Things to do in Madison in September

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Overview

September is a great time to visit Madison. The weather is usually mildly cool with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 54—74°F (12—23°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Madison during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the Dane County Farmers' Market, take a hike in the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, go apple picking at a local orchard, and more!

Madison has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your September trip to Madison. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to September. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Madison in September. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout September, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Don't take our word for it
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Best events and things to do in Madison in September

Top experiences in September
Visit the Dane County Farmers' Market
This iconic market takes place on the Capitol Square every Saturday morning, and September is a great time to visit as the summer produce is still abundant but the fall harvest is starting to come in. It's a great opportunity to support local farmers and artisans while enjoying some delicious, fresh food.
Take a hike in the University of Wisconsin Arboretum
September is a great time to explore this beautiful natural area, as the fall colors are starting to come in and the weather is perfect for a leisurely hike. The Arboretum offers a variety of trails and habitats to explore, making it a great way to experience the natural beauty of Wisconsin.
Go apple picking at a local orchard
September is prime apple season in Wisconsin, and there are several orchards in the Madison area where you can pick your own apples straight from the tree. It's a fun and family-friendly activity that allows you to enjoy the crisp fall air and take home some delicious, fresh-picked apples.
Attend the Taste of Madison food festival
This annual event takes place over Labor Day weekend and features over 80 local restaurants and vendors offering up their best dishes for attendees to sample. It's a great way to experience the diverse culinary scene in Madison and support local businesses.
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Take a stroll through the Olbrich Botanical Gardens
September is a beautiful time to visit these stunning gardens, as the summer blooms are still in full swing but the fall colors are starting to make an appearance. The Thai Pavilion and the Rose Garden are particularly breathtaking this time of year.
Take a boat tour of Lake Mendota
September is a great time to get out on the water and enjoy the beautiful views of Madison from the lake. Several local companies offer boat tours that provide a unique perspective of the city and its surrounding natural beauty.
Attend the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest
This annual music festival takes place in September and features a lineup of talented gypsy jazz musicians from around the country. It's a unique and lively event that celebrates the rich tradition of gypsy swing music.
Take a bike ride along the Capital City State Trail
September is a great time to enjoy the outdoors in Madison, and this scenic trail offers beautiful views of the city and surrounding countryside. The cooler temperatures and changing leaves make for a picturesque ride.
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Holidays in Madison in September
September
  • Labor Day (September 2)
  • Patriot Day (September 11)
  • Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (September 17)

Weather in Madison in September

Temperatures on an average day in Madison in September

The average temperature in Madison in September for a typical day ranges from a high of 74°F (23°C) to a low of 54°F (12°C). Some would describe it as mildly cool with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Madison, July, has days with highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows of 64°F (18°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 26°F (-3°C) and lows of 10°F (-12°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Madison in September based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in September
74°F
highs
54°F
lows

General weather summary

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze
Feels like
30%
Chance of rain
0.149 in
Amount
14.8 mph
Wind speed
77%
Humidity
12.5 hrs
Daylight length
6:35 AM
Sunrise
7:08 PM
Sunset
60%
Cloud cover
T-shirt
What to wear
What to wear in September
With an average high of 74°F (23°C) and a low of 54°F (12°C), it generally feels mildly cool with a gentle breeze. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something light like your favorite t-shirt
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Best attractions for Madison in September

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Madison has to offer for travelers in September, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Madison that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Madison for September.
Wisconsin State Capitol
1. Wisconsin State Capitol
4.7
(935)
State government office
Sights & Landmarks
Tours are offered of this large, architecturally notable government building completed in 1917.
Henry Vilas Zoo
2. Henry Vilas Zoo
4.7
(8698)
Zoo
Zoos & Aquariums
Offering free entry, this zoo features animals from around the world, plus gifts, food & treats.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
4.8
(4150)
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
16 acres of gardens, including a tropical conservatory, a rose garden & a gilded Thai pavilion.
107 State
4. 107 State
4.5
(221)
Italian restaurant
Shopping
Memorial Union
5. Memorial Union
4.8
(3064)
Educational institution
Sights & