Margie's Garden

Margie's Garden sits within the Boerner Botanical Gardens complex in Hales Corners, and it's one of those Milwaukee-area spots that locals who've found it guard jealously. The garden was created specifically for children — paths are designed at kid-scale, plantings are chosen for sensory interest (rough leaves, soft textures, fragrant herbs), and everything is labeled so a curious 5-year-old can actually learn the names of what they're touching.

The playground integrated into the garden lets kids alternate between structured exploration and free running. It's not the elaborate equipment you'll find at destination playgrounds, but the combination of greenery, play elements, and open lawn makes for an organic, unhurried kind of visit. Parents tend to park on the grass, pull out a blanket, and let toddlers wander for an hour while older kids use the play equipment.

Being inside the Boerner Botanical Gardens complex is a significant bonus. After Margie's Garden, you can walk the formal rose gardens, the annual garden, the herb garden, and several others — all maintained to a high standard and beautiful in a way that genuinely impresses kids who've only seen parking-lot landscaping. The whole complex covers dozens of acres and rewards slow exploration.

Everything here is free. There's no admission charge for Margie's Garden specifically. The broader Boerner grounds are also free to walk, though special events may have fees. For a no-cost outdoor morning with kids under 10, it's hard to find a better option in the Milwaukee metro.

Best visited spring through early fall. Bring snacks — there's no food on site — and plan for 1.5-2 hours if you're including the adjacent gardens.