Suggested Itineraries

Madison is the perfect starting point for day trips to some of Wisconsin's biggest attractions and most charming small towns. Frequently named one of the nation's finest places in which to live and play, Wisconsin's vibrant capital city and picturesque surrounding communities offer visitors incredible natural beauty, amazing attractions, stimulating cultural offerings, distinctive restaurants and shops, friendly service and fun! Here are a host of sample itineraries to assist you in your planning. For further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800.373.6376 or by e-mail at gmcvb@visitmadison.com.

DISCOVER MR. WRIGHT

Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright spent his childhood years in Madison and returned to live in the area when he was at the height of his international fame. The Madison area offers a rich variety of Wright-designed buildings.

Start the day in Madison with a tour of Monona Terrace® Community and Convention Center. Opened in 1997, almost 60 years after Wright first proposed his designs for this lakeside civic center, Monona Terrace may well be considered Wright's final masterpiece. (One John Nolen Dr., 608.261.4000.)
Drive past two private Wright homes in Madison, the "Airplane House" at 120 Ely Place in University Heights and the Jacobs Residence at 441 Toepfer Ave., the original "Usonian" house.
Tour the Unitarian Meeting House, (900 University Bay Dr., 608. 233.9774) a soaring edifice designed by Wright in the late 1940s.
Enjoy lunch at Capitol Chophouse, a beautifully appointed restaurant in the "Wright" tradition. (9 E. Wilson St., in the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, 608. 251.5100.)
Continue the day with a drive to Spring Green and tour Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's famous home, studio, theater and farm. The Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center includes a bookstore and café (Hwys. 23 & C, 608. 588.7900). Open seasonally May-October.
Attend a performance at the award-winning American Players Theatre, located just down the road from the House on the Rock Resort. Come early and enjoy one of their delicious boxed meals before the performance (608.588.7401) Open seasonally June-October.
Or visit the amazing House on the Rock, home of the world's largest carousel and The Infinity Room (5754 Hwy 23, 608.935.3639.)

ATTRACTING YOU

Popular Tourist Attractions in the Area

Head north to Baraboo and Ho-Chunk Bingo and Casino. Enjoy a fabulous buffet lunch and try your luck at bingo, slots and blackjack (Hwy 12, 800.746.2486.)
Travel to Wisconsin Dells to view the beautiful scenery by land and water on amphibious ducks. Hit the waterslides at Noah's Ark, America's Largest Waterpark. (1410 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, 608.254.6351).
Finish the evening in Ft. Atkinson with dinner and a theater performance at the Fireside Dinner Theatre, a Wisconsin favorite for groups (1131 Janesville Ave., 800.477.9505.)

CULTURAL HERITAGE

Passport to the Old World

DAY ONE

Head to New Glarus, America's "Little Switzerland." Stop for lunch at the New Glarus Hotel Restaurant (100 6^th Ave., 800.727.9477.)
Walk through 14 buildings that depict the founding of New Glarus and life in the 19th Century (612 7th Ave., 608.527.2317.) Open seasonally May-October.

DAY TWO

Head to Mt. Horeb and drive along the "Trollway." For winter fun, it's just a short drive to Tyrol Basin ski hill where you can enjoy the slopes and a hot cider in the chalet. (3487 Bohn Rd., 608.437.4135.)
A visit to this area wouldn't be complete without a tour of the spectacular Cave of the Mounds, a 2 million year old cavern that is considered to be one of the most exceptional natural sites in the country. (US Highway 18/151, Blue Mounds 608.437.3038.)
Return to Madison and dine at the Essen Haus German Restaurant while you listen to their famous "Oom-Pah" band. (514 E.Wilson St., 608.255.4674.)

THE ESSENCE OF GREATER MADISON

Sights and Sounds of Mad Town

DAY ONE

Start the day with breakfast at the UW-Madison Memorial Union Lakefront on Langdon (800 Langdon St., 608.262.2263.)
Walk along State Street, the pedestrian mall that links the Capitol with the University. With a mix of museums, retail shops, restaurants and outdoor cafés, State Street is a favorite of visitors and residents alike.
Visit the spectacular Chazen Museum of Art featuring more than 17,000 works of art dating from 2300 B.C. to the present. (800 University Ave., 608.263.2246.)
Take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's final masterpiece, the Monona Terrace® Community and Convention Center (One John Nolen Dr., 608.261.4000.) Call ahead for group reservations.
Take a public tour of Overture Center for the Arts, Madison's $205 million performing and visual arts center (201 State St., 608.258.4141).
Visit Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, exhibiting a vast selection of American paintings, prints, photography, drawings and sculpture (227 State St., 608.257.0158).
Grab lunch at one of State Street's many eclectic restaurants.
After lunch, head to Monroe Street where you can find two miles of locally owned specialty shops including: J. Kinney Florist, (1835 Monroe St., 608.255.7500) Orange Tree Imports (1721 Monroe St., 608.255.8211) and The Grace Chosy Gallery (1825 Monroe St., 608.255.1211).

