Madison is the capital of Wisconsin State in the United States. The city falls between 2 lakes: Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Being a capital and one of the old cities of the country, there are many things to do and explore the best places to visit in Madison.
The city has many places to travel such as museums of arts and fun activities, heritage monuments, history of the political field, protects lanes, constitution building, and many more.
While on vacation to this city, some of the best places to visit include the state’s culture, art, music, food, nightlife, etc. It comes at the top of a list of the best places in Wisconsin.
As the city is situated near two lakes, it has beautiful eco life, plantations, numerous flowering plants which make this place such a beautiful place to visit.
The old university of Wisconsin makes this city crucial for students, who come from other parts of the world to study.
Suggested read:- Best places to visit in Wisconsin (U.S)
Places to visit when you are at Madison
Site-seen of the city
- Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Wisconsin State Capitol
- Henry Vilas Zoo
- Chazen Museum of Art
- Monona Terrace and Memorial Union Terrace
- University of Wisconsin – Madison Arboretum
- The Madison Children’s Museum
- The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
- State street
Where to eat and drink
Site-seen of the City
“With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.” – Sandra Lake
So, start exploring the city and increase your understanding. you will definitely enjoy visiting this place and some great memories to tell your grandchildren.
1. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
On the banks of some wonderful lakes and rivers, this garden occupies 16 acres of the area filled with exotic different flowers, which blooms in line with each different season. They are special for their unique plantation of different varieties of roses.
Not only spectacular glass-enclosed Bolz Conservatory. Inside this, you will experience many exclusive plants and flowers with many free-flying birds.
Apart from this thing, you will enjoy the landscape and natural beauty which will give you soul satisfaction. You will enjoy the fresh vibes sitting in the heart of nature. This place is open each day with free of cost entry.
2. Wisconsin State Capitol
This is a central attraction of Madison. As we have discussed in one of the blogs of best places in Wisconsin. Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and this place is situated in between this city. The building is finished its work in 1917, spread its four wings in four directions with its 284-foot-high dome standing.
The interior design of this building is just mind-blowing. The design combines with beautiful marble work and, murals and paintings of German, French, and Italian styles; and a large, colorful skylight.
You don’t have to book your tickets for entering it. The tour of this place is free of cost. But if you come with more than 10 persons then you have to inform the authority to enter.
3. Henry Vilas Zoo
The zoo is spread in 28 acres of area. In this zoo, you will have a look at the whole animal and bird kingdom. If you are traveling with a kid, it is a perfect place to visit and explore.
The zoo is home to many wild animals from the areas of tropical, arctic, savannah, plains, and other habitats. Animals like Amur tigers, African lions, reticulated giraffes, red pandas, and alpaca.
There are many more curious things like an underwater bridge where you can experience many fishes. Children, as well as elders, will enjoy visiting this place.
Local as well as a tourist usually attracted to this place and visit for free.
4. Chazen Museum of Art
Art lovers would never try to miss this museum to explore. This place holds the second largest place of the art collection in the state of Wisconsin.
The museum has a huge range of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and watercolor. The museum has a collection of some beautiful prints, photography, and decorative items.
It may take your time to explore but you definitely will not get bored but surely surprised with every unique artwork done by many worldwide artists like Rodin, Gainsborough, Shusaku Arakawa and many more.
You will experience such a excellent art world that will be heartwarming to see and make a memory with it.
5. Monona Terrace and Memorial Union Terrace
Both the buildings are situated in front of lake Monona. The rooftop view from the building is just mesmerizing forever. Tourist gets attracted due to its location and view which make this place come in the list of things done or visit in this city.
Monona building is designed by the most famous architecture Frank Lloyd Wright but didn’t see it fully build up in real. So in 1997, his design was executed and build its finishing. Because it is built in front of the famous lake of Madison, It is also named on behalf of that.
Tourists will enjoy many bakeries, gift galleries, restaurants. The most important rooftop view is just stunning. Sunset, night view from the terrace with beautiful ambiance around is something unusual for every tourist.
6. University of Wisconsin – Madison Arboretum
The University of Wisconsin covers an area of 1260-acres which is worth exploring. Students from worldwide came here for educational purposes.
