Things to do in Madison, WI
Things to do in Madison and nearby: golf and indoor golf, bowling, museums, theaters, live music, ice rinks and boat rentals on the lakes. For the big picture, start with our local's list of things to do in Madison.
- Parks495 listedCity, county and village parks in Madison and nearby communities, with trails, playgrounds, shelters and skate parks.
- Beaches14 listedPublic beaches on Lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra and Waubesa and nearby lakes, with water-quality tips.
- Dog parks26 listedOff-leash dog parks in Madison and Dane County, plus the permits you need.
- Golf courses27 listedGolf courses in Madison and nearby communities, including the city's municipal courses.
- Indoor golf & simulators5 listedIndoor golf, golf simulators, driving ranges and golf lessons in the Madison area.
- Bowling alleys13 listedBowling alleys in Madison and nearby communities, including leagues and cosmic bowling.
- Arcades, escape rooms & family fun34 listedArcades, escape rooms, trampoline parks, mini golf and family fun centers in the Madison area.
- Museums27 listedMuseums in Madison and nearby communities, including art, history, science and children's museums.
- Art galleries56 listedArt galleries and artist studios in Madison and nearby communities.
- Theaters & performing arts43 listedTheaters and performing arts in Madison and nearby communities, from Broadway tours to community theater.
- Live music & comedy42 listedLive music venues and comedy clubs in Madison and nearby communities.
- Movie theaters14 listedMovie theaters in Madison and nearby communities, from multiplexes to independent and campus cinemas.
- Ice rinks & ski hills12 listedIce rinks, skating arenas and ski hills in the Madison area.
- Boat & kayak rentals9 listedBoat, kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals on Madison's lakes.
- Event venues33 listedEvent venues in Madison and nearby communities for weddings, receptions, parties and meetings.
- Hotels & lodging117 listedHotels, motels, inns and bed-and-breakfasts in Madison and nearby communities.
Madison guides
- Thanksgiving weekend in Madison, WI (2026): turkey trots, dinner out and what's openThanksgiving weekend 2026 in Madison: the Birdie Derby and Madison Turkey Trot, restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner and meals to go, what's open and closed (buses, trash pickup, the library, meters), the Badgers' Black Friday game and holiday kickoffs.
- Holiday season in Madison, WI: 2026 lights, markets and showsZoo Lights, the free Holiday Fantasy in Lights, the Capitol tree lighting, the Holiday Market at Monona Terrace, the Nutcracker, the Madison Symphony Christmas and more, with 2026 dates.
- Holiday shopping in Madison, WI (2026): makers markets, craft fairs and local shopsWhere to shop local for the holidays in Madison in 2026: makers markets and craft fairs with dates, the Holiday Farmers' Market, Small Business Saturday, Hilldale's holiday events, and independent shops for books, cheese, stationery and gifts.
- Christmas tree farms near Madison, WI: cut your own or pick one pre-cut (2026)Where to cut your own Christmas tree near Madison: Hann's in Oregon, Enchanted Valley Acres in Cross Plains, Summers in Middleton, Jensen Trees in Verona and more, plus pre-cut lots in Madison and Verona, tree care tips and how Madison collects trees after the holidays.
- Winter in Madison, WI: sledding, skating, skiing and warm places to goHow to enjoy a Madison winter: free sledding hills and skating rinks, cross-country ski trails and which need a permit, indoor escapes like the Bolz Conservatory and free museums, and the season's events from Zoo Lights to Frozen Fest.
- Bars in Madison, WI: a neighborhood guideMadison bars by neighborhood: Capitol Square cocktail lounges and a rooftop wine bar, State Street and campus game-day spots, Willy Street and Atwood neighborhood bars, East Washington live music, Monroe Street taverns and more.
- Things to do in Madison, WI: a local's listThe Capitol, the farmers' market, free museums and gardens, the zoo, the lakes, campus, biking and winter fun: what to do in Madison, what it costs and when it's open.
- Free things to do in Madison, WI: museums, gardens, tours and moreMore than 25 free things to do in Madison: Capitol tours and the observation deck, the free zoo, the Chazen and MMoCA, Olbrich's gardens and free conservatory hours, the Arboretum, campus films and stargazing, and free seasonal events.
- Museums in Madison, WI: free art, history and science museums (and a few worth the drive)A guide to Madison's museums: the free Chazen and MMoCA art museums, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, the Madison Children's Museum, UW's geology and physics museums, Capitol tours, the National Mustard Museum, and nearby stops like the Driftless Historium, Livsreise and Cave of the Mounds, with current hours, prices and exhibitions.
- Where to stay in Madison, WI: hotels by area, from the Capitol Square to MiddletonA guide to Madison hotels by neighborhood: downtown and the Capitol Square, the UW campus and Camp Randall, the east side near the airport, the west side and Middleton, the Alliant Energy Center and Fitchburg, plus historic inns, parking costs, the room tax and when to book early.
