Madison, WI

Travel Guide
Madison showing street scenes
Wisconsin’s capital and second-largest city offers spectacular natural and architectural beauty and many ways to enjoy watersports.

With five lakes, more than 250 parks and hundreds of miles of biking and walking trails, Madison is loaded with outdoor attractions. The city center is perched on an isthmus between two lakes, Mendota and Monona. There are thousands of acres of fields, parks and dairy farms just outside the city. This natural environment contributes to Madison’s relaxed way of life.

Enjoy the watersports offered year-round on Lake Mendota, including water skiing and canoeing in summer and ice boating and ice hockey in winter. Stroll through the wetlands, prairie and forest of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum.

Visit Downtown Madison to see the seat of Wisconsin’s state government, the only state capitol built on an isthmus. Take one of the free daily tours to admire the rotunda’s extravagantly decorated ceiling and the building’s art and hand-carved furniture.

If you appreciate great architecture, head two blocks south of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building to the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The building is based on a design by Wisconsin native, Frank Lloyd Wright. Often considered one of the greatest architects of the 20th century, Wright designed many civic structures and homes in the city.

Madison regularly appears on lists of the country’s “most walkable” cities and is easy to get around. Since by law, new and redeveloped roads must accommodate pedestrians and bikes as well as cars, the city is constantly increasing areas with non-car access. If you want to pedal around the city, use Madison B-Cycle urban bike-share program. For information about bike paths, visit the City of Madison’s website. Alternatively, use the Metro Transit bus service. Driving in the city center is not recommended since parking is scarce and permits are required in some areas.

Madison’s residents may place a strong emphasis on healthy living, but they also know how to celebrate. Every Memorial Day weekend at the end of May, the city hosts four days of food, music and fun, dubbed “The World’s Largest Bratfest,” featuring thousands of juicy bratwurst sausages.

Where to stay in Madison

Madison showing a garden, a house and flowers

Downtown Madison

The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Madison. A stop by Orpheum Theater or Overture Center for the Arts might round out your trip.

Downtown Madison
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Monona

Monona is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Winnequah Park.

Monona
Madison's first and best Thai restaurant. I can't imagine Pad Thai tasting any better than how they make it.

Marquette

4.5/5(45 area reviews)

While visiting Marquette, you might make a stop by sights like Yahara Place Park and Orton Park.

Marquette
I love this sign.  Spotted near the UW Madison campus.  #iconography #vaf2012 #octopus #sign #retro

Regent

4.5/5(20 area reviews)

Regent might not have many top sights, but Camp Randall Stadium and Wisconsin Field House are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Regent
This spot is an ice rink in the winter but a beautiful place to spend the day in the city of Madison #adventure

Tenney-Lapham

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

While visiting Tenney-Lapham, you might make a stop by sights like Breese Stevens Field and Lake Mendota.

Tenney-Lapham
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Greenbush

While Greenbush might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Kohl Center and Henry Vilas Zoo.

Greenbush
DoubleTree by Hilton Madison East
DoubleTree by Hilton Madison East
4 out of 5
4402 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI
The price is NT$3,222 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
NT$3,222
per night
Mar 30 - Mar 31
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Madison. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (563 reviews)
"The bar is fun and bartenders friendly. It was very convenient for us. This was our 2nd stay here and we think its our go to when in Madison."

Reviewed on 2024/3/21

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison East
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
3.5 out of 5
1 W Dayton St, Madison, WI
The price is NT$4,130 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$4,130
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this luxury hotel in Madison. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,483 reviews)
"Newly updated rooms and very comfortable pillow top beds, but why not add a make-up mirror? Very tight underground parking, but easy to come and go. Nice pool, hot tub, and sauna with friendly staff."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
Best Western Plus InnTowner Madison
Best Western Plus InnTowner Madison
3 out of 5
2424 University Avenue, Madison, WI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$4,308 per night from Apr 10 to Apr 11
NT$4,308
per night
Apr 10 - Apr 11
Stay at this hotel in Madison. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and WiFi. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Hotel was clean and checkin was easy. Room was nice. We enjoyed the breakfast."

Reviewed on 2024/3/27

Best Western Plus InnTowner Madison
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Scandinavian Lodge
Scandinavian Lodge
3.5 out of 5
10506 State HWY 57, Sister Bay, WI
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Sister Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,194 reviews)
"We love to stay at this hotel the rooms are awesome, everything is always clean this is our fifth time staying there and we will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 2024/3/23

Scandinavian Lodge
Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark
Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark
3.5 out of 5
7020 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI
Stay at this 3.5-star spa aparthotel in Lake Geneva. Enjoy free parking, a golf course, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,218 reviews)
"Quiet and safe area with spacious parking lot."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark
The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel
3 out of 5
1007 N Cass Street, Milwaukee, WI
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Milwaukee. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (960 reviews)
"The staff was very friendly and the place was very clean. Will stay again on future trips."

Reviewed on 2024/3/22

The Plaza Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Madison

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1396
" "5 - Excellent 51.87662578966927%
4 - Good
1073
" "4 - Good 39.87365291713118%
3 - Okay
191
" "3 - Okay 7.097733184689706%
2 - Disappointing
24
" "2 - Disappointing 0.8918617614269788%
1 - Terrible
7
" "1 - Terrible 0.2601263470828688%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

I visit Madison every three or for months on business.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Excellent places to visit but dont go when the rallies are on your way.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

love Madison

4/5 - Good

Richard
Apr 24, 2020

The city is poised to fight the Home-@ Stay order, the MATC is poised to start with regular distancing, or so it seems.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Apr 22, 2020

Nice City!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 19, 2020

I miss living in Madison, it’s a much more polite and friendly city than La Crosse.

Cities near Madison