From its thriving foodie scene to abundance of nature, Wisconsin’s capital city offers an array of can’t-miss attractions. Nicknamed “Mad City” for its lively and progressive spirit, Madison provides culture, cuisine, and character perfect for a weekend getaway or extended stay.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Dane County Farmers’ Market | Largest producers-only farmers’ market in the U.S. |
| University of Wisconsin Campus | Historic buildings, art museum, lakeside views |
| Olbrich Botanical Gardens | Indoor and outdoor gardens with exotic plants |
| Madison Museum of Contemporary Art | Modern and contemporary art exhibits |
| Epic | Entertainment complex with waterpark and more |
| Wisconsin State Capitol Building | Historic building with impressive architecture |
| Henry Vilas Zoo | Free zoo with diverse animal exhibits |
| Monona Terrace | Frank Lloyd Wright designed event venue |
| State Street | Pedestrian street with cafes and shops |
| Madison Children’s Museum | Hands-on exhibits for children |
| Cave of the Mounds | Guided tours of a natural limestone cave |
| Green County Cheese Days | Festival celebrating cheese with various events |
Here are the top 12 things to see and experience when visiting Madison, Wisconsin.
Dane County Farmers’ Market
Name and Location: Dane County Farmers’ Market in Madison, WI
History and Significance: Largest producer-only farmers’ market in the US operating since 1972.
What to Expect: Browse and purchase fresh produce, baked goods, arts, crafts on the Capitol Square.
Visitor Information: Saturdays year-round, other days seasonally. Free to attend.
No trip to Madison is complete without a visit to the largest producers-only farmer’s market in the country. The Dane County Farmers’ Market takes over Capitol Square every Saturday morning, with vendors selling just-picked produce, artisan cheeses, fresh baked goods, and cut flowers.
Sample the array of foods while enjoying live music and entertainment. The festive, friendly atmosphere provides a perfect introduction to Madison’s local culture. Check the website for winter market hours held indoors at the Monona Terrace Convention Center.
University of Wisconsin Campus
Name and Location: UW-Madison campus in Madison, WI
History and Significance: Wisconsin’s flagship university with scenic, historic campus since 1848.
What to Expect: Walking paths, lake views, gardens, museums, galleries, dining, shops.
Visitor Information: Free to walk around, metered parking available.
Take a stroll through the sprawling grounds of the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus right downtown. Walk inside the halls of historic buildings like Bascom Hall and North Hall, the oldest campus buildings. Pop into the free Chazen Museum of Art to see their collection of over 20,000 pieces.
At the Student Union Terrace, you can almost always find students studying on the grassy lawn by the lakefront. With its picturesque setting and youthful energy, UW is a signature part of the Mad City’s spirit.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Name and Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI
History and Significance: A 16-acre botanical garden open since 1952. Features indoor and outdoor collections.
What to Expect: Diverse plants, blooming flowers, gardens, conservatory, gift shop, cafe.
Visitor Information: Open daily, admission fee charged.
Escape into 16 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Blooming flowers, landscaped gardens, and tropical plants fill the outdoor spaces surrounding a serene pond and courtyard.
The glass-domed Bolz Conservatory contains exotic species like orchids and palm trees. Special events happen year-round, like the spring Orchid Show and summer Concerts in the Gardens series. Admission is free to Olbrich Gardens, making it a relaxing oasis for plant lovers.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Name and Location: Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA)
History and Significance: Leading contemporary art museum founded in 1911.
What to Expect: View rotating exhibits of modern art across mediums. Rooftop sculpture garden.
Visitor Information: Open daily, admission fee charged.
Admire artistic creativity with a visit to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. This architecturally striking building right downtown showcases modern and contemporary works through bold temporary exhibitions and a permanent collection focused on glass art.
Interactive installations allow you to engage with exhibits in unique ways. The museum offers free general admission, making contemporary art easily accessible.
Epic
Name and Location: Epic in Verona, WI near Madison
History and Significance: Massive indoor entertainment and activity center.
What to Expect: Water parks, amusement rides, sports simulators, games, dining, and more all under one roof.
Visitor Information: Open daily, admission fee charged.
For family fun or a one-of-a-kind date night, EPIC is a must-visit attraction. This massive entertainment complex contains an indoor waterpark, amusement park, and science center all under one roof. Slides, rides, climbing structures, mini golf, laser tag, arcade games and more will keep all ages entertained for hours.
Educational exhibits focusing on natural phenomena add a dose of learning. With so much to do in a climate-controlled setting, EPIC is a go-to Madison spot rain or shine.
Wisconsin State Capitol Building
Name and Location: Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, WI
History and Significance: Seat of state government since 1917 featuring domed granite building.
What to Expect: Tours of legislative chambers and offices, observatory deck with city views.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free tours available.
