Best Museums in Madison

"The Chazen Museum of Art features a wide range of art in a variety of mediums and is another must-see University of Wisconsin attraction. Permanent exhibits include paintings, sculptures, drawings, and watercolors, as well as prints, photography, and applied/decorative arts. European artists in its extensive collection include Rodin and Gainsborough, while its American collection includes works by Shusaku Arakawa."

"The Chazen Museum of Art, founded in 1970, was previously known as the Elvehjem Museum of Art. It boasts an impressive collection of at least 23,000 pieces of art, 1,600 of which are paintings."

"It features prints, photographs, paintings and sculptures from prehistoric times up to modern-day. Their collections are all wonderful that even people who are not fond of arts would like them."

"If you choose to visit the Arboretum at the University of Wisconsin then you can also visit the adjoining Geology Museum at the same time, where you can learn all about minerals and fossils from the area. The museum is something of a hidden gem in the area, but if you do make it here then you can expect to find full dinosaur skeletons on display as well as real life meteorites, and sparkling gemstones from the area."

"Housed within the University of Wisconsin Weeks Hall, the Geology museum is home to mineral and geode samples along with fossils from all over Wisconsin. Within the museum, you will find the vertebrate room. This is also one of my favorite things to do in Madison, Wisconsin for homeschool families."

"Address: 30 North Carroll Street, Madison, Wisconsin (WI), 53703, USA Tel: +1 608 264 6555 If you are interested in learning more about the city's past history and its earliest settlers, then the Wisconsin Historical Museum on North Carroll Street is the place to come. Managed by the Wisconsin Historical Society, this attraction is overflowing with important artifacts from yesteryear, with displays relating to Frontier Wisconsin in the 1800s, the People of the Woodlands and Making a Living. You can also find out about the state's more influential residents within the Wisconsin Innovations section, and learn about local labor laws at the Sense of Community exhibit."

"The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s glass-faced building attracts countless sets of eyes on the corner of State and North Henry, and is known around town for not only its impressive collection of art, but for its rooftop restaurant Fresco. Fine dining aside, MMoCA’s collection of modern art has grown over the years to include art from the 20th and 21st centurie —  a perfect spot for art lovers more fine-tuned to contemporary work. In addition to its own collections, MMoCA takes great pride in its exhibitions, including a rooftop sculpture garden."

"Art has been used throughout human existence in order to express that which cannot be easily put into words. Places like the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art show the never-ending importance of creating and discussing art. Coming here is one of the best things to do in Madison, Wisconsin, as it can thrill your mind with how much great work there is to take in."

"Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, WI|© Franco Folini / Flickr. The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) is easy to spot on State Street with its triangular glass façade. The museum comprises four galleries, including one specially equipped for film or sound-based artwork."

"Exhibit at Wisconsin Veterans Museum|© kenneth casper / Flickr. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum has been sharing the stories of the state’s military veterans for over 100 years. From the Civil War to present day, the museum chronicles the history of the brave men and women from Wisconsin who fought for their country."

"The Wisconsin Veterans Museum, established in 1901, has two galleries dedicated to the Wisconsin veterans who served in the military from the time of the American Civil War to the present."

"Science museums show you just how much wonder there is in our world, whether it’s on this very planet or in the far reaches of space. The Wisconsin Science Museum in Madison exposes you to awesome scientific concepts in a way that will keep you eager to see what’s next. If you’re around Madison and want to amplify your knowledge, you should come to this museum."

"A great museum for both kids and adults, the Madison Science Museum boasts of an incredible collection of old and new instrumentations of scientific technology. It is a leading protagonist in preserving the city’s history on the front of scientific development. All this goodness, that too free of cost make this a fabulous place to explore ...Read more"

"The Washburn Observatory is an astronomical observatory located at 1401 Observatory Drive on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus in Madison, Wisconsin, United States."

"Located in the midst of the bustling State Street in Downtown Madison, the Overture Center for the Arts is a world-class performance center that presents an array of programs, shows and performances throughout the year. Home to 10 resident companies, including the Forward Theater Company, the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, the Children’s Theater of Madison, and the Kanopy Dance Company, the center also plays host to national and international touring artists and Broadway performers. Enjoy a free behind-the-scenes tour and learn the history of one of the nation’s most beautiful theaters."

"The Overture Center is a stunning building with seven unique venues in the building in addition to art galleries (including the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art). Some of the noteworthy performances that have taken place here are The Lion King, Wicked, and Marry Poppins musicals, the Wisconsin Singers and The Nutcracker. Plenty of musicians and bands that fit your taste can also be seen live if you're hungry for an exhilarating performance while you're in town."

"While there are many shows for which patrons must purchase tickets, there are also many opportunities for great entertainment that are completely free!. The Kids in the Rotunda have shows every Saturday from the end of September through April at 9:30am, 11:00am and 1:00pm. Overture is also home to the Madison Metropolitan Museum of Art and to four free art galleries, each featuring a unique show by a talented artist."

"Fitting in on bustling Monroe Street, Fairchild plates up elegant dishes reminiscent of fine dining while maintaining “neighborhood joint” status. Owners Itaru Nagano and Andy Kroeger, both formerly of L’Etoile, are hyper-focused on creating a locally-driven menu. Regular farmers’ market trips provide inspiration for dishes which are vegetable-forward."

"A hidden gem.Haven't had a meal of this quality and perfection in a long time.Presentation is amazing.Staff is top notch."