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Visit These Five Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings in Madison, Wisconsin

• More: Frank Lloyd Wright
• By: Katherine Flynn

photo by: Ali Eminov/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0

The 1959 Walter and Mary Ellen Rudin House.

In the spring 2016 issue of Preservation magazine , we give you an insider’s view of the best places to stay, eat, and see in the state capitol city of Madison, Wisconsin .

Madison has an abundant dining scene and miles of bike trails and shoreline, but it’s also rich with connections to one of America's most beloved and renowned architects: Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright lived in Madison in his adolescence and in nearby Spring Green during the height of his fame, and you can find his low-slung Prairie-style houses and grand public buildings scattered throughout the city. While several of Madison's Wright-designed houses are still private residences, structures like the Monona Terrace and the First Unitarian Meeting House are must-see spots for architecture buffs and Wright devotees.

Below, we’ve highlighted five essential Wright-designed structures to visit in this lakeside city.

Walter and Mary Ellen Rudin House

Wright was fascinated by the concept of prefab housing, and he collaborated with builder Marshall Erdman, his colleague on the First Unitarian Meeting House project, on eleven of them in total. The prefabs were one part of his larger Usonian project, meant to make innovative design more affordable to the middle class. The prefab packages designed by Wright (three in total, although none of the third-generation models were ever built) that Erdman offered through his company Marshall Erdman & Associates, Inc., included interior and exterior walls, floors, windows, doors, cabinets, and woodwork. The prospective buyer had to provide the lot, as well as the foundation, plumbing fixtures, electric wiring, heating units, drywall, and paint.

This house was completed in 1959 for UW-Madison mathematicians Walter and Mary Ellen Rudin, and is virtually identical to the James McBean Residence in Rochester, Minnesota.

photo by: Teemu008/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

The 1903 Robert M. Lamp House is one of the earliest examples of Wright's Prairie School design.

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Designed for Wright’s childhood friend Robert Lamp (the two boys allegedly became chums after fighting each other in the schoolyard), the Lamp House, completed in 1903, exemplifies some of Wright’s signature touches like a compression/release dynamic (i.e., the narrow driveway between two neighboring houses opening up to the much larger lot where the house sits) and commercial cream-colored brick, which Wright also used for his own home and studio in Oak Park, Illinois. Located just two blocks from Madison’s Capitol Square, the house once boasted rooftop views of nearby Lakes Monona and Mendota, perfect for boating enthusiast Lamp. Those views, however, are now largely blocked by newer development. The Lamp house is still under private ownership, although some neighborhood residents have advocated that it be turned into a Wright museum and visitors' center.

photo by: Richard Hurd/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

Wright's National Register-listed 1908 "Airplane House."

Eugene A. Gilmore House (“Airplane House")

The 1908 “Airplane House” was commissioned by Eugene A. Gilmore, a law professor at the nearby University of Wisconsin-Madison. Located on a hilltop, the house’s elevation and cruciform shape give viewers the impression that it’s about to take flight. The Airplane House is widely considered to embody the essence of the Prairie School style of architecture, with an emphasis on horizontality, rows of casement windows on both floors, and a cantilevered porch roof. The house’s second owners, the Weiss Family, expanded it in 1928, adding a larger kitchen and eventually a three-car garage. The Airplane House remains a private residence.

photo by: Keith Ewing/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0

The First Unitarian Meeting House is one of two Wright-designed Unitarian churches.

First Unitarian Meeting House

Completed in 1951, this National Historic Landmark houses one of the largest Unitarian Universalist organizations in the United States. Wright, who was born into a Unitarian family and identified as a Unitarian throughout his life, also designed the Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois.

The limestone and oak Meeting House, with its distinctive copper roof, embodies one of Wright’s core principles: unity with nature. Tours are available throughout the year; consult the First Unitarian Society of Madison’s tour schedule to check availability.

The Monona Terrace, originally designed by Wright in 1938, wasn't constructed until after his death.

Monona Terrace

Wright designed this civic center for the city of Madison in 1938, but had trouble securing public funding for the project. He continued to seek support for its construction until his death in 1959. The state finally approved funds for the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in 1992, 33 years after Wright’s death, and his vision was finally completed in 1997. Although the exterior design is completely Wright’s, the interior, as executed, was designed by Anthony Puttnam, a former apprentice to Wright and member of the Taliesin Associated Architects. Today, the facility hosts over 600 annual conventions, as well as community programs, guided tours, and, in the summer months, a rooftop cafe.

Katherine Flynn is a former assistant editor at Preservation magazine. She enjoys coffee, record stores, and uncovering the stories behind historic places.

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Go behind the scenes of one of Madison’s most stunning architectural achievements and get an inside look at some of the nation’s most stunning theaters. Free tours take place select Saturdays at 11 AM. Groups may schedule a tour in advance for any time during business hours. Tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance and are designed for ages 12 and up. Please note that performance schedules may preclude tours from visiting certain venues.

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History & Heritage

When you visit Madison, you'll quickly learn that the people you meet and the places you discover are rooted in traditions that transform any day into an  experience . From capitol to campus and around every corner in Dane County, you'll love exploring the history and heritage that make Madison memorable.

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Take a free, guided tour of the  Wisconsin State Capitol  and view the exquisite marble, mosaics and murals featured inside this breathtaking building that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001. If visiting the Governor's digs by day isn't enough, plan to make a stop at the  Governor's Mansion . This Southern Classical Revival home, which has housed Wisconsin Governors since 1949, is open seasonally. Please call ahead for tour dates and times.

Another Greater Madison claim to fame is renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who spent his childhood years in nearby Spring Green and returned to build a home and studio called  Taliesin  when he was at the height of his international acclaim. As a result, there are numerous opportunities to observe his works, from the  Unitarian Meeting House  on Madison's west side to the  Monona Terrace® Community & Convention Center , built on the shores of Lake Monona in 1997—nearly 60 years after Wright first proposed his idea for a lakeside civic center.

