Wisconsin
Wisconsin's capital sits on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona: a white capitol dome, a wooded point on the water, a free city zoo, and a Saturday market around the Square.
Photo: Picnic Point and Lake Mendota in autumn, seen from Observatory Hill on the UW–Madison campus, Richard Hurd from Leland, USA, CC BY 2.0
Madison sits on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, with the white dome of the Wisconsin State Capitol at the centre. On the Mendota side, the University of Wisconsin campus runs down to the Memorial Union Terrace and a long, wooded finger of land called Picnic Point.
East of downtown, Olbrich Botanical Gardens open onto Lake Monona. South of campus, the UW Arboretum holds restored prairie, oak savanna and wetland, free to walk from early morning until late. A Saturday morning traditionally begins at the farmers' market around the Capitol Square.
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
A nearly mile-long wooded peninsula on Lake Mendota, the most popular walk in the university's lakeshore preserve, open daily.
Season Official pages listed the preserve as open 4 a.m.–10 p.m. daily (check before you go).
A lakeside path along the south shore of Lake Mendota, through the campus preserve, with views across the water.
Season The path is part of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, listed as open 4 a.m.–10 p.m. daily (check before you go).
A large restored landscape of prairie, oak savanna, wetland and woodland just south of campus, with more than 17 miles of trails. Free to visit.
Season The grounds are listed as open 4 a.m.–10 p.m. The Visitor Center hours were posted as 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. weekdays and 12:30–4 p.m. weekends; the Visitor Center is closed on listed holidays and during the winter holiday break (check before you go).
Sixteen acres of outdoor gardens on Lake Monona, including a Thai pavilion. The outdoor gardens are free; the Bolz Conservatory has a separate admission.
Season Official hours were 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily April–September and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily October–March. The outdoor gardens are free; the Bolz Conservatory has a separate admission, and is free Wednesday and Saturday 10 a.m.–noon. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and early on some other dates (check before you go).
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
The granite capitol at the centre of the isthmus, open daily, with free guided tours from the rotunda and, in season, an outdoor observation deck.
Season The building is listed as open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., closing at 4 p.m. on state and federal holidays. Free guided tours run daily (Monday–Saturday 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; Sunday 1, 2 and 3 p.m.), with an extra 4 p.m. weekday tour in summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. No tours on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year's Day. The outdoor observation deck is listed as open mid-April through December, opening 10 April 2026 (check before you go).
A city zoo next to Vilas Park, one of a small number in the country that charges no admission. Parking is also free; donations are welcome.
Season Official pages listed the zoo as open daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., with indoor exhibits and the Children's Zoo 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. The zoo closes at noon on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. A carousel and train run seasonally, April–October (check before you go).
The university's lakeside terrace on Lake Mendota, known for its sunburst chairs and sunset views. Check before you go.
Season The Terrace is seasonal. Official pages listed it as closed for the season when they were read on 12 November 2026 (check before you go).
The rooftop of a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed civic building on Lake Monona, with views of the lake and the capitol. Free to enter; hours are posted, and the roof closes in bad weather.
Season Official pages listed the rooftop as open Sunday–Thursday 8 a.m.–10 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 8 a.m.–midnight. It closes in bad weather; call ahead to check (check before you go).
The university art museum on campus, free to visit, with galleries of older and modern work.
Season Admission is free. Official pages listed gallery hours as Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m.–5 p.m., closed on campus holidays (check before you go).
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
A large producer-only Saturday market around the Capitol Square, in season from spring into fall. Come early; stalls can sell out.
Season Official 2026 dates for Saturday on the Square were 11 April–14 November, 6:15 a.m.–1:45 p.m., closing at 1 p.m. on 5 September (check before you go).
A walkable stretch of shops, cafés and campus life between the capitol and the university, with the Square at one end.
Season The streets are there year-round; shop and café hours vary (check before you go).
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Free guided tours of the rotunda, chambers and more, starting at the information desk in the rotunda. Groups of fewer than ten need no reservation. Daily, with no tours on some holidays.
Season Free guided tours run daily (Monday–Saturday 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; Sunday 1, 2 and 3 p.m.), with an extra 4 p.m. weekday tour in summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. No tours on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year's Day. Groups of fewer than ten need no reservation (check before you go).
Seasonal kayak and canoe rentals on Lake Mendota from Memorial Union, when conditions are safe.
Season Seasonal rentals from Memorial Union, only when official lifesaving conditions are safe (check before you go).
Part of our Southern Wisconsin guides.
Sandstone gorges, Devil's Lake and a circus museum.
Lake Genevaabout 80 min · Guide ↗A public shore path around a spring-fed lake.
Photo: Picnic Point and Lake Mendota in autumn, seen from Observatory Hill on the UW–Madison campus, Richard Hurd from Leland, USA, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Autumn colour over a wetland at the UW–Madison Arboretum, Yinan Chen, Public Domain
Photo: A brick path through spring blooms at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
Photo: The Wisconsin State Capitol, seen from Bascom Hill on the UW–Madison campus in winter, Yinan Chen, Public Domain
Photo: The red barn and lagoon at Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