- Watching sports in Madison, WI: Badgers, Capitols hockey, Mallards and more (2026–27)Where and when to catch a game in Madison: Badgers football, basketball, hockey, volleyball and wrestling, Madison Capitols junior hockey in their new DeForest arena, LOVB Madison volleyball, roller derby, and summer's Mallards, Forward Madison FC, Radicals and Night Mares, with venues, ticket tips and bag rules.
- Hiking near Madison, WI: the best trails, from the Arboretum to Devil's LakeWhere to hike in and around Madison: city conservation parks, the UW Arboretum and Picnic Point, Pheasant Branch and Pope Farm, Governor Nelson and Lake Kegonsa state parks, the Ice Age Trail, Blue Mound and Devil's Lake, with dog rules and passes for each.
- Running in Madison, WI: the best routes, races and running groupsWhere to run in Madison: the Lake Monona loop, the Lakeshore Path and Picnic Point, the UW Arboretum, the Capital City Trail and Pheasant Branch; the race calendar from the Madison Marathon and Thanksgiving trots to Crazylegs and the Madison Mini; and free group runs.
- Madison's lakes: beaches, paddling, boat launches and ice on Mendota, Monona and moreA guide to Madison's five lakes, Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa and Kegonsa: the city beaches and how to check water quality, where to rent a kayak or paddleboard, boat launch permits, fishing licenses, the lakeside paths, and staying safe on the ice.
- Visiting the UW–Madison campus: what to see, where to park and where to eatA visitor's guide to the UW–Madison campus: Bascom Hill and the Lincoln statue, Memorial Union and the Terrace, Observatory Hill's effigy mounds, Picnic Point, free museums, Babcock ice cream, campus tours, the free campus buses, and where to park.
- Things to do in Middleton, WI: Pheasant Branch, the Mustard Museum and downtownA guide to Middleton, Madison's neighbor on Lake Mendota: Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Frederick's Hill, the free National Mustard Museum, Capital Brewery, Stone Horse Green, Lakeview Park and the kettle-pond loop, plus the year's events from Light the Green to the Good Neighbor Festival.
- Things to do in Verona, WI: trails, Epic campus tours and Hometown U.S.A.A guide to Verona, southwest of Madison: the Ice Age Trail and Military Ridge State Trail, Badger Prairie and Prairie Moraine parks and dog parks, self-guided tours of the Epic campus, Fireman's Park beach, downtown, and the Christkindlmarket and Hometown Days.
- Things to do in Sun Prairie, WI: Groundhog Day, Frozen Fest and Corn FestA guide to Sun Prairie, northeast of Madison: Jimmy the Groundhog and Frozen Fest, the Sweet Corn Festival, the free Historical Library & Museum with its Georgia O'Keeffe room, Cannery Square, farmers markets, parks and the Fire & Lights Parade.
- Things to do in Fitchburg, WI: trails, Quarry Ridge, McKee Farms and moreA guide to Fitchburg, Madison's southern neighbor: a Silver-level bicycle-friendly city with three state trails, Quarry Ridge mountain biking, McKee Farms Park and its splash pad, the Nevin Springs wildlife area, Quivey's Grove, the farmers market and summer concerts.
- Things to do in Mount Horeb, WI: the Trollway, the Driftless Historium and moreA guide to Mount Horeb, the Troll Capital of the World, west of Madison: the hand-carved trolls on the Trollway, the Driftless Historium, Brix Cider and the Grumpy Troll, the Military Ridge Trail, Stewart Lake, and Cave of the Mounds and Blue Mound State Park next door.
- Things to do in Stoughton, WI: Syttende Mai, the Opera House and Norwegian heritageA guide to Stoughton, southeast of Madison on the Yahara River: the Syttende Mai festival, shows at the restored Stoughton Opera House, the free Livsreise Norwegian Heritage Center, parks and the river, Lake Kegonsa State Park and the year's events.
- Things to do in Monona, WI: Winnequah Park, beaches and the Aldo Leopold Nature CenterA guide to Monona, the small lakeside city on Lake Monona's east shore: Winnequah Park and the castle-themed Dream Park, Schluter and Frost Woods beaches, the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Woodland Park trails, the Lake Monona Loop, the Fourth of July festival and the farmers market.
- Things to do in Waunakee, WI: Village Park, Schumacher Farm and WaunaFestA guide to Waunakee, about 5 miles north of Madison: Village Park and Six Mile Creek, Centennial Park's splash pad and ice rink, Schumacher Farm Park's 1908 farmstead, nearby Governor Nelson State Park on Lake Mendota, the farmers and makers market, and WaunaFest.
