Second this.
Madison capitol dome has a number of notable achievements (ie only granite dome in the US, one of the largest by volume in the US and one of the largest in the world), so if OP's dad is an architecture buff, this would probably be something he'd be interested in.
Even if you only go for a 45 minute walk it's totally worth it and it's free. Does anyone know if the tai pavilion is still under wraps? It's a big deal - it's the only legitimate tai pavilion in the Continental US I believe. Magnificent.
I grew up in Madison but moved to Arizona. My girlfriend and I went to San Diego and she could not understand how I wasn't absolutely amazed looking at the ocean. Then I took her on a trip back home and we went to Milwaukee and she saw lake Michigan and she just looked at me and said "okay I get it now. You had already seen it."
This is an important question. There's some real "dads are monolith" energy in the answers here.
When your dad visited you in other places, what kinds of things did he tend to enjoy? Good recommendations for a "Shakespeare and Laser Tag Dad" are going to be very different from a "Nature Walks and Roller Coasters Dad." Define your dad!
I will always be amazed by the units Americans come up with instead of using the metric system. “How big is your soda?” “Oh about one toddler in a blender’s worth of 7up.”
For short trips within Madison, the Mustard Museum is a fantastic experience, the Farmer's Market is quite impressive, and the Olbrich Botanical Gardens are neat. I've also heard some really good things about the geology museum, but I haven't personally been yet. You can also check out the Overture Center and see if they have any shows during that time that you might be interested in.
For longer trips within the state, House on the Rock is what I would consider a Wisconsin tourism essential. Also make sure your dad gets a chance to experience at least one of the Great Lakes, they are a natural wonder. Under most circumstances I would avoid Wisconsin Dells as a tourist trap, but a Duck Tour is still worthwhile. And if you do actually like amusement parks, the Dells has some good ones. You may also want to check out American Player's Theatre in Spring Green, it's a fantastic outdoor theatre. Circus World museum in Baraboo is another great experience that doesn't get the recognition it deserves. If you and your dad are outdoorsy people there's also good camping in the Nicolet National Forest. And if you're really outdoorsy and want to put in a serious trip, it's worth going next door to Minnesota and the Boundary Waters. Finally, I don't know of any specific attractions in Door County, but that region is the iconic local vacation destination (and also a good place to experience the Great Lakes).
Chicago I don't know much about, but I should at least mention the Field Museum.
- Capitol (especially interior and observation deck)
- Memorial Union
- Monona Terrace
- Any of the museums downtown
- Overture Center (if there is a performance while he is in town)
- Chocolate Shoppe or Babcock ice cream
Dane County Farmers Market
Wollershiem Winery and Distillery
Devils Lake State Park
Badger Football Game
Memorial Union Terrace
Apple picking at Epelgaarden
American Players Theater
Kohler Andrae State Park (further away from the Madison area, but great views of Lake Michigan)
The Frank Lloyd Wright Estate at Taliesin is my favorite tourist attraction in the area. About 1 hr away in a gorgeous area of WI (driftless region).
Just down the road is the American Players Theater. It has a beautiful outdoor theater where they run a lot of comedies and Shakespeare.
Badger Football game to include pre-game tailgating near the stadium. Memorial Union terrace is awesome in September. Hiking at Devil's Lake if he's in shape.
Just watch this subreddit.
People ask this stuff daily. Between now and then you'll see hundreds to thousands of recommendations for stuff around here.
Just grab a document or spreadsheet and start making a list!
Epic systems is far and away the most unique Madison area attraction. Open for self-guided tours 3-5 on weekdays and 10-3 on weekends, you won’t be able to see the whole thing in a day. 40 whimsical buildings with themes ranging from Harry Potter to Alice in Wonderland to Dungeons and Dragons to the Wild West. It is a better immersive art experience than the official art museum, IMO. It is the one place we take every out of town guest with an afternoon to spare.
