Animal Encounters
2026-06-12 10:00 - 12:15, 2026-06-13 10:00 - 12:15, 2026-06-14 10:00 - 12:15, 2026-06-19 10:00 - 12:15, 2026-06-20 10:00 - 12:15, 2026-06-21 10:00 - 12:15, 2026-06-26 10:00 - 12:15, 2026-06-27 10:00 - 12:15 (America/Chicago) and 3 more dates
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday

10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm

Turtles and snakes are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Join our team for an adventure in our Great Lakes Future exhibit as you meet the animal ambassadors that call Discovery World home and gain a better understanding of our friendly animals.
Explore our exhibit here: Great Lakes Future

Happy Birthday Beep!
2026-06-12 12:00 - 12:30
June 12, 2026
12:00 pm

Join us as we sing Happy Birthday and deliver a special treat to one of our favorite turtles, Beep!
Find their decorated exhibit in Great Lakes Future.

Turtle Fest
2026-06-13 09:00 - 15:00
Friday, June 12th – Sunday, June 14th
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Join us for a Turtle Fest, a 3-day shellabration of Discovery World’s most charismatic residents!
Saturday, June 13th
🐢 Meet Local Conservation & Wildlife Experts | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Explore interactive exhibitor tables featuring local organizations, turtle advocates, rescue groups, and nature experts sharing hands-on activities, turtle education, and conservation stories throughout the day.
🔨 Preston Edmonds: The Turtle Blacksmith | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Watch craftsmanship come to life with live blacksmith demonstrations inspired by turtles, wildlife, and the natural world.
🐢 Live Turtle Encounters Meet fascinating turtle species up close, including Box Turtles and Painted Turtles from Hawthorn Glen, Musk Turtles from Havenwoods State Forest, and more while learning about their habitats, behaviors, and conservation.
🎨 Turtle Drawing Station | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Color, sketch, and create turtle-themed artwork perfect for young artists and animal lovers alike.
🪣 DIY Turtle Bucket Wall Challenge | 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Put your creativity and engineering skills to the test as you build, stack, and design your way through this fun turtle-themed challenge.
Get to know our amazing turtles (and meet some turtle-y cool friends from partner organizations), make wearable turtle projects, join turtle enrichment presentations, enjoy animal encounters, and more!
Learn from our aquarists and local wildlife experts, catch a turtle feeding, and so much more!
Meet the Turtles of Discovery World

Beep & Boop – These Box Turtles are our spokes-turtles! Beep, is shy and loves curling up in their shell. Boop, is the opposite—outgoing and always ready for the camera!
Salt & Peppa – Our two resident Wood Turtles who love to climb and explore!
Tortilla – A Spiny Softshell Turtle who loves burrowing under tiny rocks, often leaving just his snout peeking out.
Linnaeus – A Blanding’s Turtle with a perpetual smile who enjoys watching guests walk by.
Wolverine – A Red-Eared Slider who dances through the water and loves squeezing under exhibit elements to hide.
Plus, find our group turtle exhibit behind our touch tanks with Red-Eared Sliders, Northern Map Turtles, and Painted Turtles.

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Save on your Discovery World admission ticket when you purchase in advanced – Buy Online & Save
Unlimited free admission with a Discovery World Membership: Learn More

Kohl's Design It! Lab Open
2026-06-13 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-06-14 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-06-20 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-06-21 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-06-27 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-06-28 09:00 - 15:30, 2026-07-05 09:00 - 15:30
Saturdays & Sundays
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Bring the whole family to the Kohl’s Design It! Lab to make wonderfully creative projects that you can take home. You’ll choose a project from our rotating menu and we’ll guide you through the creation process. Projects can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes.

Included with General Admission
Last call at 3:15 pm

For more information: Kohl’s Design It! Lab

Turtle Fest
2026-06-14 09:00
Friday, June 12th – Sunday, June 14th
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Join us for a 3-day shellabration of Discovery World’s most charismatic residents!
Sunday, June 14th

🐢 Wildlife In Need Center: Visiting Turtles! | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Meet live turtles up close and learn how wildlife rehabilitation and conservation efforts help protect native species across Wisconsin.
🪣 DIY Turtle Bucket Wall Challenge | 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Test your creativity and engineering skills as you build and design your way through this turtle-themed interactive challenge.
🌿 Community Exhibitors & Turtle Fun | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Visit engaging exhibitor tables featuring local organizations, conservation groups, animal rescue teams, and hands-on activities focused on wildlife, nature, and turtle education.
🔨 Preston Edmonds: The Turtle Blacksmith | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Watch live blacksmithing demonstrations inspired by turtles and the natural world from local artist Preston Edmonds.
🦎 Racine Zoo & Animal Encounters | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Learn about animal care, habitats, and conservation from wildlife experts and educators.
📖 Just-Us and Books Story Time Gather for engaging turtle-themed stories and interactive read-alongs perfect for young readers and families.
🎨 Turtle Drawing Station | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Color, sketch, and create turtle-inspired artwork at this self-guided activity station for aspiring artists.

Get to know our amazing turtles (and meet some turtle-y cool friends from partner organizations), make wearable turtle projects, join turtle enrichment presentations, enjoy animal encounters, and more!
Learn from our aquarists and local wildlife experts, catch a turtle feeding, and so much more!
Meet the Turtles of Discovery World

Beep & Boop – These Box Turtles are our spokes-turtles! Beep, is shy and loves curling up in their shell. Boop, is the opposite—outgoing and always ready for the camera!
Salt & Peppa – Our two resident Wood Turtles who love to climb and explore!
Tortilla – A Spiny Softshell Turtle who loves burrowing under tiny rocks, often leaving just his snout peeking out.
Linnaeus – A Blanding’s Turtle with a perpetual smile who enjoys watching guests walk by.
Wolverine – A Red-Eared Slider who dances through the water and loves squeezing under exhibit elements to hide.
Plus, find our group turtle exhibit behind our touch tanks with Red-Eared Sliders, Northern Map Turtles, and Painted Turtles.

