Looking for something to do in Madison this summer? You’re in luck, because there’s plenty of fun to be had at the UW-Madison campus while students are away. 

Although students have long since packed up their dorms and headed home for the summer, the U.W. Madison campus is still alive and buzzing with activity. All summer, visitors and community members alike will find plenty to do around the sprawling campus. From free concerts to art tours and paddling trips, there is something for everyone to enjoy this summer. Keep reading to find the best activities to add to your summer bucket list. 

1. Hike and paddle with Outdoor UW

Want to get outside this summer? Then look no further than Outdoor UW, a yearlong on-campus rental spot where students and community members can check out camping and hiking gear, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, and more. The best part—Outdoor UW hosts events all through the summer. While a more extensive list of events can be found on the Outdoor UW website, some notable ones for 2025 include:

• Hike and Brew with Outdoor UW: Go on a guided group hike to Picnic Point and upon return to Memorial Union, enjoy a beverage at the historic Der Rathskeller. 
  • Dates: May 16, June 6, and July 3
  • Time: 5-7 p.m.
  • Cost: $20 (includes beverage)
• Destination Picnic Point with Outdoor UW: Take a guided paddling tour to Picnic Point and learn about the history and wildlife surrounding Lake Mendota along the way. Enjoy some s’mores before heading back. 
  • Dates: May 25, June 28, July 19, August 16, and August 31
  • Time: 4-7 p.m.
  • Cost: $30

2. Have some family fun at the Arboretum

In the 1930s, the University of Wisconsin decided to restore some cultivated farmland to the natural landscape it once was. Nearly 100 years later, the Arboretum is made up of over a thousand acres of land and includes tallgrass prairies, savannas, several forest types, and wetlands. It also houses multiple gardens featuring native plants, flowering trees, shrubs, and even one of the nation’s largest lilac displays. The Arboretum is open to the public and is a great place to hike and learn more about Wisconsin’s natural ecosystems. 

If you are looking for some more structured activities, the Arboretum hosts a variety of events throughout the summer. Those with young children (3 to 5 years) should check out the Learning Together family classes, which are held once a month, May through August. Families with older elementary-aged kids will love the free monthly family nature walks and programs. 

No kids? No problem! There is also a range of adult activities, including classes and garden tours. For more information, check out the events calendar. 

3. Go to Jazz on the Terrace (Madison Jazz Festival)

Music fans will be delighted to know that this year, America’s most neighborly city is hosting a 10-day jazz festival with performances taking place throughout Madison. The festival starts on June 5 and goes through June 15.

UW-Madison will be hosting free performances at the Memorial Union Terrace on June 14 and 15, starting at 1 p.m. each day, with headliners like Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few and Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble performing in the evenings. For the full 10-day schedule, visit artlitlab.org.

4. Take a tour of Camp Randall

Football fans will be happy to know that guided Camp Randall Stadium tours are available during the summer off-season. These guided tours are offered throughout the week, starting at the beginning of June and running until the beginning of August. Tours last about an hour and are offered at 2:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. Tickets cost $10 per person. 

Psst: Looking for another unique Camp Randall experience? Concerts are also held throughout the summer. This year’s headliners include Morgan Wallen and Coldplay. Learn more and purchase tickets here. 

5. Sample ice cream at Babcock Dairy

With Wisconsin being the dairy capital of the country, it should come as no surprise that the state’s largest university has its own dairy plant and store. Run by the University of Wisconsin Food Science Department, Babcock Dairy Plant and Dairy Store provides various products to campus and the larger Madison community. 

While it produces several items, including cheese, it is most well-known for its ice cream. Flavors are always changing, ranging from traditional vanilla and chocolate to more adventurous tastes like Honey Mustard Pretzel Ice Cream or Mint Fudge Marble. 

For larger groups of more than ten people, Babcock Dairy offers observation deck tours where you have the chance to see ice cream and other products being made in real time. While the tour is free, groups must book at least two weeks in advance. 

6. Build a bouquet at the Allen Centennial Garden

The Allen Centennial Garden hosts free live concerts on alternating Sundays throughout the summer. Concerts always start at 5 p.m. and go until 6:15 p.m. Before these concerts, however, visitors have the opportunity to build their own bouquets using flowers harvested from the garden.

The workshop starts at 3:30 p.m. and goes until 5 p.m. It costs $10 per bouquet, and all the necessary supplies are provided. For a schedule of concerts and bouquet-building days, check out the Allen Centennial Garden website. 

7. Pop in for some public art

Art can be found all across the UW-Madison campus, from formal museums and galleries to outdoor gardens and inside academic buildings. It takes various forms, including murals, monuments, sculptures, and mixed-media objects.

The best part? It’s all free and open to the public. So if you are looking for a fun activity, try taking a self-guided tour of the most popular public art pieces. Information about the artwork, including its location, can be found on publicart.wisc.edu. 

8. Spend a Wednesday Night at the Washburn Observatory

The UW-Madison Astronomy Department offers free public observations at the historical Washburn Observatory every Wednesday from June through August (weather permitting). UW astronomy graduate students host the sessions, which are a fun and informal way to learn more about the night sky.

While the highlight of the event is definitely the stars, the classical Italianate structure is still pretty spectacular in and of itself, especially since the “Old Observatory” is nearing its 150th anniversary.