The state capital, Madison, lies in southern Wisconsin. More interesting, perhaps, than the Capitol and the State Museum are the many buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, including the headquarters of the First Unitarian Society and several private houses.
Fans of Frank Lloyd Wright will want to see the building he proposed but never built - the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. This visually stunning building is on the waterfront and has a curving glass façade. Tours of the building are available and provide an insight into Frank Lloyd Wright's genius.
Detail of Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, in Madison.
Address: Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, One John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 261-4000, Fax: 1 (608) 261-4049
The Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. A wide variety of animals from around the world are on display. The Henry Vilas Zoo also runs an educational program they call Zoo School, fun fund raising events, and some onsite rides, including a carousel.
A grizzly bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison.
Hours:
9:30am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January ), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service, Wheelchair loan or rental
The Ice Age Scenic Trail will be of interest to more than just those fascinated by the powerful effects of glaciation. Walkers, hikers, and bikers will also be interested because the trail when finally completed will be 1,000 miles long and will stretch from Potawatomi State Park to St Croix Dalles.
Address: Ice Age Trail Alliance, 700 Rayovac Drive Suite 100, Madison, WI 53711, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 441-5610, Fax: 1 (608) 441-5606
The Madison Art Center is the lifeblood of arts and entertainment in Madison, Wisconsin. The center has a large display area, and is constantly rotating through local and international exhibits. The Madison Art Center also features a wide variety of fun events and fund raisers, including the Arts Ball.
Address: Madison Art Center / Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State Street, Madison, WI 53703-2214, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 257-0158, Fax: 1 (608) 257-5722
Hours:
12pm-5pm; Fri:12pm-8pm; Sat:10am-8pm; Closed: Mon
Tips: MMoCA will close when Madison Metro cancels bus service due to weather.
The Madison Children's Museum contains a fun selection of exhibits and activities to partake in. Some of the notable exhibits are the Body Shop, Dream Machine, and First Feats. The museum is designed for children from toddler to eight years old.
Address: Madison Children's Museum, 100 North Hamilton Street, Madison, WI 53703, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 256-6445, Fax: 1 (608) 256-3226
Located on Madison's waterfront, the Olbrich Botanical Gardens are a feast for the eyes and nose. Depending on the time of year, there will a variety of plants in bloom. The Olbrich Botanical Gardens were started in 1916 and have been in continuous operation since. The gardens are particularly noted for their collection of roses and the glass enclosed Bolz Conservatory.
A reflecting pool at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison.
Address: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 246-4550, Fax: 1 (608) 246-4719
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 8am-8pm
October 1 to October 31: 9am-6pm
November 1 to March 31: 9am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Admission to the Bolz Conservatory is $1 per person.
The Wisconsin Historical Museum, located in Madison, is an excellent attraction showcasing the region's history over the millennia. The museum has an ongoing educational program for the public and features rotating exhibits. One unique ongoing event is the "museum object of the week" program. The museum is easy to find as it is across the street from the State Capitol building.
Address: Wisconsin Historical Society, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 264-6400, Fax: 1 (608) 264-6575
Hours:
9am-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Wisconsin State Capitol Building looks like many other state capitols built around the dawn of the 20th Century. A dome in the center accompanied by two wings to either side complete the look. Noteworthy inside the Wisconsin State Capitol are the paintings and marble work.
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison showcases the history of wars the US has been involved in. Military paraphernalia is on display as are informative dioramas. The museum has won numerous awards for its work over the years. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum also operates a research center where items related to the various conflicts can be accessed.
Taliesin is one of the top tourist attractions in this region, particularly for those with an interest in architecture. This creation of Frank Lloyd Wright includes a home, theater, school, studio, and gallery.
For those interested into the history of Wisconsin's government, the First Capitol State Historical Site provides an excellent resource. Exhibits show how the government was formed and then evolved over the years. The buildings still stand and show where legislators met for 46 days in a row when drafting the government.
Address: First Capitol State Historic Site, 19101 County Highway G, Box 270, Belmont, WI 53510, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 987-2122, Fax: 1 (608) 987-3738
Hours:
June 15 to September 5: 10am-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
This attraction in Fort Atkinson has two main items of interest to visitors the Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine. The Hoard Historical Museum showcases the history of the area using informative displays. Some of the displays are of Abraham Lincoln and the Sauk Warrior Black Hawk. The National Dairy Shrine provides visitors with the history of the dairy industry. This is accomplished through a wide variety of exhibits. Be sure to check out the very unusual dog-powered butter churn.
Address: Hoard Historical Museum, 401 Whitewater Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-2249, United States
Phone: 1 (920) 563-7769, Fax: 1 (920) 568-3203
Those visitors interested in the history of buildings and their construction will want to be sure to visit the Milton House Museum. This six sided building was the very first poured concrete building to be built in the United States. Built in 1844, it is on the National Historic Landmark list.
Hours:
May 24 to September 3: 10am-4pm
September 4 to May 23: 1pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Sat
The somewhat bohemian town of Mineral Point is a great place to visit for fans of architecture and art. The town has a long history and many of the original buildings have been restored into specialty shops. Mineral Point is also a bit of an artists haven with a wide variety of styles being exhibited in the galleries.
Stone cottages at Pendarvis Historic Site in Mineral uPoint, WI.
An old building at the Pendarvis State Historic Site
Address: Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce/Main Street, 225 High Street, Mineral Point, WI 53565, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 987-3201, Fax: 1 (608) 987-2580
The Pendarvis Historic Site consists of buildings from the mid 19th Century that have been restored to their original state.
In the 1830s and 1840s, settlers from other parts of the United States and Europe began to flow into the Wisconsin Territory. They were lured by the prospect of plentiful lead to be had in shallow diggings throughout the region. As the easy lead became scarce, and greater technical knowledge was needed to work the earth for its deeper lead and zinc deposits, immigrants from Cornwall, England filled the need. These miners and their families made a lasting imprint on southwest Wisconsin. At Pendarvis, you can see their stone cottages, learn about their lives, and come to understand how their legacy was preserved in the twentieth century.
Today, the mining is no longer but the history remains.
Address: Pendarvis Historic Site, 114 Shake Rag Street, Box 270, Mineral Point, WI 53565, United States
Phone: 1 (608) 987-2122, Fax: 1 (608) 987-3738
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Spring Green - Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin, Wisconsin
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Milton - Milton House Museum, Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison
University of Wisconsin, Madison
University of Wisconsin Arboretum, Madison
Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo
International Crane Foundation, Baraboo
Pendarvis State Historic Site, Mineral Point
Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison
