Additional Activities and Places to Visit
Throughout the weekend, there will be some unscheduled time for you to visit old favorite spots from your time in Madison or explore places that are new to you. The Convention 2023 Committee has compiled a list of some of our favorite free or low cost activities and places to visit. Madison has a wide variety of museums, campus and city attractions, parks and nature, great restaurants and bars, and more to explore.
If you're planning any extra activities, consider sending a message to the Convention WhatsApp group to see if other Vikings or plus ones would be interested in joining you!
Museums
Chazen Museum of Art
Open daily, free
The Chazen’s expansive two-building site holds the second-largest collection of art in Wisconsin, and is the largest collecting museum in the Big 10. Within its 176,000 square feet of museum space is a collection of approximately 24,000 works of art covering diverse historical periods, cultures and geographic locations, from ancient Greece, Western Europe and the Soviet Empire to Moghul India, 18th-century Japan and modern Africa.
Visit: https://chazen.wisc.edu/
University of Wisconsin Geology Museum
Open Monday-Saturday, free
Explore the Geology Museum and take a peek into Wisconsin’s deep history! On your visit you can touch rocks from a time when there were volcanoes in Wisconsin; see corals, jellyfish and other sea creatures that used to live and swim where we now walk; and stand under the tusks of a mastodon while imagining yourself in the Ice Age.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA)
Open Thursday-Sunday, free
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is an independent organization that exhibits, collects, and preserves modern and contemporary art to provide transformative experiences that educate, reflect, and inspire us as individuals and a community.
Visit: https://www.mmoca.org/
Madison Children's Museum
Open Tuesday-Sunday, $12 per person
Play matters. It’s how we learn to invent, share, and explore. Madison Children’s Museum bursts with chances to play and learn: to stretch bodies and minds, solve problems, create art, make friends, and, most of all, have fun. We’re an inspiring space where kids lead, and grownups are happy to follow.
Wisconsin Veteran's Museum
Open Tuesday-Sunday, free
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum exists to share and preserve the stories of all Wisconsin veterans. Beginning with the Wisconsin Civil War regiments view regimental history and the battle flags that guided them, through to veterans in recent service, explore what our service members did, how that work impacted themselves and their families, and how their service contributed to national and global security.
Visit: https://wisvetsmuseum.com/
Campus and City Attractions
Memorial Union Terrace
Open daily, free
There's nothing like the historic Memorial Union Terrace.
Come enjoy the iconic sunburst chairs, beautiful lake views, and gorgeous sunsets. No reservations needed—just enter along the east side of Memorial Union, outside or indoors, to experience the Terrace. The years have passed, the space has grown and even the chairs have changed. But through it all, the Terrace has remained a favorite spot for UW students, faculty, staff, Union members and anyone else looking to enjoy a sunny day or beautiful evening.
Visit: https://union.wisc.edu/visit/terrace-at-the-memorial-union/
Alumni Park
Open daily, free
There's nothing like the historic Memorial Union Terrace.
Next to Memorial Union Terrace is Alumni Park, opened in 2017. With 50 artful exhibits and more than 130 alumni featured, Alumni Park is a story park unlike any other. It’s a place where you’ll feel your pride in the UW grow with every step you take as it celebrates the Wisconsin Idea and the positive change the university and its alumni make on the world.
Visit: https://www.alumnipark.com/
Bascom Hill
Open daily, free
Bascom Hill is the symbolic and historic center of UW-Madison, home to the first campus building completed in 1851. Climb to the top of Bascom Hill to see the iconic Bascom Hall or take a picture with Abe Lincoln.
Visit: https://admissions.wisc.edu/campus-virtual-tour/bascom-hill/
The Brittingham Rune Stone
Open daily, free
Erected by Tom's Vikings to honor Tom Brittingham, Jr., following his death, the Brittingham Rune Stone sits at one end of Muir Knoll. Visit (and read about its history): https://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/visit/places/brittingham-rune-stone/
State Street
Open daily, free
State Street connects the UW-Madison campus to the Capitol Square. Home to numerous local shops, restaurants, and bars, this pedestrians-only street has something for everyone.
