702 Randall Ave., Madison. 

608-266-4732.

A lakeside zoo that is as famous for its scenery as the animals. It's also one of the few zoos in the nation that admits visitors free of charge. (The philanthropist who donated the land in 1904 stipulated there would never be an admission fee. Well-attended fund-raisers have kept the animals in first-class accommodations.) The zoo has a herpetarium, primate house, a Big Cat Complex for lions and tigers, and a children's zoo (summer only).  The primate house is a favorite with children.  Grounds are open daily 9:30 am-5 pm. Building is open daily 10 am-4 pm. Strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are available for a fee.

Madison Children's Museum

100 State St., Madison

608-256-6445
A UW-area museum filled with entertaining hands-on activities, many involving art, for children of all ages. Exhibits that are hands-on and extremely creative include:   Dig into Dinosaurs; the Shadow Room; Celebrating the Early Years; and Let’s Grow.  Special activities every weekend. Memorial Day-Labor Day daily 9 -4, Labor Day-Memorial Day Tuesday-Sunday 9-4.

 

Babcock Hall Dairy

1605 Linden Drive (on the UW campus), Madison. 

608-262-3047
No formal tours are conducted, but you can observe the production of milk, cheese and ice cream, then shop in the dairy store for some of the best ice cream on Earth. Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Saturday 10:30 am-1:30 pm. On football Saturdays, the store is open 10 am-5 pm. Tour Free.

 

Geology Museum

Weeks Hall

Charter and Dayton Streets

Madison, WI

608-262-1412.

Mineral, rock, and fossil exhibits include the skeleton of a Wisconsin mastodon and a 33 foot long duck-billed dinosaur.  Additional highlights include a six foot rotating globe and a walk-through model of a limestone cave.  Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30.  Sat. 9-1.  Closed holidays.  Free.