Fun things to do in Madison: 39 fun attractions and activities

The whole family LOVED this place! It's beautiful free gardens are amazing, with extra events all the time! Especially for members, which if you live close enough & like flowers, easy walking with places to sit all over (for those like me that need the rest every so often) & cool events, then the membership is definitely worth it! Different beautiful colors, blooms are always around a corner. We especially loved the pitcher plants, such rare plants that need care are amazing!!!

Well kept place with large variety variety of plants and other visually appealing landscaping features. Smells were also changing depending on surrounding plants. Many opportunities for beautiful pictures. Very low (in my opinion) entrance price. Well worth visiting for any age.

I haven't ever been to a garden like this! It's beautiful even after a freeze. I can't imagine what it looks like in the middle of the summer. I wish the conservatory was bigger and we didn't see any butterflies inside but those are my only "complaints".

We went to the Olbrich Gleam which was really incredible. It's an art installation of light and sound through the entire gardens area at night. You need to get tickets in advance as it gets really busy. We're so glad we checked it out this year. We've been to the gardens during the day a few times during normal times, and it is always quite nice. They keep everything in perfect condition.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is beautiful by day but during the evenings in the fall it displays a whole new beauty by night. Gleam was a beautiful display of lighting through the gardens. Spectacular to experience. Walk along the paths and be amazed at the artistry. Make sure to check the website as this display is only for a limited time. Bring a jacket as the evenings in Wisconsin get chilly in the fall. This is an event for everyone to experience.

Great place to take in beautiful flowers and plants. We also saw a turkey roaming in the garden. It's free and can easily take a couple of hours. More if you decide to take in the peacefulness and hang around.

Had and amazing time here. Was a nice day date. I hadn't been here in 20+ years and it was still as magical as I remember. The green house was stunning with butterflies and birds flying around while the outside gardens were full of color.

First time visiting the Wisconsin State Capitol, and it instantly gave me Washington D.C. vibes! The architecture is stunning inside and out—marble floors, intricate details, and a dome that’s truly breathtaking. The view from the observation deck is worth the trip alone, with beautiful sights of the lakes and downtown Madison. A must-see when in Madison!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A Capitol Experience in Every Sense The Wisconsin State Capitol blew us away. The building itself is absolutely stunning, every hallway, staircase, and mural tells a story. But the real highlights? The observation deck with panoramic views of Madison, and learning about Lady Wisconsin, the powerful figure watching over the city from the dome. I'm obsessed. What made the experience even better was the staff. Incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely excited to share the history and hidden details of the building. They answered every question with patience and passion, and made us feel completely welcome from start to finish. Clean, peaceful, and inspiring, this is more than a stop on a tour. It’s an experience. Don’t miss it!

What a great statehouse. This location has been well maintained and is an architectural gem. Take advantage of the outdoor 6th floor 360° observation deck to view the city as well as the viewing deck inside.

Lovely building and fun history tour. Got a surprise concert by a brsss ensemble while there. Outside observation deck is a must if you can navigate (about 50) stairs. Reminiscent of other Capitol buildings - but probably the only one with statues of badgers 😁

Open to the public. Beautiful and air conditioned yay! Lots of clean bathrooms and elevators. The architecture is very cool. Fun place to stop in when visiting Madison or walking around state street.

I've been to several Capitol buildings all over the country, and this one is gorgeous. Classic architecture with innovative features ahead of its time

What a beautiful building and an amazing gem. They provide awesome free group tours I believe every hour. The tour guide was amazing.

We go here all the time. Absolutely love it. We love going to the beach there too and the park near by. I like how we can feed the goats. All the different buildings you can walk through are nice The staff is always friendly. We ate at the café or grill there and it was very tasty. The playground there is nice. The carousel ride is nice but they make the parents pay to hold their kid on the seat. Same for the train ride. I just consider it my donation to the animals. But be prepared to bring $6 per ride and if you have multiple kids... it adds up. $3 per ride. Still worth going. We are so happy this zoo park exists.

Great free little experience to bring the family or to just enjoy nature at its finest! I loved seeing all the amazing animals but what was really amazing was the variety! Ive been to many zoos and most don't have all the animals out but as we visited every animal was out and excited to see everyone. So if your looking for your next adventure or date I definitely recommend Henry Vilas Zoo!

Great little zoo, and it's free! It's a perfect size for families and a nice way to spend a couple of hours. We especially enjoyed the polar bears, red pandas and the carousel. Parking can be a bit tight.

The zoo was wonderful. What a great weekend visit place for families or solo. A wide variety including lions, tigers and bears. There are places to enjoy a snack or children to ride a train. This zoo is currently open to the public for free. Donations are appreciated to support the zoo.

It was an excellent little zoo. It was clean and a good variety of animals. I've been to a number of zoos and this one has some animals I hadn't seen before. There is no entry fee and I was able to bring snacks for our family. It was pretty busy as we went the week before school started and the week after the college students moved in but still very nice.

It's been ten years since I've visited and there's been many updates. We absolutely enjoyed our visit. As always Henry Vilas has free entry but I encourage everyone to donate at least one dollar per group member in a donation box to help them keep the zoo free, spare more if you're able.

Had a great time, they gave a good selection of exotic animals but half of them were not there when we went. The big ones too, so we didn’t get to see the orangutan, giraffe, lions, camel, and so many more which kind of ruined the experience for our family. But it’s free so can’t really complain except for the 3 hours of driving back and forth

Perfectly sized and free to visit, the Chazen Museum of Art is conveniently located among the UW campus buildings. Plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour at most. It's small, but it has some unique works.

Excellent small museum with a nice cross section of different type of artwork on display.

Upon mine recent sojourn to the esteemed Museum of Art, I am compelled, by both delight and duty, to render an account most favourable of that wondrous edifice and its contents. Verily, it is a temple to the muses, wherein the soul is stirred and the senses enraptured. The halls, vast and stately, are adorned with works of such exquisite craft that even Apelles himself might blush with envy. Paintings of divine countenance and sculptures wrought with celestial grace do line the chambers, each a testament to man’s striving toward the sublime. Methinks the very air within is perfumed with genius. I did behold a portrait of a maiden, her gaze so tender and true that I fancied she might speak; and a landscape so vivid that I near mistook it for a window unto Arcadia. Such marvels abound that time itself doth lose meaning, and one wanders as if in a dream spun by the gods. And the sculptures! What marvels of form and spirit do grace the gallery’s noble halls. Each figure, cast with divine precision, doth seem to breathe and ponder, as though caught mid-thought by the hand of a master. Be it the sinewed hero poised in triumph, or the gentle maiden cloaked in serenity, these works do whisper of antiquity and echo the grandeur of Olympus. Methinks the very stone hath been persuaded to yield its soul, that we might behold the essence of man and myth alike. To stand amongst them is to commune with genius incarnate. In sum, this Museum is a jewel in the crown of civilization—a place where the weary spirit may find solace, and the curious mind, nourishment. I commend it to all persons of taste and refinement, and do vow to return, lest my heart grow dull in absence of such splendour. Yours in admiration and awe, Sir T. of Madison, Devotee of the Arts TLDR: This museum rocks. If you’re into jaw-dropping art, inspiring spaces, and staff who actually know their stuff, this place is a must. Every room is packed with masterpieces that make you stop, stare, and feel something real. Whether it’s a portrait that pulls you in or a sculpture that feels like a portal, the experience is unforgettable. Major props to the patrons and benefactors who keep this treasure alive, especially the Chazen family. Your support turns a building into a sanctuary of creativity and culture. You’re not just preserving art, you’re fueling inspiration for generations.

It's free! Donations are optional and encouraged though (I would probably just drop like a five or a tenner). It's a great place to explore a variety of works including paintings and sculptures across cultures. There's Asian, African, European and American works spread across three floors which are amazing. Would definitely encourage your visit solo or with an interested party. Will probably take about 2 hours. Enjoy your exploring! 🎭

Lovely little museum, free/donation entry, very pleasant experience with plenty to take in but also not too overwhelming

Cool museum with various types of art, free admission. Cannot bring in backpack, big purse, or food/drinks.

Beautiful place, free and full of interesting art...check it out!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Madison – MMoCA I had the chance to visit the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA), and it completely exceeded my expectations. The museum itself is a stunning piece of architecture—modern, sleek, and filled with light. It creates the perfect setting for the powerful and thought-provoking exhibitions inside. Each gallery offered something different, from bold installations to emotionally resonant photography and multimedia art. I was especially impressed by the museum’s commitment to showcasing diverse and emerging voices, as well as pieces that spark real reflection on social, cultural, and personal issues. The rooftop sculpture garden is a must-see—it’s peaceful, inspiring, and gives you a beautiful view of downtown Madison. Admission is free, which makes this cultural experience accessible to everyone, and the staff was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. Whether you’re an art lover or just curious, MMoCA is a place that invites you to slow down, reflect, and connect with contemporary creativity in meaningful ways. I’ll definitely be returning for future exhibitions!

It's a very small gallery, but it has some interesting pieces. It's a quick, free stop when you want something to do.

Beautiful museum with a lot of thought provoking art. Free admission with a parking garage nearby. We left a donation. There are stairs, so be aware.

