University of Wisconsin-Madison Walking Tour (Self Guided), Madison
Founded the same year as Wisconsin achieved its statehood – 1848, the University of Wisconsin in Madison (often simply referred to as UW Madison) is the oldest public university in the state and the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. The UW Madison campus, located on the shores of Lake Mendota, includes four National Historic Landmarks. Complete with these and a sweeping view of the lake as a bonus, it has been repeatedly ranked as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States.
One of the most iconic spots here is the Memorial Union and Terrace. The Memorial Union is a historic building that serves as a hub for student activities and features a picturesque terrace overlooking Lake Mendota. Students and visitors alike can relax by the lake, enjoy live music, or grab a bite to eat.
Another notable campus site is the so-called Red Gym, officially known as the Armory and Gymnasium. This historic structure houses various student services related facilities and is a prominent part of the university's history.
The Memorial Library is a massive library with extensive collections, making it a vital resource for researchers. It's a place where many students spend countless hours studying and conducting research.
Science enthusiasts will appreciate the University of Wisconsin Science Hall, a center for scientific exploration and discovery. Bascom Hill and Bascom Hall, the administrative heart of the university located at the top of the hill, offer stunning views of the campus and the state capitol.It
The School of Music is home to Music Hall, where talented musicians and performers showcase their skills. Art lovers can explore the Chazen Museum of Art, which houses an impressive collection of artworks.
Chamberlin Hall is home to the Physics Museum, where you can explore fascinating physics exhibits. Meanwhile, the Geology Museum offers a glimpse into the Earth's geological history.
Sports enthusiasts can cheer on the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium, where exciting college football games are held. And for those seeking a tranquil escape, Allen Centennial Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden on campus.
If you're ever in Madison, be sure to visit UW Madison and experience its vibrant campus life firsthand. Whether you're interested in academics, the arts, or sports, you'll enjoy the time spent at this outstanding institution all the same.
One of the most iconic spots here is the Memorial Union and Terrace. The Memorial Union is a historic building that serves as a hub for student activities and features a picturesque terrace overlooking Lake Mendota. Students and visitors alike can relax by the lake, enjoy live music, or grab a bite to eat.
Another notable campus site is the so-called Red Gym, officially known as the Armory and Gymnasium. This historic structure houses various student services related facilities and is a prominent part of the university's history.
The Memorial Library is a massive library with extensive collections, making it a vital resource for researchers. It's a place where many students spend countless hours studying and conducting research.
Science enthusiasts will appreciate the University of Wisconsin Science Hall, a center for scientific exploration and discovery. Bascom Hill and Bascom Hall, the administrative heart of the university located at the top of the hill, offer stunning views of the campus and the state capitol.It
The School of Music is home to Music Hall, where talented musicians and performers showcase their skills. Art lovers can explore the Chazen Museum of Art, which houses an impressive collection of artworks.
Chamberlin Hall is home to the Physics Museum, where you can explore fascinating physics exhibits. Meanwhile, the Geology Museum offers a glimpse into the Earth's geological history.
Sports enthusiasts can cheer on the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium, where exciting college football games are held. And for those seeking a tranquil escape, Allen Centennial Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden on campus.
If you're ever in Madison, be sure to visit UW Madison and experience its vibrant campus life firsthand. Whether you're interested in academics, the arts, or sports, you'll enjoy the time spent at this outstanding institution all the same.
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University of Wisconsin-Madison Walking Tour Map
Guide Name: University of Wisconsin-Madison Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Madison (See other walking tours in Madison)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: USA » Madison (See other walking tours in Madison)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Author: DanaOffice
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Memorial Union and Terrace
- Red Gym
- Memorial Library
- University of Wisconsin Science Hall
- Bascom Hill and Bascom Hall
- Music Hall at School of Music
- Chazen Museum of Art
- Chamberlin Hall and Physics Museum
- Geology Museum
- Camp Randall Stadium
- Allen Centennial Gardens
1) Memorial Union and Terrace (must see)
Memorial Union and Terrace is one of the best gathering spots in Madison with stunning lake and sunset views. The sunburst chairs are a local icon and provide a great place to sit that is comfortable and perfect for people-watching. Visitors will easily see why this spot is a campus favorite at the University of Wisconsin. Even members of the public unaffiliated with the school enjoy the terrace because of everything that it offers.
