Madison, Wisconsin packs a ton of activities into one weekend trip from Chicago. Less than two and a half hours northwest of downtown, it’s a hip and hippy college town, as well as the capital of the state. With natural beauty, educational gems on the University of Wisconsin’s campus, and plenty of physical activities for your little balls of energy, Madison is the perfect short jaunt. Read on for 25 things to do in Madison, WI with kids.
Madison Children’s Museum
1. Get inspired in a kid-focused Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit, traverse the bone bridge in the Wildernest and meet the rooftop chickens at the Madison Children’s Museum.
2. Choose a cup or cone at the Babcock Hall Dairy Store. Opened in 1951, this ice cream plant and store on the University of Wisconsin campus also gives presentations from an observation deck overlooking the plant.
3. For good luck, rub the badger statue’s nose during a tour of the grand Wisconsin capitol building. Don’t miss the views of the city from the observation deck on the sixth floor, open in summer.
4. Learn about native plants and animals (including one of North America’s largest displays of lilacs!) at U of W’s Arboretum. Twice a month they host free, family-friendly activities like hiking and craft making.
5. Visit a waterfall, watch free-flying birds inside the tropical conservatory and see countless beautiful plants at the 16-acre Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
Just 15 Minutes of Play on This App is Proven to Raise Your Child’s Reading Scores
Developed by experts, Homer’s 4 step approach has been shown to increase reading scores by 74%—it’s screen time that you can feel good about.
Sign up now to get a free 45-day trial to the HOMER app! Check out HOMER today.
6. Hang out with the polar bears and harbor seals at Henry Vilas Zoo‘s newest exhibit, Arctic Passage, where you can watch them play underwater. Then take a spin on the carousel or train and get hands-on in the Discovery Center. Plus, it’s one of only 10 free zoos in the country!
7. Get up close and personal with stalactites and stalagmites at the Cave of the Mounds. Located about 30 miles west of Madison, this incredible underground wonder is worth the drive.
8. Try the waffle of the month while your little ones play in the kids’ area at Yola’s Café. The menu is also accommodating for vegans, nut-allergies and gluten-free diners.
9. Launch your kayak or just swim in the peaceful waters of Lake Monona at B.B. Clarke Beach Park. There’s also a playground if your child happens to be water-averse.
10. Let your kids jump all that energy out at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park. Besides jumping, they also offer a stunt bag arena, rock-climbing wall and slacklining.
11. Take your young scientist to get hands-on with physics at the free L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum on the university’s campus.
12. Get some exercise and take in the local flora while hiking the kid-friendly Picnic Point Marsh Loop Trail, which also gives amazing views of the capitol.
13. Grab some local treats like fresh cheese or maple syrup at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, which is held on the tree-lined grounds surrounding the Wisconsin State Capitol Saturday mornings from April to November.
Katie Wheeler
14. Catch a University of Wisconsin Badgers game. Basketball, tennis, swimming…there’s something to please every sports lover in your family, at a more reasonable price than any pro-game.
15. Your mini thespians can watch their favorite stories come to life on stage at the Children’s Theater of Madison. The theater also offers ASL and sensory-friendly shows for kids with special needs.
16. Join your kids as they explore the exhibits at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art using the museum’s ArtPack, a hands-on kit for discovering and exploring the galleries. Time your visit around the monthly Kids’ Art Adventures for a family-focused guided tour and art making.
17. Gape in awe of the dinosaur fossils or learn more about rocks and minerals at the U of W Geology Museum. Every first and third Thursday is museum story time, and admission is always free.
18. Tinker away at the maker playground and toy with robots at the Wisconsin Science Museum, which happens to be free as well!
Vitense Golfland
19. Break out your mini clubs and hit up the three courses at Vitense Golfland Miniature Golf. If golf isn’t your thing, choose from the batting cages, arcade or climbing wall.
20. Play and climb all day at PlayN Wisconsin’s, a 12,000-square-foot indoor playground. Along with their play systems and jungle gyms, you’ll find trampolines, basketball hoops and sports trainers set up.
21. Did you know that Madison has the most playgrounds per resident of any city in the nation? Explore one of the 175 while you’re in town.
22. A trip here wouldn’t be complete without tasting a few local brews. Great Dane Pub & Brewing, the Karben4 Taproom (with baby changing stations) and Wisconsin Brewing Co. just outside the city are some favorites.
Kids in the Rotunda
23. Madison’s coolest live music series for families, Kids in the Rotunda, highlights magicians, folk singers, dancers and a huge variety of performers from all over the globe from October to April.
24. If you’ve worked up an appetite, a pie at Ian’s Pizza—especially a pie covered in smoked brisket and tater tots—is bound to fill you up.
25. Last but not least: cheese curds. The Old Fashioned and Tipsy Cow are good spots for indulging in this Wisconsin delicacy.
