5 Cheap Outdoor Things to Do in Madison, Wisconsin

Here is a guide for free or cheap outdoor things to do in the Madison, Wisconsin area from someone who has visited Wisconsin multiple times. These will be perfect activities to do during spring, summer, and even early fall, when the weather is nicer, based on my experiences when visiting during late summer. 

Harry Vilas Zoological Park and Gardens

Address: 702 S Randall Ave, Madison, WI 53715
Hours: Daily 9:30 am to 5 pm 

Madison is home to a free zoo! This zoo is a perfect place to visit for families on a budget. This zoo is of a decent size too, with plenty of animals and habitats to see and explore. Parking is free, but spots are limited right in front of the zoo. The zoo is located inside a big park complex, so weekends are hectic for both the zoo and the park. 

Even though there are obvious enclosures and fences in some of the habitats, you can still get fairly up close to the animals. One of the best parts of the zoo trip was hearing the lion roar. 

For the ultimate family trip, rent bicycles and cycle around the park where the zoo is located—more on that in the cycling section below. 

Other Wisconsin Trip Ideas:

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Saturday Market at the Square (Dane County Farmers Market)

If you’re in Madison on a Saturday in summer, you’re in luck. The biggest farmers’ market in Wisconsin is downtown. This is a strictly outdoor market, so if the weather changes, some stalls pack up and leave early. Best to arrive early for the best selection of produce and other goods.

All the goods are Wisconsin-sourced, nothing is made in China here! It is a very popular event for locals and tourists alike to visit, and you’ll find yourself walking with the crowd around the Capitol. 

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Address: 3330 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Hours: Daily 10 am to 6 pm

Rarely has there been a garden more accessible and beautiful that’s open to the public. At the Olbrich Botanical Garden, not only are scooters available for rent (on a first-come, first-served basis), but one can also take a guided tour on a golf cart. Both the scooter and the golf cart tour of the gardens are completely free of charge. 

Did we mention that the Olbrich Botanical Gardens are completely free to enter, too? Parking is also free, with plenty of spots available in the lot nearby. The only garden you’ll expect to pay for is the conservatory. It’s affordable enough at $6 to enter, but operating hours are limited. 

There are so many themed gardens in Olbrich that it makes exploring it so much fun. Head to the tower garden and find the not-so-secret passage that takes you up to the top of the tower, which serves as a viewpoint. It has great views of the fountains in the garden and is a scenic spot for photos. 

Cross over an island to see the Royal Thai Pavilion and Garden. It’s so unique seeing this structure in the Midwest. You can walk through the pavilion and meditate there. The lotus gardens on the side show unique flowering plants. 

Before you leave the gardens, have a peek at the store. The gift shop is cute, with plenty of garden-themed items available, from jewelry, children’s toys, and home decor. 

Where to Eat Near Olbrich Gardens: Garver Feed Mill

Address: 3241 Garver Green, Madison, WI 53704

Like the name, Garver Feed Mill used to be a historic mill in the area. When it was decommissioned as a mill, the building had been repurposed into shops, an event space, and restaurants. The exterior kept 

Lots of bikers also tend to cycle here from Olbrich Gardens. If you don’t have a bicycle and want to cycle around, you can also pick up an e-bike from the station behind the mill (more info on that below). 

Ian’s Pizza at Garver Feed Mill

Hours: Mondays to Thursdays 11 am to 9 pm

Inside the mill is a branch of Ian’s Pizza, a local place that serves creative pizza. The price of the pizza depends on whether you want a regular or a specialty pizza.

The regular pizzas are your usual cheese or pepperoni slices, but you might as well try their specialty pizzas, which have unique flavors. Even as a semi-picky eater, I found two specialty pizzas that I liked, and the specialty menu changes. It’s always fun to try out new things, right? 

Desserts at Garver Feed Mill: Calliope Ice Cream

I didn’t have the room to have dessert after trying out two specialty pizzas from Ian’s, but if you do, try grabbing a dessert at Calliope Ice Cream.  There are so many flavors that it’s hard to choose just one. It’s a perfect stop if you’re traveling with little ones who would like something sweet after a long walk around the gardens. 

Cycling around Madison, Wisconsin 

With its scenic lakefront views and amazing summer weather, cycling around Madison is a great way to see the city. Renting a bicycle is easy with BCycle Madison, which rents out electric bikes you can use. Simply download the app, unlock a bike, and go. 

You don’t even have to return the bike to the same spot where you rented it. When you are ready to return, simply park the bike in a spot, open the app, and click return. The return spot then locks the bike in place. 

When renting, though, note that the electric bikes only have a 30-mile distance limit. If going longer distances than the 30 miles, plot out a spot where you can switch your bike by returning your old bike and picking up a new bike to keep going on your cycling adventures. 

Kayak or SUP Lake Menona or Lake Wingra

For the best views of a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building in Madison, one must go to the water, specifically Lake Monona. Brittingham Boats rents canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and even pedal boats.

Pedal boats are fun, especially for those who are traveling with children. On a beautiful sunny summer day, nothing beats heading out to the lake and exploring one (or two) lakes if you can paddle that far, and if you don’t have much of a time constraint. 

5 Cheap Outdoor Things to Do in Madison, Wisconsin

There are so many free and cheap things to do in the Madison area, it’s hard to just spend a weekend without feeling serious FOMO. Hopefully, this list has given you some ideas on what to do in the city—many thanks to Destination Madison for hosting me on this trip.