The Harley-Davidson Museum is getting the riding season kicked off in style with a host of both recurring activities – such as bands every Thursday night for Bike Nights and demo rides on Saturdays – and events that will be specific to May, including Mother’s Day activities and an Armed Forces Day Celebration. The museum is also hosting a variety of exhibits throughout the month offering something for all ages and interests, including the museum’s first bilingual exhibit, “My Papi has a Motorcycle” / “Mi papi tiene una moto,” based on the children’s book of the same name. For more information, read the press release below.
MILWAUKEE — Coming hot on the heels of a glorious Milwaukee Day celebration, Bike Nights at the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum are set to take center stage this summer. Join the fun every Thursday night for free local live music, food and drink specials from MOTOR Bar & Restaurant, and miles and miles of rolling sculptures. The Midwest’s newest rockin’ country band, Bootjack Road, gets the season started on May 4.
Speaking of seasons, get ready for riding season all weekend long. Whether you’re heading down to check out the free tunes at Bike Night, signing up for demo rides on Saturdays, or checking out the scorching savings found at the Factory Shop, the H-D Museum has you covered for a summer in the saddle of your #FreedomMachine.
If you’re still shopping for Mother’s Day, the H-D Museum has you covered there too. Bring mom down to enjoy a splendid Sunday on campus as moms receive free admission on May 14. Be sure to stop in the Harley-Davidson Shop for unique gifts – including those found at the customization station. Hop over to MOTOR Bar & Restaurant to see what’s cooking for a special Mother’s Day brunch, where everyone can enjoy bottomless mimosas for an additional $20 per person.
And on Saturday, May 20, honor our brave U.S. military heroes at the H-D Museum’s annual Armed Forces Day Celebration. Fun for the whole family can be found throughout campus, while military gallery talks will be held inside the H-D Museum.
Related: Harley-Davidson Homecoming Ride Routes
Harley-Davidson Museum Programming/Events
Get Ready to Ride at the H-D Factory Shop: May 4 – 7
Kicking off Thursday, May 4, in conjunction with the first Bike Night of the season and extending through Sunday, May 7, the H-D Museum’s Ready to Ride event will offer savings up to 75% on Harley-Davidson MotorClothes merchandise and select official licensed products. (* see below) Gear up with select authentic Harley-Davidson apparel and riding gear, including helmets and jackets. Don’t miss this chance to stock up on T-shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear, and so much more. The first and only Harley-Davidson Factory Shop is the official H-D outlet for end-of-season gear and discontinued products.
* Valid only for onsite use in the Factory Shop at the H-D Museum on purchase of select, discontinued men’s and women’s Harley-Davidson MotorClothes merchandise and select official licensed products. Not valid for online purchases; not valid in the Harley-Davidson Shop at the H-D Museum. Prices as marked in the Factory Shop. Sale prices valid from May 4, 2023 – May 7, 2023. While supplies last. Offer not valid on previously purchased merchandise. Cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. Offer is subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
H-D Museum Bike Night Concert Series: Powered by Budweiser King of Beers and Bulleit Bourbon, Thursdays, 5-9 p.m.
All wheels unite every Thursday from 5-9 p.m. at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Join riders (and non-riders) for free live music from some of our favorite bands; fun, drool-worthy rolling sculptures; and outdoor food and beverage specials from MOTOR. The Bike Night Koozie Special is back. Enjoy $3 Busch Light all-season. And don’t forget to check out the signature cocktails from Bulleit.
Band lineup:
- 5/4 – Bootjack Road
- 5/11 – Blind Fiction
- 5/18 – 11. One Louder
- 5/25 – Red’s Hot Chili Peppers
Saturday Demos powered by H-D Insurance: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Visit the Museum campus on Saturdays to experience the fun and freedom of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Riders with their motorcycle endorsement/license will be able to choose from a dozen of the latest and greatest freedom machines from Harley-Davidson, including Touring, Softail, and Sportster models. A pre-determined scenic route through the Menomonee Valley will give riders the chance to explore the H-D Museum’s surrounding neighborhoods. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Riders and passengers must be at least 18 years of age. All riders (and passengers) must wear a helmet, eye protection, shirt, long pants, and closed-toe shoes with heel strap. All riders and passengers must bring their own riding gear.