And you can't miss  Camp Randall  on your next visit to Madison. Today it plays home to the Wisconsin Badgers football team, but it was originally a staging place and POW camp during the Civil War. Almost 70,000 troops were trained there—nearly all of the state's military might at that time.

Find out about the fascinating history of State Street and Madison's historic neighborhoods via walking and biking tours offered by the  Madison Trust for Historic Preservation . Along the way, you'll spot several museums that focus on local history: the  Wisconsin State Historical Museum , which features displays and exhibits about our state and its citizens, the  Norwegian Heritage Center , where immigrant stories come alive, and the  Wisconsin Veterans Museum , which commemorates the role of Wisconsin citizens in American military history. For more information on museums, check out our  Exploring Madison Museums  page.

In Madison, you can even explore Native American effigy mounds built more than 1,000 years ago! These earthen formations take the shape of recognizable animals such as birds, bears and deer, and can be found along the  lakeshore path  on campus as well as throughout Madison and Dane County.

AMAZING ATTRACTIONS

When you're here, you won't want to miss the many experiences that celebrate Wisconsin's roots in farming and agriculture. View milk, cheese and ice cream making right on the UW-Madison campus when you visit the  Babcock Hall Dairy Store ! Downtown, you'll find  Fromagination , a retail store filled with award-winning, local artisan cheeses and their perfect pairings.  Bavaria Sausage  is another retailer that offers a variety of local and imported cheeses, along with specialty meats and sausages. In DeForest, you'll find  Ehlenbach's Cheese Chalet , a family-owned and operated dairy store featuring more than 100 different kinds of Wisconsin cheeses. Learn more about our distinction in dairy and the fun food culture it creates in our  Dairy Discovery  itinerary.

All year, you'll enjoy a cool underground adventure at  Cave of the Mounds , discovered 78 years ago in Blue Mounds. Nature lovers will want to visit both the  Aldo Leopold Nature Center , which pays homage to Wisconsin environmentalist Aldo Leopold, and the  UW-Madison Arboretum , birthplace of ecological restoration and an amazing outdoor experience.

CULINARY & CRAFT CULTURE

A big part of Wisconsin's heritage includes farm-to-table traditions that influence our local dining, brewing, and wine-making businesses. Begin by discovering  Dane County Farmers' Market  for yourself, or have someone prepare  farm-to-table fare  for you at restaurants including  Quivey's Grove  where you can dine in a beautifully restored 1855 estate that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Don't forget to try a microbrew (or two!) at one of the area's local breweries, from tours and tastings at  Ale Asylum , to pints at  Wisconsin Brewing Company ,  Capital Brewery , and  New Glarus Brewing Company . And with six locations around Dane County, it's easy to find  Great Dane Brewing Company , but you won't want to miss the downtown location, which pairs historic ambiance and an outdoor beer garden with an amazing selection of beers brewed on site.

If wine is more what you had in mind, take the short drive to  Drumlin Ridge Winery  in Waunakee or  Wollersheim Winery  in nearby Prairie Du Sac. All offer tours and tastings.

EXPLORE MADISON'S RICH HISTORY

Want to dive deeper into what makes Madison unique? Now you can.  Essential Madison Experiences  are your tickets to a behind-the-scenes adventure through one of America’s happiest cities.  See some sassy cows  on a family dairy farm or experience the University of Wisconsin from  the water ,  the snow , or an  art studio . Take an  aquatic adventure  or embark on a  tropical excursion . For a more edible experience, enlist in  Bitters Boot Camp . Cultivate your creative side to construct a  Wisconsin cheese board , or enjoy a tantalizing tasting to open your eyes to a  brand-new world of mustard . Experience Madison for yourself.

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Tours & Tastings

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Sunday Drive

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Biking Around Madison

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Arts & Music

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Dairy Discovery

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Fantastic Fish Fry

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Badger Football Game Day Guide

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Kid Friendly

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Like a Local

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Neat Neighborhoods

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Shopping Experience

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Fun in the Sun

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University Highlights

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madison, wi 53703

(608) 255-2537 • (800) 373-6376

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(608) 255-2537 • (800) 373-6376 • [email protected]

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Third Lake Ridge Tour - Historic Architecture Tours

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• Historic Architecture Tours

The store is fantastic. This tour happen to be about the bungalows in the Williamson Street area of... read more

Very interesting and informative. The docent was knowledgeable about this area of Madison. These... read more

Third Lake Ridge Tour

I took the Third Lake Ridge Tour yesterday, and it was excellent! Besides architecture, we learned about the history of the neighborhood, where workers and artisans, many German immigrants, built modest houses. It was a terrific bookend to the last tour I took, also excellent, of Mansion Hill, where the wealthy and influential built houses around the same time. I hope to go on all 18 of the tours this group runs. The tours often fill up, so register early!

The volunteer docents were very knowledgeable about the history of the houses that were on the tour. It was fun to learn about the architects and builders.

I've taken a bunch of these. They've all been great. As was today's "Maple Bluff-Cambridge Rd" tour. I'm a fairly recent immigré to Madison and these tours have given me a so much more substantive idea of the city's character. Our docent, "Judy", was superb. She loved what she was doing and her admiration imbued her descriptions and made us all so glad that we had come.

My husband and I took the Vilas Neighborhood tour last night. Gorgeous weather, beautiful homes, informative guide (Peg). These tours are a Madison treasure!

This tour was excellent, as have been all of the Historic Tours in Madison thht I have tken. This was the Sunset Hills neighborhood of Madison, and I learned so much about the history, architechs, and the lovely shady area. I recomend these tours to any locals and visitors to Madison who wnat to learn more about this lovely city.

The weather was perfect for an informative stroll around University Heights--a beautiful and peaceful neighborhood that is kind of hidden on a hill high above the campus. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and several homeowners even came out to share stories about their homes. This was our first Historic Madison tour and we were prompted to do it because as members of Historic Milwaukee, we get a discount. We will certainly try to take some other tours in the future.

