

Things to do in Madison
Madison, WI packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Madison by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book.
Quick answer
What are the best things to do in Madison?
Outty ranks 23 bookable experiences in Madison, United States. The highest scoring is Downtown Madison E-Bike Guided Tour at 81 out of 100, followed by Self-Guided Audio Tour Lake Superior North Shore, Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour, The Original Madison Ghost Walk - Capitol Square. Prices start at $9 per person and 0 experiences score 90 or above, putting them in the Outty 90+ Club. Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Madison, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities.
- Ranked experiences
- 23
- In the 90+ Club
- 0
- From
- $9 per person
- Bookable today
- 23
Last Minute in Madison
Confirmed availability today or tomorrow.


Self-Guided Audio Tour Lake Superior North Shore

Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour

The Original Madison Ghost Walk - Capitol Square

Murmurs of Mourning & Murder: Madison Ghost Tour

Participate in a Fun Scavenger Hunt in Madison by Crazy Dash
Family Friendly in Madison
Works with children in tow, by age policy and pacing.

Madison Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats, & More

The Hunt, an exciting cat-and-mouse game in Madison

Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Madison with Holly Jolly Hunt
Food & Drink in Madison
Food tours, tastings, markets and dinner experiences.
Culture & History in Madison
Museums, landmarks and stories behind the streets.

Downtown Madison E-Bike Guided Tour

Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour

The Original Madison Ghost Walk - Capitol Square

Murmurs of Mourning & Murder: Madison Ghost Tour

Participate in a Fun Scavenger Hunt in Madison by Crazy Dash

Madison, Wisconsin Scavenger Hunt
Outdoors in Madison
Fresh air, water, trails and skyline views.

Downtown Madison E-Bike Guided Tour

Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Madison WI

Winter Warm Up Holiday eBike Tour

Madison Scavenger Hunt Adventure
Nightlife in Madison
After dark: bars, shows and evening cruises.
Planning questions about Madison
- What are the best things to do in Madison?
- Downtown Madison E-Bike Guided Tour is the highest ranked experience in Madison, scoring 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 173 traveler reviews. Self-Guided Audio Tour Lake Superior North Shore, Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour, The Original Madison Ghost Walk - Capitol Square, Murmurs of Mourning & Murder: Madison Ghost Tour round out the top five. Outty ranks 23 bookable experiences in Madison, United States, and 0 of them score 90 or above.
- How much do activities in Madison cost?
- The median price across everything we rank in Madison is $22 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $9 on Wisconsin's Madtown: A Madison Self-Guided Walking Tour. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.
- Can I book something in Madison for today?
- Yes. 23 of the 23 experiences we rank in Madison currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.
- Is Madison good for families?
- Yes. 3 of the experiences we rank in Madison are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.
- How many days do you need in Madison?
- Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
- When is the best time to visit Madison?
- Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Madison, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
- Can I cancel a booking in Madison?
- 20 of the 23 experiences we rank in Madison offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.
- How does the Outty Ranking work?
- Every experience in Madison gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Madison so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.