Mother’s Day at the Harley-Davidson Museum: Sunday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This Mother’s Day, give Mom an unforgettable experience! The whole family will enjoy the sights and sounds of the H-D Museum, and moms receive free admission on Sunday, May 14. Shop for gifts as unique as her at the Factory Shop and Harley-Davidson Shop and create one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson gear at our customization station. MOTOR Bar & Restaurant will be serving up a special Mother’s Day brunch, including bottomless mimosas for an additional $20 per person. Reservations are strongly encouraged. It’s the mother of all Mother’s Day celebrations and it’s only found at the crossroads of 6th & Canal.
Google Arts & Culture: Pocket Gallery – Thursday, May 18
The Harley-Davidson Museum will be launching “(P)art,” which celebrates the components’ sculptural forms, creatively interpreted by commercial photographers during Harley-Davidson’s first 60 years, alongside many other museum’s stunning and creative pocket galleries as part of Google Arts and Culture’s International Museum Day celebration. Keep an eye on the H-D Museum’s social media for a direct link, or visit the H-D Museum’s main page on May 18 to explore the gallery.
Armed Forces Day Celebration: Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join the Harley-Davidson Museum and active military and veterans as we honor the brave individuals serving in the United States Armed Forces. Together with the Milwaukee Armed Services Committee, the H-D Museum invites everyone to show your support for our troops on Armed Forces Day. Military equipment and interactive displays are available for attendees to see and experience. This free event offers a unique experience to talk with all branches of the military to learn about their experiences and the challenges they face maintaining our freedom.
Please note that military discounts are found throughout campus all year. The H-D Museum will also offer Military Gallery Talks at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. These staffed talks will include the history of Harley-Davidson in the military and how we were essential in the World Wars. They last approximately 15 minutes and are free to attend with paid admission. Families will want to check out the Wisconsin Warrior Challenge. Open to kids and young adults ages 7-22, participants will join one of six teams and compete in a series of activities for the title of Wisconsin Warrior Champions. Activities will include obstacle courses, survival skills, drills and marching, and more! Sign up to participate in advance on the Milwaukee Armed Forces Week website.
Related: Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival to Headline Foo Fighters and Green Day
Other Harley-Davidson Museum Activities/Information
Looking for interesting things to do and ways to fully enjoy our programs and exhibits? The Harley-Davidson Museum’s Annual Pass offers individual, family, and VIP levels to fit your lifestyle. Just some of the perks of the new Annual Pass include: virtual access to the H-D Museum with various Harley history topics covered in our Virtual Gallery Talk series, admission discounts, free admission for children under age 18, merchandise discounts at The Shop, dining discounts at MOTOR Bar & Restaurant, and more. Visit the Harley-Davidson Museum website for details and other terms and conditions.
The H-D Museum’s guided-tour portfolio has been updated with new experiences and content. Choose from the Spotlight Tour, the Beyond the Gate Tour, or the VIP Tour. Spotlight Tours are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Spanish Spotlight Tours are available most weekends. Guests are invited to check out the calendar when planning their visit to sign-up in advance for an unforgettable guided experience. To book a private group tour, please call 414-287-2799 or email for more information. Reservations and prepayment required at least two weeks prior to tour date. Please note: Tour fee does not include General Admission.
Engineering Merit Badge – Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. and Sundays at 2:15 p.m.
All scouts are welcome to come earn their Engineering Merit Badge at the Harley-Davidson Museum! This experience will be launched by our merit badge counselor. Then scouts will explore the history of Harley-Davidson as well as the engineering of motorcycles as they complete the nine merit badge requirements. Advance registration is required. Program registration closes one week prior to the scheduled program date. Ticket includes: downloadable activity booklet used for the program, welcome and orientation by program facilitator, blue card signed by the facilitator (one blue card per scout registration), and an exclusive H-D Museum patch.
Scout Virtual Engineering Merit Badge – Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. and Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
This new 90-minute online program is open to scouts from all over the country. Our program facilitator will guide the troops and explore the role an engineer plays while creating a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Nine requirements for the Engineering Merit Badge will be discussed during this virtual, interactive program. Advance registration is required. Program Fee: $20 per Scout, which includes an activity booklet used during the program and a special H-D patch upon completion of the program.
Must-see Exhibits and Installations
“My Papi Has a Motorcycle” / “Mi Papi Tiene una Moto” (on display now)
From award-winning children’s and YA author Isabel Quintero and illustrator Zeke Peña comes the Harley-Davidson Museum’s first-ever bilingual exhibit, “My Papi has a Motorcycle” / “Mi papi tiene una moto.” Based on the beloved children’s book of the same name, “My Papi has a Motorcycle” shares a story of family bonds strengthened by the simple act of taking a joy ride on a two-wheeled machine. With brilliant, colorful art from Peña paired with heart-warming stories from Southern Californian riding families, “My Papi has a Motorcycle” will draw smiles from kids of all ages. It’s an exhibit that focuses not only on where you can take a motorcycle, but where a two-up motorcycle ride with a loved one can take you.