This area covers many different types of plantations, wetlands, tall grasslands, herbs, shrubs, flowering trees and many more. The area has some large collection of lilac flower trees, which seems so beautiful in its flowering seasons.
In the season of winter, you can walk miles in the large area of snow where you can try fun activities like skating.
In the University of Wisconsin, a place called Visitor Center has some wonderful arrangements for visitors. They can enjoy a huge library, many beautiful fountains, and the friendly hands of the volunteers.
7. The Madison Children’s Museum
Madison Children’s Museum for children has many award-winning trophies. This place is very enjoyable for the visit. There are many fun activities for all age groups. Here theme-based exhibits and arts reflect some educational value. So the children visiting there must take some good value along with them.
The museum has notable attractions like pond, greenhouse, chicken coop. They designed something like a crow nest from where you can have the view of the whole city. This is something amazing for children only because its only for kids.
The environment of the museum is very joyful, fun, and help families to channelize their child’s curiosity towards some good learning.
8. The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
The contemporary art museum is the soul of art and entertainment in the city. This museum itself is an art piece in many ways. Due to its architecture tourists usually get attracted to it.
The 3-storage glass building is one of the most impressive architecture in the city which you must visit and see. It is located in an extended corner of Henry Streets in the shape of the bow of the ship.
The ground floor of the museum is a display area for the art exhibition local or international. In the display area, many concerts of art and music take place which catches the locals and tourists to visit and explore this place.
9. State Street
This place is actually a simple pedestrian downtown mall full of life. Many shop galleries, restaurants, antique shops which tourists usually like while roaming around the corridors. This lane of the mall is covered with art galleries, museums, local food, restaurants and many more things which make this place a tourist destination.
In the time of Halloween festival, this lane has that all vibes of scariness with some fun party mood. People visit here with some creepy getup and lit up the utility of the festive joy.
Besides all this, there are many amazing parks near the lane. While exploring this palce if you feel tired then you can sit behind nature for a while to get relax.
Where to eat and drink
“You can’t just eat good food. You’ve got to talk about it too. And you’ve got to talk about it to somebody who understands that kind of food.” – Kurt Vonnegut
Without food, traveling can’t be finished. So, here comes some most famous food corners or bakeries who serve you the most authentic sweets and spices of the city.
1. Madison Eats
While knowing the culture of the city, food also comes in this list. Madison Eats is the place where you will get to know about their food culture, local street food in the city.
This place has some pettiest wonderful downtown areas when you will explore some most famous authentic food and drinks cooked and served by the popular chef of the city.
2. Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier
Being a chocolate lover, you will enjoy this place serving single-origin chocolates. They have some handmade finest chocolates which are made with fresh ingredients.
Located in Atwood Avenue, this place gives each chocolate some unique flavor with fresh nuts, berries, spices, chocolate and coffee beans.
They use the single-origin chocolates for their truffle. They have varieties for chocolates and truffles according to seasonal need and demand.
3. DLUX
This place is normal eatery stall, with classy arrangements for sitting and enjoy. From the bakery, you will have a beautiful south-east view of the great Wisconsin State Capitol.
DLUX has some yummiest homemade ‘sorta’ burgers, wide-cut fries, healthy crispy salad, drinks, some tasty creamy smoothie shakes, and cocktails. It is open all days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
4. Teddywedgers
This dish is famous for its Hearty Cornish pastry. Located at the top of State Street, the place has a traditional way of cooking and serves some yummiest pastry of the city.
Plates of simple and tasty food which contain steak, potatoes, onion along with juicy chicken pot pie with lots of cheese on top of it. Egg pastry, chess pastry, bacon etc are on the top menu of the bakery shop.
5. La Taguara
La Taguara is an award-winning restaurant of the city for its Venezuelan and Latin American cuisine. The ambiance of the place is pleasant to see and experience. Decore artworks are hand made which are adding some cozy feeling. The hole restaurant symbolizing Venezuela culture.
Summary
You will not get tired while exploring the city of Madison. The city is full of life and fun. People from all age groups visit and feel worthy to come here. The tourist must visit the best places like Wisconsin State Capitol, Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison Children’s Museum, Orchid Gardens for lifetime memories. The place is good to go in any of the seasons of a year.
In this article, We have tried all the possible things and places which you must not miss while on your visit to the capital city of Wisconsin.
Thank you…
