THE 10 BEST Madison Things to Do with Kids
Things to Do in Madison with Kids
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34 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Shopping Malls
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Gardens • Children's Museums
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Military Museums • Speciality Museums
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Nature & Wildlife Areas • Jogging Paths & Tracks
Architectural Buildings • Convention Centers
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Arenas & Stadiums • Convention Centers
Architectural Buildings • Art Museums
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Showing results 1-30 of 34
What travelers are saying
- KaraXYZNew York City, NY137 contributionsWe’ve visited more than 30 state capitols and this is one of the best - gorgeous building and very good tour guide. Just check out these great photos.Written March 6, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Anne D10 contributionsIt was a chilly, dreary October day, but an hour in the conservatory — with tropical plants, quail, canaries, and other birds — was restorative. We then spent another hour wandering around the outdoor gardens. How sensational. Even as the plants begin to die back, the gardens remain fascinating, full of interesting colors, textures, and wildlife. I can’t wait to visit again. I was there with my seven-year-old granddaughter who also greatly enjoyed it.Written October 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- VandyJoMiddleton, WI156 contributionsThe Madison area is lucky to have not only a free zoo but an exceptional one that is accredited. As this review written in February shows, unlike many similar-sized facilities, the Vilas Zoo is open all year, even in winter.
Interestingly, many of the animals were quite active during our stay. In fact, certain animals seemed to enjoy the chilly temperatures such as the polar bear and tiger. Critters that need a warm environment have plenty of well-maintained inside exhibits, including a tropical rain forest, herpaterium, and ape house.
The zoo has excellent exhibit signage that is both informative and engaging. The signs even feature the fun names given to each animal, such as "Bandit," for the red panda.
Vilas Zoo is conveniently located near downtown and provides not only a free zoo experience but free parking as well.Written February 22, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kathrin SPortland, OR697 contributionsGorgeous place to sit out and look at the lake and the sailboats. Really lively student hangout. Grab a coffee and beer and find a seat!Written October 15, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kaitlyn HStreamwood, IL50 contributionsSomething free to do in the city and there were TONS of booths. We loved how you always knew where the good stuff was because of the crowds around that booth. Music on every corner. We bought honey, spicy cheese bread and taste tested hot cheese. It only took us 45 minutes to finish the loop to see all the booths.Written November 5, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jim TAustin, TX1,145 contributionsThe hub of downtown, State Street has got it going on. Stroll from one end (the University) to the other (the Capitol) and enjoy everything in between. Shopping, bars, restaurants, theaters, street music, you name it they've got it. Sunny day or cold and rainy or anything in between there is plenty to experience.Written December 5, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MrsPsPicksButler, PA468 contributionsWe walked around and were impressed by the lovely landscaping and openness of the area. There were lots of people, but unlike many state capitals, the vibe was calm and not anxious. We even ran into Miss America!Written June 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mike XChicago, IL3,584 contributionsYou get a discount or it's free depending on membership level of other children's museums. We have the Kohl children's museum membership but I forgot about it in the moment. It's not the biggest but it has some good quality exhibits.Written September 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Eisme77Janesville, WI1,842 contributionsThis attraction with free admission is definitely worth the visit. Not huge but very well done with great attention to detail. We spent roughly an hour viewing the exhibits, but if military history is a deep interest of yours, you might spend more time. Exhibits were very impressive for a museum of this size and told the history with its connection to Wisconsin-ites. Highly recommend.Written January 13, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Breit5new york city128 contributionsWhat a great place to walk around on a beautiful day. It's so close to the city, but you feel like you're miles away with the well-manicured trees, shrubs and landscaping. Everything is well-marked so you know what you're looking at. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Lovely, lovely place.Written April 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Taylor BChicago, IL8,248 contributionsThe first time I visited Camp Randall Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin in Madison was in 1959. I drove through a snowstorm with some of my University of Illinois fraternity brothers to see the Illinois/Wisconsin football game. Illinois won 9-6. Because of the weather, we didn't have much time to explore the campus. On my most recent visit, I didn't see a football game but I was impressed by the many changes that have occurred since my last visit more than 60 years ago. Built in 1917, the stadium lies on grounds of Camp Randall, a Union Army training camp during the Civil War. It is the oldest and fifth largest stadium in the Big 10 Conference. Today, its capacity is 80,321. In 1959, I was one of 63,425 spectators who filled the stadium. But there are so many more noteworthy changes. In 1966, the upper deck on the west side was added. In 1968, the playing surface was converted from natural grass to artificial turf. In 2002, a large-scale construction project added luxury boxes, a five-story office building, separate football program offices, upgraded concession stands and restrooms and new scoreboards. In addition, the numbers of the two Heisman Trophy winners--Alan Ameche (35) and Ron Dayne (33)--were displayed on the upper deck facade. In 2005, the boxes along the eastern rim were added. In 2006, the bronze statues of former coach and athletic director Barry Alvarez and former football star and athletic director Pat Richter were placed in the stadium's Kellner Plaza. At the same time, the retired numbers of Elroy Hirsch (40), Dave Schreiner (80), Allan Shafer (83) and Pat Richter (88) were added to the upper deck facade. In 2014, a new 50-by-170-foot scoreboard and a 4,271-square-foot Daktronics screen with two smaller screens were installed on the north end. Also added were the Student Athlete Performance Center, academic and strength training facilities, multimedia instructional space, a lower level football team access tunnel, renovated locker rooms, showers and equipment storage space. Finally, in 2018, premium seating was added to the south end zone and the press box was improved. It all makes for a truly enjoyable game day experience.Written January 17, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MrsPsPicksButler, PA468 contributionsA private event precluded our experiencing all of the Terrace, but we did manage to get out on a portion to see the lovely views of the lake. Would love to come back to see it all.Written June 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Betty2,879 contributionsThis is a small museum but it is free and a pleasant way to fill an hour or so. We enjoyed the exhibits and there are many nice things to look at and appreciate. There were glowing rocks, meteorites, fossils and dinosaurs. We came during Spring Break so it was easy to find street parking.Written March 31, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Michele NSaint Robert, MO16 contributionsExcellent seats even though the cheap seats. Even though they lost both games (7/20&7/21), the fireworks on Friday were spectacular. Enjoyed the games. Playing music between pitches is a little odd though.Written July 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Taylor BChicago, IL8,248 contributionsI just added a new word to my vocabulary. Eutrophic. It refers to a lake or body of water that is rich in nutrients and so supporting a dense plant population, the decomposition of which kills animal life by depriving it of oxygen. Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin, is a freshwater eutrophic lake. But its water is unsafe to drink. It is very fertile from all the nutrients carried into the lake from the surrounding landscape, supporting high densities of algae and fish. But the quality of water is degraded. Thus, Lake Mendota has been called "the most studied lake in the world" because the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Limnology, which rests on its southern bank, has done extensive research and concluded that climate change and the associated lengthening of summer weather have driven the annual formation of dead zones or oxygen-deficient layers deep in the water column of Lake Mendota. These dead zones have been shown to remain in the lake for up to two months in the summer and have the potential to devastate the habitats of fish, leading to an increased frequency of harmful algal blooms. That's the bad news. The good news is that Lake Mendota remains one of the most popular attractions in the state. The banks of the lake largely contain expensive luxury homes and condominiums. They also contain protected natural areas and parks, UW-Madison housing, the Memorial Union and several hotels and restaurants. In the summer, swimmers are attracted to five beaches and others engage in boating, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, canoeing, windsurfing, kayaking and sailing. In the winter, sports enthusiasts opt for ice boating, ice skating, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, ice hockey and snowkiting. The northernmost and largest of the four lakes in the Madison area, Lake Mendota borders Madison on the north, east and south, Middleton on the west, Shorewood Hills on the southwest, Maple Bluff on the northeast and Westport o the northwest.Written January 17, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
