Free Museums in Madison

We've collected top 10 mentioned free museums in Madison from other articles such as TripHobo, Things To Do, Tripadvisor's Top Things to Do.

Free Museums in Madison

Madison Children's Museum
Madison Children's Museum
4.7 (1629 ratings)4.5 (287 ratings)
3 floors of interactive & educational exhibits designed for kids 12 & under plus a cafe.
100 N Hamilton St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Children's museumMuseums
Chazen Museum of Art
Chazen Museum of Art
4.7 (739 ratings)4.5 (281 ratings)
Free campus art museum offering rotating exhibits from a collection of 20,000 works.
800 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Art museumMuseums
Mentioned by planetware.com
15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Madison, WI | PlanetWare
"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."
Mentioned by Family Destinations Guide
17 Best Things to Do in Madison, WI (for 2021)
"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."
University of Wisconsin Geology Museum
University of Wisconsin Geology Museum
4.7 (298 ratings)4.5 (103 ratings)
Museum showcasing Wisconsin’s geologic past with mastodon, dinosaur & glowing-rock exhibits.
1215 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Science museumMuseums
Mentioned by The Crazy Tourist
15 Best Things to Do in Madison (WI
"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."
Mentioned by You Brew My Tea
Free & Cheap Things to do in Madison Wisconsin with KidsTravel Tips
"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."
Wisconsin Historical Museum
Wisconsin Historical Museum
4.5 (269 ratings)4 (89 ratings)
Multilevel exhibit space documenting Wisconsin state history from prehistoric times to the present.
30 N Carroll St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
History museumMuseumsGift shopHistorical societySouvenir store
Mentioned by world-guides.com
Madison Museums: Madison, Wisconsin, USA
"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."
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
4.5 (410 ratings)4 (84 ratings)
Multiple art galleries open free to the public in an architecturally modern building.
227 State St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Art museumMuseumsModern art museum
Mentioned by The Badger Herald
Your guide to Madison’s vibrant art scene
"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."
Mentioned by Busy Tourist
30 Best & Fun Things To Do In Madison (Wisconsin)
"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."
Mentioned by Culture Trip
The Top Museums in Madison, Wisconsin
"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."
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
4.7 (401 ratings)4.5 (226 ratings)
Exhibits & artifacts showcasing Wisconsin citizens in the military over the last 150 years.
30 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
History museumMuseumsSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by Culture Trip
The Top Museums in Madison, Wisconsin
"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."
Mentioned by Family Destinations Guide
17 Best Things to Do in Madison, WI (for 2021)
"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."
Wisconsin Science Museum
Wisconsin Science Museum
3.5 (21 ratings)4 (1 ratings)
2300 S Park St STE 300, Madison, WI 53713, USA
Science museumMuseums
Mentioned by Busy Tourist
30 Best & Fun Things To Do In Madison (Wisconsin)
"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."
Mentioned by TripHobo
Famous Museums in Madison
"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"
Washburn Observatory
Washburn Observatory
4.8 (42 ratings)4.5 (9 ratings)
1401 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706, USA
ObservatoryMuseumsObservatories & Planetariums
Mentioned by If you only have a day
If you only have a day
"The Washburn Observatory is an astronomical observatory located at 1401 Observatory Drive on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus in Madison, Wisconsin, United States."

Top Rated Parks to Visit in Madison

Demetral Field
Demetral Field
4.2 (188 ratings)
Lively recreation area offering a playground, baseball field, picnic shelter & off-leash dog park.
601 N 6th St, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Park
Blackhawk Park
Blackhawk Park
4.5 (86 ratings)
A bridge connects both sides of this park, which also features a playground, soccer fields & a pond.
741 Bear Claw Way, Madison, WI 53717, USA
Park
Hiestand Park
Hiestand Park
4.6 (203 ratings)4 (1 ratings)
4302 Milwaukee St, Madison, WI 53714, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksScenic Walking Areas

Best Dessert in Madison

Indie Coffee
Indie Coffee
4.7 (614 ratings)
Cozy breakfast & lunch coffee shop offering all-day waffles, Wisconsin microbrews & free events.
1225 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715, USA
Coffee shopBreakfast restaurantDessert restaurantInternet cafeLive music venueRestaurantSandwich shopTea house
Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier
Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier
4.8 (193 ratings)
2083 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Chocolate shopCandy storeDessert shop
Mentioned by TrekNova Travel Advice
Best Places To Visit In Madison Which Are Worth Experience
"Eat famous mind-blowing chocolates from Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier, one best places to visit in Madison. Being a chocolate lover, you will enjoy this place serving single-origin chocolates. They have some handmade finest chocolates which are made with fresh ingredients."
Forever Yogurt
Forever Yogurt
2.3 (3 ratings)
Frozen yogurt with a choice of flavors & toppings, including nondairy & fat-free options.
506 State St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
Frozen yogurt shopDessert restaurantDessert shopFood service
Mentioned by The Badger Herald
The best ice cream in Madison
"If it’s a lighter and sweeter refreshing treat that you crave, check out Forever Yogurt for the best frozen yogurt flavors out there. Seriously, they have pumpkin pie, turtle caramel, cake batter, campfire marshmallow, cinnamon cookie, Dutch chocolate, marshmallow, praline and pistachio."

Best Gelato in Madison

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
3.9 (336 ratings)
Soft-serve ice cream & signature shakes top the menu at this classic burger & fries fast-food chain.
3030 Fish Hatchery Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53713, USA
Fast food restaurantIce cream shop
The Atwood Scoop
The Atwood Scoop
4.2 (66 ratings)
2302 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704, USA
Ice cream shop
McFarland House Cafe
McFarland House Cafe
4.6 (286 ratings)
Neighborhood coffeehouse with cafe & deli fare plus ice cream in an 1856 house with garden dining.
5923 Exchange St, McFarland, WI 53558, USA
CafeCoffee shopIce cream shopRestaurant

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Madison

3.7 (665 reviews)
Baymont by Wyndham Madison West/Middleton WI West
Hotel
$118.96 /night
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Super 8 by Wyndham Madison South
Hotel
$72 /night
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Hilton Garden Inn - Madison Sun Prairie
Hotel
$167 /night
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