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Madison Area Attractions

Madison, Wisconsin is located in the heart of the Midwest. Built on an isthmus between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, Madison offers incredible natural beauty, a variety of cultural opportunities and hundreds of restaurants, shops and attractions. As the state's capital, there is always something special happening.

Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as a top community in which to live, work, play, and raise a family. A favorite Midwestern getaway, Madison is also a premier meeting and convention destination. Some of Madison's most recent accolades include:

  • Best City for Young Adults, Kiplinger, July 2012
  • #6 Bike-Friendly City, Bicycling Magazine, June 2012
  • #4 Brainiest City, Atlantic Cities, June 2012
  • 8th Best Music Scene, Livability.com, March 2012
  • State Street Ranked in Top Eight Shopping Districts in America, MSN, January 2012
  • 3rd Best-Run City, 24/7 Wall St., January 2012

For a general overview of Madison, please visit the

Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau site.

Some of Madison's most popular attractions:

  • Henry Vilas Zoo- A free attraction in the heart of the city that is always a pleaser for children of all ages.
  • Madison Children's Museum- Rated as one of the best children's museums in the country.
  • Olbrich Botanical Gardens- Groups and tours from all over the state, country and world come to Olbrich to enjoy an oas is of beauty on the shores of Lake Monona.
  • Overture Center- Providing nationally knowntalent in the theater, and on stage throughout the year.
  • Wisconsin State Capitol- Modeled after our nation's capitol, with its giant marble columns and impressive rotunda, the capitol is a lovely building. The capitol is free and open to the public with guided tours daily.

Special Summer Events to experience:

  • Concerts on the Square- An enjoyable evening of music by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra on the lawn of the capitol. Held Wednesdays; free and open to the public.
  • Farmer's Market- The square surrounding the capitol is filled with hundreds of vendors each Saturday morning. Enjoy fresh produce, beautiful flowers, or find a cure for that sweet tooth.

Opportunities on the UW-Madison campus:

  • Allen Centennial Gardens- Located on the corner of Babcock Street and Observatory Drive, a walk through the gardens will help you enjoy the beauty and tranquility near the lakeshore. Admission is free.
  • Babcock Hall Dairy Store- A trip to Wisconsin would not be complete without some of the famous ice cream or cheese made right here on the UW-Madison campus. See cows milked daily.
  • Chazen Museum of Art- From photographs to paintings to sculpture, the Chazen Museum of Art can touch your creative soul. Admission is free.
  • Visitor and Information Programs- This gateway to campus serves as the central access point for visitors, students, faculty and staff in answering questions, locating information and navigating UW-Madison and the surrounding community.
  • Wisconsin Memorial Union- Enjoy relaxing or socializing on the Union Terrace while watching sailboats or listening to free live music several nights a week.