It’s a monstrous May at the Harley-Davidson Museum
Get set for a new exhibit and ’tis the season for Bike Nights, Demo rides, the mother of all Mother’s Day celebrations and so. much. more!
MILWAUKEE, USA (May 1, 2024) – May is the gateway to summer at the Harley-Davidson Museum. With a new exhibit, the return of free concerts every Thursday at Bike Night, bike demos and fun events packed throughout the month, there’s never a bad time to point your wheels to 6th & Canal.
Bike Night keep May motoring and debuts on Thursday, May 2 with Bruce Humphries and The Rockabilly Rebels providing the soundtrack for the rolling sculptures reuniting in Motorcycle Plaza. All wheels are welcome all summer long for free tunes from some of Milwaukee’s favorite bands.
And with Bike Nights back on the scene, you know Saturday Demos are right around the corner. Those lucky riders with a magical motorcycle endorsement are invited to roll through the scenic Menomonee Valley on a brand-new 2024 Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. Did we mention it costs zero dollars? Your Saturdays are now booked through September. If you’re not yet a licensed rider, check out the Jumpstart™ demo. Cycle through the gears of an H-D to experience the thrill of life behind bars. May 4 is also International Female Ride Day. Kickstands up at noon at the H-D Museum for a leisurely ride through southeastern Wisconsin with dozens of your fellow riders (guys are welcome, too).
And get ready for riding season May 16 – 18 with our latest H-D® Factory Outlet Sale, featuring fantastic deals on end-of-season and discontinued Harley-Davidson® Motor-Clothes® merchandise plus an exclusive assortment of officially licensed products.* Visit Rumble to grab great deals on leathers, riding gear, hats and other fun items. Afterwards, be sure to visit the H-D Shop with your Factory Outlet Sale receipt to grab a great gift with purchase. Supplies are limited, so shop early!
Saturday, May 18 also marks the return of the Armed Forces Day & Celebration. Honor our brave U.S. military heroes from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Featuring the Wisconsin Warrior Challenge, experience interactive military displays and participate in the Support the Troops Ride. The H-D Museum will offer Military Gallery Talks at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. where stories about Harley-Davidson’s ties to the Military and how our motorcycles played a pivotal role in the World Wars. For Armed Forces Day, the H-D Museum is proud to offer free admission for past and present US Military personnel.*
Finally, Memorial Day weekend will see the opening of a new special exhibit, “Creating a Legend: Art & Engineering at Harley-Davidson.” Take a peek behind the curtain as engineers, designers and others share stories on how Harley-Davidson’s iconic looks, sounds and feels have been created over the years. Housed in the Design Lab, this exhibit opens to the public Saturday, May 25.
PROGRAMMING / EVENTS
Thursday Bike Night Concert Series, Thursdays, 5 – 9 p.m. through September
All bikes unite every Thursday night at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Grab your bike. Join your fellow riders (and non-riders) for free live music from some of Milwaukee’s favorite bands, fun, drool-worthy rolling sculptures and outdoor food and drink. All wheels welcome. All people welcome. Powered by: Rockford Fosgate® Motorcycle Audio, Twisted Tea® Hard Iced Tea, Dunlop® Motorcycle Tires, H-D® Insurance, Wisconsin Lottery® & Official Harley-Davidson™ Trucks.
May 2 – Sportster® Night with Bruce Humphries and The Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
May 9 – Adventure Touring Night with Pay the Devil (Americana / Bluegrass / Folk)
May 16 – Military Bike Night with The Whiskeybelles (All-Female Traditional Country)
May 23 – CVO Night with Reilly (Irish Folk Rock / Celtic Rock)
May 30 – Café Racer / Race Night with Driveway Thriftdwellers (Americana)
Saturday Demo Rides, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. through September
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 #FreedomMachines from Harley-Davidson, including Touring, Cruiser, Adventure Touring 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.
If the weather is looking dubious, stay tuned to the H-D Museum’s social channels or call 877-436-8738 for updates.
Powered by: H-D® Insurance, Rockford Fosgate® Motorcycle Audio & Dunlop® Motorcycle Tires.
Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12
Let’s make this Mother’s Day one for the books with the ultimate tribute to all the motorcycle moms out there at the Harley-Davidson Museum, where moms get in free! Whether you’re a biker babe, a family that lives for the two-wheel life, or just someone who loves a good adventure, our H-D Museum campus is the place to be. Treat mom to a special brunch with a buffet on the second floor of MOTOR Bar & Restaurant overlooking the Menomonee River, featuring a carving station, seafood station, made-to-order omelets, dessert station, and more. And forget the stress of hunting for the perfect present – find one-of-a-kind gifts that are just as unique as the mom in your life from the Harley-Davidson® Shop. We’ve got everything you need for an all-inclusive day out with the family, so you can focus on making mom feel the love. Give mom the gift of unforgettable memories this Mother’s Day at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
* Receive one (1) Harley-Davidson Museum General Admission adult ticket when you mention the Mother’s Day offer. Valid for entry only on Sunday, May 12, 2024, for in-person use at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Not valid for online purchases. Non-transferable. Cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. Offer not valid on previously purchased Harley-Davidson Museum tickets. It cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. Offer is subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
Armed Forces Day Celebration with Support the Troops Ride & Ceremony, May 18, 10 a.m. – 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 where past and present US Military personnel can enjoy free admission on Saturday, May 18*. 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 throughout the year. The H-D Museum will also offer Military Gallery Talks at 11 a.m. & 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 in advance on the Milwaukee Armed Forces Week website.
*Cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. Not valid for previous H-D Museum ticket purchases. Cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. H-D Ticket is non-refundable. H-D Ticket offer can be changed at any time without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
Annual Pass
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 H-D Museum.com for details and other terms and conditions.
Annual Pass Level for Community Partners
Public Libraries, community centers and youth organizations are now able to purchase a Harley-Davidson Museum® Annual Pass for check-out and use by the community members they serve. For additional information about this Annual Pass (Community Partner Level), please call 414-287-2789.
Guided Tours
Get closer to the artifacts, exhibits and stories with a guided tour of the H-D Museum! There are three specially designed tours in our experience portfolio:
The VIP Tour is ideal for special guests and special occasions
Our Beyond the Gate Tour takes guests into the motorcycle vault
Everyone will love the Spotlight Tour, which is a perfect intro to the story of Harley-Davidson
Group bookings are available for 2-50 guests. Call 414-287-2799 or email groups@h-dmuseum.com for reservations. Check out the tour calendar for public tour availability, too.
Engineering Merit Badge (Saturdays at 1:30 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 via Scoutbook (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
“Creating a Legend: Art & Engineering at Harley-Davidson” (opening May 25 / Press preview May 24)
From pencil and paper to clay and 3-D printing, Harley-Davidson design and engineering teams have created iconic products for over 120 years. Visit our new exhibit and see the creative effort that happens as a motorcycle goes to market.
Google Arts & Culture
Adventure Ahead! The story of the Harley-Davidson® Hydra-Glide motorcycle is now live on the H-D Museum’s Google Arts & Culture site. The journey that started as a rough road and became a smooth and stylish ride. Learn more about the Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide and its place in motorcycling history.
“Mama Tried: Bringing it Together” (on display now)
The Mama Tried® Motorcycle Show and adjoining Flat Out Friday races are a bright spot in the dead of cold, Wisconsin winters. The show has amassed an army of followers and fans that give the weekend its signature style: People are the heart of the show; the bikes are the social lubrication. The Harley-Davidson Museum’s special exhibit, “Mama Tried: Bringing it Together,” focuses on the builders, the racers and the fans that gather over a bike or a brew.
A riot of bikes awaits you: outrageous custom bikes, lovingly restored vintage machines and one as rare as hen’s teeth – 1929 FHAC with FLXI Sidecar Factory Racer. Don’t come alone; bring your crew. That’s what Mama Tried is about, after all. And if you haven’t already tuned in, hear directly from David Kreidler, curator of the exhibit, on the Mama Tried podcast.
1972 Custom Sprint 350 Single (on display now)
J. Shia’s unconventional 1972 350cc Sprint custom is on display at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Inspired by Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet “Swan Lake,” Shia designed a dual bike project to reflect both the contrast and parallels of the black and white swans. The “white swan” can now be found at the H-D Museum. Shia’s build style for this project is unique in both function and materials, which she designed and fabricated all out of her Boston-based shop, Madhouse Motors. Shia incorporated unexpected parts from other products to create the bike: The headlight is the projector from a microscope and the taillight is a pencil sharpener. The carburetor intake is a modified juicer, and the foot-pegs are stove handles, while the turbocharger’s exhaust is a soprano saxophone bell. This amazing build is a symbol of ingenuity in moto customization and needs to be seen to be believed.
“My Papi Has a Motorcycle” / “Mi Papi Tiene una Moto” (on display now)
From award-winning children 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 2024 Harley-Davidson® #FreedomMachine, the Experience Gallery shows the world how United We Ride! And now you can hop in the saddle of a limited-edition 2024 Icons Collection Hydra-Glide Revival motorcycle that celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the original with graphics and design cues taken from Hydra-Glide models of the 1950s and ‘60s.
Worthington Scout Overgreen Engine (on display now)
In 1927, the Worthington Lawn Mower Company launched the Scout Overgreen model, the first walking mower with three connected – also known as “ganged” – decks. Between 1929 and 1935, Worthington contracted Harley-Davidson to build about 500 engines for the innovative triplex mowers.
Long-Time Riders: Lee & Pearl (on display now)
At the H-D Museum entrance, a new case featuring two long-time Wisconsin riders is on display. Lee and Pearl Christopherson have been together since meeting on a motorcycle in 1958. Lee was a member of the Blue Knights, a group of active or retired law enforcement officers. While Lee can’t begin to guess how many miles he’s ridden over 76 years, Pearl has kept track of her time in the saddle and surpassed 175,000 miles in the summer of 2023. The display features Pearl’s Motor Maids shirt and vest along with a Blue Knights Club vest from Lee, and the couple’s H.O.G.® patch and pin collection.
