You don’t need major funds to have major fun in Madison; just look at these free activities.
We promise these free things to do are more than just an aimless walk in the park. Instead, we’re making sure you get well-researched, unique suggestions worth the trip.
Arts
Chazen Museum of Art | There aren’t any course pre-requisites to explore this campus-based museum that has 25,000+ works of art in its permanent collection. Take a look at the website before your visit to see what new exhibits are in the rotation.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art | Community support ensures this local resource stays free to the public, which means you can explore 6,000+ art pieces without spending a penny.
National Mustard Museum | If you’ve never heard of this free museum, you better ketchup. All bad jokes aside, you’ll be blown away by the 6,000+ variations of mustard jars in this museum, each one hailing from a different corner of the world.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum | Gain a new perspective on Wisconsin’s role in various wars through authentic artifacts, real audio recordings, and expert historical analysis. Plus, you have to say hello to Old Abe, the Wisconsin war eagle.
Edu
Don’t forget to say “Hi” to the Boaz Mastodon while at the UW Geology Museum.
Photo via UW Geology Museum
Madison Public Library | Not only can you rent nearly any title you can think of, you’ll also be able to check out movies or shows, download free audiobooks, gain access to several streaming services, and view physical media like newspapers and magazines.
Middleton Public Library | Similarly to the Madison Public Library, getting your card here goes much further than just checking out books. Plus, we’re giving an extra call out to kid-friendly events hosted here, ages ranging from children to tween to teen.
UW Geology Museum | We’re back on campus and it’s a blast from the pre-historic past. Rocks, fossils, and minerals all make for an educational day here, and it’s way more interesting than your high school science class.
Outdoors
Allen Centennial Garden | Explore 15 different areas of this garden and use the university’s website to catalog all the plants you see along your walk. Or bring a book, find a comfy bench, pop in your headphones, and block out the world for an hour or so.
Aldo Leopold Nature Center | Choose your own adventure at this local nature reserve that offers free trails and specialty events designed specifically for kids, adults, or both.
Monona Terrace Community | Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright left an unmissable mark on Madison and this local community space is another relic of his masterwork. His design was originally pitched in 1938, but didn’t come to fruition until 1997.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens | Admission to the Museum For All + outdoor gardens is always free, plus if you stop by on Wednesday or Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, you’ll get free access to Bolz Conservatory too.
Henry Vilas Zoo | Lions, tigers, and (grizzly + polar) bears — oh my. But you won’t need to sell off your ruby red slippers for admission here because it’s free.
