ntripntrip logo

Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour

4.3
(12 reviews)
Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour Gallery Image 1
Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour Gallery Image 2
Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour Gallery Image 3
Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour Gallery Image 4

Travel between two lake-side terraces and enjoy some of Wisconsin's best cultural sites along the way with this self-guided and self-paced walking tour!• Visit some of Madison historically rich architectural gems such as the State Capitol, Der Rathskaller, Bascomb Hill, Memorial Union and much more• Hear from producer Frank Burge, an award-winning writer, essayist and midwestern local • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish• Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it• Use the virtual tour option at homeOnce you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Overview

Travel between two lake-side terraces and enjoy some of Wisconsin's best cultural sites along the way with this self-guided and self-paced walking tour!

• Visit some of Madison historically rich architectural gems such as the State Capitol, Der Rathskaller, Bascomb Hill, Memorial Union and much more

• Hear from producer Frank Burge, an award-winning writer, essayist and midwestern local

• Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish

• Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it

• Use the virtual tour option at home

Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code.

The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Itinerary

  • This tour starts on Monona Terrace overlooking Lake Monona. From here, you will step back in time and relive the city’s rich history and hear stories about the area's first inhabitants to civil war and civil rights.

  • Wisconsin State Capitol

    Along the way, you'll visit the Wisconsin State Capitol which is also the tallest building in Madison with a dome of 187ft.

  • Downtown Madison

    You'll stroll down the lively and bustling State Street which is home to some of Madison's best restaurants.

  • Dane County Farmers' Market

    You'll stroll by Dane County Farmer's Market which offers local goods and produce on Saturdays.

  • You’ll see Elizabeth Link Peace Park, named after a prominent Madison peace activist, and hear about the mass student protests that took place here in the 1960s.

  • You'll stop by the historic Der Rathskeller restaurant which first allowed women inside in the 1940s

  • Along the way you'll take in the historic architectural core of the University of Wisconsin's Madison campus.

  • Memorial Union Terrace

    Before the tour concludes, you'll get to see the most iconic spot at the university of Wisconsin Madison campus, where you'll discover the meaning behind the Memorial Union Terrace chairs.

  • Lake Mendota

    At this location you'll end the tour much like you started it, by looking out onto a scenic lake from a terrace. This time, at the largest of Madison's lakes.

    cenic Lake Mendota to end the tour.

Location

Meeting Point Map

Address

1 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Open Google Map

Inclusions

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions

  • Transportation
  • Other
  • Food/Drink

Additional Information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please note: You won't be guided through any museums or other attractions mentioned en route. If you choose to enter and visit such places, you'll need to pay for it independently of this tour.

Guide Languages

  • English

Cancellation Policy

No refund is possible if you cancel.

Related Attractions

Explore similar attractions that other travelers have enjoyed. Discover more options to enhance your travel experience

Madison State Street Ghost Walk - Image 1

Madison State Street Ghost WalkMadison State Street Ghost Walk

4.7(4)
Tours

Connecting the Wisconsin State Capitol with the UW–Madison Campus, State Street has been Madison’s center of city life for 150+ years. That means secrets, scandals, and, yes, paranormal activity. On this tour, you’ll get to hear all the spook...

$30

per adult

Trolley Pub Public Tour - Image 2

Trolley Pub Public TourTrolley Pub Public Tour

4.8(125)
ToursBarClub & Pub Tours

Check out the best Madison has to offer on this two-hour pedal powered pub crawl. You'll stop by some of the hottest spots in Downtown Madison on our mobile bar on wheels. Tours are BYOB with our on-board cooler and you can play your own musi...

$45

per adult

Madison UW Campus Ghost Walk - Image 3

Madison UW Campus Ghost WalkMadison UW Campus Ghost Walk

5.0(2)
ToursWalking Tours

Turn exploring the UW–Madison campus into a fun, spooky adventure with this haunted walking tour. Concentrating on Library Mall and Bascom Hill, you’ll follow along with your guide as you discover ghostly and ghastly tales of legends, spirits...

$29

per adult

Madison Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking Tour - Image 4

Madison Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking TourMadison Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking Tour

4.4(25)
ToursWalking ToursGhost & Vampire ToursBar

Ready to uncover Madison’s spookiest secrets? Join us for a thrilling and fun walking ghost tour through the city’s most haunted historic spots! Led by expert local guides—Madison’s official haunted history gurus—you’ll hear real, chilling ta...

$26

per adult

Downtown Madison E-Bike Cycle Tour - Image 5

Downtown Madison E-Bike Cycle TourDowntown Madison E-Bike Cycle Tour

5.0(131)
Tours

Make the most of your visit with the help of a guide who’ll take you to see some of the best of Madison by bike. Whether you want to get the lay of the land when you arrive in town for the first time, or you’re a local looking to learn more a...

