Updated in September 2026, this Harley-Davidson Museum guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, transport, accessibility and what to see.
The Harley-Davidson Museum is a motorcycle history museum on a 20-acre riverside campus in Milwaukee. Adult admission now costs $24, up from the $22 that many still-current guides quote. This guide was updated in September 2026: admission has risen twice in recent years, and the free entry days the museum once offered are no longer part of its current pricing.
Quick facts about the Harley-Davidson Museum
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 W. Canal St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203 |
| Opening hours | Daily 10am–5pm, hours vary on select holidays |
| Adult admission (18–64) | $24 |
| Senior (65+), military or college student | $20 |
| Child (5–17) | $10 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Typical visit duration | 2 to 3 hours |
Opening hours at the Harley-Davidson Museum
The museum opens every day from 10am to 5pm. Hours can vary on select holidays, so it’s worth checking the museum’s website or calling ahead if visiting around a public holiday.
Ticket prices at the Harley-Davidson Museum
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | $24 |
| Senior (65+) | $20 |
| U.S. Military (with ID) | $20 |
| College Student (with ID) | $20 |
| Child (5–17) | $10 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Audio guide | $6, available in seven languages |
H.O.G.® members, Access Pass and Annual Pass holders enter free. General admission is not included in the price of a guided tour. The Spotlight Tour, Beyond the Gate Tour and VIP Tour each cost extra on top of admission; these add-on fees have historically run from around $15 for the Spotlight Tour up to $125 or more for the VIP Tour, though it’s worth checking the current rate when booking, since they change periodically.
How to get to the Harley-Davidson Museum
By car: the museum sits about 1.5 miles southwest of downtown Milwaukee, next to the Menomonee River on West Canal Street.
By bus: Milwaukee County Transit System routes serve the area around the museum campus.
On foot: it’s a walkable, if longish, route from downtown Milwaukee, and many visitors combine it with a stop at the nearby Historic Third Ward.
Parking at the Harley-Davidson Museum
Free parking is available on-site in the H Lot and D Lot, west of 6th Street, including accessible spaces.
How long to spend at the Harley-Davidson Museum
Most visitors spend two to three hours covering both floors of exhibits, with more time if adding a guided tour or a meal at the on-site restaurant.
Accessibility at the Harley-Davidson Museum
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms and dining areas. Complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and accessible parking spaces are included among the free on-site spots.
What to see inside the Harley-Davidson Museum
Serial Number One: the oldest known surviving Harley-Davidson motorcycle, dating back to the company’s earliest years in the 1900s.
The Tank Wall: a striking wall displaying rows of vintage motorcycle fuel tanks from across the brand’s history.
The Engine Room: a hands-on space where visitors can see how Harley-Davidson engines are built and how they work.
The Experience Gallery: a renovated, interactive area with custom builds, cultural touchpoints and displays that connect motorcycles to broader American history.
Police, military and celebrity motorcycles: exhibits trace the brand’s role with law enforcement and the armed forces, alongside bikes linked to well-known riders.
MOTOR Bar & Restaurant: open daily on the riverfront campus without requiring a museum ticket, serving food from 11am, with later hours Thursday through Saturday.
Bike Night: held Thursday evenings from May through September, this free outdoor event outside the museum draws local riders and their motorcycles.
Practical visitor tips for the Harley-Davidson Museum
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Budget a full morning or afternoon | Two floors of exhibits take most visitors two to three hours. |
| Buy general admission separately | Guided tour tickets do not include museum entry. |
| Rent the audio guide | Available in seven languages for $6, useful for a self-paced deep dive. |
| Visit on a Thursday evening in summer | Bike Night runs May through September and is free outside the museum. |
| Park in the free lots | The H and D lots west of 6th Street save on parking costs entirely. |
Frequently asked questions about the Harley-Davidson Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Daily from 10am to 5pm, with possible changes on select holidays. |
| How much does a ticket cost? | Adult admission is $25, with discounted rates for seniors, military, students and children. |
| Do guided tours cost extra? | Yes, tours like the Spotlight Tour and Beyond the Gate Tour are priced separately from general admission. |
| Is the museum wheelchair accessible? | Yes, it is fully accessible, with ramps, elevators and complimentary wheelchairs on site. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, on-site parking in the H and D lots is free, including accessible spaces. |
Things to do near the Harley-Davidson Museum
The Iron Horse Hotel, a motorcycle-themed hotel, sits directly across the street from the museum campus.
The Milwaukee Public Market offers local food vendors and a lively indoor market atmosphere in the nearby Historic Third Ward.
Discovery World, a hands-on science museum and aquarium on the lakefront, makes a good family pairing with the motorcycle museum.
The Milwaukee Art Museum, known for its distinctive winged Calatrava-designed addition, sits along the lakefront a short drive away.
The Historic Third Ward neighbourhood offers galleries, boutiques and restaurants within walking distance of the riverfront.
Alternative transport and vehicle museums
The Wisconsin Automotive Museum, in Hartford, WI, displays vintage cars and motorcycles in the town where the Kissel automobile was once built, about 40 minutes from Milwaukee.
The EAA Aviation Museum, in Oshkosh, trades motorcycles for aircraft but shares the same spirit of American vehicle history, roughly 90 minutes from Milwaukee.
