Wisconsin’s capitol city of Madison is home to a chain of five beautiful lakes, numerous bike trails, Bucky the Badger, squeaky cheese, the Lake Monona loop, and the famous Dane County farmer’s market, and much more. Madison is a top Midwestern city to visit – in any season. From numerous cultural events and festivals, excellent restaurants, numerous opportunities for hiking, biking, paddling, and all types of outdoor recreation, Madison has it all. A top seasonal stop is Olbrich Botanical Gardens on the northeastern shore of Lake Monona. Olbrich is home to 16 acres of outdoor gardens, a conservatory, reflecting pool and themed gardens, gift shop, eco-friendly electric tram, and much more.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI | Location & Parking
Located at 3330 Atwood Avenue in Madison, Olbrich is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Monona opposite Olbrich Park. Parking is available at the main entrance (including 12 handicap accessible parking spots). A second lot is available at 3402 Atwood Avenue 0.3 miles from the gardens, and a third lot available about 0.5 miles from the gardens at 402 Walter Street. See the map of alternative parking lots HERE.
Olbrich Admission Hours & Fees
- Hours: April through September, Olbrich is open from 10am-6pm; from October through March, hours are 10am-4pm.
- Admission Fees: $6.00 for adults, and $3.00 for children 6-12. Children 5 and under are free. Botanical society members are always free.
- Free Admission: On Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am-12pm, admission is free.
Bolz Conservatory
The Bolz Conservatory is open to the public from April and September from 10am-6pm, and from 10am-4pm from October through March. The conservatory is full of gorgeous bromeliads, orchids, dahlias, and other unique flowers. The number and variety of orchids is impressive; it’s worth your time to take a stroll through the conservatory.
Conservatory Orchids & Bromeliads
Sedge Meadow, Perennials and Woodland Wildflowers
Throughout the botanical gardens, there are several different garden types simulating different climates and regions. The dry garden is home to drought-tolerant plants, the perennial garden is home to two acres of perennials and ornamental grasses, and the woodland garden brims with spring ephemeral wildflowers each spring. If you are a fan of native spring wildflowers, April and May are great months to visit Olbrich!
Sunken Garden and Reflecting Pool
One of the main draws of Olbrich for me was the sunken garden and English garden. The 80-foot long reflecting pool is near the entrance to the gardens along Atwood Avenue, with a view of Lake Monona. During my July visit, I observed several blue dasher dragonflies (pictured below) darting throughout the open area over the pond and lilypads. The English garden, reflecting pool and surrounding area are beautiful!
Eco-Friendly Electric Tram and Guided Tours
An electric tram offering a guided, narrated tour runs daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day from just outside the main lobby. Trams are first come, first served – there is no cost to ride the tram, but donations are welcome. Before Memorial Day (during the month of May) and after Labor Day (during the month of September), the tram runs on weekends only. On occasion, birds may swoop near your head. Although this is not common, they mean no harm. This is protective behavior for nesting birds.
Olbrich Park
On the eastern shore of Lake Monona, a common access point to the Monona lake loop is Olbrich Park, located at 3527 Atwood Avenue. Directly across the street from Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Olbrich Park’s 90 acres offers picnic areas, beach, boat launch, canoe and kayak launch site, playground, restrooms, and a Biergarten. Bratwurst, cheese curds, soft pretzels, local craft beer, cider, and seltzers are available. Olbrich Park is a great place to gather or stop for a rest along the Lake Monona bike loop. You’ll need your ID to access the biergarten.
Bucky on Parade Initiative
At the entrance to the gardens, you’ll find a statue of Bucky the Badger painted with red poppies (“Grow”). The 2018 Bucky on Parade Initiative included 85 individual Bucky the Badger statues painted by local artists placed in different locations throughout the city. While the statues were formally on display from May through September of 2018, many remained for years after. A few of the more notable Bucky statues I observed in 2018 are shared here below.
Bike the Lake Monona Loop
To visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens by bike, hop on the Capitol City Trail from downtown. Make it a day and bike the entire Lake Monona Loop. For detailed information on all of Madison’s trails, check out the City of Madison maps.
Read more about biking the Lake Monona Loop in my recent article: Explore Madison Wisconsin’s Beautiful, Bustling Lake Monona Loop.
There’s never a shortage of beautiful sights, food, and recreation in Madison. Enjoy your visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens!
-Erin
© Copyright 2026. Powered by Bluehost.