Family vacation is cooler in Madison, WI

Winter in Madison is a wonderland. Frozen lakes become playgrounds. Restaurants transform into cozy hangouts. Family time turns into lifelong memories. Whether indoors at a free museum or outside ice skating steps away from the Capitol, family day is a whole lot cooler in Madison.

All in a Day: Madison Family Itinerary

Want more family time inspiration? Find it here.

A family of four sits on a block of snow on frozen Lake Monona and takes a selfie.

Start your day with smiles on the frozen lakes

Frozen lakes become playgrounds just steps from Downtown.

Two people walk through an art gallery under a giant spider-like sculpture

Discover free museums and galleries

Larger than life art and deep-rooted history are ready to be discovered in Madison.

A whole Ian's Pizza, one half with spinach and peppers, the other half with pepperoni

Grab a local slice

Grab a slice or a salad at Ian’s Pizza on State Street - a truly iconic Madison eat.

Dozens of people look at Van Gogh sunflower art being projected on walls in an exhibit.

Marvel at the Immersive Van Gogh Experience

This dazzling display invites audiences to “step inside” the works of artist Vincent van Gogh.

A man, woman, and small child shop the indoor Late Winter Farmers Market at Garver Feed Mill. They have shopping bags in hand and are surrounded by vendors selling microgreens

Take a piece of Madison home with you

Peruse dozens of local shops featuring artisanal gifts.

Find a new favorite foodie spot

Enjoy dinner at a family-friendly spot such as Camp Trippalindee or Monty’s Blue Plate Diner.

Ice skate at the Edgewater

Two domes covered in snow on the patio outside of Lone Girl Brewing Company

Cozy up in a winter dome

Wind down inside a cozy dome and enjoy warm drinks and yummy bites.

A Kid-Friendly Local Food Scene

Savoring local, hand-crafted food is easy in Madison — we have the most eateries per capita out of any city in the U.S. Food and fun go together like mac n' cheese on pizza at Ian's Pizza, chocolate and marshmallow indoor s'mores at Camp Trippalindee and chilly temps and Exhausted Parents (trust us) at Chocolate Shoppe.

Explore Restaurants

Events for all ages

Madisonians don't hibernate. Live music, festivals and Broadway shows bring the heat in the chilly months. Marquee frigid festivals like Frozen Assets and Winter Carnival highlight the wonder of winter. Fans stay warm cheering on the Badgers and Madison Capitols inside.

Find the full event calendar