Very friendly staff but unfortunately everything was pretty much literally stored away because they were changing over to Art Mart. Bad luck for me but what I’ve seen online looks very cool so maybe next time.

Great place to visit anytime you're in Madison, especially downtown.

Fancy building hosting an interesting array of exhibits. No tickets needed to enter, so visit whenever and as often as you like! (Donations encouraged.) Depending on when you go some of the exhibit spaces may be closed or a little sparse, so frequent quick visits would be the best way to go!

Good arts & amazing building but not much to see, Chazen is better.

Huge museum with several floors to explore and a massive outdoor playground. When you enter they have a small cafe area to eat as well as a pay what you can option for those who may not be able to afford nearby restaurants or forgot to pack a lunch. The lower floor is for small children with a few play houses, water table type room and nursing space. The upper floors are better for older children, with the rooftop having some live animals like chicken, reptiles and fish. Outside is a massive playground with labels indicating what level of climbing experience is needed to navigate. Overall, most kids can explore the majority of it. There’s plenty of restrooms on each level and staff around to keep watch on things. They also have lockers as well as free bins to store things while exploring. Keep an eye on Groupon for deals on admission.

Welcoming staff. The views from the rooftop are wonderful. The wonderland backyard was endlessly entertaining and the climbing structures were well thought out. Some many recycled elements included added artistic flair. Easy parking, inexpensive too.

Absolutely in love with this place. Husband and I visited from NYC and my sister, who lives in Madison, recommended the museum for our toddler. There's so much to do for children of all ages! Playgrounds, of course, but also crafts areas, places to experiment, to read, learn, and explore. I was pleasantly surprised to see that food was available on a "pay what you can" basis, so there is literally food for every budget even if your budget is $0. The food options were very kid friendly, and my kid devoured cheese sticks, watermelon slices, and a fig bar. A microwave was available to heat a Mac and cheese option that was also seen available in the fridge. The museum was clean and so well cared for. A side note: when using the bathroom I saw a toilet positioned closer to the ground for potty trained kids to easily access as well as an adult sized changing table for visitors who need it. This kind of inclusivity was very nice to see.

We absolutely love visiting the Madison Children’s Museum. The kids have an amazing time learning and playing with all the exhibits. It is worth it to get the yearly pass. We always find new and exciting things with each visit.

Kids had a blast. They change up exhibits often and it’s great they offer so many options for reduced cost entry (for ebt, WIC, Medicaid, etc). We will be going more often for sure! Parking is also better than I was expecting.

This place is gorgeous! A work of art inviting you to explore it from the inside. A winning blend of natural, industrial and whimsy that draws in kids and adults alike. Check it out!

I feel like my kids (ages 7 & 10) were just a little old for this museum. Some areas could have benefitted from a good scub. My daughter liked the crafting area but better scissors would be a nice addition. The paint plexiglass area was cool, I didn't notice any smocks so my kids didn't participate. The outdoor space was nice. There is a multi-level climbing structure that my son enjoyed. We stayed for about 2 hours, my kids just didn't love it. It's great for kids ages 2-5.

Museum was very intriguing and provided a great and thought out history of Wisconsin. I enjoyed each of the floors, each with it's own unique theme. You can also view the state capitol very easily. The museum staff were also very friendly and helpful. I would come back to the Wisconsin Historical Museum!

Very interesting. Many items were conversation starters with my brother. You have to see the picture made from hair. SO intricate!! Am excited to visit again when they move into the new building. There should be so much more to see. The staff was very informative, friendly, and kind.

Wonderful well laid out exhibition all housed in a quiet peaceful environment were the lighting conditions changed and were appropriate to each exhibit. Well worth the visit the whole family enjoyed we all became fully absorbed with atmosphere. This musemn should be part of every families visit to Madison, we would most certainly visit the Wisconsin Historical musemn again.

Beware of the volunteers as you walk in. One woman hussled me into buying a couple of beer glasses that were on sale for 2 dollars a piece. Working for the sweet commission!!! Seriously though, it was an awesome sauce experience!

Pretty old and some interesting levels. But mostly a show of industry and Indian heritage. Great view of the state capitol building from the top floor.

Great place. For floors. A lot of things for kids to touch. Great Indian history. No admission fee. Just donations.

This museum was free as it runs on donations. It has a lot of historical items I had not seen before. I haven't seen anything on the suffragette movement in a museum prior to this one. They had a very thorough history of Wisconsin government. They have a lot of exhibits tucked into four stories so plan to spend at leastan hour if not more to take it all in.

Nice museum with lots of history. Enjoyed seeing the many artifacts and videos. The World War II exhibit was especially impressive. However, the video at the exhibit was very difficult to hear and we were not able to increase the volume. I would love to be able to hear the interviews with the veterans. We enjoyed our visit and learned a lot.

Although small, this museum has incredibly high quality displays and dioramas, historical artifacts, and an excellent collection of significant material relating to US War veterans. The video interviews on display provide firsthand insight to some lesser known conflicts as well. Well-kept, well-preserved and obviously cared for by people who take pride in preserving and ensuring the history of US veterans.

This is a really great place to spend some time. Tons of artifacts from the different eras of Wisconsin military history. Free to enter. Staff was great. Gift shop was small but had a lot of cool stuff.

This was a great museum. I enjoyed the stories from veterans shared on plaques. The realistic, life sized portrayals of different time periods of war were really well done and interesting

This was such an incredible experience. I read reviews prior, and everyone mentioned how small it was. Yes, it was small, but it was so cool to see all the history, and their displays are amazing. It’s also free, which makes it even better.

Small museum but plenty of cool, historical displays to check out.

Impressive displays and collections with an admirable focus on individual veterans and their stories. (Would like to see even more of this—particularly correspondence). surprised to see a display on the Philippines war. (I am very uninformed about this) Friendly, welcoming and helpful! front desk staff. Also note they sell historical postcards—something they is not easy to find. Highly recommend.

Wonderful on-campus garden. Staff does an excellent job maintaining the grounds. Recently had our wedding ceremony in the English Garden and the space was perfect; Ryan did a fantastic job accommodating us and our guests!

Beautiful, well-maintained garden on campus with events and other features as well. Pretty smart of them to have assigned that charges if you want to do formal photo shoot because I could see it getting overcrowded if it were free. Lots of different species and everything is labeled and well displayed .

Loved the summer jazz concerts, and I still get inspiration from your section on ground covers, even though I now live in an apartment with a balcony, haha. This garden is a very peaceful retreat for me as well as a good place to meet friends.

Beautiful, little, well-taken-care of garden within the city. Various plants, benches, small streams, and paths that intertwine and weave through the lush vegetation. Spent about an hour here as a family walking the grounds and viewing the plants. The garden is free to explore, and there is parking nearby on the street or for a fee. Beautiful garden to sit for a while, while trying to experience nature within the city.

Nice garden in the midst of UW campus. Flowers were in bloom. Like that many plants had signs with names on them so I could plant some in my own garden.

Was a really nice garden. Very peaceful and calm. Wasn't much for parking near by

This garden has a quiet atmosphere, it's more of a herb vegetable garden with some shade. It doesn't strikes me as somewhere to go more than 2 or 3 times. Some pretty impressive squash and the colours from the flowers are pleasing to the eyes.

It's a very small museum packed with a lot of specimens. It is primarily geology, fossils, a fossil lab, and planetary science. It is more for older children because it's not an interactive museum. Lots of reading and looking, but no touching. I wish there was a docent, volunteer, or employee that was readily available to answer questions. The price is free, and it's on the 2nd floor of the building with elevator access. The museum is extraordinarily quiet and clean, with the exception of the dusty dinosaurs. I would recommend going at least once to learn something new and see the specimens.

Highly recommend for everyone traveling through or staying in Madison. This free museum is a real gem and is entertaining for kids of all ages and adults too! There is a lot of great info and history of our planet in this museum. There is plenty to read if you want so I'd say to plan 30-60 minutes. But if you just need some air conditioning, heating, water, or a bathroom break you could stop here and do a lap in 15 if you're in a hurry.

Fantastic museum, the interpreter William of the geology department is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and also very patient to the questions that kids had. This museum also has great fossils specimens for sale, but only cash and check are accepted. And nearby ATMs do not support contactless card.

A FREE Museum open to the public on UW Madison campus that has a beautiful collection of minerals, gems, meteorites, and fossils. It took us about an hour to go through the entire exhibit (we took a decent amount of time appreciating each exhibit and reading the information cards). I was surprised how large their collection was. They had a wonderful variety of local minerals and meteorites as well as items from around the country and the world at large. This museum is a great place for rock enthusiasts and novice appreciaters. It is also a family-friendly and great to bring kids of all ages. This museum is ADA accessible. There is no parking garage but there is free street parking in the surrounding area.

It’s free, and small but amazing! There are tons of things to learn here; it’s also very interactive. This is a must!

Really fun place to stop in. If you are a fan of rocks and dinos they have it all here. No admission fee.

Very informative with beautiful specimens. Perhaps dated taxa. Hasn't Coelenterata been replaced and separated into Cnidaria and Ctenophora?