This terrace is a great place is enjoy some bratwurst, one of Madison's favorite snacks. There is also beer available, and you'll enjoy the relaxed setting. Another great thing about eating here is that you can also enjoy the popular ice cream from Babcock. This ice cream is a very popular local treat.
Memorial Union is also a major center for popular on-campus activities. Ghost tours often make their way through this part of the campus. Another activity that you might have the opportunity to witness is a scavenger hunt, and either of these two activities is something that you may want to consider. There is usually some interesting going on nearby that s worth your time.
Live entertainment is also popular here, especially during the summer. These artists include student and other local acts, and you're sure to have a great time, regardless. There is also a walking path that goes around the lake. When you take a walk around the lake, you will be able to enjoy some beautiful views in a serene setting.
This terrace is a great place is enjoy some bratwurst, one of Madison's favorite snacks. There is also beer available, and you'll enjoy the relaxed setting. Another great thing about eating here is that you can also enjoy the popular ice cream from Babcock. This ice cream is a very popular local treat.
Memorial Union is also a major center for popular on-campus activities. Ghost tours often make their way through this part of the campus. Another activity that you might have the opportunity to witness is a scavenger hunt, and either of these two activities is something that you may want to consider. There is usually some interesting going on nearby that s worth your time.
Live entertainment is also popular here, especially during the summer. These artists include student and other local acts, and you're sure to have a great time, regardless. There is also a walking path that goes around the lake. When you take a walk around the lake, you will be able to enjoy some beautiful views in a serene setting.
2) Red Gym
The Red Gym, officially the University of Wisconsin–Madison Armory and Gymnasium, stands as one of the campus’s most recognizable landmarks. Completed in 1894, this fortress-like red-brick building was conceived in an era of social upheaval, combining both athletic and military functions in its Romanesque Revival form.
Originally built to serve as a dual-purpose facility—housing drill rooms, bowling alleys, a swimming tank, rifle ranges, and a spacious assembly hall for university gatherings—the Red Gym was designed with public safety and functionality in mind. Its robust, castle-like appearance reflected concerns over labor unrest at the time, as well as University of Wisconsin’s ambition to create a multipurpose civic and athletic space.
Over the years, the building evolved with the campus. After its athletic uses waned and plans for demolition nearly gained traction, it survived a serious firebomb attack in 1970, then underwent renovation to serve student and community needs rather than sporting events. Today the Red Gym is a student-service center, home to the Multicultural Student Center, Morgridge Center for Public Service, and several cultural resource offices, reflecting its new role as a space for diversity, advocacy, and engagement.
Originally built to serve as a dual-purpose facility—housing drill rooms, bowling alleys, a swimming tank, rifle ranges, and a spacious assembly hall for university gatherings—the Red Gym was designed with public safety and functionality in mind. Its robust, castle-like appearance reflected concerns over labor unrest at the time, as well as University of Wisconsin’s ambition to create a multipurpose civic and athletic space.
Over the years, the building evolved with the campus. After its athletic uses waned and plans for demolition nearly gained traction, it survived a serious firebomb attack in 1970, then underwent renovation to serve student and community needs rather than sporting events. Today the Red Gym is a student-service center, home to the Multicultural Student Center, Morgridge Center for Public Service, and several cultural resource offices, reflecting its new role as a space for diversity, advocacy, and engagement.
3) Memorial Library
Memorial Library in Madison is on the University of Wisconsin campus and offers a great environment for all visitors. There are five floors of unique collections that visitors can explore, and there are also events that are worthy of your time. Visiting this library will give you plenty to do during your time here.
Visit the Mills Music Library to learn more about the musical collections. English literature enthusiasts will enjoy seeing what the Shakespeare Collection has to offer. There is an East European Studies collection, as well as an East Asian Reading Room and Collection, and a Greek & Latin Reading Room.
This library offers workshops and events that you might find interesting. Some of the most popular workshops involve introductions to programming and other computer-related topics. Special events may involve books, art, and cultural activities. Many of these events are perfect for people of all ages and interest levels.
