Madison Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Visit Madison
Photo provided by Visit Madison
Photo provided by Visit Madison
Photo provided by Visit Madison
Photo provided by Visit Madison

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 centre 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 Centre. 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 programme. For information about bike paths, visit the City of Madison’s website. Alternatively, use the Metro Transit bus service. Driving in the city centre 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 featuring flowers, a house and a garden

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
Default Image

Monona

Visitors to Monona enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Aldo Leopold Nature Center is worth a stop.

Monona
Default Image

Marquette

Marquette might not have many top sights, but Breese Stevens Field and Barrymore Theatre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Marquette
Default Image

Regent

When in Regent, you can plan a visit to Camp Randall Stadium and Wisconsin Field House, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Regent
Default Image

Greenbush

While Greenbush may 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
Default Image

Tenney-Lapham

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

Tenney-Lapham
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹10,805 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹10,805
₹12,480 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star luxury hotel in Madison. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,879 reviews)
"Beautifully remodeled. Very little interaction with any staff except front desk. He was very nice, but very difficult to hear (both of us had a lot of difficulty). Floor in bathroom wasn’t quite fully cleaned."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
Baymont by Wyndham Madison West/Middleton WI West

Baymont by Wyndham Madison West/Middleton WI West

2.5 out of 5
8102 Excelsior Dr, Madison, WI
The price is ₹5,947 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹5,947
₹6,868 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Madison. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,015 reviews)
Great place in Madison area
"This was a perfect place for our family for a one night stay in the Madison area. It was easy to find/get to. Our son loved the pool!"

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Baymont by Wyndham Madison West/Middleton WI West
AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West

AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West

3 out of 5
516 Grand Canyon Dr, Madison, WI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹7,249 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹7,249
₹8,373 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Madison. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,173 reviews)
"Great breakfast! Great price! Clean! Staff was helpful and fast!"

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

AmericInn by Wyndham Madison West
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.
The Dylin

The Dylin

4 out of 5
611 E Dayton St, Madison, WI
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Madison. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Camp Randall Stadium and Alliant ...
9/10 Wonderful! (76 reviews)
"The interior was beautiful, with modern furnishings, a full kitchen, comete with dishwasher for the included kitchenwares, and a washer and dryer for laundry. Would recommend if you need a place to stay for a few days. My one concern for the place is that from a brief talk in the hall with another ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

The Dylin
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

Cities near Madison