Planning an event in another city: it isn’t easy. Especially when you’re responsible for finding spaces that go beyond the ballroom, from board meetings and breakout sessions to relaxing retreats and closing receptions. But when you meet in Madison, you’ll find more than 100 options that match your specs and get top recs from planners and attendees alike. Check out our curated collection of just a few of the unique venues in Madison that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Discover venues that match your vibe:
Historical & Architectural
Breese Stevens Field
Originally built as a baseball stadium in 1926, Breese Stevens Field was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Located just eight blocks from the Capitol Square, this multi-purpose stadium hosts events, concerts and semi-pro sports teams regularly — but can also be rented for private sports activities, corporate events and more.
Who knew? Breese hosted more than 700 events last year!
Who we hosted here: US Quadball Midwest Regional Championship
Get the specs: Total capacity of 9,333 in stadium plus private party spaces. Learn more>
Garver Feed Mill
This venue is one of the few remaining examples of the Madison area’s industrial and agricultural heritage. This 100-year-old building has been fully renovated into a stunning warehouse space that can accommodate up to 500 guests.
Who knew? There are three spaces to consider: Atrium, Canvas and Lounge
Who we hosted here: Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Travel & Tourism Conference reception
Get the specs: 9,550 total square feet of space. Learn more>
The Edgewater Hotel & Spa
This Madison mainstay since 1948 was honored with the Historic Hotels of America’s Best Historic Hotel award in 2023! Part of the original 75-year-old hotel has been preserved while in recent years, The Edgewater has added restaurants, a plaza and a spa — all overlooking beautiful Lake Mendota.
Who knew? You can rent a pontoon right from The Edgewater pier — perfect for group outings!
Who hosted here: We did — on more occasions than we can count (board meetings, award shows and more).
Get the specs: More than 45,000 total square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. Learn more>
Overture Center
This stunning site at the top of State Street has nearly a century of history behind its doors! It contains 16 different customizable meeting spaces for hosting events with 10 guests to 1,500. The historic Capitol Theater is just one of seven state-of-the-art performance spaces.
Who knew? The historic Capitol Theater originally opened in 1928 as a silent movie house.
Accessibility advantage: This facility includes features for both mobility and sensory needs.
Get the specs: 32,509 total square feet of space. Learn more>
First Unitarian Meeting House
The perfect follow-up location to larger meetings at the Monona Terrace! The First Unitarian Meeting House was also designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and offers multiple spaces from classrooms to auditoriums to unique rooms created as part of the original historic Frank Lloyd Wright wing.
Who knew? This venue features a LEED-certified auditorium that seats 450.
Frank Lloyd Wright Fact: This venue is one of the American Institute of Architects 17 Most Important Buildings.
Get the specs: Six different rooms with varying capacities. Learn more>
Activity Based
delecTable
This centrally located venue is part cooking school, part fine dining destination, part event center and an all-around amazing event experience! DelecTable is open Tuesdays – Saturdays to host happy hours and private dinners.
Who knew? Each private dinner features a five-course feast paired with wine or spirits.
Stay one more day: This venue also offers a robust calendar of events that just may make you linger longer!
Get the specs: Indoor and outdoor seating options are available. Learn more>
KEVA Sports Center
This incredible sports complex has opportunities that are endless — take your event from turf to court, indoor to outdoor, or meeting room to locker room. Located in nearby Middleton, this complex can host groups from 10 to 850 guests.
Who knew? Keva offers in-house catering services to complement your event.
Parking perks: There’s onsite parking for 500 cars, with additional options available.
Get the specs: 70,000 total square feet indoors and 30,000 outdoors. Learn more>
Madison Children’s Museum
This award-winning, sustainably built space has four floors of built-in fun. Three of its floors can be rented, plus a series of smaller rooms for more intimate events. All are available before or after the museum is open to the public so your event can be 100% private.
Who knew? You can even rent the rooftop, which has tons to do — plus, stunning views.
Who we hosted here: Association of Children’s Museums InterActivity Conference
Get the specs: Reception capacity for 600 plus smaller spaces. Learn more>
Madison Mallards
Welcome to the “Duck Pond” at Warner Park — the official home of the Madison Mallards that doubles as a winning special event space. This venue offers full catering services and the flexibility to host events of any size. Need catering? Got it. A dance floor? Done. Moveable walls? No problem. A full buy-out? It’s an option!
Who knew? This venue also hosts the Madison Night Mares, Madison’s first collegiate summer softball team.
Stay one more day: Check the events calendar and catch a Mallards or Night Mares game!
Get the specs: 2,560 total square feet with options for reception, theater and classroom set-ups. Learn more>
Madison Public Library
Shhhh… one of Madison’s best-kept event space secrets is the Madison Public Library! While there are options at nearly every location, the Central Library — located just one block off the Capitol Square — offers a combined meeting room that holds 250 people plus 12 study rooms.
Who knew? Also at the Central Library: The Bubbler Room, a free community art studio that’ll add to your ambiance.
More to explore: There are 23 more meeting rooms across eight more Madison Public Library locations.
Get the specs: 2,250 total square feet, with options for reception, theater and banquet set-ups. Learn more>
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Olbrich features 16 acres of outdoor display gardens, an indoor tropical conservatory and is the site for the Royal Thai Pavilion and Garden (currently under renovation, but one of only four outside Thailand!). It offers both indoor and outdoor space for private events, and is often booked in conjunction with Garver Feed Mill due to its proximity.