Wisconsin State Capitol Building
Open daily, free (including free tours)
The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin's Capitol building is to see it for yourself. Free tours are offered daily, and the sixth floor museum and observation deck are also open in summer.
Parks & Nature
The UW Arboretum
Open daily, free
The Arboretum features distinct ecological communities, horticultural collections, effigy mounds, more than 17 miles of trails, and a Visitor Center. It is a place of active learning, reflection, creativity, land care, research, and recreation—where human, animal, and plant communities coexist.
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Open daily, free admissions to outdoor gardens, $6 adult admission for indoor greenhouse
Stroll through 16 acres of outdoor display gardens and an indoor, tropical conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. In the outdoor gardens, visit the Royal Thai Pavilion and Garden. Olbrich's Thai Pavilion is the only one in the continental United States and the only one outside of Thailand surrounded by a garden. Explore other specialty gardens such as the Perennial Garden, Sunken Garden, and Herb Garden.
Brittingham Park
Open daily, free
Named for Tom Brittingham Sr., Brittingham Park offers an inclusive playground, beach, canoe & kayak rentals, tennis and pickleball courts, and more. Brittingham Park is located on the northern shore of Lake Monona.
Visit: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/find-a-park/park.cfm?id=1139
James Madison Park
Open daily, free
Located just steps from the Viking House on Gorham Street, James Madison Park is known for its views of incredible sunsets over Lake Mendota. The park features expansive lakefront green space, beach volleyball, and lake access.
Visit: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/find-a-park/park.cfm?id=1241
The Lakeshore Path and Picnic Point
Open daily, free
The Lakeshore Path runs along the southern edge of Lake Mendota, from the Memorial Union Terrace to the eagle Heights woods. Picnic Point, a nearly mile-long peninsula with campfire rings and lake views, is among Madison’s most distinctive features and is probably the most popular destination on the Lakeshore Path.
Visit: https://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/visit/places/picnic-point/
Restaurants & Bars
Breakfast & Brunch
Mickie's Dairy Bar
1950s-style diner on the west side of the UW-Madison campus. Visit: https://mickiesdairybar.com/#/
Bassett Street Brunch Club
Contemporary brunch spot in the heart of downtown Madison. Reservations recommended. Visit: https://brunchclubmadison.com/
Short Stack Eatery
Eclectic all-day breakfast joint on State Street. Visit: http://www.shortstackeats.com/
Marigold Kitchen
Bright, counter-serve eatery featuring creative breakfast & lunch fare plus outdoor seating. Visit: http://www.marigoldkitchen.com/
Lunch
The Old Fashioned
Wisconsin-themed, retro-style tavern offering beers, brats & cheese curds (all sourced in-state). Visit: http://www.theoldfashioned.com/
Lucille
Vintage, industrial-chic tavern with 3 floors serving wood-fired & steel-pan pizzas, plus cocktails. Visit: http://www.lucillemadison.com/
Paul's Pel'mini
Cozy counter-serve offering Russian beef- & potato-filled pel'meni, with sides of sour cream. Visit: https://www.paulspelmeni.com/
Canteen
Casual Mexican grill for tacos & classic plates including brunch, with late hours & many tequilas. Visit: http://canteentaco.com/
Bars
State Street Brats
Wisconsin Badger sports bar featuring red bratwurst, burgers & beer plus a front patio. Visit: https://statestreetbrats.com/
Settle Down Tavern
Creative cocktails (and food) with patio seating, right off the Capitol square. Visit: https://www.settledownmadison.com/
The Caribou Tavern
A Viking-favorite: classic (cash only) Wisconsin dive bar down the street from the Viking house. Visit: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063702844348&_rdr
Cask & Ale
Casual cocktail bar in pared-down quarters features a big whiskey menu & rotating craft taps. Visit: https://www.caskandalemadison.com/