Stand on the roof of Monona Terrace on a clear morning and the whole shape of Madison resolves at once: the Capitol dome to the north, the water of Lake Monona spreading out below, and State Street running between them. That short walk between the Capitol and the university campus is where most visits begin and end, and it is the best way to understand how the city fits together.
Madison suits travellers who like to spend a day on foot, mixing a farmers' market, a free museum and an evening by the lake. It also rewards anyone willing to wander a few blocks off the main drag into the neighbourhoods, where much of the city's character lives.
This guide covers the places worth your time, drawn from what the source material describes, followed by a plan for a single day and answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Top things to do in Madison
1. State Street
State Street is the core of the city, running from the Capitol Building west to the UW campus. Along it you will find unique shops, restaurants, bars, sidewalk cafes, coffee houses, museums and street performers, which makes it the natural spine for a day of wandering.
It is also the setting for two recurring events: the yearly Halloween celebration known as "Freakfest", and Maxwell Street Days, held on State Street on the third weekend of July each year. Walk it in both directions rather than treating it as a single pass, since the museums and the Overture Center sit along the same stretch.
2. Wisconsin State Capitol
The State Capitol Building was modelled after the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and was finished in 1912 after the previous Capitol Building burnt down. Its dome is among the largest in the world by volume, and the mural under the dome is actually hanging from the top.
Tours leave many times a day, always at the top of the hour at certain hours, and take in the Senate, Assembly, Hearing Room and Governor's Cabinet Room. An observation deck 90 feet up is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Capitol grounds also host Concerts on the Square, the weekly summer concert series by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, where most people bring a blanket and picnic food.
3. Memorial Union Terrace
The Memorial Union Terrace at 800 Langdon St overlooks Lake Mendota, and it is one of the most pleasant places in the city to sit for an hour. Sample Babcock Ice Cream, made locally at Babcock Dairy Hall, whose profits help fund the UW-Madison dairy program.
The Union also carries a wide variety of local and regional beers, though Union membership or University affiliation is required to buy alcoholic beverages, and one-day guest passes can be obtained. Live music plays here, and boat rentals are available if you would rather be on the water than beside it.
4. Monona Terrace
From the roof of Monona Terrace at 1 John Nolen Dr you get views of downtown Madison including the Capitol, plus a panoramic view of Lake Monona. It is open daily from 8AM to 5PM.
Weekly events run through the summer, among them Dane Dances, concerts on the rooftop and free Tai Chi. Pair a visit here with a walk along the lakefront, since the terrace sits at the edge of the water it overlooks.
5. Dane County Farmer's Market
The market runs year-round, outdoors from April to November and indoors from November to April. It is a straightforward way to spend a morning around Capitol Square while the city is at its liveliest.
Come early if you want the full range of stalls, and combine it with a walk down State Street afterwards, since the two connect directly at the Capitol.
6. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Olbrich Botanical Gardens at 3330 Atwood Ave holds 16 free outdoor gardens with many ponds and greens, and it is home to the only Thai Pavilion in the continental United States. There is a $6 fee to enter the conservatory, which houses over 650 exotics and tropicals.
Because the outdoor gardens are free, this works well as a low-cost stop. It sits on the near east side, so it pairs naturally with a wander through the Williamson Street area.
7. Henry Vilas Zoo
Founded in 1914, Henry Vilas Zoo at 702 S Randall Ave is one of the few free zoos left in the country. It houses over 40 species within its grounds, and additional attractions include a zoo train, a carousel and a children's play area with a tree house.
Admission and parking are free, with donations welcome. It is open daily from 9:30AM to 5PM, which makes it an easy morning or early-afternoon stop.
8. UW Arboretum
The UW Arboretum at 1207 Seminole Hwy is a massive, man-made nature reserve carefully planned out with several different types of forests and plant species. It is excellent for bike rides, birdwatching, cross-country skiing and long walks.
Because the appeal is spread across the reserve rather than concentrated in one spot, set aside a proper block of time rather than squeezing it between other stops.
