11 Fun Free Things to Do in Madison Wisconsin

Finding affordable vacation spots can be tough. The bigger the city, the bigger your budget likely needs to be.

That’s why I try to find hidden gems like Madison, Wisconsin which are quaint and affordable.

Before visiting, I figured it would be a cute town with beautiful lakes and Midwestern charm.

And it is! But what I didn’t realize was how many free things there are to do. It certainly saved my family and me a lot of money which is something I struggle with when going on vacation (I bet you can relate!).

Many of these activities provide learning experiences and a chance to view the beautiful scenery Madison has to offer.

1. Wisconsin State Capitol

I’ve always held a fascination with state capitol buildings and make sure I explore each one when visiting a capital city.

There’s something about the beautiful architecture and interesting history these structures hold. The Wisconsin State Capitol is no different.

Free tours are offered daily and I highly recommend taking one to get the most out of your visit.

You can learn more about how the city was formed and who was influential in Madison’s history. The real cherry on top is the observation deck, open during the summer, where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the city.

2. Saturday Market on the Square

Is there anything better than browsing fresh, local products? I love spending time learning about foods that make up the culture of a location.

In Wisconsin, cheese reigns supreme due to the large dairy industry. The Dane County Farmers’ Market is America’s largest producers-only farmer’s market.

Underneath this overarching entity are several markets including the Saturday Market on the Square, Wednesday Market, Holiday Market and Late Winter Market.

Held on the square of the Capitol building, the Saturday Market is a gathering of merchants selling delicious goodies like fresh-baked bread, squeaky cheese curds and fresh produce.

While this can be a free activity of browsing and tasting samples, I highly, highly recommend buying something small and supporting the local producers.

3. Visit a Beach

Beaches are an absolute must when traveling. Due to the picturesque lakes spread throughout Madison, you’ll find several beach parks at which to swim, play and relax.

I visited just a few but BB Clarke on Lake Monona was close to the AirBnB, so we went several times to swim and watch the fireworks on July 4^th.

Olbrich Park Beach is another great one to check out near the Olbrich Botanical Gardens and the Biergarten at Olbrich Park.

Entry is free but canoes, kayaks or paddleboards are available to rent if you want to get on the water.

Vilas Beach is a large and popular beach right by the zoo that is perfect for cooling off and relaxing after a long day.

Here’s a full list of beach parks in the city, usually open from early June to September.

4. Wisconsin Historical Museum

If you’re like me, you love learning the history behind a place and how it came to be what it is today.

With several floors of exhibits to explore, Wisconsin Historical Museum helped open my eyes to important events and people in the state’s history.

Here, you can learn about the stories of Native peoples who first lived there, the agricultural industry, how Wisconsin women earned the right to vote and so much more.

Make sure to visit the fourth floor for a great view of State Capitol!

5. University of Wisconsin- Madison Geology Museum

The Geology Museum is on the campus of UW – Madison. A visit here would be an absolute blast for kids, but even I found it fascinating to see different types of rocks, fossils and how earth has changed over the years.

I have to say the fossils and dinosaurs are what interested me most. On display, there are full-size T-Rex and Mammoth skeletons!

For more information and to make the most of your visit, set up a guided tour.

Tours are about an hour long and provide age-appropriate information to each group so whether you have children or are adult-only, it will be chock full of interesting content.

During the tour, you can learn about hundreds of rocks and minerals, a black light display and the life-size skeletons!

6. Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

The MMoCA is a contemporary art museum full of spacious galleries and over 51,500 square feet of interior space.

It even boasts a rooftop sculpture garden, perfect for perusing in warm weather. The museum exhibitions and most education programs are free to the public.

With several rotating exhibitions that feature both local artists and famous artists like Roy Lichtenstein, you’ll be sure to find something that strikes your fancy.

One interesting piece of work that resonated with me is the Depression Bread Line, a sculpture featuring figures in a bread line waiting for their rations during the Great Depression.

The MMoCA is full of pieces that inspire you to reflect on history and present day issues, but there are also fun, colorful pieces that are just plain enjoyable to view.

Be sure to check out their events that include talks and performances, rooftop cinema, Art Fair on the Square and more.

7. Chazen Museum of Art

Located on the UW-Madison campus, the Chazen Museum of Art is a more traditional art museum with numerous exhibitions like centuries-old European, Asian, African and ancient art.

There are also more recent artworks here like contemporary glass and ceramics or international 21-century art.

Like the MMoCA, this museum has several events and performances, family events and video screenings.

A monthly music concert is performed on the first Sunday of every month (except January) and is first-come, first-served.

8. Henry Vilas Zoo

I was in shock when I learned that a zoo could be free. As one of the only admission-free, community-supported zoos in the country, Henry Vilas Zoo is a fantastic spot, perfect for the whole family.

The zoo’s mission is to conserve and protect the wonders of the natural living world. With over 650 animals and several exhibits, you can spend hours here soaking in the Wisconsin sun.

My favorite animals to visit are penguins, rhinos, giraffes and the red pandas.

Pay homage to the state by visiting the Wisconsin Heritage exhibit which showcases three American badgers and a Sandhill crane.

Throughout the year, the zoo also has events like International Red Panda Day in September and African Penguin Awareness Day in October.

9. Wander the campus of University of Wisconsin – Madison

Visiting a college campus might not seem like a typical tourist activity but trust me when I say you’ll want to dedicate some time to stroll the college grounds.

Located on the shores of Lake Mendota, the UW-Madison campus is one of the most beautiful college campuses I’ve visited.

The Memorial Union Terrace, right on the water, is a great place to relax and people watch. Another unexpected feature is the architecture.

Several buildings are designed in Romanesque revival style including the “Red Gym”, a building that could easily be mistaken for a castle. Learn more about its history before you visit!

10. Olbrich Botanical Gardens

If you’re a fan of scenic outdoor spaces, the Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a must-see. The facility features 16 acres of outdoor display gardens and a Thai Pavilion and Garden.

The Thai Pavilion should top your list of places to see here, as it is one of only four located outside of Thailand. There are several specialty gardens to stroll through including the Perennial Garden, Herb Garden and the Rose Garden.

Be sure to visit the Bolz Conservatory, a sunny 50-foot-high glass pyramid, which houses a waterfall, tropical plants, free-flying birds and blooming orchids. It is free on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Outside of this timeframe, it only cost two dollars.

If you visit from mid-July to mid-August, free-flying butterflies flutter around the Conservatory, making for an especially beautiful display.

11. Book a fire circle at Picnic Point

Sitting around a bonfire with friends and family always brings about nostalgic memories for me and I think back with joy on the camping trips I’ve taken over the years.

When I saw I could book a fire circle at Picnic Point, I jumped on the opportunity to make more memories!

One really great thing about this free experience is that the wood is supplied for you. There are six different fire circles you can book, and the wood is stacked up in between each circle.

My choice was Fire Circle #3 during my trip because it had bench seating and was adjacent to the beach.

From here, I was able to see ducks, listen to the water and enjoy the sunset. I recommend booking from 7-10 p.m. to see the daylight fade into night.

Pro tip: bring lots of bug spray, especially during summer.

To book a fire circle, you have to email the UW-Madison Campus Event Services to tell them which circle you want, timing and how many people will be there. Here is more information on booking and etiquette rules to follow.

And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed learning about these eleven fun free things to do in Madison. From perusing art to gawking at dinosaur skeletons, there are so many interesting activities to fill up your time during your visit to this Midwestern city.