A Guide to Family Weekend at UWM
UWM Family Weekend is an opportunity for Panther families to explore campus and the surrounding areas through various on-site and off-site activities. The event kicks off on October 9, 2021. Here’s how you can join the fun!
Registration
First, you’ll want to make sure to register for Family Weekend. Each family pass registration includes complimentary refreshments during check-in, a swag item, discounted registration for the Panther Prowl, discounted parking on campus and access to all the complimentary activities below.
Complimentary activities included in the Family Pass:
Panther Shop
October 9
9 am — 3 pm
Show your Panther Pride with UWM merch! The Panther Shop, located on the second floor of the Student Union, will be open for Family Weekend.
Little Sibs Learn What It’s Like to be a Panther
October 9
9 am — 3 pm
Calling all Panther Family siblings! You’re invited to stop by the UWM Welcome Center to learn more about UW-Milwaukee and pick up a free UWM gift. All future UWM Panthers, grades 9–12, are invited to stop by the UWM Welcome Center to claim their UWM Panther Pack and learn more about our upcoming events and tour experience!
Food Drive at Panther Prowl
October 9
10 am — 10:30 am
Support students in need by donating to the UWM Food Center & Pantry! There will be a collection box located at the Panther Prowl 5K walk/run. Here is a list of most needed items! Non-perishable items only, please.
University Recreation Disc Golf Tournament
October 9
11 am — 2 pm
Intramural Sports is happy to host an open disc golf event from 11 am to 2 pm for UWM Family Weekend! Discs will be provided on this 9-hole course that goes on the east and west side of the Klotsche Center in the grassy areas. Discs can be rented for free at the front desk of the Klotsche Center.
University Recreation Corn Hole Tournament
October 9
11 am — 2 pm
Intramural Sports is hosting a 16-team Cornhole Single Elimination Tournament for UWM’s Family Weekend. This tournament is free to enter and will take place on the west side of the Klotsche Center. Teams of two will compete to win an IM Champ shirt from previous years!
Studio Arts & Crafts Centre
October 9
2 pm — 3:30 pm
Come by the Union Studio Arts and Craft Centre to make your own UWM themed perler bead project. Perler beads are plastic beads which one arranges in a grid to form a pixelated image which is then melted together. Follow one of our UWM themed templates or make a design from your imagination. Craft Centre employees will be on hand to demonstrate as well as offer tours of our facility.
Trivia
October 9
4 pm — 5 pm
Do you like Trivia? Are you knowledgeable about Panthers, Milwaukee, UWM and random topics?! Come enjoy some trivia in the Fireside Lounge with the University Housing staff! Open to all students and families, regardless of Residence Hall residency, with some Panther Swag prizes for the winners!
Family Movie in Sandburg Hall
October 9
Showtimes 7 pm & 9:30 pm
Need a family-friendly movie night? If your student lives in any of the UWM Residence Halls you can attend a free viewing of the 2021 animated film Luca!
On-Campus Activities (ticketed through host):
Panther Prowl
October 9
10 am — 12 pm
The 17th annual Panther Prowl 5K Run/Walk is returning! Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, the Panther Prowl has raised more than $466,000 for UWM students over the past 16 years. This year, we will be hosting a virtual Panther Prowl in addition to our in-person event for supporters who aren’t able to join in Milwaukee. Sign up for the Family Weekend Team and receive 10% off registration fees! The 10% off discount code is pfw21 (it applies only to race registration fees, not merchandise, shipping or transactional fees).
Men’s Soccer Game
October 9
7 pm — 9 pm
Milwaukee Men’s Soccer vs. Green Bay will play at 7 pm at Engelmann Stadium. All seating is general admission for $5. Admission is free for UWM students.
Women’s Soccer Game
October 10
1 pm — 3 pm
Milwaukee Women’s Soccer vs. UIC will play at 1 pm at Engelmann Stadium. General admission seating is $5 and admission is free for UWM students.
Swim Meet
October 9
12 pm — 3 pm
Head over to the Klotsche Center Natatorium (Pool) to cheer on fellow Panthers. General admission is $5 and admission for UWM students is free.
Located on campus at 3409 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211.
Off-Campus Activities through Family Weekend Partners:
Iconic Milwaukee Tour — City Tours MKE
October 9
10 am — 12 pm
Purchase your tickets on the City Tours Website! Discover Iconic Milwaukee is a fantastic way to introduce out-of-town guests or better acquaint locals, with our fair city aboard one of our eco-friendly cruisers, or bus for larger groups. Expect to see Milwaukee’s highlights, the famous spots that put us on the map, as well as a few (literally) hidden treasures that many locals don’t even know about. We won’t mention them here lest we spoil the fun, but we have seen many-a-local surprised to find these places were right under their very noses! We’ll have planned and unplanned stops as group interest and photo opportunities present themselves while we make a giant sweep through the city covering our famous Brewery District, lively Bar District, famous museums and hotels, stunning lakefront, historical architecture, Third Ward, Harley Davidson, walking and biking trails, sculptures by local, national and international artists featured through Sculpture Milwaukee, and so much more! UWM students and families get $5 off with code UWMFM21!
Milwaukee Art Museum
October 9
10 am — 5 pm
Immediately recognizable on the lakefront by its Burke Brise Soleil — or movable “wings” — the Milwaukee Art Museum welcomes people from throughout the community and the world to find themselves and lose themselves in art, creativity, and culture. Explore the Museum’s exhibition and collection galleries, featuring works from antiquity to the present day. The Museum is open Thursday, 10 am — 8 pm, and Friday–Sunday, 10 am — 5 pm. Students and their families receive discounted admission with a UWM student ID October 8, 9 and 10. Students also receive discounted membership. See current exhibitions and start planning your visit today at mam.org.