9. Wisconsin Veterans Museum
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum at 30 W Mifflin St chronicles the sacrifices made by Wisconsin veterans from the American Civil War to the present day. Its 20th Century gallery includes full-size replicas of a World War I Sopwith Camel biplane and a P-51 Mustang, as well as an authentic Huey Helicopter.
It sits close to Capitol Square, so it fits neatly into a day built around the Capitol and State Street.
10. Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art at 227 State St is a three-story collection of works by artists based in Madison and beyond, with many interactive exhibits and free tours you can listen to on your cell phone. Admission is free.
The fourth floor houses an upscale restaurant and bar and offers a view of State Street. It is also part of the Overture Center facilities, so you can move between the two without leaving the block.
11. Overture Center
The Overture Center at 501 State St is home to Madison's most prominent performing arts organizations, including the Madison Ballet, Opera, Symphony, Repertory Theater and Children's Theater. The facilities also include the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and galleries housing work by local visual artists.
The building is worth a stop in its own right as you walk down State Street, and the rooftop garden is particularly impressive. Private tours are available.
12. Chazen Museum of Art
The Chazen Museum of Art at 800 University Ave is a classic art exhibit inside the University of Wisconsin's art school, with sections ranging from ancient sculptures to modern-day photography. Exhibits are changed regularly, and the museum is quiet and uncrowded. Admission is free.
Its position on University Avenue puts it at the campus end of State Street, making it a natural final stop on a walk west from the Capitol.
13. UW-Madison Geology Museum
The UW-Madison Geology Museum at 1215 West Dayton Street exhibits the ancient past through rocks, fossils and meteorites. It is open Monday to Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM and Saturday from 9AM to 1PM, and admission is free.
The L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum is at the same address, so you can see both in one visit.
14. L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum
The L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum at 1215 West Dayton Street is a hands-on museum with exhibits demonstrating basic physical concepts from mechanics to atomics, plus some historical instruments on display. It is open Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM and closed on public and school holidays. Admission is free.
The closest parking lot is Lot 20. Because it shares an address with the UW-Madison Geology Museum, plan the two together and check the opening days before you go.
15. Monroe Street
Monroe Street is cute and colourful, with most of its businesses concentrated near Regent Street just past Camp Randall Stadium. Among them are a flatbread pizza shop, an oriental rug outlet, a Belgian restaurant, and a store specialising in home brewing and winery materials.
It makes a good change of pace from the centre of town, and it is easy to combine with a walk past the stadium.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Dane County Farmer's Market around Capitol Square, then join a tour of the Wisconsin State Capitol, which leaves at the top of the hour at certain hours. If you are visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day, go up to the observation deck while you are there.
Afternoon. Walk west along State Street, stopping at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and the Overture Center, then continue to the Chazen Museum of Art at the campus end. From there, head to the Memorial Union Terrace on Lake Mendota for Babcock Ice Cream and a view over the water.
Evening. Finish at Monona Terrace, which is open until 5PM, for the rooftop view of the Capitol and Lake Monona. If your visit falls in summer, check whether a Concerts on the Square performance is on at the Capitol, or one of the weekly events such as Dane Dances at Monona Terrace.
Frequently asked questions
Which museums in Madison are free to enter?
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chazen Museum of Art, the UW-Madison Geology Museum and the L. R. Ingersoll Physics Museum are all free. Henry Vilas Zoo is also free, with donations welcome.
When is the best time to catch an outdoor event in Madison?
Concerts on the Square runs weekly through the summer on the Capitol grounds. Dane Dances and other events take place weekly at Monona Terrace during the summer, and the Dane County Farmer's Market is outdoors from April to November. Maxwell Street Days is held on State Street on the third weekend of July.
Do I need anything special to buy a drink at the Memorial Union Terrace?
Union membership or University affiliation is required to buy alcoholic beverages, but one-day guest passes can be obtained.
Can I visit the Governor's Mansion?
Tours are offered every Thursday during the summer and several times during the month of December, and they are free. The mansion is in nearby Maple Bluff, on Lake Mendota.
Pick your dates around a market morning or a summer concert, and the rest of Madison falls into place from there.