A Family Weekend in Madison, Wisconsin

Madison is one of the easiest weekend trips from Chicago: a few hours up I-90, a compact downtown built on a narrow strip of land between two lakes, and a surprising amount to do for free. The State Capitol sits at the center, the University of Wisconsin campus runs along Lake Mendota, and most of the family highlights are within a short drive of each other. Here is how to plan two days that keep everyone happy.

Saturday morning: the Capitol Square

Start where the city does. The Wisconsin State Capitol sits on a hill in the middle of the isthmus, with streets radiating out from the square around it.

From spring into fall, Saturday mornings bring the Dane County Farmers’ Market, which wraps around the Capitol Square. It is a producer-only market, meaning vendors sell what they grow or make themselves, and it is known for Wisconsin cheese, especially cheese curds. Go early. The crowd moves around the square in one direction, which can be slow with a stroller later in the morning, and popular vendors can sell out. Check the market’s website for the current season and hours.

Inside the Capitol, the state offers free guided tours year-round. They run about 45 minutes, which is the upper limit for most young kids, so older children get more from them. The building also has an outdoor observation deck with views over the city and lakes, open seasonally and weather permitting. Check capitoltours.wi.gov before you go.

Madison Children’s Museum

Right off the Capitol Square, the Madison Children’s Museum is the best rainy-day backup and a strong first choice for kids under about ten. It has a rooftop area with city views and live animals, nature play spaces, and a large outdoor play area designed for use in all seasons. It is the kind of museum where you can lose an entire morning. Check the museum’s site for current hours, admission and any free or reduced-price times.

Henry Vilas Zoo

One of the best reasons to bring kids to Madison is that its zoo is free. Henry Vilas Zoo, on the near west side, is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and charges no admission. It has a polar bear exhibit with underwater viewing, red pandas, penguins and a children’s zoo where kids can get close to farm animals. A carousel runs seasonally for a small fee.

Because the zoo is free, you do not have to squeeze every exhibit into one visit. Go for an hour, leave for lunch and a playground in Vilas Park next door, then come back. Lake Wingra is just beside the park, too.

Taste of Madison and other weekends to aim for

If you can time your trip, Labor Day weekend brings Taste of Madison to the Capitol Square. It is a free-admission food festival, running since the 1980s, with dozens of local restaurants selling small portions, plus live music stages. Food and drinks cost money, so set a budget or give older kids a fixed amount to spend. Some vendors are card-only, so bring both cash and a card. Crowds build through the day, and a morning or early afternoon visit is easier with small children. Check tasteofmadison.com for the current year’s details.

Outside of Labor Day, summer weekends on the square often have other festivals and concerts. Look at the city’s event listings before you choose a date, both to find something good and to avoid crowds if you would rather skip them.

Sunday: lakes, campus and ice cream

The University of Wisconsin campus is worth a slow walk. A few family-friendly stops:

• Memorial Union Terrace. The lakefront terrace on Lake Mendota is a Madison institution, known for its sunburst chairs in green, orange and yellow. They come out in spring and go into storage for winter. Grab a seat and watch the sailboats.
• Babcock Dairy Store. The university’s dairy store sells ice cream made on campus by the food science program. Kids tend to remember this stop more than anything else on campus.
• Lakeshore paths. Paths along Lake Mendota are good for a walk or a bike ride. Madison is a very bike-friendly city, and bike rentals are easy to find.

Other options for Sunday: Olbrich Botanical Gardens on the east side has free outdoor gardens and a tropical conservatory with a small admission charge. The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, also close to the square, is free.

Practical notes

• Driving: Plan on around three hours from Chicago, depending on traffic and tolls on I-90. Leave early Saturday to beat the market crowds, or arrive Friday evening.
• Parking: Downtown has metered street parking and city ramps near the Capitol. Ramps are easier with kids on busy weekends.
• Where to stay: Staying near the square makes it possible to walk to the market, the children’s museum and restaurants without moving the car.
• Football Saturdays: When the Badgers play at home, hotels fill and prices rise. Check the schedule before booking a fall weekend.

Madison pairs well with other stops on a longer drive, too. See our guide to road trips from Chicago with kids, or keep going northwest for a weekend in Minneapolis.