Madison is a beautiful city. But it's not just the five lakes and 270+ parks that add to the city's stellar visuals. The architecture in Madison, WI is wow-worthy. The beautiful buildings that put Madison on the map are a mix of historic landmarks, colorful campuses and innovative designs that make for a landscape of architecturally significant works of art worth seeing in person.
The city is not known for one style, but rather pockets of artistic expression in line with the time they were created or the architect that designed them. Here you'll find everything from Victorian mansions, modern and innovative structures, theme park-inspired mega buildings and even works from masters of the trade like César Pelli and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Stunning architecture is just part of Madison's booming arts and culture scene that stands apart for being accessible, approachable and oh so memorable.
Jump around to find the best architecture in Madison, WI:
Discover Frank Lloyd Wright Designs
Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright called Madison home during his formative years and the city remains home to several of his designs. Wright cemented his place in history with his vision to create uniquely American architecture. This vision resulted in his iconic Prairie-style architecture—inspired by the Midwest's sprawling, flat landscape—and Usonian architecture, Wright's plan for creating affordable and organic architecture for middle-class families.
Three of Madison's most popular architectural wonders were designed by Wright: Monona Terrace, the Unitarian Meeting House and Taliesin. Each of these buildings showcase a different arm of Wright's greatest passions.
Monona Terrace embodies Wright's vision to unite nature and urban centers and acts as a bridge between Lake Monona and downtown Madison. This design was inspired by Wright's love for the city, however, was not realized until decades after his passing. The Unitarian Meeting House is an innovative space for community and worship designed by Wright, a member of the Unitarian faith. And, Taliesin stands as a testament to Wright's entire legacy. His home, architecture school and studio sit on a stunning estate in Spring Green, just 40 minutes from Madison's west side.
Tours of each of these buildings offer unique insights into different eras of Wright's career and personal life. But that's not the only way to learn about Wright's impact on the capital city. The Wright in Madison Trail offers visitors a self-guided experience through the places where Wright lived, learned and found his inspiration, revealing Madison's crucial influence on his legacy. This free mobile experience uncovers architectural tours and little-known history found only in Madison.
Experience the beauty of the Wisconsin State Capitol
No one visual is as synonymous with Madison as the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Towering at an impressive 284 feet and five inches in the center of the isthmus, the domed government building stands above every other nearby structure. Literally. Wisconsin state statute dictates that no building within one mile of the center of the Capitol can be taller than 1,032 feet above sea level as to not obstruct views of the architectural marvel.
It's clear why our state government would want to keep the skyline clear for the Capitol. The building is far too gorgeous to hide. The Capitol's iconic granite dome is the only of its kind in the world and is the largest dome by volume in the U.S. Standing atop the dome is the city's golden lady, a statue known as "Wisconsin" gilded in 1914 to depict the state's "Forward" motto.
The building's interior rotunda is meticulously adorned with art and decorative detail. Painter Kenyon Cox created the four Beaux-Arts style mosaics in the rotunda meant to represent legislation, government, justice and liberty. And at the very top of the building looking straight down on everyone who passes through its center is Edwin Howland Blashfield's "Resources of Wisconsin," a painting depicting the statue "Wisconsin" atop clouds and wrapped in the American flag.
These highlights just skim the surface of all the architectural feats that make up the Capitol building. Free tours of the Capitol are offered daily on the hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sundays. The tours provide an in-depth history of how the Capitol was built and many of its most intricate details.
Explore the UW–Madison campus
UW–Madison's legacy as a top-tier academic institution began 10 years before Wisconsin was granted statehood. The idea of hosting a university in the capital city was solidified in 1838 with the first classes taking place 11 years later. With this, the university—and its spectacular campus—is intertwined in the city's development and visual identity.
The university's first building was North Hall, which still stands today on the northwest corner of Bascom Hill and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Just west of North Hall on top of the hill is one of the campus's most iconic buildings, Bascom Hall. Built six years after North Hall, Bascom is considered one of the university's crown jewels. The Italian Renaissance Revival structure houses the chancellor and vice chancellor's offices and is known as the home of the campus's famous Abe Lincoln statue.
Some of the most beautiful buildings in Madison are spread throughout the UW–Madison campus. Some of the best spots to visit for architecture include:
- Allen Centennial Garden: The Agricultural Dean's residence at the garden is a beautiful Victorian Gothic mansion that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Camp Randall: The site of the future home of Badgers football was originally a race track and state fairgrounds until 1861 when the land was used as a training center for 70,000 Civil War troops during the course of the war (now commemorated by the beloved Camp Randall Memorial Arch). The site was later used to train soldiers during both world wars. The stadium's current shape was first introduced in 1917 with expansions added in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Memorial Union: Built in 1928, the Memorial Union (home to the famed Memorial Union Terrace) was built for two purposes—as a war memorial and as a "living room" where students, teachers and staff could commune socially.