Madison’s skyline is dominated by the impressive dome and columns of the Wisconsin State Capitol, perched on a hill overlooking downtown and the lakes. Even if you’re not into architecture or government, it’s worth stopping in to admire the elegant dome interior with murals depicting Wisconsin history and values.
Outside, stroll the lush grounds containing several monuments honoring notable state residents. Guided tours providing fascinating facts are available for free as well.
Henry Vilas Zoo
Name and Location: Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI
History and Significance: Free public zoo established in 1911 featuring many animals.
What to Expect: Exhibits of tigers, giraffes, polar bears, apes, reptiles, farm animals, and more.
Visitor Information: Open daily year-round, free admission.
Spend an afternoon getting up close to over 700 animals at the Henry Vilas Zoo near Lake Wingra. This free admission zoo allows you to observe large animals like polar bears, tigers and orangutans in naturalistic habitats.
Other highlights include the Arctic Passage with seals, sea lions and arctic foxes, and the giraffe feeding station. Be sure to hop on the zoo’s carousel and classic train ride (additional fee) for extra old-fashioned family fun.
Monona Terrace
Name and Location: Monona Terrace in Madison, WI
History and Significance: Architecturally significant convention center on Lake Monona.
What to Expect: Guided tours, rooftop garden, outdoor concerts, sweeping lake views.
Visitor Information: Open daily, free guided tours offered.
Perched on the shores of Lake Monona, this curved structure blends architectural grace with expansive city views. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Monona Terrace now serves as an event and entertainment venue.
Take a guided tour to learn about the building’s design and history, or attend a show in one of the theaters. A rooftop garden and popular café offer splendid vistas any time of day. The evening view overlooking downtown Madison from Monona Terrace is one of the best in the city.
State Street
Name and Location: State Street in downtown Madison, WI
History and Significance: Iconic pedestrian mall and hub of downtown.
What to Expect: Shops, restaurants, bars, street performers and landmarks like the Capitol.
Visitor Information: Open to pedestrians daily, always bustling.
Connecting the University of Wisconsin campus with the Capitol Square, State Street serves as Madison’s bustling pedestrian thoroughfare. Outdoor cafés, street performers, and eclectic shops give the area an energetic vibe.
Stop at the Memorial Union Terrace for local microbrews and stunning lakefront views. Walk through the campus area to admire some of the wonderful architecture along the way. No visit to Madison is complete without a stroll down this iconic street.
Madison Children’s Museum
Name and Location: Madison Children’s Museum in Madison, WI
History and Significance: Interactive museum with hands-on exhibits for kids.
What to Expect: Educational play areas focused on science, arts, and culture. Family-friendly.
Visitor Information: Open daily, admission fee charged.
At the Madison Children’s Museum, kids can engage their natural curiosity with hands-on exhibits focused on science, nature, and arts. They can milk a wooden cow in the farm area, climb a rock wall, or star in their own recording studio.
Toddler specific spaces allow the littlest ones to explore safely. Adults will also find the innovative exhibits entertaining and educational for all ages. It’s a wonderful indoor activity for families or anyone that is still a kid at heart.
Cave of the Mounds
Name and Location: Cave of the Mounds near Blue Mounds, WI
History and Significance: National Natural Landmark with beautiful limestone caves.
What to Expect: Guided walking tours of the illuminated, ornate caves.
Visitor Information: Open year-round for guided tours, fees apply.
Escape underground on a guided tour of the beautiful Cave of the Mounds just west of Madison in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. This national natural landmark contains fascinating limestone rock formations like stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones formed over thousands of years.
The year-round cave maintains a steady 50-degree temperature, making it a nice spot to spend an hour when the weather is too hot, cold or rainy outside. Above ground, stroll through hiking trails that wind through the woods and prairieland at the site.
Green County Cheese Days
Name and Location: Monroe, WI
History and Significance: Annual festival celebrating Green County’s cheesemaking heritage.
What to Expect: Cheese tastings, dairy farm tours, parades, entertainment, food.
Visitor Information: Held third weekend in September. Free admission.
Each September, the small Wisconsin town of Monroe hosts a festival dedicated entirely to everyone’s favorite dairy delight – cheese! Green County Cheese Days celebrates the area’s many beloved cheesemakers through activities like cheese sampling, pairing dinners, factory tours, and cooking demos.
Other highlights include cheese carving contests, milking demonstrations, cheese curd-eating competitions and the crowning of the annual Miss Cheese Crown. For cheese lovers, this annual event is a quirky yet tasty Wisconsin tradition not to miss.
Conclusion
From epicurean delights at its farmer’s markets to family fun at EPIC entertainment center, Madison offers memorable experiences for visitors of all ages and interests.
Outdoor enthusiasts can hike through stunning university grounds and Olbrich Botanical Gardens while history buffs take in the impressive architecture of the Capitol and other buildings.
The city seamlessly blends urban energy with small-town charm. When visiting Wisconsin, save room on your itinerary for the diverse attractions that make Madison a dynamic capital city.