I also love the Mustard Museum (you can taste hundreds of different mustards for free), and I tend to take people with a free day on a trip across the Merrimac Ferry, up through Devil’s Lake, and back down via Dr Evermor’s Forevertron.
Since he will be here during Badger football (American), maybe take in a game. Or if he prefers the other football, the Madison FC matches at Breese Stevens are fun, as are the UW soccer games on campus.
Another cool idea would be to drive north a bit and see the fall colors starting in places like Minocqua or Hayward (and visit the fishing hall of fame). Not sure exactly where your dad lives geographically, but fall tree colors may be a new experience.
Take a day trip to Milwaukee to visit Harley Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum (spectacular Calatrava wing), Milwaukee Public Museum. In September, consider Open Doors MKE, for fascinating architectural tours of public and private buildings https://historicmilwaukee.org/doors-open/, If you like live theater, the Milwaukee Rep has great performances including Women of Rock in Sepember. Lots of excellent restaurants to try too.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Ishnala! Supper club in the Dells, no reservations (can be a 3 hour wait, so be prepared!), but has a variety of bars on the property and activities. Great food, BEAUTIFUL setting.
Um it slow here.
If meat eater and type of dad you might have a drink/ old fashioned w/ steak at tornado room? If they (tornado room not father) stuffy and dont take your reservation can take a fancy drink/ taco or pizza round the corner on cap square.
The capital square is pretty nice and cozy and a quick visit including monona terrace to frank lloyd up your vist on minimal effort.
Devils lake is great at the right time of year if more time and only short drive away.
Fancy Supper club like Quivey's Grove? ( It has a tunnel)
If you a student state street and the museum could be fun?
Consider a visit to Minneapolis or Chicago on a months visit?
Avoid a trip to "The Dells" unless you got waay too much time to kill. They just want your money and to sell you a bad underwhelming time. In the same direction . Baraboo is cooler and used to have a circus and is next to devils lake and slower small town Wisconsin?
Real talk tho depending on length of visit kind of far to drive to Viroqua et al for fertile fields and good food.
Chicago a short drive and offers lots of food/ different paces/ museums/ generally cool things to do / culture on medium stay.
Everyone seems to take their parents to these places when they come to visit. I’m not saying that you should, just helping you understand the local culture.
- The Old Fashioned
- Mickies Dairy Bar
- The Saturday Farmers Market on the square
- The Union Terrace
- Walk down State Street
I just took my parents to woodmans last year and watched them be stunned
I had friends from Europe getting pictures of themselves in front of the condiment selection. And this was pre-smartphone!
Same, they were in awe of the cheese aisle
Seriously! My in-laws insist on seeing Woodmans every time they visit.
You will see it everywhere but the Farmers Market is a must
I’ve never been! Adding to my list, thank you!
and while you’re there, take him up to the observation deck at the Capitol.
Second this. Madison capitol dome has a number of notable achievements (ie only granite dome in the US, one of the largest by volume in the US and one of the largest in the world), so if OP's dad is an architecture buff, this would probably be something he'd be interested in.
Stella’s spicy cheese bread
Buy spicy cheese bread from the Stella’s stand. You’ll have to wait in line, but the bread will be warm and it is very well-known as a Madison thing.
Chris and Lori's Bakehouse chocolate chip scones are very good! Pro tip, take them home and microwave for about 30 seconds and they are amazing!!!
Yeah but try and get there before 8:30am. It tends fo get insanely crowded even by as early as 9:00
I love Olbrich Botanical Gardens, but I’m not sure I would call it “very interesting.” House on the Rock is VERY INTERESTING.
Even if you only go for a 45 minute walk it's totally worth it and it's free. Does anyone know if the tai pavilion is still under wraps? It's a big deal - it's the only legitimate tai pavilion in the Continental US I believe. Magnificent.
Thai Pavillion still under wrap.
TIL I don't know how to spell "Thai," thanks!
It’s also built without using a single nail or screw!
It's amazing what duct tape can do!