Visit the Mills Music Library to learn more about the musical collections. English literature enthusiasts will enjoy seeing what the Shakespeare Collection has to offer. There is an East European Studies collection, as well as an East Asian Reading Room and Collection, and a Greek & Latin Reading Room.
This library offers workshops and events that you might find interesting. Some of the most popular workshops involve introductions to programming and other computer-related topics. Special events may involve books, art, and cultural activities. Many of these events are perfect for people of all ages and interest levels.
4) University of Wisconsin Science Hall
The Science Hall was built in 1888 in a Romanesque Revival style by Milwaukee architect Henry C. Koch, with structural modifications by University of Wisconsin’s Civil Engineering Professor Allan D. Conover. This U-shaped building was a model of modern construction—melding red brick and rhyolite masonry with an early steel frame for fireproofing.
Science Hall originally housed nearly all of the university’s scientific disciplines; it was home to early instruction in geology, physics, zoology, botany, bacteriology, anatomy, and even medicine. It also hosted the country’s first courses in sedimentation, oceanography, and engineering geology, thanks to luminaries like Charles R. Van Hise, who later became university president and helped elevate the university’s geology program to national prominence.
With its broad façade punctuated by a five-story central tower and corner turrets, Science Hall evokes a stately red‑brick fortress. Its architecture blends strength and elegance: round‑arched windows, corbelled chimneys, and ornamental terra cotta—while the airy wings originally contained classrooms, laboratories, reading rooms, and a lecture hall seating nearly one hundred students.
In 1993, Science Hall was designated a National Historic Landmark, in recognition of its architectural significance and its critical role in America’s early scientific education. Still in academic use today, it houses offices and departments like Geography and continues to anchor the historic core of University of Wisconsin’s campus.
Beyond its academic legacy, Science Hall has a colorful lore—ghost stories and campus legends persist thanks to its past as home to anatomy labs and cadaver storage. Though most who tour it today won't encounter anything supernatural, the attic and back stairwells still intrigue visitors with faint echoes of its storied past.
Science Hall originally housed nearly all of the university’s scientific disciplines; it was home to early instruction in geology, physics, zoology, botany, bacteriology, anatomy, and even medicine. It also hosted the country’s first courses in sedimentation, oceanography, and engineering geology, thanks to luminaries like Charles R. Van Hise, who later became university president and helped elevate the university’s geology program to national prominence.
With its broad façade punctuated by a five-story central tower and corner turrets, Science Hall evokes a stately red‑brick fortress. Its architecture blends strength and elegance: round‑arched windows, corbelled chimneys, and ornamental terra cotta—while the airy wings originally contained classrooms, laboratories, reading rooms, and a lecture hall seating nearly one hundred students.
In 1993, Science Hall was designated a National Historic Landmark, in recognition of its architectural significance and its critical role in America’s early scientific education. Still in academic use today, it houses offices and departments like Geography and continues to anchor the historic core of University of Wisconsin’s campus.
Beyond its academic legacy, Science Hall has a colorful lore—ghost stories and campus legends persist thanks to its past as home to anatomy labs and cadaver storage. Though most who tour it today won't encounter anything supernatural, the attic and back stairwells still intrigue visitors with faint echoes of its storied past.
5) Bascom Hill and Bascom Hall
Bascom Hill and Bascom Hall form the historic and symbolic heart of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. Bascom Hill is a glacial drumlin—an ancient hill shaped some 18,000 years ago. Its broad, tree‑lined lawn is surrounded by an array of architecturally diverse buildings that trace the university’s evolution from the mid‑19th century to the present.
At the summit stands Bascom Hall, originally built in 1859 as University Hall or “Main Hall.” Once topped by a majestic dome, the roof was destroyed in a fire on October 10, 1916, and the dome was never rebuilt. The building was renamed Bascom Hall in 1920 to honor former University of Wisconsin–Madison president John Bascom. Over the decades, additions such as the north and south wings reshaped the façade, and today it houses the offices of the university chancellor and key administrators.
Fronting the hall is a statue of Abraham Lincoln, a frequent photo-op spot for graduating students who traditionally pose sitting on Honest Abe’s lap. On either side of the hill are the university’s two oldest buildings—North Hall, built 1851, and South Hall, in 1855—each still in use: North Hall houses the political science department while South Hall hosts administrative offices for the College of Letters & Science.
