state capitol madison tour

Wisconsin State Capitol Tours

Drop-in tours (45-55 min.) start at the Information Desk (inside the central rotunda). Mon.- Sat. at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday - Friday) Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations requested for groups of ten or more.

2 E Main Madison, WI, 53702

(608) 266-0382 tours.wisconsin.gov

Category: Museums & Libraries Specialty: Visitor Tours

State Trunk Tour

Pick a road and GO!!

Wisconsin State Capitol

Our Wisconsin State Capitol is without question one of the most beautiful in the country. Perched atop Madison’s beautiful isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona, it’s the third Capitol building on this site and was completed in 1917.

Four wings holding offices stretch out from a central Rotunda capped with the only granite dome in the United States. The statue atop the dome, officially named Wisconsin , reaches 284 feet, 5 inches high and faces direction of Washington, DC. It was intentionally designed to be a few inches shorter than the United States Capitol. Inside, Edwin Blashfield’s mural covers the Rotunda’s interior and depicts Wisconsin’s many resources.

On a visit, you can explore the passageways, the Rotunda, and lay your fingers on 43 varieties of stone and a series of mosaics and fossils including coral, starfish, gastropods, and more. Weather permitting, you can head up to the fourth floor and go outside to the observation deck where you can gaze upon the city from the base of the dome and browse the fascinating artifacts and photos inside. This year, the center of the Rotunda features “A Century of Stories”, displays and exhibits taking you through the State Capitol’s 100-year history. They include previous Capitol buildings on this block (there were several), major events that happened in and around the Capitol, and people who have shaped the state’s past, present, and future.

For better or worse, they also make laws in this building; a Capitol Tour brings you to offices, chambers, and other areas where elected representatives do their work. Plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and museums surround the Capitol on the Square too; you can occupy a whole day just exploring this block! Free guided Capitol tours are available seven days a week. Check out a virtual reality Capitol tour here .

Wisconsin State Capitol Address:

2 E Main Street Madison, WI 53702 Information: 608-266-0382

Tours Monday-Saturday at 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm; Sundays at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, a 4pm tour is also available Monday-Friday.

Eric Paulsen

You might also like.

Last chance to see Racine’s PEEPS Art is this weekend!

Central Wisconsin State Fair runs in Marshfield now through the weekend!

February rolls on with wisconsin winter fun.

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Capitol Tour - Wisconsin State Capitol

• United States    
• Wisconsin (WI)    
• Madison    
• Madison - Things to Do    
• Wisconsin State Capitol

Capitol Tour

Very interesting tour! Tours on the hour. Would not hesitate to recommend to any visiting Madison! Beautiful building with lots of detail. Really enjoyed this!

We have visited many capitols and are partial to ours the most. We have taken and followed the tours many times and learn something new every visit. My favorite time to visit is at Christmas and to see the magnificent Christmas tree in the Rotunda.

The capitol building is a beautiful building by almost any standard. If you like grand open spaces and great architecture you will appreciate it not to mention the various pieces of artwork that are incorporated into the building. You can take a self guided tour during most days or a guided tour. The guided tours are pretty frequent and recommended since you will get to see rooms that you can't see on your own and learn many interesting facts. They don't take long either and they're free. I highly recommend going at a time when the observation deck is open. You will get a bird's eye view for miles and of the whole city and lakes. For me this was actually the highlight. Observation deck times are on the website. Madison is a city of low lying buildings and the capitol has the highest seat in the immediate area so the views are unobstructed. Afterward you can take in plenty of nice pubs and restaurants that line the square. It is a very vibrant square. The most popular street in WI, State Street, runs right up to the square as well. It's a pedestrian thorough fair and makes for a great walk. If you want to get a good feel for a WI pub go to the Old Fashioned or Cooper's Tavern neither of which are tourist traps. The Old Fashioned has a great variety of WI food and over 50 beers on tap. If you love beer you will not be disappointed. If you want something more upscale go to L'etoile. If the weather is warm enough take a horse and carriage ride. They will typically take you down State Street and up the capitol and turn around in a circle that goes underneath one of the stairways entrances. You can't be squeamish though since the horse has a diaper and will go sometimes. Hey, they have to do something with it. All in all the tour will take less than an hour and you can spend as much time on the deck as the hours permit. You can take in the whole of downtown in a day or two.