My husband and I attended the matinee 1pm showing of Wicked. I was absolutely blown away! It was everything and more that I could've hoped for! The staff were all super friendly! Many offered their assistance as needed or to assist in guiding people to their area. A really nice staff even offered to take a picture for me of my husband and I which I really appreciate and know is above and beyond! It was easy to navigate despite how large the theater is. They were well organized despite how large of a venue it is. They had an officer walking around for safety. They had themed green and pink lights. Had witch hats floating which was a super fun idea. There were themed drinks and food. They had a large poster board for a photo opportunity and also one of the best opportunities imo was the large window poster outside. We had a really great experience!

We loved having our wedding at the Overture Center! We worked with Mary as our event manager and Haley as the catering coordinator, and both were wonderful. You can tell that the Overture staff are pros at hosting all kinds of events - they had great questions, guidance, and efficiency at every step of the process. We even sprung a few surprises on them the day before/day of and they went out of their way to help us make them successful. We really clicked with Mary in particular and appreciated her thoughtful approach and sense of humor! The space was beautiful - we had our ceremony and cocktail hour in the Upper Lobby (the balcony on the third floor), and reception in the Wisconsin Studio. With 52 guests, these spaces felt perfect - intimate but not cramped. And it was great not to have to worry about weather for our wedding weekend. Overall, a 10/10 experience - would recommend the Overture as an event venue!

My family and I love the Overture Center. There is so much to do and see. They bring in some great shows from around the nation and world. The Madison Symphony Orchestra is amazing, and we see about 4 or 5 shows a year. I would recommend this checking out a show sometime.

The Overture Center is an absolutely stunning venue right in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin. It’s a beautiful space—modern, elegant, and welcoming. I’ve seen some incredible shows there, including major Broadway tours and other top-notch performances. It’s such a gift to have a venue of this caliber in Madison. The acoustics are great, the staff is friendly, and the whole experience—from the moment you walk in to the final curtain—is just top tier. If you’re in town when a show’s playing, don’t miss it.

We loved having our wedding at Overture! It was a stunning and spectacular day and everyone commented on how beautiful and great of a wedding it was and a lot of that was due to Overture. Kelsey and then Allie were our points of contact and they were superb. They were very responsive and answered all of our questions in great detail. The venue is gorgeous with a lot of natural light that makes for great pictures rain or shine and also has clean lines. We had an initial tour and then the walkthrough 1-2 months out. We did the ceremony on Upper Lobby, cocktail hour on Promenade Terrace and Promenade Lobby, and reception in Main lobby. Allie mocked up our floor plans several times to accommodate all of our tweaks, which was so appreciated. Allie worked very well with our wedding coordinator and the caterer. Allie was able to secure a hideaway space for us on the day of. Allie is a very nice person in general! The caterer/Overture handled the welcome sign in the lobby, the bathroom signs, and the signature cocktail signs, which shortened my to do list. Overture even let us into the main concert hall for pictures. I would have appreciated a bit more price transparency from Overture. After Allie suggested it, we requested Overture move the couches from one place to another and we didn’t realize it cost $300. We may not have done that if we had known there was a cost. Overall, we had a wonderful experience before and during the day of our wedding with Overture and would recommend them to anyone!!

A little bit of vertigo up at the top but settled down once the show started. Tad bit warm. Great performances!

Been here multiple times to see shows- ballets, operas, concerts and Broadway. this venu is home to the Madison Ballet, Madison Opera, Madison Symphony Orchestra..and it gets some really fantastic touring productions! It's always an amazing time. There are no bad seats in any of the halls, I think. Parking is right across the street, and easy to access (and get out of.) It's a beautiful building and a really wonderful venue for all sorts of amazing shows.

Great little stop that is packed with information about mustard. All the stuff you wanted to know and all the stuff you didn’t know you wanted to know. Like, did you know the Egyptians buried their dead with mustard seeds? Sounds like a great idea. Also, go to the store and try a bunch of different kinds of mustard. Did you think that one was a little too heavy on the dill? They will suggest a different one. Are you a yellow mustard lover? They have a specific mustard they will suggest for you. I personally bought five different kinds of mustard.

Great little FREE museum to find out more than you ever needed to know about mustard! Did you know there used to be a thing called mustard baths that were supposed to make you feel divine? Also, there is a mini theater that shows you the process and history of mustard. Finally, at the end of your visit there is a taste testing station with hundreds of different flavors and varieties! Even a mustard hater will find one they like!

Mustard Museum is a surprisingly fun stop. It's free to enter and packed with unique mustard history and memorabilia. There is a free tasting bar where you can sample dozens of mustards—from mild to wild. Great gift shop with every mustard imaginable.

The little town of Middleton, Wisconsin has an off the beaten track museum that’s really interesting; The National Mustard Museum! Started on 1982, the museum is located downtown and houses a collection of over 6,000 mustards from all 50 states and a whopping 70 countries! It’s free admission and it’s a really neat informational place to see different types of mustard seed all the way to a prepared condiment. Plus all the paraphernalia supplies that go along with serving it. The store has 1,000’s of mustards for sale but thankfully they have them categorized and each country even has its own shelf. They made it fun by having a large tasting station in the rear of the store that has over 100 mustards ready to taste. We had a lot of fun tasting and settled on a mutatde’ (French) whereby the original recipe dates back to 1760. It’s still sold the same way- in a ceramic jar sealed with wax. Also a Japanese hot mustard and a couple others. They have an online store which will be great to order gifts and more mustard. It’s a fun place and believe me, the mustards are all amazing!

A very cute museum. Small but jam packed full of information about mustard! You have to appreciate all the little quirks and jokes inside the museum. That reminds me, the museum is downstairs - I don't remember seeing if there was an elevator, which may prove a challenge for folks with physical disabilities. You can spend up to one, one and a half hours here if you stop and read every placard the way I was. Very small museum, but admission is free. Donations appreciated. The best part was the mustard tasting upstairs. Shopping for mustard was great. Parking is free. Beautiful fountain outside.

Free admission, and yes I was surprised at first that there's a mustard museum, but it makes sense since there are so many different flavors possible. The museum displays are downstairs and the gift shop and tasting area are on the first floor. There are tons of different mustards to choose from, and it's hard to know which ones to sample since you're basically going by jar labels and the taste can't always be captured by the words. We spent a long time trying different samples to decide which ones to take home (staff was patient and helpful). The sampling isn't self-serve so they give you a small scoop on a disposable spoon for each one you want to try. Came home with a few bottles of different flavors

This kitchy, quirky museum was a large bit of fun for this mustard lover. The museum itself was small, but packed full of fun facts about mustard from its history to its making. But the highlight of the experience was the gift shop. Be sure to ask to try any (or all) of the 106 mustards they have available for sampling. There are many more choices than that along with some fun merch to buy. Even better? The entire event is free. What are you waiting for?

Beautiful nature center located just outside the city! They've got a lovely prairie full of diverse plant life, squirrels and a wide array of birds including a nesting pair of sandhill cranes. There's a nice array of trails through the nature park and inside there's an awesome exhibit of climate and the earth, including two very cool movie presentations in unique little theaters.

I drove 70 minutes one-way to visit this nature center (and surrounding parks in Madison) and was very impressed. In this small urban nature conservancy, I saw far more birds, wildlife, and native plants than at properties in the countryside where I live. The nature center offers a very immersive experience for all ages during all seasons. Highly recommend.

Their summer camp programs are ELITE. Best of the best in town. My son has special needs and for once it didn't hinder him in summer programing because the school didn't put limits on him and I really appreciated that. They were very well equipped to deal with any small issue that arose. I can't give enough praise to the staff and grounds. It's a special place with great people!

We had our wedding at ALNC in July 2024 and I can honestly say I would recommend the experience to anyone. Isabella and her team went above and beyond to help make our day perfect—I was surprised and delighted by how incredibly helpful, well-coordinated, and warm everyone was. Thank you so much for everything Aldo!!!

Fantastic nature center that cares so deeply for the land and people. They model Aldo's land ethic and have phenomenal programming for all ages. The trails are well maintained and there is a variety of ecosystems. This is such a treasure in the Madison area. I always enjoy how friendly and caring the staff are and their passion and enthusiasm for what they do is so obvious.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center was hands down the best wedding venue choice for us. The venue itself was beautiful and came with unique amenities like access to their trails and use of their NOAA space sphere, along with use of their immersion theater to project personal photos during the reception. The lights in the main atrium and the outdoor deck off the atrium was beautiful and for ceremonies, there were multiple outdoor options to choose from - a choice you didn't have to make until the week of so you can weigh indoor vs outdoor ceremony based on weather and based on how the area looks at the time. An underrated perk is that you get access to the venue for the entire wedding weekend. It was so lovely to do the majority of our set up on Friday afternoon, touch ups and host the event on Saturday, and being able to come back to pack up on Sunday. Ben, their event coordinator, was seriously fundamental to the success of our event from day one. When I expressed hesitance about having a WI wedding in April and asked about what nature would look like at the time, Ben dug into their archives to forward any pictures he had of outside the nature center at that time of year. When I pinged him almost weekly with different questions, Ben was timely and thorough in his responses. He was intentional in making sure we were set up for success on our day - doing and redoing and redoing venue layouts to align with what we envisioned, making sure that we had the equipment and support we needed for the day, etc. Him and Sarah did so much work during the event itself to make sure it ran smoothly, pulling out clear umbrellas for our guests when an unexpected rain shower came right before our ceremony began. Aldo Leopold and their events team are an asset to your day - if you are looking for a venue that can do the ceremony + reception in one place, has beautiful outdoors, has unique features beyond your traditional venue, and gives you flexibility to have access the entire weekend, you simply have to choose Aldo. PLUS your partnership provides money for their mission of educating and preserving nature.