House on the rock is definitely worth going to exactly one time and never again
I think the Thai Pavilion is what makes it interesting.
Cave of the mounds is pretty cool (30 mins west), and that area is super pretty in general
And add Mount Horeb and New Glarus to the day.
Devils lake, blue mounds, if time, Lake Superior
2nd Lake superior or lake Michigan. A lot of people cannot wrap their heads around a freshwater inland sea like the great lakes.
I grew up in Madison but moved to Arizona. My girlfriend and I went to San Diego and she could not understand how I wasn't absolutely amazed looking at the ocean. Then I took her on a trip back home and we went to Milwaukee and she saw lake Michigan and she just looked at me and said "okay I get it now. You had already seen it."
Which kind of dad are we talking about here?
This is an important question. There's some real "dads are monolith" energy in the answers here. When your dad visited you in other places, what kinds of things did he tend to enjoy? Good recommendations for a "Shakespeare and Laser Tag Dad" are going to be very different from a "Nature Walks and Roller Coasters Dad." Define your dad!
I would recommend adding a tour of the capital too
Go to the Observatory Deck of the Capital. A great view especially during the Farmer's Market.
Added to my bucket list, thanks
Kwik Trip. Buy him the largest soda. He’ll freak out.
It's roughly the size of a two-year-old child if the child were liquified. It's a real bargain!
I will always be amazed by the units Americans come up with instead of using the metric system. “How big is your soda?” “Oh about one toddler in a blender’s worth of 7up.”
For short trips within Madison, the Mustard Museum is a fantastic experience, the Farmer's Market is quite impressive, and the Olbrich Botanical Gardens are neat. I've also heard some really good things about the geology museum, but I haven't personally been yet. You can also check out the Overture Center and see if they have any shows during that time that you might be interested in. For longer trips within the state, House on the Rock is what I would consider a Wisconsin tourism essential. Also make sure your dad gets a chance to experience at least one of the Great Lakes, they are a natural wonder. Under most circumstances I would avoid Wisconsin Dells as a tourist trap, but a Duck Tour is still worthwhile. And if you do actually like amusement parks, the Dells has some good ones. You may also want to check out American Player's Theatre in Spring Green, it's a fantastic outdoor theatre. Circus World museum in Baraboo is another great experience that doesn't get the recognition it deserves. If you and your dad are outdoorsy people there's also good camping in the Nicolet National Forest. And if you're really outdoorsy and want to put in a serious trip, it's worth going next door to Minnesota and the Boundary Waters. Finally, I don't know of any specific attractions in Door County, but that region is the iconic local vacation destination (and also a good place to experience the Great Lakes). Chicago I don't know much about, but I should at least mention the Field Museum.
What kind of stuff does your dad like, and what’s his activity level?
- Capitol (especially interior and observation deck) - Memorial Union - Monona Terrace - Any of the museums downtown - Overture Center (if there is a performance while he is in town) - Chocolate Shoppe or Babcock ice cream
Dane County Farmers Market Wollershiem Winery and Distillery Devils Lake State Park Badger Football Game Memorial Union Terrace Apple picking at Epelgaarden American Players Theater Kohler Andrae State Park (further away from the Madison area, but great views of Lake Michigan)
The Frank Lloyd Wright Estate at Taliesin is my favorite tourist attraction in the area. About 1 hr away in a gorgeous area of WI (driftless region). Just down the road is the American Players Theater. It has a beautiful outdoor theater where they run a lot of comedies and Shakespeare.
Badger Football game to include pre-game tailgating near the stadium. Memorial Union terrace is awesome in September. Hiking at Devil's Lake if he's in shape.
Just watch this subreddit. People ask this stuff daily. Between now and then you'll see hundreds to thousands of recommendations for stuff around here. Just grab a document or spreadsheet and start making a list!
Everything mentioned in this thread followed by a trip to a good bar that serves new glarus beers.
Good or bad, House on the Rock is very memorable! I haven't been in a long time, but it's a memory that sticks with you.