$99

per adult

Madison Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt - Image 1

Madison Self-Guided Scavenger HuntMadison Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt

3.9(10)
Scavenger hunt

Go beyond the generic city tour and make exploring Madison a fast-paced thrill with this self-guided scavenger hunt. Using just your smartphone—and communicating with your remote host—you’ll explore the city from the lakeside Memorial Union T...

$22

per adult

Madison Scavenger Hunt - Image 2

Madison Scavenger HuntMadison Scavenger Hunt

3.3(3)
Scavenger hunt

Leave behind the group walking tours and explore Madison a wilder way—via photo scavenger hunt. Using just your smartphone, you and your crew will wander from the Wisconsin State Capitol and famous State Street to the University of Wisconsin–...

$12

per adult

Madison Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt - Image 3

Madison Self-Guided Scavenger HuntMadison Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt

0.0(0)
Scavenger hunt

Skip the generic walking tours and turn exploring Madison into a fun, scavenger-hunt style adventure. Using just your smartphone, you and your crew will find clues, complete crazy challenges, and maybe even ask for a few hints from your remot...

$10

per adult

Madison Self-Guided City Scavenger Hunt - Image 4

Madison Self-Guided City Scavenger HuntMadison Self-Guided City Scavenger Hunt

0.0(0)
Scavenger hunt

Go beyond a normal city sightseeing tour and embark on a fun scavenger hunt through Madison, Wisconsin. The app tells you to find certain objects around the city, but in order to find the objects, you need to complete challenges. Earn points ...

$10

per adult

Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Madison by Wacky Walks - Image 5

Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Madison by Wacky WalksFun City Scavenger Hunt in Madison by Wacky Walks

0.0(0)
Scavenger hunt

Explore Madison with Wacky Walks royal scavenger hunt. In our app-based scavenger hunt, your group will participate in competitions to become the King or Queen of your group throughout the game. The active King or Queen will lead the other pl...

$10

per adult

Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Madison with Holly Jolly Hunt - Image 6

Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Madison with Holly Jolly HuntExperience the season with a scavenger hunt in Madison with Holly Jolly Hunt

0.0(0)
Scavenger hunt

Celebrate the magic of the season this year with Holly Jolly Hunt. Holly Jolly Hunt is an app based scavenger hunt that you can play anywhere of your choosing. Explore the city and look for holiday related items, both traditional and not so t...

$20

per adult

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Madison by 3Quest Challenge - Image 7

Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Madison by 3Quest ChallengeUnique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Madison by 3Quest Challenge

0.0(0)
Scavenger hunt

Explore Madison with 3Quest Challenge! Our scavenger takes you around the city to find items and perform tasks for points. You'll use an app on your phone that will allow you to collect points! Check the rankings during and after you play to ...

$10

per adult

Downtown Madison E-Bike Cycle Tour - Image 1

Downtown Madison E-Bike Cycle TourDowntown Madison E-Bike Cycle Tour

5.0(131)
Tours

Make the most of your visit with the help of a guide who’ll take you to see some of the best of Madison by bike. Whether you want to get the lay of the land when you arrive in town for the first time, or you’re a local looking to learn more a...

$99

per adult

Trolley Pub Public Tour - Image 2

Trolley Pub Public TourTrolley Pub Public Tour

4.8(125)
ToursBarClub & Pub Tours

Check out the best Madison has to offer on this two-hour pedal powered pub crawl. You'll stop by some of the hottest spots in Downtown Madison on our mobile bar on wheels. Tours are BYOB with our on-board cooler and you can play your own musi...

$45

per adult

Madison State Street Ghost Walk - Image 3

Madison State Street Ghost WalkMadison State Street Ghost Walk

4.7(4)
Tours

Connecting the Wisconsin State Capitol with the UW–Madison Campus, State Street has been Madison’s center of city life for 150+ years. That means secrets, scandals, and, yes, paranormal activity. On this tour, you’ll get to hear all the spook...

$30

per adult

Madison Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking Tour - Image 4

Madison Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking TourMadison Ghosts: Haunts, Spirits, and Poltergeists Walking Tour

4.4(25)
ToursWalking ToursGhost & Vampire ToursBar

Ready to uncover Madison’s spookiest secrets? Join us for a thrilling and fun walking ghost tour through the city’s most haunted historic spots! Led by expert local guides—Madison’s official haunted history gurus—you’ll hear real, chilling ta...

$26

per adult

Madison UW Campus Ghost Walk - Image 5

Madison UW Campus Ghost WalkMadison UW Campus Ghost Walk

5.0(2)
ToursWalking Tours

Turn exploring the UW–Madison campus into a fun, spooky adventure with this haunted walking tour. Concentrating on Library Mall and Bascom Hill, you’ll follow along with your guide as you discover ghostly and ghastly tales of legends, spirits...

$29

per adult

Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour - Image 6

Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking TourWisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour

4.3(12)
ToursWalking Tours

Travel between two lake-side terraces and enjoy some of Wisconsin's best cultural sites along the way with this self-guided and self-paced walking tour!• Visit some of Madison historically rich architectural gems such as the State Capi...

$9

per adult