My daughter (8) did a nature camp in August. She absolutely LOVED it. She learned so much and is sparked a curiosity and joy in learning more about nature and animals. The leaders/teachers were wonderful. We cannot wait for next summer and are looking forward to attending other events there.

Very nice hike in the city. I guess it was really a walk. The trail was wide and smooth and the flowers are blooming like crazy here in early August. Even the lily pads were blooming along the south side of the lake There are a couple of loops, and if you use the north side loops, which would be to the left when you start the trail, they are a bit narrower in places but also less crowded and closest to the lakeshore. Lots of parking, free on the weekends, but Monday through Friday 7 to 430 you have to pay. I would definitely do this trail again, but I think I would like it best earlier in the morning when it's not crowded.

A beautiful spot with a nice simple walk, there are lots of paths available and the small beach to relax at was lovely as well. The fire pits were plentiful and the view was gorgeous, if you are looking for a quick hike with stunning scenery this is the spot for you!

This is a really cool place to wander. It is easy to forget you are in such an urban area. Tons of areas to stop and sit some more secluded than others. We parked at the nature preserve and walked from there which made for a nice short hike on a super hot day. No fee to park on the weekend. Seems like it would be a scary walk from the firepits to the parking areas in the dark but it would be a fun spot to hang out until then. 😅

One of the most gorgeous places in Madison. This free park is located near the University. It is a short walk on a gravel paved trail to a lookout on the edge of Lake Mendota. You get a brilliant view of the Capitol. This place is popular amongst students, date-nights, photo-ops and proposals. There is a free parking lot to park at.

Madison is such a fantastic place, something for everyone. I was at the hospital while my son had his appendix removed. After that, just blocks away I was at Picnic Point with my other son and his Boston Terrier. Just beautiful beaches, majestic trees, and an abundance of flowers. Also an awesome view of the Capital across the water...

Fun and easy hike very close to the city center. Plenty of fireplaces to rent, with firewood available there for free. Almost every viewpoint provides a really good view of the Wisconsin State Capitol building.

A nice walkable trail that leads to the point. Great views along the way

I went on the Pheasant Branch and Fredrick's Hill Loop trail, about 4.2 miles, with my dog. I loved how the scenery changed over the course of the trail. My favorite part was Fredrick's Hill Loop. While the most strenuous part, the view was beautiful! Most of the trail is paved or gravel and there was a fair amount of traffic. Next time I want to check out the dog free trails that go down into the sedge wetlands.

Absolutely stunning walking/running/biking trails in the middle of an urban/residential area with plenty of natural beauty and wildlife. The trails are cement paved which makes it perfect for a variety of activities. There are multiple entrances to this park, the area I entered didn't have a specific parking lot but other entrances do. This park is free and open for public use.

I discovered Pheasant Branch Conservancy when I worked at Common Ground Cafe & Gathering Place at the corner of Branch St. and Century Avenue before the pandemic. One of the entrances into the conservancy was across the street. It's a wonderful place to hike, bird watch, and generally enjoy nature. Walking along Pheasant Branch Creek is relaxing and beautiful. The huge prairie, oak savanna, wetlands, and intermittent woodlands are teeming with floral and fauna. It is one of those diverse places that is beautiful and captivating throughout all four seasons.

What an amazing gem to have in our backyards! To be clear- as someone that plans entire vacations around visiting national parks and hiking through some of the most beautiful nature on the planet, PBC is not somewhere I would recommend going out of your way to visit. But as a place to just stop and take a stroll on a random day after work, it cannot be beat. Springs, streams, ponds, native burial mounds, forest, prairie, and two of the tallest hills around all lie within the boundaries here, and you can see it all within a couple hours of relatively easy walking. Or you can skip the side paths and get through the main 3 mile loop in about an hour, but you'll be missing a lot of what makes it so special. The hills have just enough incline to get your heart going without getting too sweaty, and the loose gravel is well maintained. I've also biked the loop many times on hybrid tires without issue, but you do need to watch out for gravel that has washed away, and parts of the southern path narrow and get a bit uncomfy if there's any traffic. There are almost always deer & geese to see, but it's not rare to spot a less common bird (like the resident bald eagles). The river otter was the most exciting wildlife spotting to me though. And it's a phenomenal backdrop for sunsets. I've just started my journey into mindful photography, but so far this is my favorite spot in the area to capture both the sunset itself and the beautiful light that a setting sun casts on everything else. All-in-all, it's an amazingly diverse and beautiful chunk of land, and it's almost hard to believe that it's just sitting there as part of our local neighborhood. I think the only other places around that have any more beautiful or unique parts are Devil's Lake or Gov. Dodge, both of which are so much further away that it becomes a whole day event to go visit them. How fortunate we are to have this in our backyard!

There are beautiful views from on top of the burial hill and plenty of long, wide enjoyable walking/biking trails. Far out into nature, there are few city sounds and a nice quiet peace of mind. The area is well kept up. I especially enjoyed the wooden bridges and the creeks below.

Absolutely gorgeous urban park! I was reading through reviews and I found pretty much every single one of the low reviews to be laughable! People complain of getting 4 mosquito bites, being able to see houses and not feeling out of the city, and there being better prairies or trout streams or whatever in the area etc. The thing is....this is an URBAN park and wetland. If your intent is to find remote hiking, then this was never the place you should be seeking out and giving it a poor rating based on that is unfair. That's comparing apples to oranges. This park is literally 15min from Downtown Madison. It is in no way remote and given it's size and being surrounded on all sides by city, it is foolish to expect to have trails to yourself or not be able to see houses etc I love visiting urban parks and green spaces and this is the best one I've seen in a long time, certainly the best I have seen in Wisconsin so far. The prairie was in full bloom and there were dozens of different types of flowers in bloom with several species of butterflies and bees all about. The main 3 mile loop trail around the park offered tons of different vantage points and types of habit to walk through. I was there after heavy rains and it was nice that all the boardwalks had anti-slip materials on every other board so it was super easy and safe to walk on. I can honestly say I can't think of a single improvement I would like to see. It was spectacular!

Gorgeous conservancy in the heart of the Madison Metropolitan Area. While in this beautiful nature escape in the middle of Middleton, you'll think you're in a nature retreat and forget you're only 10 minutes from downtown. With miles of dirt, paved, and raised wooden trails, you can come back several times and find new views.

We were visiting the area and looking for something fun to do with my 4 year old for a short time. When we walked in we were the only ones there aside from the two staff members, one of which asked if we were with the group that was scheduled (we were not). We were free to look around and check things out. It is a pretty small place but there are quite a few hands on activities. They have some signs to explain how to use the interactive bits but not on everything. Overall it’s a neat place to visit and learn.

It’s a cute museum. It is located in a weird part of the building but it’s Got some interactive experiments. It’s free and it’s quite interesting

Great place to spend an afternoon. Very interactive and informative. Small, but perfect for a couple hours.

Nice sense of local to the world achievements… Small but nice place to make a stop and learn… 👍🏼👍🏼

Absolutely loved my visit! There are all sorts of hands on activities and it doesn’t matter what your age is, you will learn something! From the scientific principles to the history, there’s something for all sorts of curious minds. Absolutely recommend a visit! It is free too! They are a nonprofit!

Lots to do and look at. Free to enjoy

CLOSED. It does not exist despite being listed on many sites like top 10 places to go and things to do in Madison, Trip advisor. I called the phone number and it's disconnected so I don't know where the great reviews are coming from. I was really disappointed and so was my family. Too bad, it sounded great. Hmmmm, so do you think the other museums exist?

I got to Lake Kegonsa State Park a little later than planned, so I didn’t get to see much in the daylight. I came hoping to stargaze, but the skies were overcast that night. Still, the visit wasn’t a loss—walking through the meadow, I got to witness winter fireflies sparkling in the dark, which was pretty magical. The park has a good number of campsites, showers, and even a playground. I’d definitely come back—hopefully next time under a clear sky.

This park has a great view of the lake. The size of trails is not a long. Also bike friendly. The beach area was less crowded than my expectation. A good place to visit from Madison.

Lots of hiking trails. Gorgeous view of the lake. A park for kids. Nice camping areas also. Overall a great place. One of my favorite places to be.bAlways well maintained. Beautiful and fun stop all times of the year.

Decent State Park... they could have spaced out the camping sites more throughout the park instead of clustering them as much as they do. Also... bring in some SAND for your Beach... it's either too rocky or too mucky!

Great state park, with all the trees 🌳 in the camp ground you feel like you're further north. It's also close to Springers on Lake, which is a great bar and restaurant.

Decent campground. The lake that the campground is at was unsanitary smelled horrible and you’re not able to swim. They had multiple signs up that said do not enter the water. Overall, the campground was in good condition. The walking path was great and we went on it a few times it’s all brand new.

