New! Go Behind the Scenes
for Orpheum Theatre
Join the Madison Trust for an unforgettable backstage tour of Madison's first and last remaining movie palace, the Orpheum Theatre. The Madison Trust will offer only two backstage tours of the theater this summer – at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 27.
The tour will showcase the vintage interior French Renaissance décor inspired by the foremost theatre designers of the early 20th century, Rapp and Rapp, prolific theaters architects.
“Guests will see why these palaces were extraordinarily popular with the public and offered any class of American a place where they could revel in the fantasyland of Hollywood,” said Kris Warren, Madison Trust board member who is organizing the tour.
Guides will escort patrons through the lobbies of the Orpheum, the projection room, the backstage dressing rooms and basement. Guests will learn historical information, little known facts and colorful folklore about the grand venue.
The tours will begin in the lobby of the Orpheum Theatre, 216 State St. in Madison and include free popcorn. Tour tickets are $5 per person and all proceeds will benefit the "Relight The Marquee" campaign.
For all tours:
- Reservations are not required. 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
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.
Meeting point: House of Wisconsin Cheese
107 State St.
Length: One hour
Schedule: Saturdays at 10 a.m.
- July 5, 12, 19, 26
- Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27
- Twilight Tour: Thursday, July 31, at 6 p.m.
Thursday evening tour takers are invited to enjoy a free drink at the historic Orpheum Lobby Restaurant.
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. [top]
Length: One hour
Meeting point: The granite arch at Webster, Doty, and King Streets, across from the Great Dane Brew Pub.
Schedule: first Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.
- July 5
- Aug. 2
- Sept. 6
- Twilight Tour: Thursday, July 3, at 6 p.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. [top]
Length: 1 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: second Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.
- July 12
- Aug. 9
- Sept. 13
- Twilight Tour: Thursday, July 10, at 6 p.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! [top]
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: third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.
- July 19
- Aug. 16
- Sept. 20
- Twilight Tour: Thursday, July 17, at 6 p.m.
University Heights
The work of leading architects -- including Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan -- highlights this premier residential neighborhood with outstanding designs from the 1890s to the 1940s. Your treat is free coffee, beer, or wine within one week at the Froth House, 11 N. Allen St. [top]
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: fourth Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.
- July 26
- Aug. 23
- Sept. 27
- Twilight Tour: Thursday, July 24, at 6 p.m.
Bascom Hill
Now a monthly tour! Visit the origins of the University of Wisconsin began, 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. [top]
Length: 90 minutes
Meeting point: Wisconsin Historical Society headquarters Library Mall entrance to the on the campus end of State St.
Important: Please be advised that this tour requires strenuous walking on a steep hill.
Schedule: second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. (lasts 90 minutes)
- July 12
- Aug. 9
- Sept. 13
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Get to Know Madison!
Get to Know Madison!
Interested in historic walking tours?
Spend an part of a day getting to know Madison by taking
a self-guided tour
of one of the
city’s historic neighborhoods.
