VISITING Madison · Mad City
Visiting Madison with toddlers and little kids: the plan.
Madison is compact and a lot of it is free. The Children’s Museum and the Capitol share the Square, the Zoo is a short drive southwest and the gardens sit on the east side. Here’s how we’d spend one or two days with nap in the middle.
Top 5 can’t-miss spots
#1Capitol Square
Madison Children’s Museum
Plan your morning here. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday, and admission is free on Thursday evenings from 4 to 8.
$18 eachUnder 1 freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#2Vilas Park
Henry Vilas Zoo
Free, so a short visit is no loss if someone melts down. The indoor buildings work on cold days.
Free
See it in the guide→
#3UW–Madison campus, 1215 W. Dayton St.
UW Geology Museum
Stand under the mastodon’s tusks and look for the glowing minerals. It’s open weekdays and Saturday mornings and closed Sundays.
FreeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#4East side
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Walk the free outdoor gardens. The tropical Bolz Conservatory costs a bit extra and is a warm break in winter.
Free
See it in the guide→
#5Capitol Square
Wisconsin State Capitol
Kids love the Rotunda. Groups under 10 can just show up at tour time.
FreeIndoor
See it in the guide→
Nap breaks built in
One day or two in Madison
A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.
If you have one day
MORNINGMadison Children’s MuseumWednesday to Sunday · Capitol Square · $18 per person
LUNCHIan’s PizzaSlices to share · Madison and VeronaNAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPHenry Vilas ZooFree and easy · Vilas Park · FreeIf you have two days
Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:
MORNINGOlbrich Botanical GardensThe outdoor gardens · East side · FreeLUNCHMonty’s Blue Plate DinerAtwood Ave · Schenk-Atwood, 2089 Atwood Ave. · Kids’ meal $5.49–$6.99NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPElver ParkPlayground time · Southwest side, 1250 McKenna Blvd. · FreeWhere to stay
Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions
Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.
BEST FOR FIRST-TIMERSDowntown and the Capitol SquareWalk to the Children’s Museum, the Capitol and Central Library.Near Madison Children’s Museum, Wisconsin State Capitol and Central Library
FOR CAMPUS AND THE ZOONear UW and Vilas ParkClose to the Geology Museum, Babcock and the Zoo.Near UW Geology Museum, Babcock Dairy Store and Henry Vilas Zoo
FOR A NEIGHBORHOOD FEELEast sideNear Olbrich and Monty’s on Atwood Ave.Near Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Monty’s Blue Plate Diner
Eat
Easy restaurants near the big stops
Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.
Plan B
Rainy-day backup plan
If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Madison.
Capitol SquareMadison Children’s MuseumA big indoor museum on the Square.$18 eachUnder 1 freeIndoorUW–Madison campus, 1215 W. Dayton St.UW Geology MuseumA free indoor stop on campus.FreeIndoorCapitol SquareWisconsin State CapitolA grand indoor stop on the Square.FreeIndoor
Downtown, 201 W. Mifflin St.Central LibraryA warm, free stop downtown.FreeIndoorBefore you go
Practical tips
Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.
Parking
Madison Children’s Museum: Metered spaces line the surrounding streets, and two public ramps are a short walk away.
Henry Vilas Zoo: Parking is free in three lots, with a three-hour limit. Lots fill on weekends and busy summer days.
UW Geology Museum: Use UW Lot 80 under Union South or Lot 17 off Engineering Drive. Street spots south of the museum are hard to find.
Wisconsin State Capitol: Public ramps are one block off the Capitol Square.
Henry Vilas Zoo: Parking is free in three lots, with a three-hour limit. Lots fill on weekends and busy summer days.
UW Geology Museum: Use UW Lot 80 under Union South or Lot 17 off Engineering Drive. Street spots south of the museum are hard to find.
Wisconsin State Capitol: Public ramps are one block off the Capitol Square.
Strollers and accessibility
Henry Vilas Zoo: From spring through fall, rent strollers for $10 at the gift shop by the main entrance on Drake St.
Lots of free stops
The Zoo, the Geology Museum, the Capitol and Olbrich’s outdoor gardens are all free.
Check the days
The Children’s Museum is closed Monday and Tuesday, and the Geology Museum is closed Sundays.
Visiting in November or December?
Santa and Christmas lights in Madison
If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.
On a budget
Free and cheap wins for visitors
Spend less without skipping the good stuff.
Vilas ParkHenry Vilas ZooFree admission and free parking.FreeUW–Madison campus, 1215 W. Dayton St.UW Geology MuseumFree.FreeIndoorCapitol SquareWisconsin State CapitolFree tours.FreeIndoorEast sideOlbrich Botanical GardensThe outdoor gardens are free year-round.FreeNear west sideUW–Madison ArboretumFree to visit.FreeSouthwest side, 1250 McKenna Blvd.Elver ParkA free park with a splash park in summer.FreeDowntown, 201 W. Mifflin St.Central LibraryFree.FreeIndoorThis week
Happening while you’re here
This week’s top events in Madison. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.
#1Sat 9:30am, 11am & 1pm
Kids in the Rotunda: A Year with Frog & Toad
The Jerry Ensemble’s 45-minute musical of Frog and Toad’s year together, free on the Rotunda Stage at 9:30, 11 and 1 (the 1pm show is ASL interpreted).
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
#2Sat 1–4pm
Bat Fest at Owen Conservation Park
Weigh and measure model bats, play a bat survival game, peek at the bat hibernaculum and meet the Humane Society’s wildlife rehabbers. Free; no live bats.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
#3Sat & Sun 10am–5pm
Fall Festival at Eugster’s Farm Market
The last weekend of Eugster’s fall festival: the petting farm, wagon rides, the corn maze, a spooky haunted house and pumpkins. Online tickets required; last entry 4pm.
$12.50–$14.50 per person online by entry time
Hours, food & parking→
#4Sat 11am–3pm
LEGO Takeover! (Pinney Library)
The Wisconsin LEGO Users Group fills the community room with giant LEGO displays for a day.
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
#5Sat 10:30–11am
Stories & Songs with Junebug (Pinney Library)
Teacher Junko leads singing, dancing and instrument play for ages birth to 5.
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
Good questions
Visiting Madison with toddlers: the FAQ
Is Madison kid-friendly?
For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Madison guide lists 12 places we checked for little kids, plus 7 free places and 3 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 3 easy restaurants near the big stops and free storytimes at 3 library systems. This week’s list has 26 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Madison and this weekend’s list.
Where should we stay in Madison with little kids?
Downtown near the Capitol Square. The Children’s Museum, the Capitol and Central Library are steps away, and the Zoo is about ten minutes by car.
How many days do you need in Madison with a toddler?
Two days: the Children’s Museum and the Zoo on one, and the gardens and the Geology Museum on the other.
When is the Madison Children’s Museum open?
Wednesday through Sunday during the school year, with free admission on Thursdays from 4 to 8 pm.
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