Historic Architecture Tours

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Historic Architecture Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

You Only Need 24 Hours to See Architecture in (and Near) Madison

D espite being a mid-size city, Madison, Wisconsin is an international leader in architecture, attracting people from all around the globe to tour its incredible buildings. America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright , actually grew up in nearby Richland Center, and today his homestead in Spring Green hosts architecture lovers on tours and other unique experiences. Wright fans can also tour a church, convention center and schoolhouse-turned-arts center that he designed in the area. What’s more, there are plenty of examples of Victorian, Art Deco, Brutalist and Art Moderne designs in Madison, so architecture admirers are never far from a source of inspiration. 

Sound like something you’re into? Here’s our ideal itinerary for 24 architecture-filled hours in Madison. 

8am: Every good day starts with a leisurely breakfast and there’s no better spot than The Edgewater , a gorgeous example of Art Deco design across three towering buildings hugging Lake Mendota. On The Statehouse’s breakfast menu is a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich served on a Stella cheese bun (Stella’s Bakery’s hot and spicy cheese bread is the most popular item sold at the Dane County Farmers’ Market on Saturdays), and one of the state’s heralded award-winning cheeses (Uplands Cheese Pleasant Ridge Reserve ) anchors one of the omelets. Although the hotel reopened with a new infusion of luxury in 2014, its roots date back to 1948.  Be sure to walk out on the pier for a killer view of Lake Mendota before you hop in the car (and crank up some tunes ) for your first architectural tour.

Interestingly, the neighborhood’s historic homes on Langdon Street—built between the late 1800s and 1920s—are now used as sorority and fraternity houses connected to the nearby University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. On a self-guided stroll you can marvel at examples of French Second Empire, Queen Anne, Italianate, Prairie School, Mediterranean Revival and Georgian Revival styles of architecture, using this handy guide .

10am:  Head over to the First Unitarian Society of Madison Meeting House , in the nearby ‘burb of Shorewood Hills, just off University Avenue. Wright was a member of this church (and his parents were founding members) when he was tapped to redesign its new home, completing the project in 1951. Characteristics include long, horizontal lines and bands of windows, along with the prow. Interior tours ($30) lasting 75 minutes are offered weekdays and on Sundays starting on April 1 and through the summer months at 10am and also 2:30pm. If you can’t catch a tour, visit during the Saturday 4:30pm service, held in the Landmark Auditorium that Wright designed. There are also free Friday concerts at noon in the 24,000-square-foot Atrium Auditorium unveiled in 2008 by a Milwaukee-area architecture firm in Wright’s likeness.

11:30am: Located at Hilldale Mall just 1.5 miles away, Amara celebrates contemporary coastal cuisine like what you’d find in the Mediterranean. It was also voted Madison’s Best New Restaurant in 2023 by Madison Magazine . With its high ceilings, plenty of plants and walls of windows, it’s a lively design-oriented spot with plating that’s as stunning as the pendant light fixtures. On the brunch/lunch menus are everything from a “eggs in purgatory” (a riff on shakshuka) and baked cacio e pepe, to lighter fare, such as a panzanella salad.

1pm: Offered only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday is the 75-minute Monona Terrace Building Tour ($5) at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center , a project based on Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs and completed after his death, by an associate, Anthony Putnam, in 1997. Sign-up for tours is necessary using this link . This is a popular downtown venue for weddings, proms, conferences and other large-scale meetings, with outdoor dance events on the rooftop come summer. In the gift shop is a very comprehensive selection of Wright-inspired home décor, stationary and apparel, as well as books about his life and work.

3pm: Drop by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (locals call it MMoCA), designed by César Pelli (another of his projects is an expansion of MoMA in New York City) and unveiled in 2006. Just look for the glass facade artfully angling out over State Street. There’s no cost to enter and browsing in the gift shop is a must. While the museum has 6,000 pieces representing modern and contemporary art in its collection—including household-name artists like Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol—the rotating exhibits are also worth a look. The museum’s location within the Overture Center of the Arts puts a lot of arts-oriented attractions under one roof, including not only this museum but also seven performance spaces for musicals, plays and other events.

6pm: Check into Spring Valley Inn in Spring Green, just down the road from Wright’s 800-acre homestead. The motel-style hotel was designed by Wright apprentices, completed in the early 1990s and now on its second generation of ownership. Furnishings and décor are all nods to Wright—also designed by Wright apprentices—and Wright fans will clearly note the Cherokee-red roof (this was Wright’s favorite color), spire on the roof and long, horizontal lines. Take a dip in the indoor pool or grab a drink in the attached Pat’s Lounge, a structure that dates back to 1986 before this motel was built, marked by a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace.

7pm: Open since last year,  Reunion is Spring Green’s newest restaurant and tucked into the century-old former Bank of Spring Green downtown. Straddling a supper-club concept with farm-to-table ethos, the dinner menu’s artful plating includes house-made pasta and classic Wisconsin staples (like a Seven Seeds-beef burger, cheese board or fish fry).

If there’s time before dinner, take a walk through the downtown where architectural projects have been carefully preserved, including what is currently a BMO Harris branch, designed by Wright’s son-in-law, William Wesley Peters and completed in 1972. Crafted from sandstone, it features a saucer-shape design.

7-10am: Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet (included with rates) at Spring Valley Inn to fuel up before starting your day. Whether your vice is waffles and sausage drizzled with maple syrup or an energy bar and coffee to go, the breakfast is more than adequate and provides another interior glimpse—served in either Pat’s Place or just off the lobby—at this uniquely designed inn.

10:15am: Docent-led tours of Taliesin —Wright’s 800-acre homestead, established in 1911—are offered between May and November and span five different options ($25-$93). The option that best ensures you don’t miss anything cool is the 2.5-hour Highlights Tour ($70), with opportunities to visit Hillside (drafting studio, theater, dining room and assembly hall) and Taliesin (Wright’s home). The gift shop’s a treasure trove of books about Wright as well as postcards, home décor and more. You can even pick up a porkpie hat, which was Wright’s signature look, in the gift shop. While there is some walking on this tour, transportation between buildings is within a small bus that—fittingly—sports Cherokee-red exterior paint.

1pm: Just across the street from Taliesin, Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center evolved from a schoolhouse Wright—who had already designed a school for his two aunts at Taliesin—designed in 1957 into the arts center it is today, with a rotating art exhibit in one of the former classrooms. Tours ($15) are offered between 11am and 2pm on the first Sunday of the month, or by appointment. One can also walk the property to view the structure.

2pm:  Join locals and art-loving visitors (Spring Green also hosts an outdoor theater and several art galleries) for lunch at the colorful and quirky Spring Green General Store on the back patio, indoor café or screened-in porch. On the menu are vegan chili, burritos, salads and sandwiches. This 1919 building was once a cheese-storage facility—not surprising as some of the world’s best cheese makers are within 10 miles of here even today. You can even pick up cheese wedges to snack on during your journey, as well as artist-made jewelry and home décor.

Looking for more Madison, WI ideas? Check out where the locals hike , the best places to ice skate , and the state parks Madisonians go for a nature fix. 

Historic Architecture Tours

29 E Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703

Every late May through September, the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation, a small nonprofit organization in Madison, hosts a series of historic ...

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Quality Inn & Suites Sun Prairie Madison East

105 Business Park Drive, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, United States

This Quality Inn & Suites is across from the Sun Prairie Business Park. Local points of interest like the Angel Park Speedway and the Olbrich Botanical Gardens are close to this Sun Prairie, WI hotel.

Hilton Garden Inn Madison Sun Prairie

1220 South Grand Ave , Sun Prairie, WI 53590, United States

Hilton Garden Inn Madison Sun Prairie has a fitness centre, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Sun Prairie. The property is around 17 km from University-Wisconsin Madison, 15 km from Madison Area Technical College and 15 km from Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi throughout the property.

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Madison WI Tours

Monona Terrace educational programs share the 60-year story of Frank Lloyd Wright’s “long awaited dream of a wedding between the city and beautiful Lake Monona.” See below for more information about Monona Terrace tours and educational experiences for people of all ages and groups.

Public Tours in Madison WI

Spend an hour with us on our Monona Terrace Tour and learn the history of Wright’s “dream civic center” project for his hometown of Madison. During our guided tours, visitors will discover Wright’s trademarks of dramatic open spaces, strong geometric forms, and breathtaking views of Lake Monona. From Wright lovers to those who are unfamiliar with his work, this inspirational tour will appeal to everyone and is the best way for first-time visitors to experience Monona Terrace. And for those who have been here before and want to learn more, this tour is perfect for you.

Tours are available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 1pm.

Admission is $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per student age 5-17. Children 4 and under are free.

Building Accessibility Information

The building will be closed and no tours will be offered on: January 9-26 | March 31 | May 27 | June 19 | July 3-4 | September 2 | November 28-29 | December 24-25

Inspired by Wright

This hands-on Frank Lloyd Wright Tour demonstrates how Wright saw geometric shapes as underlying forms of nature and applied them to almost all his work. As you tour the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, you’ll learn how this unique site influenced Wright’s choice of geometry, which is expressed in nearly every aspect of the building and grounds. Then, you will use this newly gained knowledge and put together geometric forms to create your own Wright-inspired glass piece of art. This is an Essential Madison Experience, a hands-on experience designed for adults and young people alike. It’s authentic, immersive, and uniquely Madison.

Inspired by Wright: Galentine's Edition, Thursday, February 8, 4:30-6:30 Cocktails for ages 21 and up only. The cost is $20. For groups of 10-15, fill out this adult tour group reservation request .-->

Group Tours

Monona Terrace offers informative tours for groups of 10 or more. Our tours are scheduled by advance reservation only. Current Monona Terrace tours are as follows:

Architecture Tour: Discover the 60-year journey of Wright’s “dream civic center.”

The Wine & Cheese Tour or The Bubbly Tour: Choose a delightful ending to your 45 minute tour (for groups of 25 or more and 21 and older)

Inspired by Wright: This is an Essential Madison Experience, a hands-on experience designed for adults and young people alike. It’s authentic, immersive, and uniquely Madison.

Frank Lloyd Wright Trail

See other Frank Lloyd Wright designed properties on this scenic 200-mile trail that traverses through nine southern Wisconsin counties. Along the trail are nine sites, including Monona Terrace, that are chosen to provide architectural enthusiasts and casual visitors with a rich exposure to Wright’s genius.

Come Visit Us!

Monona Terrace offers an interesting, inspirational experience for everyone. We look forward to introducing you to the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright in one of his flagship designs – Monona Terrace.

Location & Directions

1 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI 53703

(608) 261-4000 [email protected]

5 miles from Dane County Airport

8.5 miles off I-90/I-94

600 on-site parking spaces

Visiting Hours

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Walk among giants

Tours of Maple Bluff’s ritzy Cambridge Road highlight area history and architecture

by Jay Rath

July 6, 2017

Works on the tour by architect Frank Riley include 69 Cambridge Road.

Lifestyles of the area rich and famous will be on display during guided tours of Maple Bluff, the first-ever of the village offered by the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation .

The July 16 docent-led walking tours will focus on 10 homes on Cambridge Road, and shed light on the lives of prominent civic and business leaders.

Some of the first year-round homes in Maple Bluff were built on Cambridge Road. Because wealthy landowners hired Madison’s best architects, the street reflects a variety of architectural styles, according to Teri Venker, who researched and developed the special fundraising tour for the Madison Trust.

Development came relatively late to the area. “People in the latter part of the 19th century bought land there and put in little cottages,” says Venker. “Some of the big names in Madison owned large pieces of land along Lake Mendota.” But back then, it was considered rural and isolated from Madison, notes Venker: “Before the turn of the 20th century, when there weren’t bridges over the Yahara River, it was hard to get to.”

The current home at 57 Cambridge Road.