- Red Gym: The staggering Romanesque Revival gymnasium has had many lives. The building has been used as a gymnasium, an armory, a bowling alley, a rifle range and more.
- Science Hall: Another famous red building, Science Hall was built in 1888 and designed by the same architect who designed Milwaukee City Hall. Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have helped build Science Hall as an architectural apprentice during his brief period as a student at the university.
New in 2025: Take a virtual tour of the campus to learn more about its history, buildings and academic offerings.
See César Pelli designs at MMoCa and Overture Center
César Pelli, an Argentinian architect with ties to the Midwest by way of the University of Illinois, solidified his place in architectural history for his designs that appeared lightweight using glass, thin stone veneer and crystalline shapes. He's famous for designing the expansion of the Museum of Modern Art and the World Financial Center in New York City, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Included in his global CV is the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) and the adjoining Overture Center for the Arts. MMoCA opened its 51,500 sq. ft. space in 2006 and quickly became a much sought-after stop on Madison's historic State Street for its staggering corner window and walls that jut out over the sidewalk and are indicative of Pelli's airy architectural style.
The Overture Center from the outside maintains its historic French neo-Renaissance facade original to when the building was constructed in 1923 as Yost's Department Store. Inside, the Overture Hall lobby opens into an airy, contemporary space with an ovular opening overlooking the lower theatre spaces. This lobby stands in contrast to the center's Capitol Theatre, a historic Art Deco performance space used for smaller, more intimate productions.
Both spaces are free and open to the public to drop in and explore (during business hours, of course). Find upcoming performances and exhibits for MMoCA and Overture Center on our events calendar.
Adventure through the Epic Systems campus
Stray from the historical and into the fantastical. The Epic Systems campus in Verona is unlike any office space you have ever seen.
Epic was started in 1979 by Judith Faulkner, who remains the company's CEO today. The company started with just a few employees in a basement office in Madison and has now burgeoned into one of the largest medical tech companies in the world. The company saw a boon in 2000 after the rollout of its MyChart software and two years later, construction on its larger-than-life campus commenced.
The tech company's 1,670 acres includes 89 buildings across six themed campuses: Prairie, Central Park, Farm, Learning, Wizards Academy and Storybook. Buildings within these campuses take on even more specific identities within the themes like barns, the Emerald City, Alice in Wonderland, shipwrecks, hobbit houses and more.
Self-guided tours are open to the public on select dates. Schedule your tour online ahead of time and don't forget to check in at the visitor center!
Walk through time on Mansion Hill
In the heart of downtown Madison between the State Capitol and Lake Mendota sits a visually stunning pocket of the city's history. Mansion Hill is defined geographically by Lake Mendota and Henry, Butler and Johnson streets. The neighborhood was once home to many of the city's earliest and most influential community members including politicians, lawyers, merchants and professors.
The area's mansions were designed in a mix of styles including Italianate, Greek Revival and Romanesque Revival. German architect August Kutzbock was responsible for several of Mansion Hill's designs including the Gates of Heaven Synagogue at James Madison Park. Kutzbock also designed the second Capitol building, which burned in 1904 and was replaced by the current Capitol building designed by George Post.
Aside from strolling and admiring (which you are welcome to do) there are several ways to enjoy the beauty of Mansion Hill, including staying overnight in one of the mansions. Mansion Hill Inn, Livingston Inn and Governor's Mansion Inn are stunning bed and breakfasts that provide one-of-a-kind accommodations inside gorgeous pieces of architecture. For a hotel experience, The Edgewater sits at the foot of the historic district along Lake Mendota. The original hotel (which has since been expanded) was designed by The Quisling Brothers architects, who designed two other buildings on Mansion Hill: Quisling Clinic and The Quisling Rooming House. Both buildings are now apartments and are within walking distance of The Edgewater.
Get a taste of nature by stopping at two beloved Madison parks in the neighborhood: James Madison Park and Period Garden Park. James Madison Park is known for its ample access to Lake Mendota and being a hotspot for picnics, sunbathing and watching the sunset on the water. Period Garden Park is an opulent Victorian-era park that originated as the front lawn of the Elisha W. Keyes House built in 1853. Keyes was a well-known local politician who had been appointed postmaster by Abraham Lincoln and later went on to be Madison's mayor.
Learn more on Historic Walking Tours
The experts at the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation bring some of Madison's best architecture to life during historic walking tours curated around Madison's most iconic historic neighborhoods including the culturally diverse Greenbush neighborhood, mid-century modern-rich Sunset Hills, the legendary Mansion Hill and more. Tours are offered seasonally from May through September. Tickets must be reserved online ahead of the tour date.