We had the chance to sing in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol, and thus had the opportunity to appreciate all of the decorative and historical touches. Offering a central space larger than usual in a state capital, Wisconsin's Capitol building struck us as unusually open and friendly to visitors.

We took a scheduled tour for my kids school. It was way more than I ever expected. The observation desk was even open, bonus!

Living in Madison for most of my life, I tend to take the fact that our state capitol is a place to visit. But, this summer, while entertaining out-of-town friends, I visited this beautiful stately building once again. This time, we took the tour and it was SO worthwhile. It lasted just long enough to keep your interest and pointed out things that we never would have seen. As a child, I used to play in the capitol. Of course, life was much different back then and there was no need for security or fear of too much danger. I remember being awed by the grandeur and beauty back then; still am awed today!

Free Inspiration Guide

With Love, Madison

Inspire Your Inbox

Sign up for seasonal emails

Madison On Tap

The LeFevre Quartet

CAPITAL CONNECTIONS: 5 REASONS TO HOP A NONSTOP FLIGHT FROM DCA TO MSN

It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure (or both!). There’s one trip that should top your list if you love the benefits of being in a capital city: Washington to Madison. Getting from our nation’s capital to the Wisconsin State Capitol is not only a quick trip. It’s just right for those seeking a nonstop flight that delivers nonstop itinerary ideas . 

1. There’s a direct flight—and it takes less than 2 hours. 

American and Delta both offer options that clock in around 1 hour 48 minutes, wheels up to wheels down. Plus, once you arrive, it’s less than 15 minutes by car from the airport to downtown . Travel times like these make it an easy weekend getaway or to stay one more day before or after a meeting in Madison.

2. Our capital is walkable. 

One of the reasons people say Madison is so memorable? It’s walkable! We’re famous for our isthmus, which means we live in a lake-city-lake landscape. So you can walk from Lake Mendota to Lake Monona via the Capitol in under 30 minutes. You can walk from Capitol to UW campus in 20 minutes. And there are 25 total accommodation options downtown near the Capitol and the Monona Terrace Convention Center, including the brand-new Embassy Suites by Hilton , The Saddlery Madison and Moxy Downtown Madison . 

Bonus : we were recently ranked #3 Best State Capitals for Safety and More , so you can feel free to explore without worry. 

3. Madison is clean and green. 

Here, sustainability has never been just a trend. It’s a tradition that’s been in our DNA for decades. Gaylord Nelson—the founder of Earth Day —called Madison home as a student, state senator and Governor before becoming a U.S. Senator. In 1968, we were the first community in the country to offer curbside recycling. Today, our mayor is the National Chair of U.S. Climate Mayors, and our county was the 4th in the U.S. to reach the milestone of using 100% renewable electricity at all county facilities.  

From green meetings to our voluntourism portal to guides for where to drink, dine and shop sustainably, there’s a reason Madison has been repeatedly ranked among the greenest cities in the U.S. 

4. Our intellectual capital is internationally recognized.

Being home to UW-Madison means Madison is home to today’s top thinkers, researchers, and leaders who are frequently sought out to help with the nation’s emerging challenges. Not only is UW-Madison in the Top Ten in the U.S. for research volume, 20 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to faculty & alumni and 400+ startups have formed from UW research. Our capital city is home to successful start-ups including Epic Systems , known widely for developing MyChart software, and Exact Sciences, which created Cologuard at-home cancer screening tests.  

Bonus : Madison makes it easy for meeting planners to arrange speakers and tours to complement conventions and events in Madison. 

5. We’re home to another impressive dome. 

Washington D.C. may be THE capitol, but the Wisconsin State Capitol is the only granite dome in the world and the largest by volume in the United States. What’s more: it’s fully open for visitors to explore! Start with a guided tour—they’re offered for free, seven days a week. In the warmer months, climb the steps to the Observation Deck for a stunning, 365-degree view of Madison’s skyline and surrounding lakes. 