It wasn’t until the early part of the 20th century that the Lakewood Land Company assembled 123 acres and created lots from the Maple Bluff Country Club to Burrows Park.

The Johnson family, of Fuller and Johnson Manufacturing (builders of agricultural equipment and gasoline engines and employers to much of the east side starting in the late 19th century) also speculated in development. Their Lakewood Land Company hired noted visionary landscape architect John Nolen (1869-1937) to lay out the community that became Maple Bluff. The village incorporated in 1931.

Throughout, the tour, emphasis will be placed on the dramatic lives of the homes’ original owners. It will include the official home of governors, the Wisconsin Executive Residence . Originally it was the mansion of the Johnson family, which eventually offered it to the state, deeply discounted.

The governor's mansion.

“However — and this is a story that I love — some of the state legislators were opposed,” says Venker. “One was Rep. Ruth Doyle. Her son James later became governor and lived in that house for eight years. And another state representative opposed to it was Pat Lucey, who went on to live there too, as the governor,” from 1971 to 1977. Ruth Doyle was concerned about what would happen to the then current executive mansion and others worried about the cost, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

The governor’s mansion was designed by noted Madison architect Frank Riley (who also designed the Madison Club, East High School and the former Yost’s Department Store, whose façade now serves as entrance to the Overture Center for the Arts). More Riley works on the tour are a Mediterranean style home at 69 Cambridge Road and a Tudor Revival at 50 Cambridge Road. A photo of another RIley work, the home of paint magnate Bernard Mautz at 57 Cambridge Road, will be all that our participants can see, as the original was torn down several years ago.

The tour will also highlight the work of architect Alvan Small, a native of Sun Prairie. He built the Prairie style home at 82 Cambridge Road for Winifred and William Curtis, the son of a Michigan lumber baron. (Small designed many homes on Madison’s near west side, as well as Randall Elementary School, Lowell Elementary School and the Grimm Book Bindery building, 454 W. Gilman St., a city historic landmark.) Small and Frank Lloyd Wright both apprenticed with Madison architectural firm Conover & Porter, and in Chicago with Louis Sullivan.

Tour times and details

The 75-minute tours are offered July 16, departing every half hour from the intersection of Lakewood Boulevard and Cambridge Road, from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Reserved tickets are available at madisonpreservation.org or 608-441-8864; $30/$20 for students with ID/$25 for Trust members. A limited number of tickets may be available on-site. Parking is free. The non-profit Madison Trust for Historic Preservation worked with the city of Madison Landmarks Commission, Historic Madison Inc., the Wisconsin Historical Society and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to put on the tours. Isthmus is an in-kind sponsor of the event.

Editor's note: The text has been edited to reflect the fact that the Mautz home at 57 Cambridge Road is no longer the original.

ISTHMUS is © 2021 Isthmus Community Media, Inc. | All rights reserved. | Madison, Wisconsin | USA

12 Best Things to Do in Madison WI: Midwest Fun

• Post author: Lisa Garrett
• Post last modified: February 22, 2024
• Post category: USA / Weekend Getaways

Disclaimer :  This page may contain affiliate links.  I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you).

Thinking about spending a weekend in Madison ? There are plenty of fabulous things to do in Madison!

It’s the capital of Wisconsin and a bustling college town, with natural beauty from the surrounding lakes.

Madison is great to visit on a road trip . It’s less than an hour and a half drive from Milwaukee , or around a two-hour drive from Chicago or Green Bay. (We visited on a Milwaukee-Madison-Chicago road trip last summer.)

Downtown Madison and the University of Wisconsin campus are easy to explore by foot.  But you’ll definitely want to have a car to explore some of Madison’s more far-flung attractions.

Since Madison is a university town – and college students aren’t known for their deep pockets – there are a lot of free things to do in Madison . 

Wondering what to do in Madison ? I’ve got a lot of great suggestions for you. Lace up your shoes and let’s go!

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in Madison Wisconsin

1. tour the capitol building.

Madison is the state capital of Wisconsin, and it has one of the most stunning Capitol buildings.  Our room at the Madison Concourse Hotel directly overlooked the Wisconsin State Capitol Building , so we decided to make that our first stop in our exploration of the city.

The Capitol building is open to the public daily, other than major holidays.  You can tour on your own, or join one of the free guided tours (offered several times daily).

The Capitol is, surprisingly, the tallest building in Madison.  And it will stay that way due to laws prohibiting the construction of buildings taller than the columns surrounding the dome.

See the Capitol, Monona Terrace, the Henry Vilas Zoo, Camp Randall Stadium, and more on this fun guided e-bike tour of Madison !

See the views from the observation deck

You’ll want to head upstairs to the dome’s observation deck .  From here you’ll enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Madison and the surrounding lakes.  You’ll also be able to get an up-close view of the dome and its decorative statues.

The dome is made of white granite from Vermont and is the world’s largest granite dome .  There are clusters of statues around the dome, which represent characteristics of Wisconsin and its people.

Gracing the top of the dome is a golden statue, Wisconsin , standing 15’5” and weighing 3 tons.  If you were able to get a close look at the ‘Golden Lady’, you’d be amused to see that her helmet features Wisconsin’s state animal, the badger .

Inside the Capitol

The interior of the Capitol building is also beautiful – be sure to wander through the halls to enjoy the amazing architectural details.

Before you head back downstairs, take a little detour to see the Trumpeter’s Gallery .  From here you get a birds’-eye view of the Capitol’s granite and marble floors, columns, and galleries, as well as its vibrant murals and mosaics .  It may induce a little vertigo, but don’t worry — the plexiglass means that there’s no actual danger.

If you look closely, you’ll notice another badger atop the portico over the door to the Senate chamber. 

Once you get all the way to the ground floor, be sure to look upwards at the interior of the dome .  At the very peak is a mural, Resources of Wisconsin .  Due to the curved interior of the dome, the mural was painted in pieces and put together puzzle-style.

If you’re visiting Madison in the warmer months, check out the Dane County Farmers Market . It’s held on Saturdays in Capitol Square (the grounds surrounding the Capitol building).

2. Admire the Olbrich Botanical Gardens

One of the best things to do in Madison is to visit the Olbrich Botanical Gardens .  The gardens are located on the north side of Lake Monona, about three miles from the Capitol. It’s open year-round , even in the winter.

The Olbrich Botanical Gardens span 16 acres and include a 10,000 square foot tropical conservatory.  The outdoor gardens are free to explore, while the Bolz Conservatory (the indoor tropical garden) does require a small fee for entry.

You can join a free guided garden tour , enjoy a guided group tour for a nominal fee, or just explore on your own.  We opted for the self-guided tour and set off to explore the lovely gardens.

There are many different types of gardens to explore, including a sunken garden, a rose garden , and an herb garden.  There are also many water features to enjoy.

Thai pavilion and garden

The highlight of our visit was absolutely the Thai pavilion and garden .  This is a must-see during your trip!  The Thai pavilion sits like a jewel surrounded by lush foliage and a serene water feature. 

This stunning pavilion is very ornate and is decorated in delicate gold leaf .  While the pavilion’s construction materials are quite sturdy, the gold leaf is easily damaged by human contact – so please, don’t touch!

The Thai pavilion was gifted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison by the Thai government and the Thai Chapter of the university alumni.  It was built in Thailand, disassembled, shipped to the states, and reconstructed here in Madison. 

Some fun facts about the pavilion:  It is constructed without use of any nails or screws, and it is one of only four Thai pavilions located outside of Thailand .

3. Explore the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a highly ranked public university with a research focus.  Since it is also my dad’s alma mater, I was excited to check out the campus.

The sprawling campus is made up of a lot of impressive buildings in various architectural styles.   There are also many stunning churches on and around the campus.

One of the more unique buildings is the Armory and Gymnasium, known as the Red Gym .  This Romanesque revival style architecture makes this building look like a medieval fortress or castle. 

You can also enjoy the views of Lake Mendota as you grab a bite at the Memorial Union Terrace .

Bascom Hill and Bucky Badger

Bascom Hill is the symbolic center of the university’s campus and the site of some fun university traditions.  It’s the site of the famous annual snowball fight between residence halls, the Battle for Bascom.  And in the spring, it gets decorated with pink flamingoes in honor of a similar prank in 1979.

Bascom Hall is located here as well, and is one of the university’s oldest buildings (dating to 1859).  A statue of Abe Lincoln graces the plaza in front of the building.  Although I must say that his gravitas is undermined by the giant badger banner that serves as his backdrop.

In front of Bascom Hall, you’ll also find this statue.  Allow me to introduce you to Buckingham U. “Bucky” Badger , the University of Wisconsin-Madison mascot .  Aren’t you glad to know that he earned his diploma?  Good for you, Bucky!

In addition to being smart, Bucky is also fit.  The mascot does push-ups after each point scored in a football game.  (Home games are played at Camp Randall Stadium .)

In one high-scoring 2010 game, he executed a whopping 573 push-ups for the game’s incredible 83-20 score.  That makes me sore just thinking about it!

4. Admire the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright

Speaking of the University of Wisconsin-Madison – one of its most famous students was Frank Lloyd Wright .  The ‘ Father of Architecture ’ studied civil engineering here, as there was no architecture program.  He left after only a year and was named one of the ‘Top 10 College Dropouts’ by TIME magazine.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed over one thousand structures during his career.  You’ll find many examples of his architecture in the Madison area. 

Monona Terrace

Monona Terrace , in downtown Madison, was one of his inspirations.  He came up with the concept of a ‘ dream civic center ’ that would blend the nature of Lake Monona with the nearby Madison State Capitol building. 

This view is from the Olin Terrace, as you approach Monona Terrace from the Capitol:

The Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center is a very popular event space.  The architecture of Monona Terrace is actually best enjoyed from the lake, and particularly at dusk.  From here you can see the gorgeous arches and organic curves that make this building unique.

First Unitarian Society

Just a short hop west from campus, you’ll find the First Unitarian Society . This Unitarian Universalist Meeting House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a long-time member of this congregation.

This distinctive building features a ship-like ‘prow’ made of glass and wood, and has a steeply sloped copper roof.  It is recognized as a US national historic landmark for architecture.

If you’re a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic architecture, you’ll want to take a day trip out to Taliesin .  It’s located about an hour’s drive west from Madison.

Taliesin , which means ‘ shining brow ’ in Welsh, was Wright’s home, studio and school.  The 800-acre estate includes his 37,000 square foot home and buildings from across all decades of his career.

If you want to visit Taliesin, you’ll need to book a tour – you can’t explore on your own.  There are tour options available for various durations and price points, and advance ticket purchase is recommended.

5. Visit the Chazen Museum of Art

The Chazen Museum of Art is located on the eastern edge of the University of Wisconsin campus.  This museum boasts Wisconsin’s second-largest collection of art, with over 24,000 works across many styles. 

Best of all, the Chazen Museum of Art is open daily and is free to visit !  Be sure to wander through all of the levels.  Note that you’ll cross over into an adjoining building (the Conrad A. Elvehjem Building) during your explorations.

No matter what kind of art you prefer, you’ll definitely find something to enjoy at the Chazen. There are paintings, sculptures, mosaics, prints, and examples of the decorative arts, spanning from oriental arts to Italian Renaissance art .

I love the combination of sculpture and painting represented in this work, L’Amante by Beth Cavener:

There are also many pieces of art from world-famous artists, such as Warhol , Picasso , and Magritte.  Check out this bold Homage to Miró by Joan Miró , from the Lane Collection. 

6. Eat, drink, and be merry on State Street

Madison’s State Street connects the eastern edge of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to the Capitol Building.  It runs diagonally through downtown Madison’s grid of streets.

