Madison, the Mad City is brimming with culture, art, history and food. The city offers bounty of places to see and so many fun activities to do. It surely has something that suits everyone’s fancy. Here’s the way you can spend 24 hours in Madison-
Image by Dori via Wikimedia Commons
Michelangelo's at 9:00am!
Kick start your day with hearty breakfast at the Michelangelo’s Coffee house. Sink back into a sofa, sip a coffee, grab a sandwich and enjoy the laid-back environment at this spot.
Address: 114 State Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States
Phone: 1 608-251-5299
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00am-11:00pm
Take a tour of the Wisconsin State Capitol at 10:00am!
Tour the Wisconsin State Capitol and view the murals, marble work, historical paintings and mosaics inside this stately building. It also has ornate detailing, rotunda, and furnishings of Wisconsin Oak and French walnut.
Address: 2 E Main Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States
Phone: 1 608-266-0382
Distance from Michelangelo’s Coffee House: 0.6miles or 3minutes drive
Explore the art at 11:00am!
Head over to the Chazen Museum of Art that showcases works of art dating back thousands of years. Check out the art collection, paintings, prints, furniture, sculptures, photography and drawings from the ancient times to the present day at this spot.
Address: 750 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, United States
Phone: 1 608-263-2246
Opening hours: Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Thursday: 9:00am-9:00pm; Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 11:00am-5:00pm
Distance from Wisconsin State Capitol: 1.2miles or 6minutes drive
Enjoy beautiful art display and collection at 12:00pm!
Head over to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art that houses over 20,000 pieces of contemporary and modern art, and it also has a rooftop sculpture garden that offers stunning views of the State Capitol and the State Street.
Address: 227 State Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States
Phone: 1 608-257-0158
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 12:00pm-5:00pm; Friday: 12:00pm-8:00pm; Saturday: 10:00am-8:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm
Distance from Chazen Museum of Art: 0.8miles or 4minutes drive
Out to Lunch at 1:00pm!
Head over to the Himal Chuli (318 State Street) that serves up Asian and Vegetarian cuisines. Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at Parthenon-Gyros Restaurant (316 State Street). For American fare, head to the Short Stack Eatery (301 W Johnson Street) or AJ Bombers (201 West Gorham Street).
Know about the Wisconsin history at 2:00pm!
Know about the past of the state at the Wisconsin Historical Museum. This museum provides information about the history of Wisconsin through photographs, artifacts and several interactive programs.
Address: 30 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States
Phone: 1 608-264-6555
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm; Sunday: 11:00am-4:00pm
Glimpse of Wisconsin’s geological history at 3:00pm!
Stop by the UW-Madison Geology Museum and get a glimpse of the state’s geological past. Marvel at the rocks, take a look at the dinosaurs that once roamed here, check out the sea creatures, touch a meteorite, and see the minerals and fossils from Wisconsin.
Address: 1215 W Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53715, United States
Phone: 1 608-262-2399
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Distance from Wisconsin Historical Museum: 1.4miles or 6minutes drive
Tour the Madison Children’s Museum at 4:00pm!
The Madison Children’s Museum is chockfull of interesting and fun things to do and explore. Explore hands-on exhibits and educational programs that encourage learning through play and fun activities. Explore the city of “Possible-opolis", splash around in water, run in the gigantic Gerbil Wheel, meet the chickens in the rooftop garden, explore the outdoors and indulge in artsy activities.
Address: 100 N Hamilton Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States
Phone: 1 608-256-6445
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30am-5:00pm
Distance from UW-Madison Geology Museum: 1.5miles or 5minutes drive
Go Shopping on State Street at 5:00pm!
State Street is Mad City’s most popular thoroughfare with over 200 eclectic stores and specialty shops. It is a six block pedestrian mall teeming with apparel boutiques, jewelry shops, sporting goods stores, artistic stores. Shop at the Little Luxuries for accessory or gifts, or step into the indie bookstore, for some art-related stuff, stop by the Museum store.
Address: State Street, Madison, WI, United States
Distance from Madison Children’s Museum: 0.7miles or 3minutes drive
Dinner at 7:00pm!
The retail therapy must have build up an appetite. There are lots of spots all along the State Street to grab dinner. Stop by the Tutto Pasta Trattoria (305 State Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States) serves up authentic Italian fare. Visit the Fresco Rooftop Restaurant (227 State Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States) that serves New American fare. For dessert, visit the Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co (468 State Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States) and grab the tasty ice-creams full of flavors.
Monona Terrace at 8:00pm!
Head over to the Monona Terrace where many dance events and concerts are held. Enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Monona from this spot. Enjoy brews, music, beautiful vistas and catch up with friends at the Memorial Union Terrace (800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706, United States). When the sun goes down, Monona Terrace is the best spot to be in Madtown!
Distance from the State Street: 1.0mile or 4minutes drive
Party hard at High Noon Saloon at 10:00pm!
Head over to the High Noon Saloon that offers nightly live music. This spot takes you on a musical voyage stretching across a variety of genres, ranging from rock, metal to folk, world music, indie, bluegrass, jam, pop, hip hop, and more. Sip on a few local beers, while enjoying an awesome music lineup!
Address: 701 E Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703, United States
Phone: 1 608-268-1122
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 4:00pm-2:00am; Saturday & Sunday: 12:00pm-2:00am
Distance from Monona Terrace: 0.9miles or 2minutes drive
24 Hours in Madison Map Guide