- Things to do in Cross Plains, WI: the Ice Age Trail, Black Earth Creek and Trout DaysA guide to Cross Plains, the village about 12 miles west of Madison: the Ice Age Trail and its headquarters, the Cross Plains Interpretive Site and state park, Table Bluff, Indian Lake and Festge county parks, Black Earth Creek trout fishing and Trout Days.
- Things to do in DeForest, WI: the Upper Yahara River, trails and holiday eventsA guide to DeForest, the village just north of Madison: paddling the Upper Yahara River water trail, the Upper Yahara River Trail, Western Green and Conservancy Commons parks, Token Creek County Park, the Young Blood taproom, the Candlelight Hike, the tree lighting and the Dragon Art Fair.
- Things to do in McFarland, WI: Lake Waubesa, the boardwalk trail and Babcock ParkA guide to McFarland, the village on Lake Waubesa just southeast of Madison: the Lower Yahara River Trail and its mile-long boardwalk, McDaniel Park beach, Babcock County Park and the Yahara River lock, the historical society museums, the library and the McFarland Community Festival.
- Things to do in Oregon, WI: Anderson Farm, the Badger State Trail and downtownA guide to Oregon, the village about 15 minutes south of Madison: Anderson Farm County Park, the Badger State Trail, Keller Alpine Meadows and village parks, the historic downtown walking tour, the new library and the holiday tree lighting.
- Things to do in Cottage Grove, WI: the Glacial Drumlin Trail, parks and Christmas in the GroveA guide to Cottage Grove, the village just east of Madison: the western trailhead of the 52-mile Glacial Drumlin State Trail, McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park, village parks, Little Free Libraries and the bookmobile, the Firemen's Festival and Christmas in the Grove.
- Things to do in Shorewood Hills, WI: the pool, lakeshore woods and Frank Lloyd WrightA guide to Shorewood Hills, the small village between the UW campus and Lake Mendota: the Shorewood Hills Pool, Quarry Park and Koval Woods, the Lakeshore Nature Preserve next door, Frank Lloyd Wright's First Unitarian Society Meeting House and its free Friday concerts, and the village's historic architecture.
- Things to do in Maple Bluff, WI: Lake Mendota parks, the Governor's Residence and the holiday paradeA guide to Maple Bluff, the small lakeside village on Madison's north side: Beach Park and Johnson Park, Madison's Burrows Park next door, the Governor's Executive Residence and the La Follette House from the outside, a brunch cafe, and the village's holiday parade and Fourth of July fest.
- Day trips from Madison, WI: Taliesin, Devil's Lake, New Glarus and moreThe best day trips from Madison and what's open when: Taliesin and House on the Rock in Spring Green, Cave of the Mounds and Mount Horeb's trolls, Devil's Lake and Baraboo, New Glarus, Mineral Point, the Dells' indoor waterparks, Milwaukee, Lake Geneva and Old World Wisconsin.
- Live music in Madison, WI: where to see a showWhere to see live music in Madison: big rooms like The Sylvee and the Orpheum, clubs like the Majestic, High Noon and Barrymore, east-side favorites Atwood Music Hall and the Bur Oak, jazz at Café CODA, and the symphony, opera and free summer concerts.
- Things to do in Madison, WI with kids: indoors and outFamily-friendly things to do around Madison, from the free Henry Vilas Zoo and the Children's Museum to free museums, library storytimes, indoor play for cold days, sledding hills and skating rinks.
- Date night in Madison, WI: dinner, drinks, shows and moreDate night ideas around Madison: tasting menus and lake-view dinners, rooftop and cocktail bars, theater, comedy and concerts, dine-in movies, and things to do together, from the Capitol observation deck to skating at Tenney Park.
- Madison, WI neighborhoods: a guide to where to live and exploreA tour of Madison's neighborhoods, from downtown and Mansion Hill to Willy Street, Atwood, Tenney-Lapham, Monroe Street, University Heights, Westmorland and the Northside, plus Shorewood Hills, Middleton, Fitchburg, Monona and Sun Prairie.
- History of Madison, Wisconsin: from Teejop to the state capitalA short history of Madison, Wisconsin: the Ho-Chunk homeland of Teejop and its effigy mounds, how James Duane Doty founded the city in 1836 and named it after James Madison, becoming the capital, the University of Wisconsin, Camp Randall, the Capitol, the Progressive Era, the 1960s protests and Monona Terrace.
- Madison, Wisconsin facts: 30 fun facts about the city of four lakesFun facts about Madison, Wisconsin, each checked against an official source: population, the isthmus and the Four Lakes, the Capitol's granite dome and the height limit around it, the plastic flamingo city bird, the farmers market, weather, UW–Madison, famous Madisonians and more.
- Pets in Madison: licenses, dog parks and the rulesLicensing your dog or cat in Madison, rabies rules, dog permits for city and county parks, where dogs can and can't go, and what to do about a lost or stray pet.