I Lived in Madison, Wisconsin, Here’s the One Day Tour I’d Book to Get to Know My City

Madison was my home for just five years. Yet, one of my favorite things to do is introduce people to my favorite places, sights, and sounds, because little else can drown out the world quite like Lake Monona on a warm spring day. For visitors, there is no shortage of spooky tours to reveal Madison's more unique side. Yet, I implore you to take this self-guided tour instead to get to know my former home.

I'm a big fan of a self-guided tour. Why? Because I prefer to do things at my own pace. Especially when I'm visiting a new place, I hate being rushed away from something just to keep the group on time. With a self-guided tour, you can take all of the breaks you want or need—a must if I spend too long near The Old Fashioned off of Capitol Square. Cheesecurd breaks are very Madison.

And this walking tour? It is also very Madison. From the start, you begin your journey at the iconic Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this glistening structure along the lake is a perfect starting point. Not only can you digest some of Madison's earliest history with the serenity of the lake, but you also have the Capitol Building in the distance beckoning you Forward (Wisconsin's state motto) on your journey. Before you depart Monona Terrace, though, drop in at the rooftop Lake Vista Cafe for a quick coffee to-go to fuel your adventure.

Walk straight on to learn more about Wisconsin's white granite beauty. The State Capitol in all its ornamental glory awaits as you learn about Madison's undeniable political ties. After this portion of the tour, I highly recommend taking a pause. The Capitol Building is open daily, with free tours offered throughout the day. Even if you aren't in a hurry to jump into another tour while mid-tour, there is plenty to see inside during your short respite. I can't even count how many times I've stopped inside just to admire the meticulously appointed rotunda. There is something uniquely special about this building, too unique for words. Although it houses something as serious as politics, it's also a piece of art.

That's just the nature of Madison, though. It is a fun city! Few places capture that spirit of fun quite like walking down State Street, especially on a Badger game day. Why? The University of Wisconsin-Madison is right at the end of the street. As you meander on, you'll pass spots like the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, or tour-included places like Elizabeth Link Peace Park and Bascom Hill, and can learn all about the varied history of this little city. It has been a hub of activism, political movements, learning, and artistic achievements. There's a reason it leaves such a deep impression on folks. So, when you reach the final destination on this tour, it's only fitting that it can be a place for contemplation.

Madisonians will probably laugh at that contemplation comment because the self-guided tour ends at Memorial Union Terrace. Sure, this terrace along Lake Mendota can be raucous at times when the beer and snacks are flowing. Even so, you can sit on one of the vibrant terrace chairs, gaze out onto the water just as you did at the beginning of the tour, and think about all that you've learned about this fantastic city. Or you can watch the ducks—that's always been my favorite part.