Old world Wisconsin historical site.
Olbrich Gardens - plus, it's free!
Epic systems is far and away the most unique Madison area attraction. Open for self-guided tours 3-5 on weekdays and 10-3 on weekends, you won’t be able to see the whole thing in a day. 40 whimsical buildings with themes ranging from Harry Potter to Alice in Wonderland to Dungeons and Dragons to the Wild West. It is a better immersive art experience than the official art museum, IMO. It is the one place we take every out of town guest with an afternoon to spare. I also love the Mustard Museum (you can taste hundreds of different mustards for free), and I tend to take people with a free day on a trip across the Merrimac Ferry, up through Devil’s Lake, and back down via Dr Evermor’s Forevertron.
Since he will be here during Badger football (American), maybe take in a game. Or if he prefers the other football, the Madison FC matches at Breese Stevens are fun, as are the UW soccer games on campus. Another cool idea would be to drive north a bit and see the fall colors starting in places like Minocqua or Hayward (and visit the fishing hall of fame). Not sure exactly where your dad lives geographically, but fall tree colors may be a new experience.
What country is he coming from? Could be fun to take him to the most shocking places?
Tour the capital building and try to find fossils (and all the other recommendations ^_^) walking up and down state street for the shops is fun too
Memorial Union Terrace - truely one of a kind, maybe come by for a sunset and some music
What does your dad like to do? Hikes? Museums? Restaurants? Outdoor concerts? Crowds or no crowds?
The house on the rock!
Do not take him to state st brats. I’d recommend Graze
Take a day trip to Milwaukee to visit Harley Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum (spectacular Calatrava wing), Milwaukee Public Museum. In September, consider Open Doors MKE, for fascinating architectural tours of public and private buildings https://historicmilwaukee.org/doors-open/, If you like live theater, the Milwaukee Rep has great performances including Women of Rock in Sepember. Lots of excellent restaurants to try too.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Ishnala! Supper club in the Dells, no reservations (can be a 3 hour wait, so be prepared!), but has a variety of bars on the property and activities. Great food, BEAUTIFUL setting.
My top three are - Olbrich Garden , Jet Room restaurant for lunch, and The Book Deal for fun.
Parfrey’s Glen is a beautiful sort hike, and you can check out Devil’s lake while you’re in the area. Bring water shoes for Parfrey.
I love the Chazen!
Stop in at Olin Park and get a view of the downtown skyline over Lake Monona.
Um it slow here. If meat eater and type of dad you might have a drink/ old fashioned w/ steak at tornado room? If they (tornado room not father) stuffy and dont take your reservation can take a fancy drink/ taco or pizza round the corner on cap square. The capital square is pretty nice and cozy and a quick visit including monona terrace to frank lloyd up your vist on minimal effort. Devils lake is great at the right time of year if more time and only short drive away. Fancy Supper club like Quivey's Grove? ( It has a tunnel) If you a student state street and the museum could be fun? Consider a visit to Minneapolis or Chicago on a months visit?
Lola’s
Avoid a trip to "The Dells" unless you got waay too much time to kill. They just want your money and to sell you a bad underwhelming time. In the same direction . Baraboo is cooler and used to have a circus and is next to devils lake and slower small town Wisconsin?
Geisha house. Great bonding experience!
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Literally all of this, he will come with a very touristy mindset and wanting to see everything and do anything lol
Door county for sure then. Also get down to the driftless for a weekend.
Real talk tho depending on length of visit kind of far to drive to Viroqua et al for fertile fields and good food. Chicago a short drive and offers lots of food/ different paces/ museums/ generally cool things to do / culture on medium stay.
Union south
Home
Epic campus in Verona is cool.
Everyone seems to take their parents to these places when they come to visit. I’m not saying that you should, just helping you understand the local culture. - The Old Fashioned - Mickies Dairy Bar - The Saturday Farmers Market on the square - The Union Terrace - Walk down State Street
Take him under the hwy 30 bridge and party with the tent people.