The Top Museums In Madison Wisconsin

From quirky collections to world-class art and science, Madison has some of the best museums in the state. Whether you’re looking for a fun family day out or want to learn more about the area’s history, these top museums should be on your must-see list while spending time in Wisconsin’s state capital!

Chazen Museum of Art

Museum

The Chazen Museum of Art is an art treasure trove on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s sprawling campus. With over 20,000 pieces of art, the museum’s ever-growing art collection has become the second biggest in Wisconsin. Visitors will be delighted to find a large variety of works from all corners of the globe and spanning a wide range of historical periods. The museum also offers tours and hosts a number of educational programs and special events.

Madison Children’s Museum

Museum

The Madison Children’s Museum is a place where learning can be achieved through creative playing. Through a number of exciting, interactive exhibits, children can discover science, art, history, and so much more while having fun at the same time. In addition to the regular exhibits, the museum also hosts a number of events and programs, including some that are designed for grown-ups.

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

Museum

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. With rotating exhibitions covering a range of contemporary art styles and free admission, there is no excuse not to check it out.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Museum

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. Admission is free, and its central location makes it easy to visit.

National Mustard Museum

Museum

Just outside of Madison, the National Mustard Museum is one of the most unusual attractions in the area. Nearly 6,000 mustards from all 50 states and more than 70 countries are on display, along with hundreds of other mustard-related items in the collection. Entry into the museum is free, so you can save your pennies to make a tasty purchase at the gift shop.

Wisconsin Historical Museum

Museum

For those interested in learning more about the state’s history, there is perhaps no better place than the Wisconsin Historical Museum on Capitol Square. The museum takes a hands-on approach to history by giving visitors the opportunity to explore replicas of a 1,000-year-old house, a lead mine, and a fur trading post, in addition to learning about the historical artifacts on display.

University of Wisconsin Geology Museum

Museum

The University of Wisconsin Geology Museum has the second highest attendance of any museum on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus. It houses exhibits about geology and paleontology, and admission is free, making it accessible for everyone to come and learn about these topics. The museum’s biggest attraction is the Boaz mastodon skeleton, which was discovered in Wisconsin in 1897.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.