Haven't been in the Park for many many years, still a nice quiet place during the week I can't say anything about weekends. Campground is really well forested compared to 50 years ago, mainly oak and hickory. Dog beach unfortunately isn't very good for any dog over 15 inches tall the water is very shallow for a long way out even from the pier. My Labrador couldn't actually swim at all because of this. Otherwise a great place to let your dog get wet and splash around, beware of blue/green algae blooms they are harmful to dogs. Hiking trails are really nice and well kept. Great park for being so close to a major urban area.

This is an excellent quiet park on the west side. Great views. There's also a dog beach and a separate beach.

Not really a big state park. It has decent trails and plenty of fishing opportunities. We ran across a deer on one trail, which just kinda watched us for a while before moving away. As for the rest of it, there wasn't much that caught my attention. Nothing really stood this state park out from others I've been to.

It's a cool little state park with various options of things to enjoy such as a beach, camping, boat launch and hiking trails. The hiking was pretty easy and mostly flat through the woods. It was nice that the park wasn't too crowded even though the weather was nice when we went.

There is plenty of parking. Entrance fee is steep ($8 or $11/ day if you are resident or non resident). They do have annual passes as well. The park has a lot of potential, but could use some TLC. Infrastructure is crumbling. Beach area isn't that well upkept. Beach was full of green sludge. You can see downtown Madison and there is a boat launch available. Mosquitoes and bugs can be bad. There are plenty of trails through tall grass where you can see plenty of pollinators. There otherwise isn't that much to see

Dog swim area was abysmal and since pets aren't allowed in the actual park area, it was a very short and disappointing trip.

What a lovely little pit stop on the way to Dane County Regional Airport! It was a beautiful Sunday evening in September 2025, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect!

Nice hiking trails. Also a nice water break that one can walk out on with a great view of Lake Mendota! Nice boat landing and piers, too, with a fish cleaning station. Sure wish they had camping here!

Beautiful 2 mile hike to and from picnic point. A bit over grown in some places but still worth the hike. You can see the city of Madison from the trail.

There are so many features to the preserve besides the Lakeshore Path between the dorms and Memorial Union. Between the dorms and Bakke Recreation Center, there's a Native American Effigy Mound and a ring of the Ho-Chunk Clans. There's also walking past both the UW Marching Band practice field in August before fall classes start to watch prospective band members try out and the Porter Boathouse where the Crews train, Picnic Point, firepits, Grennie's tombstone, Big Oak Trail, an outdoor archeology pit laboratory, an outdoor wood-fired ceramics kiln, Biocore prairie and so much more that it's hard to imagine ever getting tired of the trails.

My Monday night class met up here yesterday. We had to write a paper and the walk was so relaxing! This was my first time here. The view was gorgeous! They had a nice spot where you could sit and take in the view.

Went on a short morning walk and everything was beautiful! It does get busy nearly everyday, but most people will mention it coming from behind as well as moving over. Of course there is the headphones but it’s all for the fun of it!

A beautiful, scenic, quiet walk on a well-kept trail. Excellent location for a casual stroll, a serious run, or just a place to get away for a moment.

Great walking and jogging paths with lots of fire pits and picnic spaces. Beautiful wildflower fields and lake views. Great place to see a sunset. Paid parking during work hours. About 1.9 miles round trip unless you take one of spurs.

Well maintained trail system through the woods. Even after a rainfall, the trails were in good condition. Trails are on a hill going to and from the lake shore of Lake Mendota. Stairs and bridges are built to make the climbs safer.

Been to the Orpheum for several shows. I have always found it to be a positive experience. Getting through security was easy, and quick. The lobby can get a little busy and crowded (nothing new there). If you are planning to buy alcohol, you get your wrist strap ahead of time. There's a place to get merchandise, and that can get a bit congested. Plenty of folks to help you get to your seats. For this show we were front row balcony (which I feel is the best spot in the entire place). The seats are a little dated, narrow, and might benefit from being restuffed. The acoustics were good, but not great but certainly better than most large venues (i.e. Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee). I would definitely come again.

The seating was pretty comfortable and the view was great from the balcony. A parking garage with really close access is nearby, and lots of restaurant options on the same street.

My husband and I had our wedding at the Orpheum and it was AMAZING. Clean, organized, and friendly staff. We got everything we hoped for and more!

Wonderful old theater/stage venue, providing a great close to stage experience in an aesthetically pleasing 19th century style. Seating is comfortable and adequately spacious (average height and normal body mass index)

Awesome venue. The view from the first balcony section is my favorite. I always try to get seats there.

Small intimate theater with great sound. Bathrooms are ancient, but work! Credit card payment only and no food for sale with the exception of a small selection of chips or candy.

Performers at the Orpheum are great SECURITY SUCKS!!! Showed up 20 mins before a show for a smaller comedian and waited in line for 30 minutes outside in a storm because security was RUDE. Went to Colin Jost and Pete Davidson 2 years ago and got in immediately. FIGURE YOUR STUFF OUT

This park is truly amazing! There is a nice little pond that people were fishing in, a nice park for the kids, and there was an indoor area that an event was being held. The park was very clean and there are plenty of spots to sit at picnic tables. Would highly recommend this park!

Had a great time djing w photobooth at Nancy n Johns reception. Great venue for medium to small weddings etc.

Went for the disc golf and loved it! Quiet 9 hole course that was enjoyable and good for little kids. The first and ninth holes were closer to the parking lot, and two-eight were down a path adjacent to the water retention area. The course was free to play, and we will be back! There was also a playground that looked amazing, but we did not have time to play when we were there. Maybe next time!

What a nice, beautiful, big, open public park with nice paths and scenery! There's a clearwater pond in the middle with seaweed and an abundance of fish! There are docks spread throughout the pond that you can walk out onto. There are native plants growing around the pond and in the park, in general! It looked like they were working on a native plant restoration project, which is great! I ran into an unexpected war memorial, at the park, which was really well constructed. There were signs next to trees educating people on the types of trees they are. I thought that was really cool. :D It's a nice park to have a picnic at. There were people hanging out on the grass, people walking their dogs, and children playing at the playground. It was a very inviting place.

Kids and I go here all of the time. And amazing park within walking distance or our home, we are truly lucky to live next to this park.

Solid lil spot! Pretty busy all the time when its nice out. Very cool splash pad and playground. Easy access and approachable for panfishing with the kids.

Came for the disc golfing. A bit tricky to find if you've never been, as I did not find any signs for it anywhere. But once found, I enjoyed every moment. The holes are a bit close together, but over all a peaceful 9 hole course

I really love the sound mixing here. The bass can be a bit much but compared to other venues I can always understand the vocals. I have seen multiple artists here the last year, most recently gojira My number one issue is not enough ada seating. I wish there were more than 20 chairs dedicated to Ada that were reasonably within view of the stage

I just have to give the biggest shoutout to Annie, one of the managers at The Sylvee. I came to the show by myself and realized I’d left my AirPods in the car parked literally across the street. They told me I couldn’t leave and come back in, but suggested I talk to Annie. I explained to her that I have really bad anxiety and that music helps me calm down when the concert isn’t going. Without hesitation, Annie personally walked me out to my car across the street to grab them. She didn’t just do her job, she went above and beyond to made me feel safe, seen, and welcomed. She even took a moment to make conversation, eye contact and shook my hand. I felt genuinely cared about and don’t get that kind of kindness everywhere. I also I saw her giving water to a couple of really drunk girls who were clearly having a rough time, just taking care of everyone with patience. I already loveddd this venue, and the way they take care of their customers, but Annie stood out to me. I can’t thank her enough for turning what could’ve been a stressful situation into such a positive experience. 11/10 my favorite venue. 11/10 customer service.

Amazing place to see a concert. Easy, cheap parking, efficient and friendly admissions. All views are great. Acoustics well designed. One of the best small form (2500) venues I've been to. Hoping to return soon!

The staff here are beyond kind and caring! We were standing in the hot heat for hours and they came out to offer people water and check on us before the doors opened. We appreciated it as it was over 90°! The show was everything we could have hoped for. Kind of wished the bathroom toiletries they offer for women were in stock, but the bathrooms were clean and very nice. The bar and staff were very kind and the drinks tasted GREAT. Security/staff are actually very nice and chatted with us a little when they could before the show started! It was a dream come true for me to experience my first concert ever and also to see my favorite artist ever--Jessie Reyez so the amazing venue and staff just made my night one I'll never forget! Thank you!! 🫶🏾

Shows are amazing, there isn't a bad place to be in the whole place. Tickets are reasonable, especially if bought in person at venue, get to skip ticketmaster markups. Seen plenty of up and coming artists, really a great location. My favorite venue by far. Easy in/out of venue and to get in/out of madison.

Great experience every time I go for a concert. Easy to see the band and just a great over all atmosphere.

Saw Marc Rebillet at the venue and it was so much fun also had seen Saint Motel as well on my birthday of May 11 tons of fun always

A tranquil place for personal reflection time. Delicious food. Warm hospitality.

Beautiful grounds. Comfy furniture, spacious rooms. There are also a lot of areas outside to sit and meditate and gaze at the beautiful scenery, but the most wonderful thing is the food. The chef is phenomenal at preparing and presenting the meals. The food is delicious.

