You’re looking at “Oriental Pharmacy Lunch Counter,” a sculpture by Adolph Rosenblatt. | Photo by 608today
School’s out, temps are up, and Madison’s museums are calling.
Whether you’re looking to entertain kiddos, learn something new about the 608, or soak up some culture (and air conditioning), here are 12 museums to visit in and around our city this summer.
Chazen
With ~24,000 works within this art museum’s collection, you’d be hard pressed to find a way to leave without feeling a little more inspired.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Learn about the ordinary people who made the history you’ve read about. Geology Museum This place rocks. Check out ancient rocks from Wisconsin’s volcanic past, preserved remains of corals and jellyfish, and stand beneath mastodon tusks from the Ice Age.
James Watrous Gallery
Get a bird’s eye view of the Overture Center’s rotunda while browsing a rotating display of art exhibits.
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters vs. Madison Mallards | 6:35 p.m. | Warner Park | $17+ | Our Mallards are flying through the season as one of the top teams in the Great Lakes West division.
Friday, June 20
75th Parade of Homes | Friday, June 20-Sunday, June 29 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $15 | Real estate enthusiasts won’t want to miss this opportunity to tour newly built homes, including swoon-worthy properties on the lake.
Saturday, June 21
Make Music Madison | 11 a.m. | Chazen Museum of Art | Free with RSVP | Make plans to stop by the museum for a performance in the Mead Witter lobby.
Sunday, June 22
Twin Fest | 12-3 p.m. | The East Side Club | $2 | If you’re a twin or know someone who is, this fifth annual festival with contests and trivia is for you.
Monday, June 23
Lego Night | 6:30-8 p.m. | Working Draft Beer Company | Free | Adults and kids are invited to participate in three rounds of Lego building competitions.
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Juneteenth. It is a federal holiday, so expect city offices and municipal buildings to be closed. Plus, make plans to attend Madison’s 36th annual Juneteenth Day Celebration, which will be held on Saturday, June 21 at Penn Park.
Traffic
Kiss the pavement, because East Wilson Street has fully reopened to traffic following a year of construction and a months-long closure. The revamped street includes a new cycle track, and landscaping + pavement markings should be completed this week. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Stat
Madison is raking in the tourists — visitors spent a record-breaking $1.55 billion in Dave County in 2024. According to new data from Tourism Economics, 9.2 million tourists visited the county last year, a 3.8% increase over 2023. (FOX47)
Tech
1.1 million. That’s how many Nintendo Switch 2 units were sold in its first week, breaking the record for launch week video game hardware sales. If you weren’t able to get one, don’t worry, it’s not the only source of summer fun in Madison. (Game Rant)
Eat
McDonald’s is blending a new treat this summer: the Hershey’s S’mores McFlurry made with chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows, and vanilla soft serve ice cream. If this isn’t what you’re craving, grab a bite at a local spot with $10+ lunch deals.
Try This
It’s no secret that the Wisconsin Union’s Memorial Union Terrace is the place to be this summer, thanks to a jam-packed lineup of free + low-cost events. On the schedule tonight: Eric Chesser and country swing dancing lessons. Can’t make it? No sweat — there’s something happeningalmost every day.*
Number
$0. That’s how much it costs to post unlimited job listings on 608today’s Job Board. Try it now + get connected with top local talent.
Cause
Victory Homes of Wisconsin has built more than just a showstopper — they’ve built a home with heart. All sale proceeds of the St. Jude Dream Home Showplace will support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Explore it online, donate from wherever you are + see when you can tour the home in person here.*
Number
~40,000. That’s how many half-gallons of milk Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin distributes each month — thanks in part to the Adopt a Dairy Cow campaign. Want to help? Meet Bucky: A proud Badger fangirl you can symbolically adopt. (Psst… she’s just one of the herd.) Learn more.*
$4,000 an ounce by 2026? That’s the new gold rush. Don’t be the miner who missed the claim. A gold IRA lets you hold real gold, without storage, and with modern-day tax perks. Plus, no wagon and stagecoach drama.†*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
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