madison wisconsin capitol tours

Wisconsin State Capitol

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Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison

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• (0.03 mi) Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse
• (0.03 mi) Melted Craft Grilled Cheese
• (0.04 mi) Janet's Flower and Fashion's Boutique
• (0.11 mi) Capitol Square
• (0.14 mi) Escape This
• (0.10 mi) HH Apothecary & Co.
• (0.09 mi) Majestic theater

State Trunk Tour

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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

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Visit Downtown Madison

Set on an isthmus between two scenic lakes, Madison's Central Business District encompasses the heart of downtown Madison, where the famed State Street pedestrian mall links the Capitol Square, seat of Wisconsin state government, to the University of Wisconsin campus.

The central downtown is home to more than 1,500 businesses - from shops, boutiques, and restaurants to financial, law and communications firms - plus museums and cultural destinations.

Additional Visitor Resources

• Downtown Events
• Destination Madison
• University of Wisconsin
• Dane County Airport

Downtown Ambassadors

Stop by the Downtown Visitor Center at 452 State St. or our seasonal Downtown Information Booth located at the top of State Street for information, directions and a welcoming smile.

• Visitor Center & Ambassador Program
• Order a Downtown Map & Guide
• Downtown Gift Certificates

Wisconsin State Capitol

Price & Hours

• Facilities 3.0
• Atmosphere 4.0

History buffs and architecture aficionados alike will appreciate a stop at the Wisconsin state Capitol. Constructed between 1906 and 1917, the building is an iconic fixture in the Madison skyline. Among the architectural highlights are the council chambers, which were modeled after Venice 's Doge's Palace , as well as the governor's conference room, which is decorated with 26 historical and allegorical paintings by Hugo Ballin. Other chambers within the building feature French and Italian marble, skylights and murals. If you can only admire the capitol from the outside, pay attention to the dome, which rises more than 200 feet and features a bronze Daniel Chester French statue (French is best known for designing the Lincoln Memorial ). During the summer months, be sure to stop by the sixth-floor museum and observation deck.

Past visitors described the building as "beautiful" and recommended taking a guided tour for the best experience. 

You'll find the Capitol building in downtown Madison. From the UW Madison campus, simply walk down State Street toward the building. Entrance is free. The Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free guided tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 9, 10 and 11 a.m., as well as 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Tours on Sundays are available at 1, 2 and 3 p.m., and an additional 4 p.m. tour is available Monday through Friday. For more information, visit the Wisconsin State Legislature website .  

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More Best Things To Do in Madison, WI

#1 University of Wisconsin – Madison Memorial Union

One of the star attractions of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, the Memorial Union is beloved by students and locals alike. Open since Oct. 5, 1928, and perched on the shores of Lake Mendota, the union is perhaps best known for its terrace, which faces the lake and is filled with colorful sunburst chairs and tables perfect for enjoying the view, a brat and a pitcher of beer. When the terrace closes for the season (typically in late September), retreat inside to Der Rathskeller. With its German beer hall vibe and cozy fireplaces, Der Rathskeller is a popular spot to watch Badger games. There's also a stage for open mic nights and plenty of seating. Other Union attractions include rotating art exhibits and galleries, an ice cream shop, multiple eateries and a store selling grab-and-go items, along with Badger apparel and gifts. 

Past visitors raved about the union, specifically the terrace, with a few calling it among the top spots for Madison travelers to visit. According to reviewers, the best time to visit is in summer, when the weather is just right for enjoying the building's lakefront perch. Just remember: This is a popular spot, so you may have to wait for one of the coveted terrace tables if you're here during the busy evening hours.

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First Capitol

Get Your Capitol Ornament!

First Capitol will reopen for general admission in May 2024 . While you wait, add a capitol keepsake to your holiday décor with our 2023 Wisconsin State Capitol ornament !

Get the Best Deal in History  

Wisconsin Historical Society members receive unlimited free admission to our 11 historic sites and museums, a complimentary annual subscription to the Wisconsin Magazine of History, merchandise discounts and more. Join at the Family level and above for added benefits and discounts at over 1,200 organizations nationwide! 

Discover the Birthplace of Wisconsin Government  

Madison has long been Wisconsin’s capital city, but the first 40 laws were made 50 miles southwest, here in Belmont. Welcome to Wisconsin’s First Capitol, where for just 46 days in 1836 representatives met to lay the foundation for our state’s government. Immerse yourself in the world of these founders, walking through the buildings and rooms where these important decisions were made. 

FIELD TRIPS & GROUP TOURS

Field Trips

The best day of your school year awaits! Don’t just read about history, experience it! Field Trips at the Wisconsin Historical Society’s historic sites and museums allow students to step into the worlds they’re studying through fun adventures and engaging experiences around the state for grades k-12.  

Group Tours

Travel Together Through Time and bring your group tour to the Wisconsin Historical Society’s sites and museums. Experience the worlds and wonders of Wisconsin’s past. Book your group tour today! Tours include private guide(s) that can be customized to meet the needs and interests of your group.

Members Get Free Admission!

Become a Wisconsin Historical Society member and visit all 12 of our historic sites for free! Membership pays for itself in as little as two visits and includes other great benefits like discounts and reciprocal benefits to more than 1,200 organizations.

Discover the rugged origins of the first capitol of Wisconsin Territory, where legislators laid down the framework for the current state government.

As the start of several upcoming site improvements, we have Fink Fencing out of Platteville on site today. The team is installing a fence at the back of the property. Archaeologists were on site to monitor the project. Stay tuned for more upcoming projects! ... See More See Less

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We are hiring! We are hiring for our facilities manager position at Villa Louis. This full-time position is responsible for supporting the management of Villa Louis facilities and infrastructure by monitoring and facilitating contractor activities, minor restoration & construction, ensuring equipment and building systems are operational, janitorial duties, addressing all maintenance needs, along with managing and performing landscaping and lawn care. For a full position description and details on the application process visit bit.ly/3U2EVHE All applications must be submitted online using the provided link. The position closes on April 25. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or (608) 264-6409. ... See More See Less

Do you or someone you know love history? Want to work at a place spanning over a hundred and fifty years of Wisconsin’s history? Are you in the Mineral Point and Belmont areas? Apply for a summer job with the Wisconsin Historical Society at Pendarvis and First Capitol! Help guide guests through the buildings and grounds and experience first hand all the awesome events put on at the site. Apply online, add your resume with your experience--even if it’s only a little--and we will get in touch with you! No experience necessary! We would be happy to have you! Returning staff need not apply online, you will receive an email. wihist.org/3uxvOoa ... See More See Less

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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.

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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]

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Another first for Wisconsin civil rights leader Vel Phillips: Statue in capitol | Opinion

Phillips has been referred to as one of the most iconic civil rights activists in wisconsin history.

I grew up in Wisconsin, and like all kids learned about state history in fourth grade. Yet I did not learn about Vel R. Phillips until I was well into my 30s. It was during Black History Month in 2021 when I was seeking out people and stories for a video series I was doing titled, "Wisconsin Black History I'm just learning now." that I came across Phillips and all she had accomplished in her life. Let me tell you, that list is not short.

Velvalea “Vel” Hortense Rodgers Phillips has been referred to as one of the most iconic civil rights activists in Wisconsin history. Alongside Father James E. Groppi and the NAACP Youth Council, she was instrumental in the relentless decades-long fight to bar discrimination in housing in Milwaukee. As a city official, she joined marches for open housing and fair employment, and she was arrested when the police cracked down on the nonviolent demonstrations. Her legislative and legal pursuits significantly advanced the cause of racial and social justice. Even until her death in 2018, she was advocating for social justice, education and equal opportunities for minority populations in Milwaukee.

Wisconsin colleges are suffering. UW is running campuses like corporations.

She has the distinction of being the first to do a lot of things. In 1951, she became the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School. She and her husband, Dale Phillips, became the first husband and wife legal team admitted to the federal bar in Wisconsin. In 1956, when she was 5 months pregnant , she became the first woman and first Black member of the Milwaukee Common Council. In 1958, she was the first Black woman elected to the Democratic National Committee. Phillips went on to become the first Black woman to become a judge in Wisconsin. Then in 1978, she was the first Black person to win statewide office in Wisconsin. With that election, she also became the first Black woman to be elected to statewide elective executive office in any state.

There is now another first she gets to add posthumously to that long list: the first Black woman politician, jurist, and civil rights leader represented on any State Capitol grounds in the country. It will be placed on the South Hamilton corner of the state Capitol grounds.

Numerous public spaces, schools and streets named in her honor

On April 12, after four years of fundraising half a million dollars and campaigning from elected officials, community leaders and her family, Gov. Tony Evers announced that the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board had granted final approval for the installation of a sculpture honoring the life and legacy of Vel R. Phillips.

Learn more about Wisconsin civil rights leader: Celebrating the life of Vel R. Phillips

This not the first time a public place or space has been renamed in her honor. In Milwaukee, parts of North Fourth Street have been renamed Vel R. Phillips Avenue and there will soon be a plaza just south of the Baird Center . UW-Madison renamed a residence hall after her and James Madison Memorial High School in Madison was also renamed after Vel Phillips. There's a middle school named after her in Oshkosh . Even 2024 has been proclaimed The Year of Vel Phillips to celebrate the 100th anniversary of her birth.

But a public monument on State Capitol grounds is a very big deal. 

Few real women represented in statutes across the country

First, there aren't a lot of statues that portray real women in this country. According to research by Sierra Rooney , an assistant professor of Art History at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, only about 6 percent of all public monuments are of actual women from history. According to one survey from 2021, there are actually more statues of mermaids than historical women. Many of the women we think of when we think of statues are symbols or allegories rather than real women who impacted our history. Think of the woman who currently sits at the Wisconsin State Capitol, " Lady Forward ."

We can’t go back. Being pregnant during an 1800s-era abortion ban was scary.

Second, this is a big deal because it received overwhelming bipartisan support in Madison. Not only did the state Capitol and Executive Residence Board vote unanimously to recommend the placement of a statue of Phillips on the Capitol grounds, they even agreed to grant a one-time exception to its rule barring the addition of any monuments, plaques or memorials without the removal of an existing one. That might be another first she can claim: "the first person from the grave who can get Wisconsin politicians to unanimously agree on anything."

Finally, this is a big deal because, no matter what the anti-woke folks say, representation does matter. Not just the representation of a Black or female leader but also the representation of being a dedicated civil servant who overcomes obstacles. With this sculpture, it now means every child who takes their field trip to the Capitol, will learn about the impact Vel R Phillips had on our state instead of stumbling across that important history decades later.

Kristin Brey is the "My Take" columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.