I came here for a break from work and school. By the end of the retreat, I felt at peace with life. Volunteering on the prairie was great. Hiking everyday was amazing. The staff was awesome. Not one bad experience!

We really enjoyed having our wedding ceremony at Holy Wisdom Monastery! Leading up to the wedding, Brooke was very helpful with answering any questions we had and was great at setting up times where we could come see the monastery and envision the decorations for the ceremony. Brooke was wonderful with helping/leading during the rehearsal and made sure everything went smoothly the day of. We’d highly recommend Holy Wisdom as a ceremony site! This is also where we had our pictures taken in the outdoor photos. It was beautiful even at the end of November.

Terrible place for a musical event. Neither the stage (as there is none) is raised nor (as an alternative) are the seats tiered. Therefore if you see an orchestral chamber music event here, you're not going to be able to see the musicians. Plus the room is too bright during the performance, and the walls are all solid drywall which affects the acoustics. The lack of visibility should keep anybody from buying tickets here. They should strongly consider procuring an interlocking stage that could be assembled and then disassembled for this otherwise versatile space. Last but not least, there is no light along the sidewalk to the lower parking lot, which is a considerable fall risk.

I came to the monastery for a personal retreat to unplug, reset and restore. I was looking for a few days of slow, relaxed meditative activities. I sure found them! Hours spent strolling the paths through gorgeous native prairie, oak savanna and woodlands. cozy, clean, simple room for rejuvenating sleep. tasty meals and extremely kind, accommodating staff. The whole experience felt very caring. Can't wait to return to see the autumn landscape!

I’ve been to Holy Wisdom for a retreat, prairie work, bringing students to learn about environmental spirituality, a fall colors tour, and more. Their “community of communities” achieves a truly remarkable fusion: hospitality, hiking trails and land stewardship, justice, a spirituality that is inclusive and nourishing. Because of all these dimensions, a wide variety of people can enjoy HWM for a wide variety of reasons. My personal retreat couldn’t have been better: three days to walk the prairie, read in my hermitage, and enjoy delicious meals with the sisters. Holy Wisdom is a hidden gem that I recommend to everyone I know.

Capital Springs State Recreation has several parts you can visit. I went to the park down by the boat dock and walked around the trails for 3 miles and never came across another person. The trails go into the woods and along a field. There are several other parks nearby as well.

Seems like nice park. Bathroom clean and big. Pulled in last night, but as i have shore power, there is mo h2o at the sites. I saw dump station pulling in. Visited this park a couple years ago. Very pretty grasslands. But, as with all the wisconsin State parks, imho, over priced by a little. 27.00 a night is high. Maybe 25.00 would be more in line. Oh well...ok, found water hookups. Still not worth 27.00.

Large dog park with clear walking paths. For size reference, you would not be able to see your dog if they dash to the other end of the park. There's only 2 trash cans for pet waste around the park so be prepare to carry the goods for a while. Water is well stocked by kind visitors and there is a tennis ball library with a few balls in it.

Great bike trails and short walk through a meadow filled with flowers. Unique tree at Heritage center- combined white oak and burr oak.

Some nice trails for hiking and cross country skiing. You can also pick up the bike path here with multiple directions to choose from.

Such a beautiful area. Disc golf course, dog park, bike path, walking trails, camping. They have a lot to pick from and so close to Madison.

Love the small dog park! Wish I could explore the other areas, but my dogs demand this each time 🙄😇

Nice free activity for the family. Some of the activities were not working as it seemed some were broken but there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. The only other thing to complain about is parking of course. I would not suggest this for small children but 3rd grade and up would get the most out of it.

The museum had lots of hands on exhibits that show how every day items and machines work. If you like science or tinkering, don't miss it.

Some basic decent physics displays, several not operational was expecting a bit more from it but still ok.

Free hands on fun!

Very cute for younger children in small groups.

So many things to try! We spent about 90 minutes here with plenty to explore and discuss.

It was awesome. Our group was able to get a short presentation of some of the items in the museum and then the kids were able to explore on their own. A lot of hands on experiences. Not a large museum but worth the time to stop. If you have a large group, contact them in advance. If too large you may have to break the group up. Our group of about 40 worked fine.

Even though it was FREEZING COLD the day we went, I can see how beautiful the park is. It was very clean, absolutely gorgeous place to picnic or go visit the lake if it wasn't 40 with wind coming off the lake. 😅 You can go right up to the water, but we weren't there long enough to see if there was an area to get into the water. There was also an emergency station that I found very comforting that it was there in case anyone needed a defibrillator. Im from California but I've NEVER seen one of those at a park in cali?

This is a nice view of Lake Mendota. I stopped by on a cloudy day in June to enjoy the breeze of the lake. I was able to park along the road, but there's also a small parking lot that is available. With numerous benches around, I was able to sit and relax. I noticed that there's a playground, 2 basketball courts, and a volleyball court on site. I saw people running along the trail along the lake. I saw people sunbathing on the grassy lawn. I saw people walking their dogs. It's a good place to come to enjoy the views of Madison.

Quiet urban park with plenary of green space, playground, even a small beach to share with the ducks. A few benches to view Mendota and a nice little reprieve from the busy streets downtown.

While driving by, we've seen this park and stopped. There is not much here, just a big open area and a nice view. There's a small play area for kids on the right side and a walkway, jogging path, along the front of the lake.

If you're looking for a place to unwind and reconnect with nature, this is it. The air feels fresher the moment you walk in. The park boasts a variety of plants and trees—some local, some exotic—with nameplates that make it educational as well. The walking track is smooth and scenic, and there are plenty of shaded spots to sit and relax. Whether you’re doing yoga, reading a book, or simply enjoying the greenery, this garden brings inner peace. Also, amazing photo opportunities during sunrise and sunset!

Enjoyed dancing in a drum circle while watching the sunsets

Classic park vibes! Nice spot for a picnic and to watch the lake!

My first and only experience with them was for Burgers On The Bay, and it was so much fun! A well thought out, smooth sailing (pun definitely intended!) event that was accessible for the whole family. The staff were so kind, too! I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more events put on by them.

It was a great time! Super easy to book on the website, easy in & out of the lake, and the water was gorgeous. My fiancé and I went for an hour and it was perfect to finish off our visit in town. We could kayak under the bridges and around the lake and it was overall a fun experience. The staff was friendly and super nice. I would definitely go again when I am in the area!

A fantastic way to pass a bright and sunny day kayaking. This location provides rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, and paddle boats. Prices are affordable and rentals can be for various hours. Locker are free to use. The employees can provide you a free lock to use. Beyond rentals, snacks ice cream in a few choices of grilled cheese sandwiches. Although the grilled cheese sandwiches didn't look presentable, I was told they were delicious. There are also various places to lay and hang out. Some yard games are available to play such as connect four and spikeball. Various park benches and adirondack chairs. Services fantastic and very friendly. Parking is rather challenging as few spots available.

We signed up for the Full Moon Paddle and it was magical. Brittingham Boats went all-out to set the tone, with soft lighting, bonfires, decor fit for a wedding out on the waterfront deck, and even a talented marimba player, Eric de los Santos, playing everything from JS Bach to Chappel Roan out on a pontoon boat. People were so relaxed and friendly; it felt like peak Madison, right there on the water. How many people can you fit on a SUP? I think I saw 8.

Overall a wonderful day and had a ton of fun kayaking as views are incredible. I did forget my ID that was needed for the rental. My bad, got it the next day and brought my dog swimming

The full moon paddle was such a fantastic event! Complete with a floating band and canoe campfires. The staff was wonderful and so helpful. Can't wait to go back.

Wonderful spot during the summer months! We love going to Brittingham Boats for kayak rentals! It’s always a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the water. Earlier today, an unfortunate situation came up during our rental period, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. Incredibly kind, professional, and accommodating. We’re very grateful and will definitely be back!

This is a very nice park with an amazing shelter building. I wonder who the architect of that building was? I really wish they would have that observation tower part of the shelter open to see the view. It would only make this park even better. Probably some troublemakers ruined it for everyone.

This garden was an absolutely lovely place, and I am so grateful that I was able to experience it. There's many walkways in trails within this garden, most plants were labeled with their species name. There were many places to sit within the garden moving benches around greenery and small shelters and pavilions. There were also several beautifully maintained and sculpted fountains. This would be an amazing trip to go on with family members of all kinds. When I went there was even a marriage ceremony that was being helpful. I highly recommend experiencing this breathtaking garden.

I play pickleball at Garner. It’s a little more protected from the wind being down in a little wooded area. Great competitive play at 6am each morning. The courts do have some cracks which you have to be careful cause you can catch the edge of you shoe on them. Other parks do not have the shade Garner has either. There is a nice walking path through the park which is paved. It’s a has a great hill for sledding in the winter and a nice prairie area. It is well used. The dedicated pickleball courts are down a hill so if you have trouble walking up a hill they would be more of a challenge because the bathrooms are on the level of the parking lots. There is no porta-potty by the courts or a water fountain. You need to bring your own water. The photo is playing in Feb ‘24 when it was 80 degrees. We played outside all winter that year and end of ‘23.

