University of Wisconsin Madison Arboretum, Madison
Tiedeman’s Pond Conservancy, Middleton
Thousand Oaks Park (& Pocket Park), Verona
Elver Park, Madison
This large park at the west end of Madison features a paved trail that winds along a pond and loops around and over a wetland. Walking back past the sports fields, you’ll have to choose between walking along the road near the second parking lot or rejoining the paved path across the cut grass between the pond and wetland. A large accessible playground next to the primary parking lot is popular and often busy in the afternoons. There are also two picnic pavilions and a summer splash pad.
Lucia Crest Park, Madison
Hoyt Park, Madison
Quarry Park, Madison
Allen Centennial Garden, Madison
Vilas Park, Madison
James Madison Park, Madison
Yahara River Parkwaym, Madison (Tenney Park & Yahara Place Park)
Olbrich Botanical Gardens & Lakeland Playground, Atwood
Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona
This park is a small wonderland for children and families. While they do have a nature preschool and parent-child classes on site, the trails remain free and open to the public. This is a great place to explore native prairies, wetlands, and woodlands alike. Near the parking lots you can find a playground of log structures as well as a smattering of picnic tables. Be advised that many bridges and docks at ALNC are un-fenced and appropriate caution should be exercised when exploring with very young children. Rain boots are recommended.
Sites of Interest:
Alicia Ashman Library
– Explore loose pieces, foam climbing blocks, large magnetic building tiles, felt wall, magnet wall, Squigz suction construction toys. Read to a fish on the yellow rotary phone or utilize the well-stocked art supplies in the children’s section’s Spark Spot. Check out their toddler and baby storytimes on Mondays or all-ages storytime sessions on Wednesdays. While you wait for the library’s 10am opening, explore nearby Tiedeman’s Pond, Stricker’s Pond, Wexford Park, or Sauk Creek Park.
Sequoya Library
– Features a carved wooden train table, cute hand-knit stuffed animals, magnet tiles, Squigz suction construction toys, large magnetic building tiles, and a station for crayon art. This library has an entire section of small chairs and tables perfect for quiet reading with children.
UW Geology Museum
– Investigate geodes in a UV room, climb through cave formations, view life-size dinosaur skeletons, and observe a lab excavation of a fossil. Admission is free, but the university’s parking lot is not available until after the museum’s hours and it can take a while to find any available street parking in the area (with additional parking restrictions on Monday mornings).
Henry Vilas Zoo
– Outdoor climbing structure, mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits
– Zoo opens at 9:30 but playgrounds at Vilas are near the zoo’s entrance. No strollers
Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens
This tropical greenhouse exhibit features live plants, a waterfall-fed koi pond, a variety of free-flying exotic birds, and even ground-dwelling quails wandering along the paths.
The conservatory is free for kids under 5, but the paid admission can add up quickly. I’ve found a membership to be worthwhile even just for winter visits to this steamy tropical garden, but membership also includes special exhibits that Olbrich hosts throughout the year. Olbrich opens at 10am and the greenhouse does tend to heat up quickly in the sun.
Madison Children’s Museum
– Paid Admission – but there’s enough to see and do here to make a family membership worthwhile
– Check out the ground level Wonderground all-seasons outdoor play area & don’t miss the rooftop gardens, chicken coop, and Clubhouse nature center! In rougher weather, try the indoor Wildernest structure (& water station), 2nd story Nice Age trail (perfect for preschoolers), art station, and play kitchen. Wrap up a busy morning with a packed lunch or purchase snacks at the cafeteria.
– Water shoes & change of clothes recommended for Rooftop water play with young children. There are bathrooms on every level.
– The Pinkney ramp across the street is pricey and often full. The cheaper Capitol Square North ramp is a block away. Neither has an elevator for strollers. There is sometimes metered parking available on the street.
