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Parks and the outdoors in Madison

7 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Madison.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Parks and the outdoors in Madison

  1. See

    Governor's Mansion

    The mansion of the governor of the state of Wisconsin is located in nearby Maple Bluff, right on Lake Mendota. Tours are offered every Thursday during the summer and several times during the month of December.

    Free

  2. See

    Monona Terrace

    From the roof of Monona Terrace, one can see views of downtown Madison, including the Capitol and a panoramic view of Lake Monona. There are weekly events during the summer, including Dane Dances, concerts on the rooftop, and free Tai Chi.

    Daily 8AM-5PM

  3. See

    Olbrich Botanical Gardens

    These 16 free outdoor gardens have many ponds and greens, as well as the only Thai Pavilion in the continental United States. There is a $6 fee to enter the conservatory, which houses over 650 exotics and tropicals.

  4. Do

    Overture Center

    This venue is home to Madison's most prominent performing arts organizations, including the Madison Ballet, Opera, Symphony, Repertory Theater, and Children's Theater. The facilities also include the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and galleries housing work by local visual artists. The building is gorgeous — the rooftop garden is particularly impressive — and well worth a stop as you meander down State street. Private tours are available.

  5. See

    The Memorial Union Terrace

    A lovely terrace which overlooks beautiful Lake Mendota. Be sure to sample Babcock Ice Cream, made locally at Babcock Dairy Hall, whose profits help fund the UW-Madison dairy program. The Memorial Union also features a wide variety of local and regional beers — perfect for sipping (Union membership or University affiliation required to buy alcoholic beverages, but one-day guest passes can be obtained) while listening to live music, or enjoying the view with friends. Boat rentals are also available for the more active crowd.

  6. Do Not mapped

    Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon

    Held the Sunday following Labor Day Weekend. Start/finish area located downtown at Monona Terrace and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Swimming in Lake Monona (with excellent views from Monona Terrace rooftop). Cycling and marathon held on streets of Madison and roads of Dane County. No admission fee.

  7. See Not mapped

    Willy Street

    The center of the free-spirited hippie neighborhoods of Madison's near east side. Williamson Street, affectionately referred to by locals as "Willy Street," is home to several co-ops, dive bars, and head shops. Some of the best restaurants in Madison are located past the Yahara River, where Williamson turns into Winnebago Street and intersects with Atwood.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Madison (CC BY-SA 4.0).