Excellent park! Very spacious and lots of amenities. Small parking lot at the main park entrance that can fit approximately 20 cars. Plenty of street-side parking though. Large pavillion, soccer fields, basketball courts, a volleyball court, tennis courts, and a baseball field. Lots of connecting paved paths throughout the park. Occasionally, they have Opera in the Park here.

A beautiful park. Six dedicated pickleball courts. Ample parking close by. Swanky-looking shelter that has a lower-level that would probably help protect from snow and several places that would protect from rain.

Huge park tucked off Mineral Point. Trees, open area, shelter, playground, and walking trails. A really nice spot to hang out or walk around.

Large space featuring ice rinks in the winter, soccer tennis, basketball, volleyball in the warmer months. Beautiful shelter for reserved parties. Smaller play structure for young kids. Trails to walk.

Loved it! Saw Stryper in concert, and had a great time. They didn't even charge for parking and admission! Brats were only $3 a piece! I was full of food(I grilled a bunch of brats before, in commemorate the Brat Fest Celebration).

Great brats, nice selection of beers and other foods. Huge variety of bands all day every day. Free parking and shuttles from parking lot to event. Fun for the whole family.

This is more a band fest than a brat fest. The brats were the size of hot dogs on hot dog buns. The kids' area was ok mostly geared towards 5 to 8 year old children. The farm animals were the best attraction. I would not recommend this event.

Definatly fun. Wish there was a little more to do. Great bands. Beer was $6 Brats were $3.

Our tribe goes to bratfest every year. It has become a tradition. Sadly this year, the only admission for rides were tickets, opposed to a wrist band. Wristbands were available, but only on Friday which was shut down due to the rain. It's becoming commercial and not an event for the community. Filling the pockets of fat cats has become the objective here I believe. Shame. I won't be back next year.

Such a great event and very child friendly! We were first timers and will definitely be back! Very easy to maneuver with a larger family (5 kids). We had such a great time. Easy parking with the trolley drop off points. Love the free admission! Very reasonable pricing for food also, other the carnival! Very high pricing for the carnival and bounce houses.

Really cool can feel the bass from the speakers all the way out here uve been around the whole place waiting for the fireworks its gonna be really nice so just waiting for that right now lets of stuff to do if your up to it

Our favorite local swimming spot. Clean water especially by Madison lake water standards. Really nice sand beach, shallow and gradual depth water entry. There is a bathroom facility with flush toilets. It’s not great but it does the job. Parking can be a challenge on busy weekend days. If you are looking for a swimming spot in Madison, this is a great one.

Fantastic beach! Best swimming beach in Madison. The water is super clean and not overgrown with algae. The bottom is sandy with minimal vegetation or rocks. Very steady decline of depth. Large beach area. Lifeguards on duty during the weekend hours. It is usually more busy but the swimming area is spacious. Restrooms available.

It's a nice free beach right outside the zoo. Lifeguards aren't always present and it's a chill spot. It has ropes to divide shallow water from deep which helps with mid aged kids like mine 8-1O because even though they swim they know how far they can go. It's a safe lake not like the great lakes even if it's windy. It's not crystal clear but not disgusting and I'm kinda picky about lakes I swim in or let my kids but I sure wouldn't want a mouthful of the water. 😂

Very nice sandy beach area by the lake! The swimming area is clear of seaweed (or lakeweed) lol! No bathrooms that I found at least. Nice grass area and shady spots. Parking was tight I was able to find one spot otherwise may have to walk.

Had a beautiful day at Vilas !!! Took beautiful pictures ( even captured Eva from Illinois who painted the gorgeous tree on the right. And the 2 lovely women under the tree would be my 2 favorite sister's in the whole world Char & Amy 🥰💞😎 That's what life's about FAMILY...

Nice beach but a lot of seaweed. Lifeguard on duty which is a plus. We had a great time

Solid area, and you should definitely visit the nearby zoo since it's free.

Amazing practice space which hosts a myriad of classes! Easy membership for joining to use the space for floor practice- can be a little more complex to be an aerialist member, but I think thats due to safety reasons.

Love love love Madison Circus Space! I was there for Cheeselandia Hoop Affair - a weekend long hoop retreat and got to know the space well and even try a few circus things!

Love thr Hoop and Flow Jam club I participated in. Lovely people, great flow toys, and awesome space to practice/play in.

I had very high hopes for this venue as I was in Madison for a conference for a week, and the staff graciously let me train for 2 hours at a very fair price despite never having been to the gym before. I entered the space and no one greeted me or showed me any of the facilities. The person who I had been in contact with over email showed up to her own wheel class late and set up my silks and mat in a hurry to attend her wheel class. To my surprise, she did not lead any warm ups or drills for an all level wheel class, and everyone started working on their own stuff. The class was very understaffed given the differing skill levels with only one instructor. unsurprisingly, within 30 minutes, a beginner injured his shoulder, and the class carried on like nothing happened. Anyway, to get to my experience, I was given a super small mat relative to the height the silks were hung at, and was not given any rosin or chalk for my hands even though I asked before hand, (super weird for an aerial space to have no rosin or chalk available.) since the only mat I had was small and directly under the silk, and the rest of the space is hardwood floor, I didn’t have any comfortable floor space to warm up. So I had no choice but to prettty much immediately get in the air. The most unsettlimg feeling of this space is that I felt alone. Nobody else training introduced themselves to me or made me feel welcome. I was never shown the bathrooms or shown the safety/rigging features of the space. And the instructor who I had been in contact with did not look over at me a singular time while I was there. That is why I decided to leave within 40 minutes. It is never good to feel alone while you’re training aerials, even when I have over 10 years of experience. I have never felt more unsafe or unwelcome in a circus space, despite the lovely email communication I engaged with prior to entering.

Had a great time at this circus. Fun small venue that allows up close viewing of the performances. Very impressive athletic performers and fun clowns. All staff is very helpful and fun. One thing to remember is the shows change so there is always something new to see.

I came up from Stl with friends for some aerial workshops and it was wonderful! We were able to set up a German Wheel private with Luke (who is a fantastic teacher) and met several other locals who were so nice and inviting. I will absolutely be back!

Very cool people and cool programs!

Such a fun time! Lisa was a fantastic host and entertained us with a great mix of history and ghost stories on a great romp around downtown. We had a blast!

The ghost walk tour in Madison with our tour guide, Lisa was phenomenal! I loved Lisa’s attire! Lisa was knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Madison. Lisa had great stories to tell about the ghosts and haunted areas downtown. Lisa was able to answer all questions and offer recommendations. I would highly recommend!

Done this same tour twice while visiting Madison—7 years apart—great fun both times. Guide has lots of interesting stories- enjoyed mix of (respectful) spooky stories and history. I saw a YouTube video of guide talking about UWMadison landmarks and haunted locations and that was very interesting too. Definitely recommend.

We had a wonderful time on our Ghost Tour of Madison, Wisconsin. Lisa shared extensive local history from the area while she regaled the group with spooky tales. Great for entertaining out-of-town guests and locals alike, and a fun outing for family members of all ages!

Second timer here bc Lisa is so amazing! She is fun, she is interesting and so knowledgeable. Absolutely take this amazing walking tour! It’s worth it!! History and spooky stories, fabulous.

Maddie was a great guide and we had a fantastic time walking around, learning history, and hearing spooky tales 👻

Meg was wonderful. Very knowledgeable, interesting, fun and thoughtful. I was walking with a cane and she was very mindful of that. She was wonderful. Thank you

A bustling part of town. A very vibrant and friendly community despite being the capitol. The farmers market is worth checking out with many vendors and a lot of variety. Tours of the Capitol building are available most days and are free. Lots of shops to explore around the perimeter and a quick walk to either lake.

The capitol is stunning. The history and architecture are a must see when you're in Madison!

Beautiful building and worth a visit if you like local history or architecture.

Amazing place to visit there's no fee or need to buy tickets it's free and open to the public.

Was at rhe Capitol Building for the 42nd annual "Taste of Madison"

Beautiful architecture. Worth visiting.

Beautiful and worthy of visiting.

Boy did I feel awkward coming here. From out of town not driving a brand new vehicle I got the stank eye from the neighborhood folks walking their dogs. Quite upsetting. I thought it was a public park but I guess I wasn't welcome. Just like most places now you have to be so rich to enjoy beautiful spaces outside.

Neat little neighborhood park. Lots of tall vegetation clusters, which are great for butterflies. Also, lots of trees, which are great for squirrels. I saw lots of butterflies and squirrels while I was here. No real amenities at this park and parking is extremely limited. No bathrooms, shelter areas, or paved walkways. The backside of the park is more level and would allow wheelchair access. You may have to park in the surrounding neighborhood area, as the streets around this little park are pretty tight.

There's not much to this little hill in the middle of the Vilas neighborhood! It's great for picnicking and watching the moon through the trees on a first date.. and then worth coming back to later for a marriage proposal... ah, yes. Proposal-worthy, this little mound is! :) (But actually, it's more of a little grassy hill than it is a park..)

Breakfast at mckies dairy bar and a walk to this park to work it off is a perfect morning. Mature oak trees with little sections of prairie grass cover this park. It is surrounded by beautiful homes. It contains an 80 foot native American effigy mound, so glad this little slice of Wisconsin was saved within city limits!

