Historic Walking Tours Season Continues Through September
The Madison Trust’s season of historic walking tours is now underway. To see a calendar of this summer’s tours, click here.
The tours are part of the Madison Trust’s mission to educate residents and visitors about the city’s historical and architectural heritage.
Reservations are required for the Orpheum Theatre: Behind the Scenes tour; limit 30. Call 608-441-8864.
Reservations are not required for our other tours, simply show up at the designated starting point. Dates and times for tours vary; check below for details. Docents are ready rain or shine.
All tours are $5 per person and free to members of the Madison Trust.
State Street
King Street
Mansion Hill East
Mansion Hill West
University Heights
Bascom Hill
Orpheum Theatre: Behind the Scenes
State Street
A commercial district for more than 150 years, State Street connects the University of Wisconsin campus and the Capitol. Hear the stories of the people who lived and worked here, while learning about architectural styles.
At the end of the tour stop in at the Chocolate Shoppe for a free junior ice cream cone with your coupon.
Length: One hour
Meeting point:
House of Wisconsin Cheese
107 State St.
Schedule:
Saturdays at 10 a.m.
May 23, 30
June 6, 13, 20, 27
July 4, 11, 18, 25
July 30 at 6 p.m. (Twilight Tour)
Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26
King Street
From Madison’s humble beginnings in a log cabin near the site of the first state capitol to the recently revitalized restaurant row, King Street has been one of Madison’s main streets for more than 150 years. After the tour enjoy a free beverage at The Local in the historic Suhr building at 102 King St.
Length: One hour
Meeting point: The granite arch at Webster, Doty, and King Streets, across from the Great Dane Brew Pub.
Schedule:
May 23 at 1 p.m.
June 6 at 11 a.m.
July 2 at 6 p.m. (Twilight Tour)
July 4 at 11 a.m.
Aug. 1 at 11 a.m.
Sept. 5 at 11 a.m.
Mansion Hill East
This neighborhood, the city’s first historic district, features a fine collection of 1850s sandstone homes that belonged to Madison’s early leaders in business, education and society. Following the tour, enjoy a free beverage at the Edgewater’s Pier café.
Length: One hour
Meeting point: Edgewater Hotel lobby where Langdon St. and Wisconsin Ave. meet Lake Mendota.
Note: There are moderate hills at the beginning and end of the tour.
Schedule:
May 23 at 11:30 a.m.
June 13 at 11 a.m.
July 9 at 6 p.m. (Twilight Tour)
July 11 at 11 a.m.
Aug. 8 at 11 a.m.
Sept. 12 at 11 a.m.
Mansion Hill West
The story of Madison’s “aristocracy hill” is seen in buildings spanning nearly 100 years including early sandstone mansions and many houses by Prairie School architects Claude and Starck. At the end of the tour, savor a free pint at the Plaza Tavern and Grill and stay for a Madison classic: a Plazaburger!
Length: One hour
Meeting point: In front of the Plaza Tavern and Grill at 319 N. Henry St.
Note: The route includes moderate hills and sidewalks with steps.
Schedule:
May 30 at 11:30 a.m.
June 20 at 11 a.m.
July 16 at 6 p.m. (Twilight Tour)
July 18 at 11 a.m.
Aug. 15 at 11 a.m.
Sept. 19 at 11 a.m.
Photo © Paul McMahon 
Length: One hour
Meeting point: Meet at the corner of Prospect and Van Hise Ave.
Note: Much of the route is hilly. This is a residential neighborhood; please be respectful when parking.
Schedule:
May 23 at 3 p.m.
June 27 at 11 a.m.
July 23 at 6 p.m. (Twilight Tour)
July 25 at 11 a.m.
Aug. 22 at 11 a.m.
Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.
Bascom Hill
Visit the University of Wisconsin, from its oldest buildings and traditional campus to its controversial modernist structures. See “the worst building in the history of American Universities” before it’s demolished (and maybe learn to like it). After the tour, enjoy free ice cream cone at the UW Memorial Union.
Length: 90 minutes.
Meeting point: Wisconsin Historical Society headquarters Library Mall entrance to the on the campus end of State St.
Important: This tour requires strenuous walking on a steep hill.
Schedule:
May 30 at 2 p.m.
June 13 at 2 p.m.
July 11 at 2 p.m.
Aug. 8 at 2 p.m.
Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.
Orpheum
This backstage tour of Madison's first and last remaining movie palace showcases the vintage French Renaissance décor inspired by the foremost theatre designers of the early 20th century, Rapp and Rapp.
Guides will escort patrons through the lobbies, projection room, dressing rooms and basement.
Following the tour, enjoy free popcorn.
Proceeds from this tour support the "Relight The Marquee" campaign.
Length: One hour
Meeting point: Meet in the lobby of the Orpheum Theatre, 216 State St.
Important: Reservations are required for this tour; limit 30. Call 608-441-8864.
Schedule: Sundays at 2 p.m.
July 26
Aug. 23
Sept. 27
Saturday, May 23
10 a.m. State Street
11:30 a.m. Mansion Hill East
1 p.m. King Street
3 p.m. University Heights
Saturday, May 30
10 a.m. State Street
11:30 a.m. Mansion Hill West
2 p.m. Bascom Hill
June 6
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. King Street
June 13
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. Mansion Hill East
2 p.m. Bascom Hill
June 20
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. Mansion Hill West
June 27
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. University Heights
July 2
6 p.m. King Street
July 4
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. King Street
July 9
6 p.m. Mansion Hill East
July 11
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. Mansion Hill East
2 p.m. Bascom Hill
July 16
6 p.m. Mansion Hill West
July 18
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. Mansion Hill West
July 23
6 p.m. University Heights
July 25
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. University Heights
July 26
2 p.m. Orpheum Theatre: Behind the Scenes
(reservations required)
July 30
6 p.m. State Street
Aug. 1
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. King Street
Aug. 8
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. Mansion Hill East
2 p.m. Bascom Hill
Aug. 15
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. Mansion Hill West
Aug. 22
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. University Heights
Aug. 23
2 p.m. Orpheum Theatre:
Behind the Scenes
(reservations required)
Aug. 29
10 a.m. State Street
Sept. 5:
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. King Street
Sept. 12
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. Mansion Hill East
2 p.m. Bascom Hill
Sept. 19
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. Mansion Hill West
Sept. 26
10 a.m. State Street
11 a.m. University Heights
Sept. 27
2 p.m. Orpheum Theatre: Behind the Scenes
(reservations required)
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Get to Know Madison!
Taking a historic walking tour is a great way to learn about Madison, its history and its people.
The Madison Trust offers six outside tours plus an interior tour of the Orpheum Theatre – all described to the left.
On addition, the City of Madison has posted downloadable files of 14 walking tours on its Web site. More details...