Clubs & Competition (on display now)
The early days of motorcycle culture were marked by board track racing, hillclimbs, endurance events, and more. Our latest Clubs & Competition gallery update is a reflection of how these riders shaped the future of bikes.
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 latest clothing selection on view in the gallery includes uniforms from clubs organized by region or city. Some of the clubs represented in the case are the Beer City Riders from right here in Milwaukee; the Red Wing Motorcycle Club in Detroit; and the Aztec Motorcycle Club from National City, California. 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.
Harley-Davidson® Shop + H-D® Factory Outlet
New, extended hours give you even more ways to hit refresh on your summer wardrobe. Both retail shops are open 10:30 a.m. –5:30 p.m. and until 9:00 pm on Bike Nights (Thursday) all summer long. Plus, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Ready to Ride Factory Outlet Sale, May 16 – 18. Quantities on sale item quantities are limited so plan to visit Rumble early for our Factory Outlet Sale.
*Valid only for onsite use in the H-D® Factory Outlet at the H-D Museum on purchase of select, discontinued men’s and women’s Harley-Davidson® Motor-Clothes® 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 H-D® Factory Outlet. Sale prices valid from May 16, 2024 – May 18, 2024. 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.
MOTOR® BAR & RESTAURANT
Mother’s Day, May 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Moms can enjoy free parking, a freshly cut rose and free admission to the H-D Museum for mom on Mother’s Day. And this year, MOTOR offers two dining options to celebrate. Overlooking the Menomonee River on the second floor of MOTOR® Bar & Restaurant, Rumble will host a Mother’s Day buffet. This delicious buffet will include a carving station, seafood station, made-to-order omelets, dessert station, kid’s station, as well as fresh pastries, fresh fruit, salad, roasted veggies and more! Reservations will also include coffee, tea and juice. A full bar including MOTOR mom-mosas will be available as well. Adult tickets are $54.95 and kids $24.95. Buffet not your thing? Join us at MOTOR Bar & Restaurant for the à la carte brunch menu with items like the Hog Wild Breakfast Bowl or Steak and Eggs as well as select specials. Reservations are encouraged, visit OpenTable or call 414-287-2778.
Tunemaster Bingo, Fridays, 6 p.m.
Compete for awesome prizes as Tunemaster Bingo takes over MOTOR® Bar & Restaurant on Friday nights. Enjoy beer and food specials – including the AYCE Fish Fry – as you listen to 30-second clips of iconic, popular songs and simply match them to the ones on your BINGO card they have.
May Specials
We’re leaning into Mexican specials this month in honor of Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of Mexico’s victory over the French in 1862. Chef Doug has incorporated many traditional flavors that guests can enjoy until May 31. Read on to learn about the May specials that pair perfectly with MOTOR’s patio.
Honey Habanero Lime Wings
1 lb. house-seasoned chicken wings tossed in a honey habanero & lime sauce. Caliente!
Pozole Rojo
Traditional Mexican pozole made with pork shoulder and chicken braised in a spicy tomato broth, topped with shaved lettuce, radish and tortilla crisps.
Machaca Beef Tostadas
Three tostadas topped with braised beef brisket, shaved lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado jalapeño crema, sprinkled with cilantro.
Strawberry Tres Leches Cake
Scratch made vanilla sponge cake drenched with three types of sweet cream, topped with strawberry compote and Mexican vanilla whipped cream.
Save the Dates:
Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16
Wild Ones Vintage Motorcycle Rally, Saturday, June 22
Harley-Davidson Homecoming™ Festival, July 25 – 28
About the Harley-Davidson Museum
Discover culture and history through stories and interactive exhibits that celebrate expression, camaraderie, and love for the sport at the Harley-Davidson Museum. A visit to the H-D Museum is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. With an unrivaled collection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles and memorabilia, a 20-acre, park-like campus, and a calendar full of activities, the H-D Museum is one of Milwaukee’s top tourist destinations for visitors from around the globe. Make your plans to visit the Harley-Davidson Museum at H-DMuseum.com.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Recent Press Releases by Harley-Davidson Museum
Join the Harley-Davidson Museum® as we salute those who serve and have served on the front lines of freedom with free admission for Veterans Day weekend
Nov 1st, 2024 by Harley-Davidson MuseumPlus, check out the new H-D Museum ™ photography exhibit, “Ezy Ryders,” opening Nov. 23.
Kick off October at the H-D Museum with a party for pups and build up to Skulloween at the end of the month with tricks and treats from MOTOR® Bar & Restaurant
Oct 1st, 2024 by Harley-Davidson MuseumPlus, celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by checking out the H-D Museum’s first bilingual exhibit before it hits the road.
