4 days in Minneapolis & Madison Itinerary

Located on both banks of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis salutes the state's love of the outdoors with numerous lakes, wetlands, creeks, and waterfalls--many connected to one another by a national scenic byway great for sightseeing.

To see where to stay, photos, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Minneapolis trip itinerary tool.

The Route module shows you all the different ways you can get to Minneapolis. August in Minneapolis sees daily highs of 81°F and lows of 64°F at night. You will leave for Madison on the 15th (Sat).

Madison might be the capital of Wisconsin, but students rather than politicians give the city its identity.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Sun): look for all kinds of wild species at Aldo Leopold Nature Center, hike along Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area, and then explore the activities along Wisconsin River. Keep things going the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Lake Monona Shoreline Run, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at First Unitarian Meeting House of Madison.

For traveler tips, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Madison sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Minneapolis to Madison in 5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive; or take a bus. In August in Madison, expect temperatures between 80°F during the day and 60°F at night. On the 18th (Tue), you're off to home.