Who knew? Meeting space options include the Commons, Atrium or Meeting room.
Who hosted here: We have — most recently, our Earth Day Everyday sustainability event in 2024.
Get the specs: 3,640 total square feet of space. Learn more>
Campus Connections
Discovery Building at UW-Madison
This award-winning, sustainably designed building is a perfect place to host an event, especially when working with campus or community groups. Its stunning architecture and open layout offer flexibility for functions from lectures and receptions to theatrical and musical entertainment.
Who knew? The first-floor Atrium features a Mesozoic Garden space with trees and water features.
More to explore: Discovery Building offers public tours, too!
Get the specs: 11,500 total square feet with onsite A/V, catering and other services. Learn more>
Fluno Center at UW-Madison
This all-in-one meeting and lodging space is located in the heart of downtown and offers sweeping views of the east UW Campus and Lake Mendota from its eighth-floor Skyview rooms. In total, there are three floors with spaces for meetings and events, from an atrium and executive dining room to a courtyard and classrooms.
Who knew? The Fluno Center has its own pub! Stop by Smitty’s Study Pub for a pint and tavern fare.
Who we hosted here: Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies
Get the specs: 18,000 total square feet of space. Learn more>
Madison College
This nationally recognized community college educates 50,000 people annually, and still finds a way to open its doors to those looking for campus-style meeting spaces! There are 10 total rooms available, all on West Campus.
Who knew? Madison College is just five miles from downtown: a mere 15-minute drive.
Who we hosted here: Annual 60Eight Basketball Tournament
Get the specs: 7,345 total square feet of space. Learn more>
Wisconsin Union
The Memorial Union (located on Lake Mendota) and Union South (located adjacent to Camp Randall Stadium) make up Wisconsin Union. Together, they offer accommodations, attractions, restaurants, shopping and more — plus, rooms that can be rented for special events.
Who knew? Union South has a hotel, too!
Parking perks: The Memorial Union has four nearby parking ramps: Helen C. White Parking Garage, Grainger Hall Ramp, Lot 46 on the corner of Lake and Johnson, and Lot 83 at the Fluno Center.
Get the specs: 24,722 total square feet of space. Learn more>
LGBTQ+ Friendly
Madison is proud of its progressive culture and being the first sanctuary city (and county!) in Wisconsin. Our mission is to make Madison a welcoming place for all, so we want visitors to know that pride is an always-on state of mind. In addition to an array of LGBTQ+ owned and friendly businesses, you can search for LGBTQ+ friendly venues, too — there are 30+ to choose from!
Delta Beer Lab
This brewery and "social laboratory" is a place where all are welcome, and its owners hold a certification from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Located just minutes from the Capitol, Delta Beer Lab offers private event space and brewery tours — plus, carry-in food is encouraged!
Who knew? This facility has gender-neutral restrooms
Milestone-making: Delta Beer Lab just proudly celebrated five years in Madison!
Get the specs: 7,750 total square feet of space. Learn more>
The Rigby Pub, Grill & Event Space
When you walk into The Rigby, you know right away it’s a place for everybody. This trendy spot in Madison’s historic First Settlement District just off the Capitol Square always offers a warm welcome and a robust calendar of events, from live music in The Cavern to Queer Dance Parties on The Rooftop.
Who knew? There’s a rooftop event space for those who want stunning skyline and starlight views!
Pride point: Two members of The Rigby staff were nominated for 2024 Destination Madison Awards!
Get the specs: Three event spaces: The Cavern, The Green Room and The Rooftop, with 3,700 total square feet. Learn more>
Beautiful Barns
Barnwood Events
Imagine an event venue with 35-foot-high great room ceilings. A four-season porch overlooking a state park. And on-site parking with EV charging stations. That’s Barnwood Events, an 80’ x 80’ barn and event venue located just a short drive from downtown Madison.
Who knew? It includes five farmhouse rooms perfect for bride and groom rooms, private nursing stations or breakout meetings.
Who we hosted here: Destination Madison's Partnership Team hosted their "Social Social" event here. It was a perfect spot for an event that had a formal program followed by a food and beverage reception!
Get the specs: 3,200 total square feet and 5 sleeping rooms. Learn more>
Four Winds Farm
This 86-acre working farm is focused on regenerative agriculture — and hosting the best events in the Madison area! This newly restored historic dairy barn features four unique rooms: The Kitchen, The Hay Loft, The Library and The Patio, and is perfect for groups of 200 or less.
Who knew? This working farm grows hops and has an orchard, beehives, sheep and chickens!
Amazing accessibility: Wheelchair accessibility, a pet-friendly policy, gender-neutral bathrooms and braille signage are just a few ways Four Winds is welcoming to all.
Get the specs: Onsite parking, in-house A/V and open catering are just a few of the perks planners love. Learn more>
Schuster's Farm
14 acres of pumpkins, eight acres of mazes and dozens of barnyard activities make Schuster’s Farm the perfect place for private events! This motorcoach-friendly farm has plenty of parking and the capacity to host 1,000+ people in open house-style events.
Who knew? In the summer, Schuster’s is known for its sunflowers and zinnias. In the fall, it’s the Haunted Forest!
Who we hosted here: Destination Madison partners will gather here in September 2024 for a hospitality social event.
Get the specs: Four meeting spaces open from May 1 – October 31, with 4,800 total square feet of space. Learn more>
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