Play Downtown Madison

Madison’s best cultural and arts organizations are downtown. Visit Madison Children’s Museum, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Wisconsin Historical Museum, or Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Ten resident arts groups perform regularly at the Overture Center for the Arts, there's music at The Orpheum or the Majestic, shows at The Bartell Theater or laughs at the Comedy Club.

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UW Campus and Visitor Relations
800 Langdon
(608) 263-2400
info.wisc.edu

UW-Madison campus and community information and assistance inside the Memorial Union. Info Desks also available at Union South and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.

 
Madison Children's Museum
100 N Hamilton
(608) 256-6445
madisonchildrensmuseum.org
Certificates accepted here

A welcoming, imaginative, joyful learning environment that nurtures children’s creativity and curiosity through hands-on exhibits, creative projects and special events.

 
Chazen Museum of Art
750 University
(608) 263-2246
www.chazen.wisc.edu

Home to the second-largest collection of art in Wisconsin, with permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, education programs and events.

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7 Iron Social
508 State
(608) 819-6780
www.7ironsocial.com

7 Iron offers something Madison residents can’t find with cold Midwestern winters: year-round virtual golf!

Alumni Park and One Alumni Place
724 Langdon
(608) 262-2551
www.alumnipark.com

Feel your pride in the UW grow with every step you take inside the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s (WAA) Alumni Park — filled with alumni stories, exhibits, and Badger traditions. Located between Memorial Union and the Red Gym. Plus, stop by…

BarleyPop Live
121 W Main
284-7243
www.restaurantji.com

Located just off of the capitol square featuring fifty taps of craft beer and cider, live music, pinball, and a selection of bottles and cans to-go along with crowlers and growlers poured from our taps!

Bartell Theatre
113 E Mifflin
(608) 661-9696
bartelltheatre.org
Certificates accepted here

Historic community playhouse and collaboration between six local theatre companies.

Chazen Museum of Art
750 University
(608) 263-2246
www.chazen.wisc.edu

Home to the second-largest collection of art in Wisconsin, with permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, education programs and events.

City of Madison Parks
210 Martin Luther King Jr.
(608) 266-4711
www.cityofmadison.com

City of Madison Parks offices. Offering parks information, lake access, golf courses, events, shelter rentals, and more.

Comedy Club on State, The
202 State
(608) 256-0099
www.madisoncomedy.com

Comedy on State is Wisconsin’s premiere comedy club! We host nationally touring comedians from Comedy Central, HBO, Netflix, Jimmy Fallon and more! Our friendly staff, hysterical entertainers, intimate atmosphere and full service bar will…

Dane County Law Library
215 S Hamilton
(608) 266-6316
wilawlibrary.gov

Serves the legal information needs of county officers and employees, attorneys and the public.

Der Rathskeller
800 Langdon Street
(608) 265-3000
union.wisc.edu

Der Rathskeller is a favorite gathering place for students, staff, and community members. With a German beer hall feel, this Wisconsin Union icon hosts music sponsored by the Wisconsin Union Directorate's Music Committee, game watches for…

Destination Madison
22 E Mifflin
(608) 255-2537
www.visitmadison.com

As Greater Madison’s official destination marketing organization, Destination Madison drives economic impact through tourism. We attract leisure visitors, conventions and sporting events to the area, and partner with local businesses to…

Downtown Madison Information Booth
100 W Mifflin
www.visitdowntownmadison.com

Open from May into October, the Downtown Madison Info Booth is located where State St. meets the Capitol Square. Offering visitor information, brochures, and answering questions regarding downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Downtown Visitor Center
452 State
(608) 512-1341
www.visitdowntownmadison.com

The Visitor Center is currently closed, but you can search through our directory , attractions , and see how you can support downtown businesses by…

Escape This
120 E Wilson
(608) 217-8181
escapethis.com

Escape games are real-life, interactive experiences. They're challenging, entertaining and a great way to spend time with family and friends. Your group will have 60 minutes to work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and crack codes in…

Hook and Fade
113 S Hamilton
(608) 315-4370
www.hookandfade.com

Hook & Fade is a warm and inviting micro-social golf simulator destination where you can relax in comfort equal to your own living room, enjoy elevated hospitality, and take as many swings as you like (or even zero)

James Watrous Gallery/Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters
201 State
(608) 733-6633 x25
www.wisconsinacademy.org

Dedicated to the work of contemporary Wisconsin artists, the gallery also presents exhibitions that explore ideas and connect the arts to other disciplines. Free and open to the public. Located on the third floor of Overture Center for the…

Lakeview Lounge
800 Langdon Street
(608) 265-3000
union.wisc.edu

Right on Lake Mendota, ceiling to floor windows make every seat in the house a lakefront paradise. Enjoy a beverage, shareable appetizers, and chef-created pizzas. This seasonal dining experience is proudly presented by the Wisconsin Union…

Liquid
624 University
(608) 257-1122
liquidmadison.com

Liquid is one of the busiest & most successful college town indie music venues anywhere in the country & is the last large, privately owned & operated independent music venue left in downtown Madison….

Madison Children's Museum
100 N Hamilton
(608) 256-6445
madisonchildrensmuseum.org
Certificates accepted here

A welcoming, imaginative, joyful learning environment that nurtures children’s creativity and curiosity through hands-on exhibits, creative projects and special events.

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
227 State
(608) 257-0158
www.mmoca.org

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is housed in a soaring building designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli. MMoCA offers free exhibitions and education programs that engage visitors in modern and contemporary art. The museum’s…

Madison Public Library - Central Library
201 W Mifflin
(608) 266-6300
www.madisonpubliclibrary.org

The recently renovated Central Library offers expanded facilities plus art exhibits, events, films and hands-on activities for all ages including a designated kids area.