Christine Lampe

Christine has experienced Madison life through many lenses: as a UW-Madison student, an on-the-go parent, and as a Sr. Content Strategist at Destination Madison. In her spare time, you’ll find her hiking, biking, traveling, trying new restaurants and listening to live music.

For Seasonal Trip-spiration, Sign Up Now

Explore Madison On Tap

Sign Up Now

View & Download

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

22 e. mifflin street, suite 200

madison, wi 53703

(608) 255-2537 • (800) 373-6376

[email protected]

22 e. mifflin street, suite 200, madison, wi 53703

(608) 255-2537 • (800) 373-6376 • [email protected]

© Destination Madison

• Our Partners

Would you like to accept cookies?

Charli XCX & Troye Sivan Join Forces For Massive “Charli XCX & Troye Sivan Present: Sweat” Tour

Longtime music collaborators and pop icon pioneers Troye Sivan and Charli XCX are teaming up once again for their highly anticipated 2024 co-headline arena tour, Charli XCX & Troye Sivan present: Sweat with special guest Shygirl, to turn iconic US and Canadian venues into raves . As two of the hottest names in pop and electronic music, the tour comes at a pivotal moment in both artist’s careers. Charli XCX & Troye Sivan present: Sweat is not only a celebration of their individual successes, but it is also a testament to their commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the music industry. Fans can expect an electrifying show filled with exhilarating performances, stunning visuals, and infectious beats.

Produced by Live Nation, the 21-city tour kicks off on September 14 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI, making stops across in North America including Toronto, ON; New York, NY; Boston, MA; Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA and more before wrapping up in Seattle, WA at Climate Pledge Arena on October 23. Full routing is available below.

TICKETS: Advance presale registration is available now through April 25th at sweat-tour.com . The artist presale begins Thursday, April 25th at 10 AM local time. Registration does not guarantee tickets and supplies are limited. The general on-sale will begin on Friday, April 26 at 10 AM local time at LiveNation .com.

British avant-pop and electronic sensation Charli XCX, fresh off the announcement of her sold-out “BRAT 2024 – ARENA TOUR” shows in the UK, is gearing up for the release of her highly anticipated sixth solo album , ‘BRAT’ . The album, set to feature 15 tracks, includes the hit single “ Von dutch ” – the brash and synth heavy first taste of the record – alongside recent releases ‘ Club classics ’ and ‘ B2b ’.

Charli also recently unveiled ‘ The Von dutch remix with addison rae & a. g. cook ’, an effervescent rework of the smash hit single featuring A. G. Cook’s signature brand of idiosyncratic production and Charli and Addison going back and forth on vocals.

Charli threw a momentous Boiler Room in New York’s Brooklyn in February to launch the ‘BRAT’ campaign with A. G. Cook, George Daniel, Finn Keane and Doss. ‘ Boiler Room & Charli XCX Presents: PARTYGIRL ’ broke the record for the most ever RSVPs to a Boiler Room event, with over 40k people registering to attend. Featuring special guest appearances from the likes of Addison Rae and Julia Fox, the show has easily become one of the viral moments of the year.

Australian pop sensation Troye Sivan, known for his chart-topping hits and captivating performances, will be coming off the heels of his European arena tour in support of his critically acclaimed third album, “Something to Give Each Other” (2023) –  a celebration of sex, dance, sweat, community, queerness, love and friendship. His hit single “Rush ” – which earned two Grammy nominations and amassed over 180 million combined global streams to date–  and “ Got Me Started ,” the second single from his 2023 album, have gained worldwide recognition amongst his dedicated fan base.

Troye Sivan and Charli XCX are no strangers to collaboration, having previously worked together on smash hits such as “1999” and “2099.” Their undeniable chemistry and shared passion for music have solidified their partnership as one of the most dynamic duos in pop music.