Experience Gallery (on display now)
With inspiring stories from riders who have turned their dream of learning to ride into reality, a look at the epic journeys you can only experience behind the bars of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, plus the chance to throw a leg over a new 2023 Harley-Davidson freedom machine, the reinstalled and all-new Experience Gallery shows the world how “United We Ride!” And now you can hop in the saddle of the newest Ultra Limited Anniversary, Road Glide Trike, Pan America Special and Nightster motorcycles – the perfect photo op to commemorate your visit.
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (on display now)
The four founders of Harley-Davidson were recently inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Learn more about this prestigious honor now on view in the H-D Museum.
Linda “Jo” Giovannoni (on display now)
In 2022, the world of motorcycling lost a prominent voice, Linda “Jo” Giovannoni. As a co-founder of Harley Women magazine, she shared her love of the sport through articles in newspapers and magazines, and in national television interviews and documentaries. Learn about how Giovannoni inspired riders for over 40 years.
Revolution Max Engine (on display now)
The brand-new Revolution Max 1250cc engine powers a new generation of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. See the liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-Twin that delivers for the Pan America adventure touring model and the performance cruiser Sportster S motorcycle. On view in the Museum lobby.
Clubs & Competition (on display now)
In the early part of the 20th century, motorcycle culture was a homegrown phenomenon. It grew out of the passion of riders for their evolving sport. The camaraderie that developed around riding and attending competitive events led to the formation of motorcycle clubs that hosted destination rides, family picnics with motorcycle games, and other riding competitions.
The recently reinstalled display case in the Clubs & Competition gallery highlights clothing from club members from primarily the 1930s and 1940s. The clothing selections on view include full dress uniforms, shirts, sweaters, jackets and caps, customized by the owners with their club’s name and logo, and pins or patches indicating membership in the American Motorcyclist Association. The H-D Archives collection includes Motorclothes apparel sold in H-D product catalogs but also non-H-D produced clothing items that have been proudly customized by riders.
“Off-Road Harley-Davidson” (on display now)
In the decades before America paved its highways, early riders had to be prepared for all sorts of terrain: sand, clay or dirt – and wandering those makeshift byways were Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Today, it’s called off-road or adventure touring; back then it was just called riding. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson motorcycles proved their toughness by riding over wooded hills, through stone-choked creek beds and up mountain sides. “Off-Road Harley-Davidson” tells the history of motorcycles designed for rough roads, the people who rode them and the adventures they shared.
Harley-Davidson Museum Services
The Harley-Davidson Shop + Factory Shop
Be a part of our long history of unique, premium designs with our exclusive 120th Anniversary collection. From men’s and women’s baseball jerseys to a vintage inspired sweater and jersey, it’s easy to show your H D pride in our 120th year.
We have some great specials in May! Our Shrimp Tartar tapa is on the menu as an entrée option, we went a little wild with the Mac Attack, a burger including mac n’ cheese, pork, BBQ sauce, and topped with crispy onion strings. Top of a great meal with a sweet treat of Tres Leches Cake, a triple layered cake topped with chocolate and raspberry.
Celebrate mom with brunch! We’ll be offering our full brunch menu along with bottomless mimosas for $20 during Mother’s Day Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make your reservation at the MOTOR Bar & Restaurant website or call 414-287-2778. Make your reservation today as spots are filling up quickly!
May Specials (while supplies last):
SANDWICH OF THE MONTH: Shrimp Tartar ($19.95)
Fresh shrimp and avocado in a rosemary cream sauce with peppers, red onions, topped with spring mix, crispy onion straws and a balsamic glaze.
BURGER OF THE MONTH: Mac Attack Burger ($17.95)
8-oz. hand-packed ground chuck topped with cheddar cheese, mac n’ cheese, shredded pork, BBQ sauce, crispy onion straws on a brioche bun.
DESSERT OF THE MONTH: Tres Leches Cake ($8.95)
A light three-layered cake soaked in a sweet milk mixture and topped with chocolate and raspberry sauces.
Save the Date
Special exhibit, “Mama Tried: Bringing it Together,” opening Saturday, June 17.
See all of American Rider‘s Harley-Davidson coverage here.
