Attractions

Greater Madison Convention & Visitor Bureau

Howard M. Temin Lakeshore Path

The path is a favorite route to and from campus for walkers and bicyclists. Picnic Point, rated “one of the best places to kiss” by a Florida newspaper, is not just a romantic spot, but a haven for people looking for a quiet getaway. A narrow, heavily wooded finger of land that juts out about a mile into Lake Mendota, Picnic Point is easily accessible via a wide dirt path, and offers views of the campus and the state Capitol. There also are numerous picnic spots and a sand beach along the path. It connects to another 300 acres of natural areas along the lake for hikers, joggers and nature lovers. The path runs 1.6 miles along Lake Mendota, from Memorial Union west to the entrance of Picnic Point.

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

1207 Seminole Highway, between Lake Wingra and the West Beltline Highway
608-263-7888

Featuring the restored prairies, forest and wetlands of pre-settlement Wisconsin, the 1,260-acre Arboretum also houses flowering trees, shrubs and a world-famous lilac collection. Educational tours for groups and the public, science and nature-based classes for all ages and abilities, and a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for groups, families and individuals are available. Stop in to see the McKay Visitor Center, featuring an orientation theater, bookstore, library, art gallery and more, before beginning your exploration.

Allen Centennial Gardens

Corner of Observatory Drive and Babcock Drive (map)
608-262-8406

Created on the 2.5-acre site of a historic Victorian home that once served as a residence for university deans, the Allen Centennial Gardens have been called UW-Madison’s largest outdoor classroom. The 22 magnificent gardens are maintained by UW faculty, staff and students, and represent gardening styles from around the world. Primarily used as a teaching tool in horticulture, botany, entomology and plant pathology, the gardens are also popular among visitors who stroll the grounds and gardeners who come to ooh and aah.

Babcock Hall Dairy Plant and Store

1605 Linden Drive (map)
608-262-3045

A recent renovation has transformed the 50-year-old Babcock Dairy Store into a sparkling-new place to purchase and enjoy many kinds of eats and treats. Stop by the store to purchase the university’s cheese and famous ice cream in a multitude of flavors. An expanded sandwich bar is also available for those seeking something to accompany their sweet treats. Babcock ice cream is also sold at Memorial Union and Union South. Dairy plant operations can be viewed from an observation deck near the store. Babcock hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saturday (open until 5:30 p.m. on home football Saturdays).

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704. | Phone: (608)246-4550

Stroll through 16 acres of outdoor display gardens including the Rose Garden, Thai Pavilion and Garden, Sunken Garden, and Perennial Garden.

Enjoy a tropical paradise in Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid filled with exotic plants and flowers, small birds, a rushing waterfall, and fragrant orchids.

Outdoor Gardens are open daily and are free to all. Admission to the Bolz Conservatory is $1 per person and free to all on Wednesday and Saturday from 10 am to noon.