State Street is a largely pedestrian zone bustling with all sorts of activities including dining, shopping, and entertainment.   As you walk westward from the campus, here is a small smattering of things you’ll find:

Dining on State Street

Stop by the State Street outpost of Ian’s pizza and enjoy a slice or two.  They’re famous for their mac-and-cheese pizza , but our favorite was the Smokey the Bandit (with chicken, BBQ, and bacon). 

Visit the Chocolate Shoppe for an ice cream cone to satisfy your sweet tooth and cool off on a hot summer’s day.  This old-fashioned ice cream store has been serving up scoops of deliciousness since 1962.  I’ll confess we went there more than once during our stay.

Stop by one of the State Street bars or restaurants and enjoy Wisconsin’s favorite cocktail, the Brandy Old Fashioned .  A regular Old Fashioned features whiskey.  The Wisconsin variant uses brandy, includes muddling cherries and oranges with the drink’s bitters, and tops it with soda.

With all those Brandy Old Fashioned cocktails, Wisconsin consumes the most brandy in the nation. 

Entertainment on State Street

The Overture Center is a performing arts venue and arts gallery.  To be specific, it is home to seven performing arts spaces and five galleries.  It also contains Madison’s Museum of Contemporary Art.   

You can’t miss the Overture Center – it’s the corner building with a signature glass-domed atrium .

Just across the street from the Overture Center is Comedy on State .  Enjoy stand-up comedy from nationally known comedians.  Thursdays are ‘College Nights’ with discounts for students.

And just a hop down the block you’ll find the Orpheum Theater.  This classic theater was built in 1926 as a vaudeville theater.  Today you can enjoy live music and comedy shows here.

On first day of our visit, Madison was bursting at the seams with live music for the celebration of the solstice in their annual Make Music Madison Festival .  Anyone can play music during this community musical event, and we saw all manner of artists playing across Madison.

7. Take a hike at the Arboretum

One of the things that Chris enjoyed most on our visit to Madison was our trip to the Arboretum.  The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum is located south of campus, and on the south side of Lake Wingra. (Note: the Henry Vilas Zoo is located on the north side of the lake.)

The Arboretum is an immense 1200 acres of nature.  Stretch your legs and take a hike (or just a leisurely walk) through different habitats.  The Arboretum’s habitats include conifer forests, deciduous forests, prairies and savannahs, and wetlands. 

We mostly stuck to the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens , which are located closest to the visitor center. Enjoy strolling through the magnolias and fruit trees, and perusing the rose gardens. 

Curious about a specific tree you’ve never seen before?   Look for the tag which will tell you its scientific and common names.

You’ll find a few benches sprinkled around if you’re in need of a break or just want to quietly absorb the serene environment.

8. Admire the homes in the Historic Districts

Madison actually has five historic districts :  Mansion Hill, Third Lake Ridge, University Heights, Marquette Bungalows, and First Settlement.

If you’re a fan of Victorian architecture , you’ll definitely want to take a stroll through the Mansion Hill Historic District .    Mansion Hill was Madison’s first historic district, granted this designation in 1976

This area is roughly bounded by the triangle formed by State Street, Hamilton Street, and the shore of Lake Mendota.   Many of the historic homes have little plaques in front of them providing some information on their history and architectural styles.

The Carrie Pierce House is located at the corner of Gilman and Pinckney Streets.  This stunning Prairie du Chien sandstone house dates from 1857 and was built in the Early Romanesque Revival Style.

And just across the street is another gorgeous building, the Keenen House.  This Milwaukee cream brick building dates from 1858.  It was originally built in the Early Romanesque Revival Style. 

9. Check out a museum

We’ve already talked about the Chazen Museum of Art, but Madison has many more museums to entertain and educate.  Here are a few:

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is located inside the Overture Center on State Street.   The museum’s highlights are its fine Chicago Imagism collection and its Mexican Modernist prints, as well as showcasing the works of Wisconsin artists .  No charge for admission (closed Mondays-Wednesdays).

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum features exhibits showcasing Wisconsinites in the military over the last 150 years. Highlights are ‘souvenirs of service’ displays which tell the personal stories of these mementos.  No charge for admission (closed Mondays; Sunday schedules vary).

The Wisconsin Historical Museum , located just across from the Capitol, documents the state’s history from prehistoric times to today.  The museum also offers paid guided walking tours such as ‘Madison’s Tales of Infamy, Scandals, and Mystery’.  No charge for admission (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). 

Don’t forget about the University of Wisconsin Geology Museum , located on the university campus.  They have large collection of rocks, minerals and fossils spanning invertebrates to dinosaurs.  No charge for admission (closed Sundays).

Chris got a kick out of this stained-glass window at the Geology Museum.  With his background in geology, he pointed out how it demonstrated various geologic formations :  syncline, anticline, faulting, and unconformity.

10. Enjoy the Allen Centennial Garden

Another Madison hidden gem on the University campus is the Allen Centennial Garden .  This ornamental botanical garden serves as an outdoor classroom for both students and Madison residents.

The botanical garden sits on 2.5 acres of land surrounding the former Agricultural Dean’s Residence.  This lovely Victorian Gothic mansion was originally built in 1896 and looks right at home amongst the plantings.

There are several different mini-garden areas making up the larger gardens. Enjoy the formal French garden, Italian garden, and English garden, as well as the garden’s statuary, water features, and pergola.

The Allen Centennial Gardens are open daily from dawn to dusk, and admission is free .  You can reserve a guided tour of the garden, for a fee, but we enjoyed a leisurely self-guided stroll through the gardens.

11. Wander the nature trails at the Holy Wisdom Monastery

Taking a hike at a monastery was probably not at the forefront of your mind when you were making a list of what to do in Madison.  But, if you’ve got a car and a couple of free hours, why not?

The Holy Wisdom Monastery is located on the northwest side of Lake Mendota.  It’s about a twenty-minute drive from the downtown Madison and the Capitol. 

When you arrive at the monastery, take the fork on the right and drive up the small hill.  Towards the back of the parking lot there is a little information kiosk with maps of the trails. 