Beyond its architecture, Bascom Hill is steeped in student tradition and campus culture. In winter, the much‑anticipated “Battle for Bascom” snowball fight pits Lakeshore dorm residents against their Southeast counterparts in one of the city’s largest organized snowball battles. Another quirky tradition: each spring, fundraising lawn flamingos appear on the lawn, recalling a 1979 prank when over a thousand pink flamingos were planted on the hill during move‑in day.
Today, Bascom Hill lies within the Bascom Hill Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places—a testament to its significance in education, architecture, and civic life since the university’s earliest days.
At the summit stands Bascom Hall, originally built in 1859 as University Hall or “Main Hall.” Once topped by a majestic dome, the roof was destroyed in a fire on October 10, 1916, and the dome was never rebuilt. The building was renamed Bascom Hall in 1920 to honor former University of Wisconsin–Madison president John Bascom. Over the decades, additions such as the north and south wings reshaped the façade, and today it houses the offices of the university chancellor and key administrators.
Fronting the hall is a statue of Abraham Lincoln, a frequent photo-op spot for graduating students who traditionally pose sitting on Honest Abe’s lap. On either side of the hill are the university’s two oldest buildings—North Hall, built 1851, and South Hall, in 1855—each still in use: North Hall houses the political science department while South Hall hosts administrative offices for the College of Letters & Science.
Beyond its architecture, Bascom Hill is steeped in student tradition and campus culture. In winter, the much‑anticipated “Battle for Bascom” snowball fight pits Lakeshore dorm residents against their Southeast counterparts in one of the city’s largest organized snowball battles. Another quirky tradition: each spring, fundraising lawn flamingos appear on the lawn, recalling a 1979 prank when over a thousand pink flamingos were planted on the hill during move‑in day.
Today, Bascom Hill lies within the Bascom Hill Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places—a testament to its significance in education, architecture, and civic life since the university’s earliest days.
6) Music Hall at School of Music
The Music Hall, a notable example of Victorian Gothic architecture at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, was initially constructed as Assembly Hall in 1878 and officially opened in March 1880. It was designed to include an 800-seat auditorium, a reading library, and a public clocktower. Architect David R. Jones opted for detailed sandstone and red stone inlay in place of conventional tracery, giving the building a unique blend of academic formality and Gothic style.
In 1900, the university’s School of Music moved into the building, prompting a renovation that converted the two-story library into practice rooms, studios, and rehearsal spaces. By 1910, the structure was officially renamed Music Hall, solidifying its identity as the heart of University of Wisconsin–Madison’s burgeoning musical culture. The building hosted groundbreaking events—from early convocation ceremonies and dances to commencement exercises—and was praised for its excellent acoustics and elegant dance floor .
Music Hall served as the primary home for the university’s School of Music until 1969, after which it transitioned to hosting the university opera and housing other academic departments such as Urban & Regional Planning. Today, it remains a performance venue with a seating capacity of around 380—and continues to host a variety of solo recitals, chamber music, and opera productions as part of the Mead Witter School of Music's annual offerings.
In 1900, the university’s School of Music moved into the building, prompting a renovation that converted the two-story library into practice rooms, studios, and rehearsal spaces. By 1910, the structure was officially renamed Music Hall, solidifying its identity as the heart of University of Wisconsin–Madison’s burgeoning musical culture. The building hosted groundbreaking events—from early convocation ceremonies and dances to commencement exercises—and was praised for its excellent acoustics and elegant dance floor .
Music Hall served as the primary home for the university’s School of Music until 1969, after which it transitioned to hosting the university opera and housing other academic departments such as Urban & Regional Planning. Today, it remains a performance venue with a seating capacity of around 380—and continues to host a variety of solo recitals, chamber music, and opera productions as part of the Mead Witter School of Music's annual offerings.
7) Chazen Museum of Art (must see)
The Chazen Museum of Art has Wisconsin's second-largest art collection. One of the things that visitors enjoy the most about this museum is that it is always free. Special events include musical performances, family events, happy hours with artists, and curator talks. The range of special events helps bring attention to the unique exhibits that make up this museum's collection.
The art at this museum encompasses a range of genres and styles. Some examples of the diversity of art included at this museum include colorful abstract paintings, as well as contemporary art that helps highlight the unique experiences of Black Americans.