DAY TWO

Just south of Madison is the dynamic city of Fitchburg, with the largest concentration of Bio-Tech industry in the State. Fitchburg also has a beautiful rural area that includes The Eplegaarden, home of the Sesquicentennial Barn, orchards and hayrides (2227 Fitchburg Rd., 608.845.5966.)
Have dinner at the Great Dane Brew Pub (2980 Cahill Main, 608.442.9000)
To the west of Madison is the charming city of Middleton, located on the north shores of Lake Mendota. Some of the area's best shopping can be found at Greenway Station 608.824.9111 (Beltline Hwy. 12/14 & Greenway Blvd) Visit the world famous National Mustard Museum. The Museum features an extensive collection of prepared mustards - more than 5,000 jars, bottles, and tubes from all 50 states and more than 60 countries! (7477 Hubbard Ave. Middleton, WI 53562 - (800) 438 6878)
End the day in Middleton at The Capital Brewery, brewers of award-winning world class beers since 1984. During the summer months enjoy their outdoor terrace featuring nightly entertainment. (7734 Terrace Ave., 608.836.7100.)

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS

Picturesque and Quaint Outlying Communities

Take a beautiful drive in the country and visit the Hinchley Dairy Farm, a real dairy farm open for tours. See baby animals in the spring and pick pumpkins in the fall. (2844 Hwy 73, Cambridge, 608.764.5090.) Or spend some time at Schuster's Playtime Farm in Deerfield for hayrides, bonfires and plenty of more family fun! (1326 Hwy. 12 & 18, 608.764.8488)
Next head to Stoughton. Take picturesque country roads to this charming city nestled along the Yahara River. Stoughton is rich in Norwegian heritage and has an abundance of Victorian architecture.
For a unique shopping experience, be sure to stop at the Catfish River Art & Antiques (154 W Main St., 608.877.8880.)

IT'S NATURAL

Scenic Wonders and Natural Landmarks

In Madison, enjoy the nationally-recognized Dane County Farmers' Market on the Capitol Square.This favorite event is held on Saturdays starting in early April and ending the first Saturday in November.
Visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens, featuring 16 acres of outdoor specialty gardens and a tropical conservatory, as well as the ornate Thai Pavilion & Garden (3330 Atwood Ave., 608.246.4733.)
Take a walk through the UWArboretum, a 1,280-acre outdoor ecological laboratory (1207 Seminole Hwy, 608.263.7888).
Head north to Sauk City and visit The Wollersheim Winery, an historic winery producing some of the finest wines in the country (7876 Hwy 188, Prairie du Sac, 608.643.6515.)
Visit Baraboo and tour the International Crane Foundation-the only place with all 15-crane species (11376 Shady Lane Rd., 608.356.9462.)

HERITAGE/HISTORY

Treasures of Madison

Take a free-guided tour of the Wisconsin State Capitol and view exquisite marble, mosaics and murals (4 E. Capitol Square, 608.266.0382.) Call for group tour reservations.
Tour the Wisconsin State Historical Museum, featuring displays and exhibits about our state and its citizens (30 N. Carroll St., 608.264.6555.)
Visit the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, which showcases the citizen soldiers of Wisconsin (30 W. Mifflin St., 608.267.1799.)
Make a stop at the Governor's Mansion and tour this Southern Classical Revival home, which has housed Wisconsin Governors since 1949 (99 Cambridge Rd., 608.266.3554.) Open seasonally so please call ahead for tour dates and times.
Finish your day with dinner at Quivey's Grove and dine in a beautifully restored 1855 estate that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (6261 Nesbitt Rd., 608.273.4900.)