At the information kiosk you’ll find brochures showing the property and the trails .  There are also seasonal brochures like the Late Summer Wildflower Walk, with lots of pictures to help you identify the plants you may see on your walk.

The trails meander through a number of different habitats:  pines, oak woodlands, and prairie.  Towards the west you’ll find the Lost Lake, with some benches scattered around for quiet contemplation.

The trails are maintained by the sisters and are open to the public to enjoy.  Please treat the property respectfully and maintain the quiet environment (sorry, no pets allowed).

12. See the trolls in Mount Horeb

If you’re looking for a unique experience, why not go visit the Mount Horeb trolls ?  Mount Horeb is just a thirty-minute drive west from Madison, so it makes for a quick and quirky day trip .

Mount Horeb is officially known as “ The Troll Capital of the World ”.   This Norwegian town is home to all manner of troll denizens (trolls being common to Norwegian folklore).  They may be a bit scary looking, but are, for the most part, good-natured.

Mount Horeb’s troll tale began with a Scandinavian gift shop that put trolls out on the front lawn to attract customers.  Truckers would call out the trolls over CB radio as they passed through town.

The Mount Horeb Trollway

When the highway bypass was built around the town in the mid ‘80s, there were concerns about a negative economic impact.  From there, the idea sparked to leverage the town’s ‘troll fame’.  They really went all out and turned this business route into ‘ The Trollway ’.

Today you can find more than two dozen trolls in Mount Horeb.  Many of them cavort in plain sight along Main Street, but others are located inside buildings such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Driftless Historium.

My new pal, Wavin’ Walton, invites you to come visit him in Mount Horeb!  (Note that he only has four fingers on each hand and four toes on each foot, as per Norwegian lore.)

Madison Attractions Map

Madison Travel Tips

Where to stay in madison.

We stayed at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club . It’s located right next to the gorgeous State Capitol Building, and some rooms have views of the Capitol.

Our room’s decor was classy yet comfortable. The Madison Concourse Hotel has on-site parking as well as an on-site bar and restaurant.

It’s also just a hop from State Street, with a wealth of bar and restaurant options. And it’s easy to walk to many of Madison’s top attractions.

We would definitely stay here again on our next visit to Madison! Book your stay in Madison:

Where to eat in Madison: Breakfast

Now I don’t usually talk about specific restaurants, but we enjoyed some really excellent breakfasts during our stay in Madison.  And breakfast is, of course, the most important meal of the day! 

So, I’ll share our finds with you.  Chances are if you start your day off at any of these places, you’ll probably be able to skip lunch!

Greenbush Bakery

There are two outposts of the Greenbush Bakery , a popular donut shop in Madison.  We went to the one close to the University of Wisconsin campus.  They’re famous for their massive fritters .  Since Chris can’t say ‘no’ to a fritter, we of course had to check them out.

The fritters are indeed enormous, so plan on sharing.  Apple-cinnamon is the standard, but you can also sometimes find cherry or blueberry. Chris is a fritter purist, so we sampled the apple fritter.

Greenbush Bakery also has a wide selection of other donuts from simple to fancy (more than three dozen varieties), so you may have a hard time choosing!

Mickey’s Dairy Bar

Mickey’s Dairy Bar is located just a hop and a skip from the Greenbush Bakery, right next to campus.  It’s quite the famous breakfast institution in Madison (although it does also serve lunch until 2PM).

This restaurant is known for its generous serving sizes and good old home-style cooking.  The most popular breakfast is ‘ the scrambler ’.  For a mere ten dollars you get a giant heap of yanks (think fried potato cubes), three eggs (scrambled is the default), cheese, and gravy. 

You can order the scrambler with gravy on top, on the side, or without.  We ordered it on the side since eggs and gravy seemed like an odd combination – but it is a good flavoring for the potatoes.  And if this heap of food wasn’t enough, it also comes with toast.

I wasn’t able to finish mine, but Chris soldiered through and cleaned his plate.  Boy, were we stuffed!

Be sure to bring cash , as Mickey’s Dairy Bar does not accept credit cards.  Also check their website before you go – currently they’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays.  I know I always hate it when my taste buds are excited for a given restaurant, and it turns out to be closed that day.

Bassett Street Brunch Club

Bassett Street Brunch Club , as you might guess from the name, specializes in brunch.  It’s located just a few blocks away from Madison’s Capitol building and State Street.

It has a retro diner feel, and serves upscale and interesting brunch dishes.  Their menu covers everything from a fancy avocado toast to carnitas hash, to more traditional offerings like eggs, pancakes, and bacon, to healthier options like granola and yogurt.

We decided to sample some offerings from the sweeter side of their menu.  Chris had the coconut cream pie French toast , with a side of bacon to provide a salty counterpoint. 

I enjoyed the lemon ricotta pancakes .  They were light in texture, with a zesty lemon flavor.  The pancakes were topped with blueberry compote and a very tasty sweetened whipped ricotta. 

We always sample each other’s dishes and decide who the ‘winner’ was for every meal.  I was definitely the winner with this dish!

Final Thoughts:

Well, that does it for our whirlwind weekend in Madison .  We had a wonderful time exploring the city and its many great attractions.

I hope I’ve inspired you to take a weekend trip and experience for yourself all the fantastic things to do in Madison !

Planning at trip to Madison, Wisconsin? Pin this to help with your travel planning!

You might also enjoy these posts about my favorite cities in the United States:

• 25 Best Fun and Easy Things to Do in Milwaukee
• Best Things to Do in Seattle in a Day (Perfect for a Cruise!)
• Best Things to Do in Ketchikan: Fun and Easy Walking Tour

Lisa Garrett

Lisa Garrett is the founder of Waves and Cobblestones. She has taken 18 cruises ranging from a multi-generational Caribbean cruise to solo Alaska cruises to fabulous Mediterranean cruises.

She lived in Ireland for 4 months and has taken over a half-dozen multi-city vacations in Europe (primarily relying on train and public transit). Lisa helps people plan amazing vacations to Europe and popular cruise destinations.

Learn more about Lisa !

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