The collection includes works of art spanning multiple periods and cultures. Mosaics and oil jars dating back to the fifth century, a window from one of the homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and 18th-century silver are a few examples of the range of artifacts at this museum.
The art at this museum encompasses a range of genres and styles. Some examples of the diversity of art included at this museum include colorful abstract paintings, as well as contemporary art that helps highlight the unique experiences of Black Americans.
The collection includes works of art spanning multiple periods and cultures. Mosaics and oil jars dating back to the fifth century, a window from one of the homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and 18th-century silver are a few examples of the range of artifacts at this museum.
8) Chamberlin Hall and Physics Museum
The L.R. Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum is located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Chamberlin Hall, which contains the museum, was named after former University of Wisconsin–Madison president Thomas C. Chamberlin and dates back to the early 20th century. The building, home to the Department of Physics, features neoclassical architectural design.
The museum was founded in 1918 through the efforts of physics professors Leonard R. Ingersoll and Benjamin Snow, and proudly holds the distinction of being one of the first physics-focused museums in the United States. It began with the goal of making scientific concepts accessible to all audiences—especially young learners—and continues that mission today.
The museum features over 65 interactive exhibits that span topics from classical mechanics and electricity to optics and modern physics. Visitors can experience spinning gyroscopes, Foucault’s pendulum, circuit puzzles, color mixing displays, and even chaos theory demonstrations — most designed and built by the university faculty and students.
The museum was founded in 1918 through the efforts of physics professors Leonard R. Ingersoll and Benjamin Snow, and proudly holds the distinction of being one of the first physics-focused museums in the United States. It began with the goal of making scientific concepts accessible to all audiences—especially young learners—and continues that mission today.
The museum features over 65 interactive exhibits that span topics from classical mechanics and electricity to optics and modern physics. Visitors can experience spinning gyroscopes, Foucault’s pendulum, circuit puzzles, color mixing displays, and even chaos theory demonstrations — most designed and built by the university faculty and students.
9) Geology Museum
The Geology Museum at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides a free and captivating look into natural history, conveniently situated on campus. It’s found in the university’s southwest area, not far from Camp Randall Stadium, and is housed on one easily accessible floor.
Spread across roughly 3,000 square feet, the museum presents nearly 1,000 specimens across 66 exhibits, covering the rich geological and paleontological history of Wisconsin and beyond. You'll encounter dazzling mineral displays, including fluorescent specimens that glow under ultraviolet light; impressive fossil invertebrates and vertebrates; and even remnants of glacial activity from the region.
Standouts include the towering Boaz Mastodon skeleton, discovered locally and reconstructed in the early 20th century, plus the first dinosaur ever displayed in Wisconsin: a duck-billed Edmontosaurus. Visitors can also explore fossils like the shark Squalicorax, fossilized sea lilies from the Cretaceous chalk, and replicas of ancient creatures such as Pteranodon and mosasaur Platecarpus.
Interactive features abound: a touchable meteorite, a walk‑through model cave complete with sound effects, and a black‑light mineral room that reveals vivid fluorescent colors when plunged into darkness.
Spread across roughly 3,000 square feet, the museum presents nearly 1,000 specimens across 66 exhibits, covering the rich geological and paleontological history of Wisconsin and beyond. You'll encounter dazzling mineral displays, including fluorescent specimens that glow under ultraviolet light; impressive fossil invertebrates and vertebrates; and even remnants of glacial activity from the region.
Standouts include the towering Boaz Mastodon skeleton, discovered locally and reconstructed in the early 20th century, plus the first dinosaur ever displayed in Wisconsin: a duck-billed Edmontosaurus. Visitors can also explore fossils like the shark Squalicorax, fossilized sea lilies from the Cretaceous chalk, and replicas of ancient creatures such as Pteranodon and mosasaur Platecarpus.
Interactive features abound: a touchable meteorite, a walk‑through model cave complete with sound effects, and a black‑light mineral room that reveals vivid fluorescent colors when plunged into darkness.
10) Camp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium is one of America’s most remarcable college football venues worth visiting for any tourist exploring the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The stadium opened formally on November 3, 1917, evolving directly from its origins as the Civil War–era Camp Randall, a Union Army training ground named for Governor Alexander Randall. Tthe stadium now seats over 80,000 spectators, making it among the largest school‑owned stadiums in the nation.