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Save on your Discovery World admission ticket when you purchase in advanced – Buy Online & Save
Unlimited free admission with a Discovery World Membership: Learn More

Lake Michigan Divers
2026-06-17 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-06-24 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-07-01 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-07-08 09:30 - 11:00
Every Wednesday
9:30 am – 11:00 am
*Underwater feeding at 10:00 am
Our Lake Michigan Exhibit showcases the fish we’d find in our own backyard here at Discovery World. You’ll see Lake Sturgeon, Bass, Yellow Perch, and more! These fish are ambassadors for species found in Lake Michigan and other local lakes throughout Wisconsin. Watch divers in our 85,000-gallon Lake Michigan Tank as they care for and feed our sturgeon.
Explore our aquarium: Lake Michigan Tank
*Dive times are subject to change

Members Fireworks 2026
2026-06-18 17:30 - 22:00
Thursday, June 18, 2026
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
A Discovery World Member Exclusive Event!
Get exclusive front-row seats to fireworks! Enjoy the stunning Summerfest Big Bang Fireworks show presented by Menard’s and WISN 12, starting at 9:30 PM from our dock.
Before the fireworks light up the sky, take advantage of special activities at Discovery World. Experience the fireworks from Discovery World for FREE as a member.
Learn about Memberships: HERE
Activities & Details

Doors open at 5:30 pm. Check in at the front desk for your wristband! Fireworks begin around 9:30 pm
All Exhibits open from 5:30 – 9:00 pm
Gift Shop & Cafe open from 5:30 – 9:00 pm
Special projects with the Kohl’s Design It! Lab on the promenade from 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Yard games from 5:30 pm -9:00 pm
Enjoy Palermo’s Pizza at 5:30 pm while supplies last
Enjoy Polar Seltzer at 5:30 pm while supplies last
Restrooms will be available for the duration of the event.

Important Info:

Check-in required. Please have your Discovery World Member digital card and ID handy for ease of access. Tickets are not available online.
Member Fireworks is FREE for members, $10/guest if bringing friends.
As a KultureCity-certified venue, we have a small number of noise-canceling headphones and sensory kits available for use.
Member-exclusive seating is located on the south boardwalk fireworks viewing area. No chairs are provided, please bring your own chairs.
No tents, umbrellas, smoking, or open flames.
Parking is extremely limited. Parking is first-come, first served and with fireworks on the lakefront, our garage fills fast. Members will receive the $6 flat rate, otherwise, posted special event rates will be charged.

Members VIP Fireworks Lounge
2026-06-18 17:30 - 22:00
VIP Viewing Lounge – Member Fireworks
Thursday, June 18, 2026
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Celebrate Summerfest’s Big Bang Fireworks in style in Discovery World’s VIP Viewing Lounge on the Roger & Judy Smith Family Pilot House Terrace. This reservation is only available to Discovery World Members.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY
$225 reservation includes:

Outdoor VIP space for up to 6 guests (10′ x 4′) along the terrace
Lounge access in the Roger & Judy Smith Family Pilot House and restrooms
Complementary Palermo’s Pizza, snack basket, & Discovery World swag
Access to Members Fireworks activities

Important Info:

Wristbands required. Please check-in at the front desk. Have your Discovery World Member digital card and ID handy for ease of access.
Please bring your own chairs and blankets for the terrace.
Parking is extremely limited. Parking is first-come, first served and with fireworks on the lakefront, our garage fills fast. Members will receive the $6 flat rate, otherwise, posted special event rates will be charged.

Father's Day
2026-06-21 09:00 - 16:00
Sunday, June 21, 2026
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

We invite you to celebrate Father’s Day endlessly exploring Discovery World!
As a special treat, all dads will receive free admission for the day.

This Father’s Day discount only applies to tickets purchased in person at our admissions desk on 6/21/26. This discount may not be applied retroactively to pre-purchased tickets.

Explore our experiences!

CLOSED
2026-07-04
Discovery World is CLOSED 7/4/2026

Turtle Talk with Emiliana
2026-07-06 11:00 - 14:00 | Discovery World
Monday July, 6, 2026
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Get ready for a splash of inspiration with 10‑year‑old author and ocean advocate Emiliana Fuger, creator of the award‑winning book Anatomy Under the Sea: The Adventures of Luna the Loggerhead.
Emiliana has inspired thousands of learners with a passion for sea turtles, science, and ocean conservation. Now she’s bringing her curiosity and creativity to Discovery World for this special, can’t‑miss experience.
What you’ll experience:
🐢 Engaging Turtle Talk led by a young changemaker full of fascinating facts about sea turtles and ocean life
✋ Hands-on learning activities for curious minds
📚 Emiliana’s award-winning book
💙 Inspiration to take small steps that make a big impact on our oceans
From classrooms to museums (even PBS KIDS) Emiliana has shared her message far and wide. Now it’s your turn to discover why sea turtles matter and how you can help protect our planet.
Save on your Discovery World admission ticket when you purchase in advance – Buy Online & Save
Unlimited free admission with a Discovery World Membership: Learn More