I grew up in this neighborhood. Went to Longfellow Elementary. We played capture the flag and kissed girls on the mound. I think I smoked my first joint there. Many wonderful memories. Check it out. I highly recommend it. Definitely an interesting place to check out here in Madison.

Full disclosure...I grew up here. Quiet, shady round park with an effigy mound on the west side.. Visited recently on holiday, saw they are leaving tracts of unmowed grass. Could they be bringing back prairie here? Note, unlike other similar effigy mounds in the Madison area, this one is mowed.

It's a nice park for the neighborhood, but it's not something worth visiting as a tourist.

One of the most iconic university unions in this country. Quintacentually Wisconsin with German motif. It is a members only - for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Great food and beer. Perfect place to study. Large patio with views of the lake. Serves ice cream made at the university. A must see when in Madison

The WUD Art committee brings a diverse collection of art from around the world to its galleries at Memorial Union and Union South.

Have been here 4 times this week and have been both up and down. Casino is very clean and has a numerous amount of slot games. You can drink on the floor while playing as well. Haven't tried the Burgers there yet. They smelled good walking by. Maybe next time I'll give em a try.

They have a variety of current bonus driven slot machines. The various denominations lend itself to all types of players. The rewards membership yields monthly promotions, and eligibility to the end of the month drawing. The more you use your players card, the more opportunities you have to win. Drawing nights are very busy, keep that in mind for parking. I spend a lot of time here, compared to other area casinos, and have found the payouts here are higher than anywhere else in Wisconsin and the new Hard Rock in Illinois. Staff is friendly, and the slot attendants work hard to get your handpays to you as quickly as possible. The restaurant food is average, but their burgers and breakfast are delicious. I highly recommend both.

Came to hangout with my mom. Cool staff, good food, nice refreshments, and machines gave nice wins for people like us who have little to no money. Thank you guys so much!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Fantastic Casino Experience – Clean, Friendly, and So Much Fun! My husband and I were a little hesitant to visit after reading some mixed reviews, but I am so glad we decided to give 🦅 Ho-Chunk Madison 🪶 a try. We walked out with 💰 $400—not bad at all—and most importantly, we had an absolutely fantastic time! We won, we lost, we won again, and we lost again… but that’s gambling, right? 😊 What really mattered is that we had a GREAT time! 🎉 The atmosphere was welcoming and fun. My husband played one of his favorite machines 🎰 and started winning. Even though the gentleman sitting next to him wasn’t as lucky, he still cheered my husband on, saying, “Great job!” The same thing happened to me—a lady a couple of spots down celebrated my win 🎰, and I returned the favor when she won. It was so nice to see people cheering for one another, and it added so much to the overall experience. We decided to have lunch while we were there, and while it wasn’t gourmet, it was absolutely good, hearty food. I ordered a walking taco, and my husband had a mushroom and Swiss burger. We got a good laugh out of the fact that the mushroom was bigger than the patty! My husband ended up removing the mushroom, but still enjoyed his meal. I also want to give a huge shoutout to the staff working in the restaurant area 🏆. I can’t remember the young lady’s name, but our server was Alex, and both of them worked their tails off making sure every guest was taken care of. They were fast, friendly, and attentive—seriously, kudos🏆 to your waitstaff! The entire property was spotless, including the bathrooms. Yes, the casino is older, but everything was very well-maintained and impressively clean. We didn’t notice the free soft drink area by the cashier at first because we were so caught up in the excitement of the machines 🎰 and people winning all around us. We spent time walking around before settling at a machine and tried several new games. The bingo-style slots 🎰 was interesting and we'll need educate ourselves on that type of style but fun. Although there’s a newer casino closer to us, both my husband and I agreed that we preferred 🦅 Ho-Chunk Madison 🪶. Between the friendly atmosphere, clean facilities, great staff, and overall fun vibe, this is definitely a place we’ll be coming back to again and again! 💖 Thank you, 🦅 Ho-Chunk Madison 🪶, for making our visit such a memorable and enjoyable experience. We can’t wait to come back! 🚗

Went there for the first time in 2 years and was glad I did. Starting playing with $200, left 2 hours later with over $2000. Thank you for the hospitality. That was a great welcome back reward. 🤗 Also, on the way out the door, a man playing $1.76 per spin won $17,000. I'll definitely be back.

I used to come here years ago and eventually started calling it 'the neverwin'. Recently decided to give it a chance since I'm in the area and the name of it is different... I've been here 4 times and lost each time. I mean, even the only free game feature I hit only won $1.20, it's THAT BAD. Meanwhile, over the weekend, I went to a place in Milwaukee and actually won something. It wasn't just loss after loss every machine. I ultimately won't be coming back here. This place has the worst chance of a win I've ever seen and I've been to casinos all over this country. (At least 20 nationwide). This place doesn't even give me the feeling of a possible win. You wanna gamble, get a scratch off!!!

Just so people realize the scam that they are getting into, they claim to give back maybe 95% on winning after millions of spins, I can confirm you bar slots “ since slots are all this casino offers” are a better win back, never won a larger amount more than 100$ after spending 200$. been here 5 times, wasted probably 2k thousand dollars, been to the bar plenty of times throw 20$ in get back 150$, win rate, for me bar. Anyways I feel robbed because a bar would have got me more , sad but true I would never write a review if my attentions were not intentions were not true. This place is such a scam 2 dollars bets on 130$ and the most I get back is 0.48 cents. Place needs to be shut down immediately. And by the way.. I can’t even talk to the head management I want to sue for false advertising 95% payback is what is claimed on everything that has anything to do with this place, after a year of playing at this place I have never won back the amount I put in or even more. Place needs to be shutdown. The fact they can get away with this is criminal. How do I contact management

Nice and calm. No lifeguard on duty but there is a swim beach. Bathrooms located here too. Right across the bridge from the zoo. Very convenient fishing docks and parking. Plenty of picnic tables and seating.

This is a wonderful zoo!! Has all the big animals in clear view! Great food at the Glacier View restaurant where you can enjoy watching the polar bear as you dine! Nice shady walking paths accommodating strollers, wheelchairs which they have for rent. Other drink, snack and food stations. We drove in from Illinois and was worth the trip!!!

I absolutely loved the zoo. I didn't get to see all the exhibits, but the ones I did see were exciting. I hadn't seen some of their animals in person before, so I loved being able to observe them. Only thing is some of the animals are nocturnal so they were asleep 🤣. The zoo includes write-ups about the animals including their individual names and a few fun facts about them. Best part? Admission is free! It was kind of hard to find the exit, though so pay close attention to signs and landmarks.

It's a FREE ENTRY zoo. Again: FREE. ZOO. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would bring my kid here every day to spend time with the animals. There is a playground that kept my toddler entertained for hours, and a carousel directly across from the playground (carousel requires tokens to ride, which can be purchased at a kiosk located beside it). The grounds were well kept and there were educational animal facts to be found in the play area. Very nice.

Free!!!! what a wonderful thing , I wentvwith granddaughter and great grandson 2 and a half he loved the animals

Great zoo for being free including parking

Always 5 stars! Sadly the giraffe had been moved, so we didn't get to see them. But there were a lot of other animals to see. The riger was napping behind his favorite rock. The rhinoceros was moving trees (whole trees). The flamingos were very fun and colorful. The bats made my wife run from the aviary. The poison frogs were beyond adorable. There was a little green one that was about 1/4" long! So tiny! It was so "not busy", it was a blessing. The sand hill cranes were in the parking lot and I got to feed them mullberries from the tree, as they were otherwise waiting for the berries to fall so they could eat them. A wonderful time spent at a great place.

We had our son’s first birthday party at Little Rainbows Play Place, and it was absolutely perfect! Nina and Alexis hosted our event, and they went above and beyond in every way. I paid for the extras and had them set up the decorations.. the list was pretty long.. but they brought everything I envisioned to life and so much more! They were kind, friendly, and incredibly helpful throughout the entire party, even pitching in during and after the event. Our “Beary First Birthday” theme turned out so beautifully thanks to their attention to detail and creativity. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Highly recommend Little Rainbows and their amazing team! 🧸💛

Absolutely love this new addition to Fort Atkinson! The owner is wonderful and the service is always great, easy to understand pricing and rules and I love that you can come and go with the day pass and bring your own snacks and drinks! Great for younger kids under 10, our 4 year old loves visiting! They offer fun events for the community also which is an added bonus. Highly recommend!

This place is fun for many ages! There are so many things to do and such a positive atmosphere. We love it here!

This is so much fun for my granddaughter. She loves to come here to play by herself & with other kids her age. This place challenges young kids but they can play safely. I love how clean this place is. I highly recommend this bringing children here to play.

this place was fantastic. We had a birthday party here and Niina was so helpful. The place was so clean and everything was in perfect condition. The kids had so much fun! Very cute play cafe! would highly recommend for casual visit or party!

So much stuff for your kids to do (no matter their age!) Personally I would recommend waiting until they can crawl/walk. There is a section that has soft toys and foam mats for kiddos under 2!

Very clean! Nice open space with good sight lines and lots of duplicates of toys. My 2 year old had a great time. Slides are surprisingly fast!