Before athletic use began in 1895, the grounds hosted state fairs and soldier camps; by 1917, the university had converted the site to a fully functioning stadium. Over time, it underwent expansions in the 1920s, 1950s, 1960s, and major renovations in 2004 and 2022, including premium seating in the south end zone and updated amenities while retaining its historic charm.
Attending a Big Ten game at Camp Randall is as much about the atmosphere as the sport itself. The University of Wisconsin Marching Band gives its famed “Fifth Quarter” performance after each game—an energetic medley that keeps fans on their feet long after the final whistle. Meanwhile, between the third and fourth quarter, fans unite for the raucous “Jump Around” tradition—dancing to the House of Pain hit while the stadium trembles in unison.
For tourists, Camp Randall offers guided tours providing a glimpse into the stadium’s storied past, legendary coaches such as Barry Alvarez and retired Badger numbers, as well as its role in hosting massive events from concerts by U2 and Coldplay to high school championships and university graduations.
Before athletic use began in 1895, the grounds hosted state fairs and soldier camps; by 1917, the university had converted the site to a fully functioning stadium. Over time, it underwent expansions in the 1920s, 1950s, 1960s, and major renovations in 2004 and 2022, including premium seating in the south end zone and updated amenities while retaining its historic charm.
Attending a Big Ten game at Camp Randall is as much about the atmosphere as the sport itself. The University of Wisconsin Marching Band gives its famed “Fifth Quarter” performance after each game—an energetic medley that keeps fans on their feet long after the final whistle. Meanwhile, between the third and fourth quarter, fans unite for the raucous “Jump Around” tradition—dancing to the House of Pain hit while the stadium trembles in unison.
For tourists, Camp Randall offers guided tours providing a glimpse into the stadium’s storied past, legendary coaches such as Barry Alvarez and retired Badger numbers, as well as its role in hosting massive events from concerts by U2 and Coldplay to high school championships and university graduations.
11) Allen Centennial Gardens (must see)
On the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, Allen Centennial Garden, a charming 2.5‑acre public botanical gem, welcomes visitors dawn to dusk throughout the year. Established in 1989 to celebrate the centennial of University of Wisconsin–Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and named in honor of botanist Oscar Allen, this elegant garden truly lives up to its reputation as a “living laboratory”.
At the heart of the garden stands the stately Queen Anne-style Agricultural Dean’s House, built in 1896 and formerly the home of several college deans. Today this historic building overlooks an artfully designed landscape that blends smaller themed garden “rooms,” including English, French, Rock, Woodland, Native American, and Pond gardens. Strolling along the paths, visitors can admire a rich tapestry of perennials, shrubs, water features, and hardscape elements.
Allen Centennial acts as an outdoor classroom championed by the University Horticulture Department, where students, community groups, and visiting tourists can learn about plant identification, ecological stewardship, and seasonal plant care. Throughout the year, the garden hosts rotating events such as guided tours, flower‑arranging workshops, and small concerts.
At the heart of the garden stands the stately Queen Anne-style Agricultural Dean’s House, built in 1896 and formerly the home of several college deans. Today this historic building overlooks an artfully designed landscape that blends smaller themed garden “rooms,” including English, French, Rock, Woodland, Native American, and Pond gardens. Strolling along the paths, visitors can admire a rich tapestry of perennials, shrubs, water features, and hardscape elements.
Allen Centennial acts as an outdoor classroom championed by the University Horticulture Department, where students, community groups, and visiting tourists can learn about plant identification, ecological stewardship, and seasonal plant care. Throughout the year, the garden hosts rotating events such as guided tours, flower‑arranging workshops, and small concerts.
Walking Tours in Madison, Wisconsin
Create Your Own Walk in Madison
Creating your own self-guided walk in Madison is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Madison Introduction Walking Tour
The Native Americans called the Madison area Taychopera, meaning "land of the four lakes" which are known today as Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa. The first European settlement began in 1829 when James Duane Doty, a former federal judge, purchased over a thousand acres of land between Lakes Mendota and Monona.
The city was named after President James Madison and made the state... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
The city was named after President James Madison and made the state... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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