Purchase your tickets day-of at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
PridetoberFest
October 9
12 pm — 12 am
Make sure to get your tickets for the first ever PridetoberFest at Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds)! PrideFest, normally held in June, is Wisconsin’s largest event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. PridetoberFest is a smaller version of the traditional June PrideFest. You won’t want to miss drag shows, food trucks, busting a move on the dance pavilion and much more! Incorporating Saturday’s Family Day at PridetoberFest into your Family Weekend experience is a great way to make the most of your time in Milwaukee! Be sure to visit the Northwestern Mutual Community Park for family-friendly kids programming from 1 pm — 4 pm on Saturday and end the day with spectacular fireworks display at 8 pm! PridetoberFest’s hours of operations will be Friday 3 pm to midnight and Saturday noon to midnight. Tickets are $12 each when purchased online at the pridefest.com website; $15 at the gate. Active-duty military/veterans (w/I.D.) and kids 12 and under are free. Also, $1 from each online ticket order will be donated to the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, so your family can have a blast while supporting safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people in Milwaukee!
Activities on-campus ticketed through the UWM University Tickets platform:
Professional Family Portrait
October 9
12 pm — 3 pm
Capture this moment in time with professional family portraits. $40 gets you 3–5 professional photos with print release. Must select a time at the time of ticket purchase. Photos will take place in front of the UWM Fountain. Rain location will be in the UWM Welcome Center.
Planetarium Show
October 9
Various showtimes
Be dazzled during one of several 40-minute live program “Life of a Star” at the UWM Planetarium. You will select your show time in the Family Weekend Registration portal when you purchase your tickets.
Family Weekend Bike Rides
October 9
1 pm — 2:30 pm
Join Outdoor Pursuits for a bike ride along the lakeshore and throughout the neighborhood surrounding UWM. Along the way, we will point out some amazing places to visit in Milwaukee and other useful resources in the city that students can take advantage of. The bike ride requires a moderate level of physical activity and will mostly follow paved trails around campus. Each ride departs from Outdoor Pursuits and lasts 60 minutes. We will provide the bikes and helmets, but space is limited on each ride. Please note that kid-sized bicycles are not available. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to trip departure in order to get ready for the ride.
Comedy Sportz Comedy Show
October 9
7 pm — 9:30 pm
Comedy Sportz is family-friendly and the longest running comedy show in Wisconsin. Munch on complimentary popcorn while you enjoy the show. Cash bar available. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Various ticket options available.
Families may begin arriving to the second floor Wisconsin Room in the Student Union 15–20 minutes prior to the show’s start time. The show is expected to last 90 minutes.
Dining
Wondering where to eat while visiting your Panther? UWM has partnered with a handful of off-campus restaurants that are hosting dining specials for UWM Family Weekend. Take a look at the list of restaurants below:
Breakfast
Iconic café serving coffee, tea and other drinks as well as baked goods, all-day breakfast, and sandwiches. Get one free medium cup of brewed hot coffee with any food or bakery purchase. Please mention UWM Family Weekend when ordering. Valid in Milwaukee area locations only, October 9 and 10. Not available for orders placed on the Colectivo App.
Location: 2999 N Humboldt Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53212. Open 7 am — 5 pm & 1701 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Open 7 am — 6 pm.
Dietary Information: Vegetarian, vegan, Kosher and dairy-free options. Gluten-free options are available, but there is a possibility of cross-contamination with gluten.
Café serving up all your favorite options like pancakes, eggs, sandwiches & wraps, baked goods, coffee and more. Receive 10% off your order with a UWM ID/ Family Weekend Pass.
Location: 1305 E Capitol Dr, Shorewood, WI 53211. Open 6:30 am — 10 pm.
Dietary Information: Vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options. Gluten-free options are available, but there is a possibility of cross-contamination with gluten.
Lunch/Dinner
Hip, counter-serve chain for gourmet takes on fast-food classics like burgers, chicken sandwiches & frozen custard.
Location: 220 E Buffalo St Suite 110, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Open 11 am — 10 pm Friday & Saturday, 11 am — 9 pm Sunday.
Dietary Information: Vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
Fast, casual sub shop serving grilled & deli-fresh subs on freshly baked bread. Enjoy soup, shakes, and sides with your sub. Get 15% off your whole order with UWM ID, please mention Family Weekend when ordering. Valid 10/9–10/10.
Location: 2900 N Oakland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211. Open 10 am — 10 pm.
Dietary Information: Vegetarian, vegan, Halal, Kosher, dairy-free options available. Gluten-free options available, but there is a possibility of cross-contamination with gluten.
Beer, pizza & other Italian eats in a casual eatery with late-night hours, a jukebox & photo booth. Get the UWM Family Weekend deal, a large 2-topping pizza and 4 sodas for $15. Available for dine-in or pick-up only. Offer valid Thursday 10/7 — Sunday 10/10.
Location: 1827 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Open 10 am — 3 am.
Dietary Information: Vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free options available. Gluten-free options available, but there is a possibility of cross-contamination with gluten.
Located on the east side of Milwaukee, Merge specializes in Korean fried chicken, craft cocktails and good vibes. Immerse yourself in the innovative bar + restaurant, filled wall-to-wall with custom graffiti by local artists. Receive 15% off your order with a UWM ID.
Location: 1932 E Kenilworth Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Open 4 pm — 12 am Saturday and 4 pm — 9 pm Sunday.
Dietary Information: Vegetarian, Halal and dairy-free options available.
We can’t wait to welcome all our UWM Panther families to campus! We hope you enjoy exploring campus and all that the city of Milwaukee has to offer. Don’t forget to tag UWM in your photos or use #UWM or #UWMilwaukee to document your adventures!