‘TIS THE SEASON' TOURS

Holiday Highlights

In Madison, tour the Governor's Mansion, featuring several large Christmas trees each decorated in the traditions of a particular ethnic group (99 Cambridge Rd., 608.266.3554.) Open seasonally, please call ahead.
Head to Olbrich Botanical Gardens to view the spectacular Holiday Express-Flower and Model Train Show. Tour the Bolz Conservatory for a touch of the tropics in winter. (3330 Atwood Ave., 608.246.4550.)
Take in a seasonal performance at Overture Center for the Arts (201 State St., 608.258.4141.)
Enjoy a relaxing dinner downtown at one of the many fabulous restaurants around the Capitol Square or hop on the holiday trolley on State Street. Please call (608.255.1008) for trolley dates and times of operation.
Head to Ft. Atkinson's Fireside Dinner Theatre. Enjoy a performance of "A Fireside Christmas" and enjoy the marvelous feast (1131 Janesville Ave., 800.477.9505.)
Or travel to Stoughton for their Victorian Holiday Weekend. Contact the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce for details (608.873.7912.)
Upon your return to Madison, end the day with a drive through Holiday Fantasy in Lights in Madison's Olin-Turville Park.

FAMILY FUN FOR ALL AGES

Family tours/Grandparent & Grandchild tours

Begin the day at the day at the Henry Vilas Zoo and see more than 800 animals from all over the world. (702 S. Randall Ave., 608.258.1460.) Open all year; free admission.
Have lunch at Ella's Deli & Ice Cream Parlor. Ride the carousel during summer months (2902 E.Washington Ave., 608.241.5291.)
Stop at the Madison Children's Museum for fun and interactive exhibits created for infants and children ages one to eight. (100 N. Hamilton St., 608.256.6445.)
More excitement may be found at Vitense Golfland (5501 W. Beltline Hwy, 608.271.1411) and Badger Bowl (506 E. Badger Rd., 608.274.6662).
Head out to the ballpark for a Madison Mallards minor league baseball game (June through August) (2920 N. Sherman Ave., 608.246.4277.)

BACK TO SCHOOL

University of Wisconsin-Madison Highlights

Tour the Allen Centennial Gardens, a 2.5-acre garden containing more than 1,400 different plants (620 Babcock Dr.,608.262.8406.)
Visit the Biotechnology Center and experience the cutting edge research taking place at UW-Madison (425 Henry Mall, 608.262.8606.)
Stop for ice cream and watch it being made at the Babcock Dairy Store (1605 Linden Dr., 608.262.3045.)
The Geology Museum is home to a 33-foot long Edmontosaurus skeleton along with other dinosaur reconstructions, mineral displays, fossils and a limestone cave (1215 W. Dayton, 608.262.1412.)
Tour the Chazen Museum of Art. Trained docents lead group tours of the museum's extensive collection (800 University Ave. 608.263.2246.)
Visit the Kohl Center, the home of Badger basketball, hockey, wrestling and more! See the expansive Chihuly glass sculpture adorning the interior walls of the center. (601 W. Dayton, 608.265.5645.)
Spend the afternoon at the scenic Memorial Union Terrace on the shores of Lake Mendota. (800 Langdon St., 608.265.3000)
Head to the Campus Information Center and take a campus tour to see all the distinguished sites of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (716 Langdon St., 608.263.2400).

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Hit the bike trails in and around the Madison area. Pick up the Capital City Trail and get a great view of downtown Madison or head out on the Military Ridge State Trail through fantastic ridge and valley views.
Filled with examples of major plant species in the Midwest, the 1,240-acre UW Arboretum offers guided tours or hours of solo exploration. (1207 Seminole Hwy., 608.263.7888).
Head out to the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Picnic Point, a heavily wooded peninsula that extends into Lake Mendota and offers a spectacular view of the lake, the University campus and the State Capitol.
With five major lakes and 30 swimming areas, Madison's lakes are the perfect place for a day of fun!
Walk the trails at the beautiful Lussier Heritage Center, (3101 Lake Farm Rd., 608.263.7888).

ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE

Drop by The Bar at The Madison Concourse Hotel for cocktails and live jazz every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (1 W. Dayton St., 608.257.6000).
Listen to live music from local, regional or national acts at the High Noon Saloon (701A E.Washington Ave., 608.268.1122).
For DJs and dancing, head down to Frida Mexican Grill (117 State St., 608.256.4000).
See the latest high budget flick or indie film at Sundance Cinemas (430 N. Midvale Blvd., 608.316.6900), Eastgate Cinema (5202 High Crossing Blvd., 608.242.2118) or Point Cinema Ultrascreen (7825 Big Sky Dr., 608.833.3981).
Enjoy a production at Overture Center for the Arts (201 State St., 608.258.4141).