CHARLI XCX & TROYE SIVAN PRESENT: SWEAT TOUR DATES:

Sat Sep 14, 2024 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

Mon Sep 16, 2024 – Laval, QC – Place Bell

Wed Sep 18, 2024 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

Fri Sep 20, 2024 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena

Mon Sep 23, 2024 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

Wed Sep 25, 2024 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

Thu Sep 26, 2024 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena

Sat Sep 28, 2024 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

Mon Sep 30, 2024 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Wed Oct 02, 2024 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

Thu Oct 03, 2024 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

Sat Oct 05, 2024 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center

Sun Oct 06, 2024 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center

Wed Oct 09, 2024 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

Fri Oct 11, 2024 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

Sun Oct 13, 2024 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center

Tue Oct 15, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

Fri Oct 18, 2024 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena

Sun Oct 20, 2024 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center

Tue Oct 22, 2024 – Portland, OR – Moda Center

Wed Oct 23, 2024 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

ABOUT CHARLI XCX

Avant-pop and electronic superstar Charli XCX has become an iconic figure in the arts, having helped expand the landscape of popular music over the last decade by seamlessly traversing the underground and mainstream with her artistic output. Over the course of a trailblazing career, the multi-hyphenate creative has earned critical acclaim for her innovative style and entrepreneurial spirit and seen her forward-thinking approach reshape pop culture in the process. Her lasting impact was cemented last year when Charli was honoured with the Visionary Award at the annual Ivor Novellos in London, while she also received the Powerhouse Award at Billboard’s Women In Music ceremony in Los Angeles in March.

Alongside her new album, Charli has been working on multiple film & TV projects following the breakout success of her Barbie soundtrack contribution ‘ Speed Drive ’ last year. She is co-executive producing the score for the A24 film ‘ Mother Mary ’ with Jack Antonoff and also producing original music for Benito Skinner ’s series ‘ Overcompensating ’ on Prime Video. In addition, Charli will star in the Daniel Goldhaber remake of 1978 cult horror film ‘ Faces of Death ’.

Follow Charli XCX:

Website | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok  

ABOUT TROYE SIVAN

Troye Sivan is a GRAMMY nominated Australian singer, songwriter and actor who has firmly established himself as a global icon in the worlds of pop music, fashion and LGBTQIA+ representation.  Over twenty-six billion streams and 10 million adjusted albums sold worldwide are milestones only a few artists can claim. Doing it by age 28 is another thing entirely. Throw in a range of standout roles in Hollywood features, high fashion collabs, runway appearances and a combined social audience of over 30 million and the list really boils down to one person – Troye Sivan.  Raised in Perth, Australia, Sivan set the world on fire with a pair of EPs – 2014’s TRXYE and 2015’s Wild . With his debut album Blue Neighbourhood , sophomore album Bloom , the 2020 EP In A Dream , and most recently his third studio album, Something To Give Each Other, as well as a slew of singles and collaborations in between, Sivan has cemented himself in the music industry with 10 years of experience under his belt. Hailed as “the perfect pop star” by TIME, Sivan’s recent hit single “Rush” earned global accolades and praise, including two GRAMMY nominations. His career has been further celebrated as the recipient of six ARIA Awards, a Billboard Music Award, three MTV Europe Music awards and two GLAAD Media Award wins. “Revelation,” his collaboration with Jónsi for BOY ERASED, was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song – Motion Picture and shortlisted for an Oscar. Sivan has recently been featured in campaigns for Prada, Cartier, YSL Beauty, Calvin Klein, Valentino, Savage Fenty, and Beyoncé’s Ivy Park, and appeared in The Weeknd & Sam Levinson’s “The Idol” for MAX, alongside Lily-Rose Depp, Blackpink’s Jennie and Abel himself. He also launched Tsu Lange Yor , an independent luxury lifestyle collection of fragrances and art-driven objects.  Sivan continues to be represented by Good World Management, CAA and imPRint.

Follow Troye Sivan:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com .

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Nic Bestley | [email protected]

Emily Connick | [email protected]

Troye Sivan

Brett Ruttenberg | [email protected]

Live Nation Concerts

Monique Sowinski | [email protected]

Valeska Thomas | [email protected]

Read more about