Madison Senior Center
330 W Mifflin
(608) 266-6581
www.cityofmadison.com

The Madison Senior Center continues its mission to promote successful aging. The center welcomes 40,000 visitors annually, and offers close to 3,000 events each year.

Main Gallery and Class of 1925 Gallery
800 Langdon Street
(608) 265-3000
union.wisc.edu

Enjoy free art exhibitions by artists from around the country at this gallery in Memorial Union. Exhibitions change throughout the year, so check back often for the latest installations.

Majestic Theatre
115 King
(608) 255-0901
majesticmadison.com

Live music with an eclectic mix of national and local talent, stand-up comedy and themed parties in a historic venue. Hosts of the Live on King St. concerts.

Memorial Union
800 Langdon Street
(608) 265-3000
union.wisc.edu

A visit to Madison is not complete without a visit to Memorial Union, one of the community’s most beloved destinations. Located right on the shore of Lake Mendota, Memorial Union is home to almost daily events and activities as well as…

Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon Street
(608) 265-3000
terracesummer.com

“Come enjoy beautiful lake views, gorgeous sunsets, and your food faves. No reservations needed. The Terrace stage is home to a fun-filled free music and film lineup throughout the summer…

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
1 John Nolen
(608) 261-4000
www.mononaterrace.com

A public space and convention center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright hosting conferences, conventions, art installations, Frank Lloyd Wright history, and community events including yoga, meditation, dancing, and concerts. Open daily with a…

Oros Executive Dining Room
601 University Avenue
(608) 441-7143
fluno.com

The Oros Executive Dining Room is open to the public and offers a buffet breakfast and lunch serving locally fresh and sustainable seasonal fare. Be sure to save room for our delectable house-made dessert selections. The team also offers…

Orpheum Theater
216 State
(608) 250-2600
madisonorpheum.com

Theater offering live performance, music, comedy shows, weddings and corporate events, one block from the State Capitol.

Outdoor UW
800 Langdon Street
(608) 262-1630
union.wisc.edu

Located on Memorial Union's lakefront, Outdoor UW is your outlet to the outdoors! Rent camping, climbing, hiking, and paddling equipment; balance your day with Terrace yoga or standup paddleboard yoga; or plan your family or group adventure…

Overture Center For The Arts
201 State
(608) 258-4141
www.overture.org
Certificates accepted here

A performing arts center with ten resident organizations, presenting Broadway, music, theater, comedy, art exhibitions and educational and community events.

Ruby
624 University
(608) 257-1122
rubymadison.com

Ruby is a beautiful 150+ guest occupancy private event space inside the Liquid music venue, which is located directly across the street from the University of Wisconsin campus and just steps away from both the Lake Street & Frances Street…

Smitty's Study Pub
601 University Avenue
(608) 441-7300
fluno.com

Located on the eighth floor of the Fluno Center, guests at Smitty's Study Pub can enjoy views of Lake Mendota and the skyline of downtown Madison while savoring a delicious craft brew or cocktail. The team also has an award-winning menu…

The BBQ Stand
800 Langdon Street
(608) 265-3000
union.wisc.edu

Open seasonally in summer and early fall

The Brat Stand
800 Langdon Street
(608) 265-3000
union.wisc.edu

A Madison classic since 1987, the Brat Stand at Memorial Union features the classics like brats and burgers, along with a wide variety of cold beverages. This treasured lakefront dining destination is proudly presented by the Wisconsin…

UW Campus and Visitor Relations
800 Langdon
(608) 263-2400
info.wisc.edu

UW-Madison campus and community information and assistance inside the Memorial Union. Info Desks also available at Union South and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.

Wheelhouse Studios
800 Langdon Street
(608) 262-3156
union.wisc.edu

Wheelhouse Studios is an open arts studio located in the lower level of Memorial Union. With three versatile work spaces, flexible studio designs, drop-in art opportunities, and classes for enthusiasts and first-time artists alike, it’s…

Wisconsin Historical Museum
30 N Carroll
(608) 264-6555
historicalmuseum.wisconsinhistory.org
Certificates accepted here

Explore four floors of exhibits highlighting Wisconsin's distinctive heritage and a variety of other American history topics. On Madison's Capitol Square.

Wisconsin Historical Society
816 State
(608) 264-6400
www.wisconsinhistory.org

Society headquarters, library and archives with materials about the history of Wisconsin, the United States and Canada, plus collections of the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.

Wisconsin State Capitol Tours
2 E Main
(608) 266-0382
tours.wisconsin.gov

Drop-in tours (45-55 min.) start at the Information Desk (inside the central rotunda). Mon.- Sat. at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday - Friday…

Wisconsin State Law Library
120 Martin Luther King Jr.
(608) 266-1600
wilawlibrary.gov

Serves the legal information needs of state officers and employees, attorneys and the public.

Wisconsin Union Theater
800 Langdon Street
(608) 265-ARTS
uniontheater.wisc.edu

For more than 75 years, the Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a center for cultural activity in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The Theater hosts performances in multiple locations, including Memorial Union, and…

Wisconsin Veterans Museum
30 W Mifflin
(608) 267-1799
www.wisvetsmuseum.com

Sharing the stories of Wisconsin veterans from the Civil War to present.

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Downtown Ambassadors

Stop by the Downtown Visitor Center at 452 State St. or our seasonal Downtown Information Booth located at the top of State Street for information, directions and a welcoming smile.