Welcome to Madison, WI,the state’s second-largest city and home to the State Capitol, a Big 10 university, and a diverse foodie scene. Add in two beautiful lakes – Lake Mendotaand Lake Monona, with an isthmusbetween – and you’ll discover a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere for a great getaway.
This extremely walkable city features world-class dining, historic sites, and beer-related everything, all in downtown Madison. Farm-to-table rules supreme here with restaurants ranging from traditional Wisconsin Supper Clubs to Wisconsin-style pizzato big city steakhouses. And those fabulous cheese curds, wow! (More on all the great food in a moment.)
Stand in the middle of the University of Wisconsin-Madisoncampus and feel the energy of thousands of students who have crossed these paths since 1848. Sit out on the Memorial Union Terracewith its famous multi-colored chairs and take in the lake breezes from Lake Mendotaand Lake Monona.
To describe Madison best is to say it offers “big-city flair with a small-town feel.” It’s a spirit and energy you’ll feel everywhere you go.
Read More: 30+ Best Midwest Road Trip Destinations
Top Tourist Attractions in Madison Wisconsin
1. Wisconsin State Capitol Building
You’ll know you’ve arrived someplace special when you drive up Washington Street and the impressive Wisconsin State Capitolcomes into view.
Take a free guided tourof the Wisconsin State Capitol, which houses both chambers of the state legislature, the governor’s office, and the Supreme Court. Learn about the history of the only granite dome in the U.S. and stand in amazement at the gorgeous rotunda. Head up to the observation deck for 365-degree views of downtown and exquisite lake views. Tours take place every hour, every day.
If it’s Saturday morning, it must be the Dane County Farmers Marketon Capitol Square,which showcases hundreds of local farmers selling fresh cheeses, baked goods, and FLOWERS. Be sure to bring home a bunch, even if you’re just a visitor. Enjoy your treats as you listen to the live music. Check the full schedulehere.
2. Madison Children’s Museum
One of the top Madison attractionsfor families, at the Madison Children’s Museum, kids have the run of the place, both indoors and out. Check out Wonderground, which now offers exciting outdoor play with spiral slides, Cocoon Climber, and an 1830s log cabin. Admission is included with all regular tickets.
Kids can pretend to be architects with an entire exhibit dedicated to Frank Lloyd Wright. From “Coops to Cathedrals: Nature, Childhood, and the Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright,” kids explore Mr. Wright’s childhood bedroom, farm, and studio. Using blocks and building boards, the ideas of Frank Lloyd Wrightspring to life.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Wisconsin Dells Indoor Waterparks
3. Kayak Lake Mendota
KayakingLake Mendotais the way to see the downtown Madisonskyline from a different perspective. Brittingham Boatsrents kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, and more. I paddled a kayakand got up close and personal with the multi-level Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terraceand Convention Center.
In the winter, hearty Wisconsinites don’t let the frigid temperatures limit their outdoor activities– they go ice fishingon Lake Mendotaand Lake Monona.
4. Biking and Hiking Trails
Madison offers more than 200 miles of trails— both biking and hiking. Visit the Arboretumon the University of Wisconsin – Madisoncampus and get inspired as you ride through prairies, woodlands, and wetlands.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The easiest and most affordable way to get around town is via the Madison Bcycle electric bike sharing system. Bring your own helmet — these powered bikes can be speedy!
5. Henry Vilas Zoo
Wandering around the free Henry Vilas Zoois a great way to spend a hot day. Visit the animals, have a snack, and ride the Zoo Train and historic Conservation Carousel. Don’t miss the Tropical Forest Aviary at Henry Vilas Zoowith its exotic birds, tropical plants, and fish. The Big Cats House will wow you with its African lions and say hi to the polar bears!
6. Cave of the Mounds
One of the best day tripsfrom Madison is Cave of the Mounds, a National Natural Landmark and a cool place to chill on a hot day. Take a self-guided tourof this geologic wonder and see colorful crystals hanging down along lighted walkways. Or go with a guided tourof Cave of the Moundsand learn about the limestone cave formations. The temperature is always a cool 50 degrees.
7. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Everything’s in bloom at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, featuring 16 acres of lovely outdoor space filled with colorful flowers, winding walkways and quiet places to stop and contemplate the beauty.
The outdoor spaces are free to roam, but there’s an admission fee for the interior spaces such as the Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid filled with more than 650 exotic plants, bright flowers, a rushing waterfall, fragrant orchids, and free-flying birds.
When SheBuysTravel Editor-in-Chief Cindy Richards visited near closing time, it was a whirlwind 30-minute stop. She easily could have stayed another hour or more.
8. Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Artin downtown Madisonis another one of the art galleriesin the city with free admission, open Thursday-Sunday. Featuring modern and contemporary art from Chicago Imagism, Frida Kahlo, and Wisconsin-based artists, the collection is designed to inspire and transform.
9. Wisconsin Historical Museum
This downtown Madisonmuseum, which opened in 1986, is currently closed for renovation. Only the gift shopis open to buy books about Wisconsin’s history until the brand-new Wisconsin History Center opens in 2026.
10. Wisconsin Veterans Museum
This free downtown Madisonmuseum tells the story of those soldiers from Wisconsin who fought in the Civil Warto present-day conflicts. Hear their personal stories of triumph and tragedy.
11. UW Madison
Look for signs proclaiming “Go Badgers” as you walk down State Street,which connects the Capitol to the University of Wisconsin-Madisonmain campus. Along the State Streetthoroughfare, you’ll find restaurants, shops, bars, and food trucks.
Once you get to campus, ice creamis the must-try food. UW Madisonhas an old-fashionedcreamery where the ice creamis made on campus. Buy a scoop and take it outside on the Memorial Union Terracethat overlooks Lake Mendotafor beautiful lake views.
12. Learn about Wisconsin Cheese
Cheese is everywhere in Wisconsin. Mixed into hash browns. Deep friend as cheese curds. Sprinkled on salads. Melted in mac ‘n’ cheese. You name it, Wisconsinites will put cheese on it.
So you might as well learn about cheese while you’re here. And Fromagination is the place to do just that.
Walking into the storeon the back side of Capitol Squareis like walking into a European Cheese Shop. You’ll be promptly greeted by owner Ken Monteleone who will educate you about Wisconsin artisan cheese. You’ll come away with an appreciation of the craftsmanship that goes into these healthy Midwestproducts as well as a bagful of locally-made crackers, chocolate, honey, maple syrup, and more.
Ask Ken about his famous Pleasant Ridge Reserve Cheese, one of the most awarded cheeses in the U.S. from Uplands Cheese.
Be sure to try one of the specialty sandwiches and have a picnic in front of the Capitol. My favorite is its signature turkey breast sandwich with creamy French Brie, and cranberry relish on wheat bread. Pick up a bag of locally made Slide potato chips, the best you’ve ever tasted.
13. Bottoms Up with Madison On Tap
Download the appand the Madison on Tap Beer Trail is your road map to hand-crafted co*cktails, beer and cider at 30-plus spirited brew pubs in the Madison area. Cheers!
Great Eateries in Downtown Madison
As America’s Dairyland, Wisconsin is known for its famous cheese curds, made fresh on Midwest farms.
These little gems are all available all over – in restaurants, at the Saturday morning farmer’s market, even at local gas stations. Wisconsites bread them, fry them, add seasonings and eat them plain. The best thing about cheese curds? The fresh ones squeak when you bite into them!
For a sampling of fabulous cheese curds, head to The Tipsy Cow, which serves two kinds of Wisconsin’s famous cheese curds. Try the Spotted Cow battered cheese curds and see the s-t-r-e-t-c-h. For a saltier taste, try the Goat Cheese Curds and dip into flavor!
