Things to do with kids in Madison, WI

Vilas (Henry) Park

Large lakeside park with a playground, beach, walking paths, and adjacent zoo, perfect for a full day out.

4.7 (5160)FreeMadison, WI

Olbrich Park

Expansive lakeside park with playgrounds, sports fields, and beach access.

4.7 (3975)FreeMadison, WI

National Mustard Museum

Quirky museum featuring thousands of mustards, a tasting bar, and a gift shop.

4.8 (2219)FreeMiddleton, WI

💬 1 local tip

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Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Frank Lloyd Wright-designed center with public rooftop gardens and lake views.

4.6 (2132)FreeMadison, WI

💬 1 local tip

Warner Park

Large lakeside park with a beach, playground, sports fields, and community facilities.

4.6 (1915)FreeMadison, WI

💬 6 local tips

Wisconsin State Capitol

Historic government building offering public tours and impressive architecture.

4.8 (1338)FreeMadison, WI

💬 6 local tips

McKee Farms Park

Large community park with a playground, pond, sports fields, and walking paths.

4.7 (1148)FreeFitchburg, WI

💬 4 local tips

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Dane County Humane Society

Animal shelter offering educational programs and opportunities to visit animals.

4.6 (1079)FreeMadison, WI

💬 2 local tips

Tenney Park

Lakeside park with a playground, tennis courts, and seasonal ice skating.

4.7 (1032)FreeMadison, WI

💬 3 local tips

Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Expansive nature preserve with diverse trails for hiking and biking through woods and prairies.

4.8 (986)FreeMiddleton, WI

💬 4 local tips

Chazen Museum of Art

Free campus art museum with rotating exhibits and a large collection of diverse works.

4.8 (969)FreeMadison, WI

💬 2 local tips

Token Creek County Park

Large park with walking trails, equestrian paths, and open space for outdoor recreation.

4.6 (895)FreeDeForest, WI

💬 1 local tip

Elver Park

Large city park with a playground, seasonal splash pad, sledding hill, and ice skating rinks.

4.6 (894)FreeMadison, WI

💬 5 local tips

Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area

Scenic natural area featuring a challenging hike to a rocky bluff with panoramic views.

4.9 (829)FreeLodi, WI

Indian Lake County Park

Large park with diverse trails, a historic chapel, and space for winter activities.

4.8 (738)FreeCross Plains, WI

Winnequah Park

Community park featuring a large castle-themed playground and picnic areas.

4.7 (727)FreeMonona, WI

💬 1 local tip

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

Art museum featuring rotating contemporary exhibits; free admission for all.

4.5 (707)FreeMadison, WI

Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Educational museum showcasing military history with interactive exhibits.

4.8 (686)FreeMadison, WI

💬 3 local tips

Picnic Point

Scenic peninsula on Lake Mendota with walking trails and beautiful views of the city.

4.8 (669)FreeMadison, WI

💬 2 local tips

Geology Museum

University museum featuring dinosaur fossils, mastodon skeletons, and glowing rocks.

4.8 (651)FreeMadison, WI

💬 7 local tips

Lakeview Park

Community park with athletic fields, multiple playgrounds, and a splash pad.

4.7 (648)FreeMiddleton, WI

Marshall Park

Lakeside park with a small beach, playground, and boat launch.

4.6 (591)FreeMadison, WI

💬 1 local tip

Brittingham Park

Park along the lake with walking paths and open green space.

4.6 (573)FreeMadison, WI

💬 4 local tips

University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum

1,200 acres of diverse habitats including prairies, forests, and wetlands with miles of walking trails.

4.9 (444)FreeMadison, WI

💬 3 local tips

Prairie Moraine County Park

Rolling park with scenic trails and a large off-leash dog area.

4.8 (442)FreeVerona, WI

Yahara Place Park

Scenic neighborhood park with green space and walking paths along the river.

4.8 (432)FreeMadison, WI

💬 1 local tip

Garner Park

Large park featuring picnic areas, walking trails, and seasonal ice skating.

4.6 (425)FreeMadison, WI

💬 2 local tips

Dream Park Playground

Large, popular community-built playground with extensive climbing structures and play areas.

4.7 (422)FreeMonona, WI

💬 2 local tips

Allen Centennial Garden

Beautiful, formal botanical garden on the UW campus, open to the public.

4.8 (416)FreeMadison, WI

Badger Prairie County Park

Spacious park with a large playground, sports fields, and multi-use trails for biking and walking.

4.7 (389)FreeVerona, WI

Stewart Lake County Park

Park featuring a small lake, picnic areas, and walking trails.

4.6 (366)FreeMt Horeb, WI

Hoyt Park

Wooded park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and scenic views.

4.6 (365)FreeMadison, WI

💬 3 local tips

Donald County Park

Expansive park with wooded trails, trout streams, and scenic landscapes.

4.8 (362)FreeMt Horeb, WI

Water fun

Schluter Beach

Small public beach on the lake, ideal for swimming and relaxing.

4.6 (355)FreeMonona, WI

💬 1 local tip

Orton Park

Historic neighborhood park with playground equipment and open green space.

4.7 (354)FreeMadison, WI

💬 1 local tip

Rennebohm Park

Community park with a playground, climbing net, and sports fields.

4.7 (345)FreeMadison, WI

💬 5 local tips

Owen Conservation Park

Large nature preserve with miles of hiking trails through woods and prairies, great for birdwatching and family walks.

4.7 (341)FreeMadison, WI

Phoebe Bakken Memorial Park

Well-maintained park with playground equipment and walking paths.

4.8 (334)FreeCottage Grove, WI

💬 1 local tip

Water fun

B.B. Clarke Beach Park

Lakeside park with a swimming beach, playground, and kayak launch.

4.5 (325)FreeMadison, WI

Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North

Expansive wetlands and prairie trails with a boardwalk, perfect for spotting wildlife and easy family hikes.

4.7 (318)FreeMadison, WI

Capital Springs Recreation Area

Large recreation area with trails, camping, and a pond for outdoor activities.

4.6 (314)FreeMadison, WI

Goodman Park

Large park featuring a playground, sports fields, paved trails, and a seasonal ice rink.

4.5 (314)FreeMadison, WI

William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park

Expansive park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and access to the Capital City State Trail.

4.6 (298)FreeMadison, WI

💬 2 local tips

Brigham County Park

Scenic county park with picnic areas, hiking trails, and camping facilities.

4.7 (283)FreeBlue Mounds, WI

💬 1 local tip

Wetmore Park

Community park featuring playground equipment, sports fields, and open green space.

4.7 (273)FreeSun Prairie, WI

💬 2 local tips

McPike Park

Modern downtown park with a large playground, open green space, and frequent community events.

4.5 (260)FreeMadison, WI

Sun Prairie Dream Park

Large, community-built wooden playground with extensive structures for climbing, sliding, and imaginative play.

4.7 (255)FreeSun Prairie, WI

Burrows Park

Scenic lakeside park with a historic shelter, boat launch, and walking paths, great for picnics and lake views.

4.6 (248)FreeMadison, WI