Visit the zoo, take a history tour, or find other fun things to do in Madison

With Lake Monona and Madison’s thriving downtown within easy reach of the Country Inn & Suites, you’ll always find new things to do. If the little ones are in tow, be sure to visit Madison Children’s Museum, Henry Vilas Zoo, or one of the 250 parks in the area. Stop by the Wisconsin Historical Museum and the Wisconsin State Capitol building, both about 15 minutes away, to learn about the area’s rich history. In town for a concert or conference? Our hotel is less than four miles from Alliant Energy Center and Monona Terrace. Badgers fans appreciate that the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus is just 15 minutes away, making it easy to catch a game before heading back to your room or suite.

Select what to see in a map

  • Culture
  • Family
  • Landmark
  • Nature
  • Shopping

Henry Vilas Zoo

4.38 mi / 7.04 km from the hotel
Visit animals from five different continents free of charge at this community-sponsored zoo. Residents include American bison, capybaras, and rhinoceroses.

Madison Children’s Museum

3.64 mi / 5.86 km from the hotel
Visit the past in the log cabin, unearth the secrets to sustainability in the Urb Garden, and get your hands on the interactive exhibits in “Possible-opolis” at Madison Children’s Museum.

Monona Terrace

3.3 mi / 5.3 km from the hotel
Attend a concert, an exhibition, or a banquet on Lake Monona’s shore at Monona Terrace, a convention center designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

University of Wisconsin–Madison

4.87 mi / 7.83 km from the hotel
See a Badgers game or catch one of the seasonal events on campus at this 936-acre university.

Wisconsin State Capitol Tour

3.55 mi / 5.71 km from the hotel
Experience the grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building with free tours, offered daily. Groups of 10 or more can make reservations online.

East Towne Mall

5.6 mi / 9.01 km from the hotel
Located near the intersection of US Route 151 and I-90, this 80-store retail center is a shoppers’ paradise. Switch up your wardrobe at H&M, or pick up a book at Barnes & Noble before stopping for a snack in the food court.

Alliant Energy Center

2.77 mi / 4.46 km from the hotel
This massive complex features a 10,000-person coliseum, heated pavilions, 164 acres of green space, and a 255,000-square-foot exhibition hall. Check the online calendar for upcoming conventions, concerts, and sporting events.

The Wisconsin Executive Residence

4.88 mi / 7.85 km from the hotel
Known as “the people’s house,” this mansion has been home to 15 governors and first families.

University of Wisconsin Geology Museum

4.41 mi / 7.1 km from the hotel
Sign up for a one-hour guided tour to see fossils of dinosaurs and Ice Age creatures as well as hundreds of rock and mineral specimens. Prefer to peruse at your own pace? Take a self-guided tour instead.

Betty Lou Cruises

8.21 mi / 13.22 km from the hotel
Board a cruise ship and sail out to the center of Lake Mendota. You can get a glimpse of the Madison city skyline while you indulge in delicious food and drinks.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

3.27 mi / 5.26 km from the hotel
Journey to the tropics with a visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, where you can see a waterfall, birds, orchids, coffee trees, and butterflies. Don’t miss the Thai Pavilion, one of only four Thai pavilions outside of Thailand.

Wisconsin Historical Museum

3.65 mi / 5.88 km from the hotel
Follow the story of Wisconsin from the first Native Americans to the present through thousands of historical objects and archaeological artifacts at this family-friendly museum.