B R O W S E ....
Only have one day in Madison WI? Here is what you should do!
Madison, Wisconsin, is a fantastic city with so much to do that it’s hard to narrow it down! Especially if you only have one day! Before Justin and I lived in the Madison area, we always did these things or wished we would have! Now that we are here, we do them when we can!
Wisconsin State Capital
located: 2 E Main St, Madison, Wisconsin
This stunning building is the center of the city, and you MUST attend if you can! The capital is an architectural beauty, made of 43 varieties of stone from all around the world! Even the bathrooms are beautiful! The tiara on top of the capital is Daniel Chester French’s elegant gilded bronze statue “Wisconsin.
You can see the capital during a guided tour or explore it all on your own! My favorite part of the building is the dome from all angles! It’s just stunning to study while you walk around.
UW-Arboretum
located: 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, Wisconsin
The UW-Arboretum has countless acres of beautiful displays of nature! Each stunning plant is labeled so you can learn as you go! Need a little bit of relaxation? Head on over with a blanket, a good book, and relax! I think it would be AMAZING to have a picnic in any area of Olbrich Gardens! The gardens are free year-round and perfect for the whole family!
Depending on the season you are in Madison, you can see blooming trees in early Summer! See excellent Evergreens on a beautiful Winter Day! Or the leaves turning in the Fall! Whenever you go, the grounds are beautiful!.”
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
located: 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin
Sixteen beautiful acres of nature, including a Thai Pavilion and Rose Garden! Along with these outdoor gardens that are beautiful any season. On rainy or super cold days, head inside the Bolz Conservatory, a fifty-foot high glass pyramid home to many tropical plants! Including a beautiful mini waterfall, birds, and butterflies!
Entry fees for the outdoor gardens are free, but donations are welcomed to help maintain the grounds! The beautiful indoor gardens are $6 per person, and kids five and under are free!
Captial Farmers Market
their website here
If you happen to be there on Saturday Mornings, you have to attend the Danes County Farmers Market around the capital building! There is a large variety of vendors; you can even eat breakfast combining the carts! Enjoy a picnic of your goodies on the capital grass!
Memorial Union Terrace
located: 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706
This is a must way to end your day! Stop by the terrace, get a pitcher of beer and watch the sunset! This is our favorite thing to do because we get to watch people, ducks, and pet so many adorable pups! During the Summer months, they have concerts, movies and so much more!
Beer, not your thing? You can also get ice cold other adult beverages, ice creams, and tacos! You can even relax in the cafe and work a bit if you’d like! If you are looking to get out on the lakes, you can find boat rentals of all kinds while there! OR hop on an electric bike to bike the river trail nearby!
Go Shopping on State Street
State street is a staple of the city and is filled with so much character, food, and shops! My Favorite Shops include: Anthology (218 State Street), Little Luxuries (230 State Street), Madison Modern Market (310 State Street), get some ice cream at Chocolate Shoppe (468 State Street)
