Fun things in the Madison area for visiting tourists???

[red5_standingby]

My sister and nephew (11) are visiting from out of town.  Looking for some suggestions for things to do with them tomorrow.  Here's some things I've thought of so far, anyone have any more I can consider

Comments

[delazan]

http://www.visitmadison.com/

[wrenb]

The Historical Society Museum's Odd Wisconsin exhibit. All kinds of weird Wisconsin stuff (think sideshows) which for some reason finishes with an authentic 1990 kitchen and living room.

[___heyvanity]

I like to bring people to the square and take them in the capital building.

[torrilin]

UW's Geology department has a small, free museum. Lots of pretty rocks and bones of extinct critters. Since my entire family tends towards the "permanently 8 and in love with fossils" it's an awesome place to visit. Pairs well with a visit to Babcock Hall or Greenbush bakery.

The Arboretum is good if they're into botany/biology. If you're quiet on the trails, you can see a lot of interesting stuff. Turkeys! Mice! Giant woodpeckers! A truly astonishing range of swamp plants! Apparently they have a visitors center, which boggles the mind... I usually just wander over with my bike and a camera. There's also apparently Indian mounds in there somewhere. I haven't explored half of it yet.

[chanter_greenie]

I'd recommend going to see Dr. Evermore and Lady Eleanor *lots*, myself. Admittedly I'm speaking as a huuuuuge geek and at least a mild eccentric... but honestly, in my mightily biased opinion, it's worth it.