park

Covered Bridge County Park

4.8Free

Covered Bridge County Park offers a perfect blend of history and nature that captivates kids and parents alike. The centerpiece is Wisconsin's last remaining covered bridge, which kids love exploring, while Cedar Creek provides endless opportunities for wading, skipping stones, and spotting wildlife. With a playground, picnic facilities, and easy walking trails through wooded areas, it's an ideal spot for a half-day family adventure.