Johnny Delmonico’s Steakhouse
Johnny’sis the place for a classic dining experience with mahogany paneling, white tablecloths, and art-déco décor. Voted the Best Steakhouse in Madison for 10 years, the restaurant serves only Certified Angus Beef in a variety of cuts and topped with mouth-watering sauces.
Start with the traditional Caesar Salad, fresh and crunchy. I ordered the New York Strip and it came grilled to perfection, topped with Bearnaise sauce. Fresh asparagus and Brussels sprouts rounded out the plate. Who could resist the Wisconsin Mac & Cheese?
But I left room for dessert and indulged in the Crème Brulee with blackberry jam.
Tornado Club Steakhouse
Another traditional Wisconsin spot, Tornado serves up juicy steaks topped with that Wisconsin Supper Club must-have, the giant deep-fried onion ring. When Cindy visited, she ordered the other Wisconsin staple, pan-fried Walleye with lemon, thyme, shallots & white wine. And she washed it down with the best Brandy Sweet Old Fashioned she has ever tasted.
While you wait for a table (and you likely will wait for table at this popular spot), spend some time appreciating the mid-century modern decor at this iconic supper club, including the pink tile in the ladies’ room.
Wisconsin Supper Clubs
Wisconsin is famous for its Supper Clubs, traditional restaurants only open for dinner.
At Wisconsin Supper Clubs, Friday is fish fry night and Sunday is prime rib. The dinners start with a relish tray — celery, cucumber, radishes and carrot sticks. There’s a big salad, warm fresh-baked bread and decadent desserts — all in large Wisconsin portions.
Try Toby’s Supper Clubknown for pan-fried chicken, succulent steaks, and key lime pie martinis.
Wisconsin Pizza
Want to try Wisconsin-style pizza?Lucille’shas perfected this blend of thin-crust pizza and sweet tomato sauce. But they’ve also put their spin on it with the Wisco-Detroit Cheddar-crusted black steel pan pizza. Part of Rule One Hospitality, Lucille’s is proud to source locally-grown farmers and producers. You’ll taste the difference.
Culver’s Custard
There are nearly 1,000 Culver’s restaurants selling butter burgers and custard across the USA. But it all started in Wisconsin. In fact, the original Culver’s is just outside Madison in Sauk City. The store has been remodeled so it looks just like all of the other Culver’s restaurants, but there’s a plaque and some inspirational messages around the outdoor eating area. The custard tastes just a little sweeter when you go back to its roots!
Where to Stay in Madison
While there are any number of options, Cindy Richards recommends these two:
Hotel Indigo Madison Downtown
This hip hotel is located in a former paint factory and the hotel designers really leaned into that history. Paint imagery is everywhere — the stacked cans of paint that separate the lobby from the restaurant, the paint that drips down the mirror in the guestroom, the paint rollers decorated in flowers that act as art elements on the walls.
The rooms here are large, the bed is comfy, and the retro minifridge brought a smile to Cindy’s face when she entered her room. The lobby is welcoming with cute games set up for passing the time while you wait for the rest of your party to join you.
Hotel Indigo is an IHG hotel, so join the loyalty program before you check in to earn points.
Cindy stayed at this classic boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Mendota close to the University of Wisconsin during a previous trip to Madison. The hotel is a throwback to a more sophisticated time in leisure travel—when the hotels were grand, the accommodations plush and the service extraordinary.
The rooms are large and feature a lake view. The hotel has a spa and wellness center and three on-site restaurants, including the not-to-be-missed fine dining restaurant, Statehouse. In the winter, the plaza between the two towers is flooded and turned into an ice rink.
Where is Madison, Wisconsin?
Madison, Wiis approximately an hour and a half from Milwaukeeand an easy two-and-a-half-hour road tripfrom Chicago. It’s an extremely walkable city, particularly if you stay downtown. Check out our review of Marriott’s AC Hotel.
For more information about Madison as a great getaway, stop by the Visitor Centerin town or go here.
