Things to Do Alone in Madison (Free Art, Capitol, Lakes)

This guide is about Madison, Wisconsin, the state capital. Its best solo plans cost very little: two art museums with no admission fee, free guided tours of the State Capitol and a rooftop above Lake Monona. In November the Memorial Union Terrace is listed as closed, so the plan shifts indoors and to the long walks the University of Wisconsin Arboretum allows.

Last checked 2026-11-01. Hours come from each venue's own site.

Free museums, one after the other

Chazen Museum of Art. At 750 University Avenue, its website says "Open daily. Always free." The Chazen building is open Monday to Friday 8 am to 7 pm and on weekends 11 am to 5 pm; the galleries run 10 am to 7 pm on weekdays. It is closed on campus holidays, and there is a cafe just inside the entrance (Chazen visit). A free museum means you can stay for twenty minutes without feeling you have wasted a ticket.

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. At 227 State Street, it has no admission fee for exhibitions. Hours are Wednesday 12 to 6 pm, Thursday 12 to 9 pm, Friday 12 to 6, Saturday 10 to 6 and Sunday 12 to 6; it is closed Monday and Tuesday. The museum has a free self-managed coat check with lockers, and the rooftop sculpture garden may be closed in bad weather (MMoCA). Thursday is the late night.

See how to visit a museum alone for more ideas.

The Capitol, the lake and the rooftop

Wisconsin State Capitol. On Capitol Square, the Capitol is open year-round (the State of Wisconsin says so and offers free guided tours). Listed times are Monday to Saturday at 9, 10 and 11 am and 1, 2 and 3 pm, and Sunday at 1, 2 and 3 pm. The building is open Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm and weekends 8 am to 4 pm. The outdoor observation deck is open mid-April through December, with weather and construction possibly affecting access (Wisconsin Capitol tours). A scheduled tour is an easy way to be with a group without needing to chat.

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. At 1 John Nolen Drive, the building is open daily 8 am to 5 pm. The rooftop is open Sunday to Thursday 8 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday 8 am to midnight, and it closes in bad weather. The building is closed on 26 and 27 November 2026 (Monona Terrace).

University of Wisconsin Arboretum. At 1207 Seminole Highway, free to visit, with grounds open 4 am to 10 pm and more than 17 miles of trails. The Visitor Center is open 9:30 am to 4 pm on weekdays and 12:30 to 4 pm on weekends (Arboretum visit). Walk a loop in daylight and stop in the Visitor Center for a map.

Market and union

Dane County Farmers' Market Holiday Market. On Saturdays 5, 12 and 19 December 2026, the market runs from 7:30 am to noon inside Monona Terrace, with more than 60 vendors; on 5 December it stays open until 1 pm. It is not open on 28 November or 26 December (DCFM Holiday Market). The Winter Farmers' Market at Garver Feed Mill follows on Saturdays from 2 January to 3 April 2027, 8 am to noon (DCFM Winter Market).

Memorial Union. At 800 Langdon Street, the building is listed as open Monday to Thursday 7 am to 11 pm, Friday 7 am to midnight and Saturday 8 am to midnight (hours for 19 January to 1 December 2026). The Terrace is listed as closed (Wisconsin Union hours, Terrace). Come back in warmer months for the sunburst chairs.

A dumpling stop

Paul's Pel'meni. At 414 West Gilman Street, near the university and the Kohl Center, it serves Russian dumplings in beef, potato or mixed versions, customised with sauces and vinegar. Hours are Monday to Wednesday 11 am to 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday 11 am to 2 am and Sunday 11 am to 8 pm. The site promotes online carryout ordering, so check with the restaurant whether you can eat in (Paul's Pel'meni).

An evening out

Visit Madison lists Overture Center for the Arts, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, The Sylvee, The Majestic, The Orpheum, The Barrymore and High Noon Saloon among winter performance venues (Visit Madison). A single ticket is a standard solo evening.

Getting around

Madison Metro lets you pay with a contactless credit or debit card or virtual wallet on the bus. The adult single fare is $2.00 and acts like a 2-hour pass (Madison Metro fares).

Three first outings

Easy: the Chazen, then a coffee in the cafe.
Medium: a free Capitol tour and a late-afternoon Thursday at MMoCA.
Bolder: a Holiday Market Saturday in December, then the Monona Terrace rooftop if the weather allows.

Solo Era for iPhone

Take yourself to a dumpling shop

Solo Era has a food mission at level 2: "Take yourself to a dumpling shop." Order a small portion and sit in, choosing a filling that suits your dietary needs. Paul's Pel'meni offers beef, potato or mixed dumplings; confirm with the restaurant that you can eat in, or pick another dumpling restaurant with seating. Free to download. A subscription is required to start missions. Prices and any free trial are shown in the app and depend on the offer and eligibility.

More cities are in the cities hub. Nearby, see Milwaukee and Chicago, and for tips on meals see eating alone in public.

Details change; check the venue before you go.

FAQ

Is Madison here Madison, Wisconsin?

Yes. This guide covers Madison, Wisconsin, home of the State Capitol and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Is the Chazen Museum of Art free?

Yes. The museum's website says "Open daily. Always free."

Can you tour the Wisconsin State Capitol for free?

Yes. The State of Wisconsin lists free guided tours daily, and the building is open year-round.

Is the Dane County Farmers' Market open in winter?

Yes, in two indoor forms. The Holiday Market is at Monona Terrace on Saturdays 5, 12 and 19 December 2026, and the Winter Market at Garver Feed Mill runs from 2 January to 3 April 2027.

Is the Memorial Union Terrace open in November?

The Wisconsin Union hours page lists the Terrace as closed, while the Memorial Union building has regular hours.

Sources (checked 2026-11-01)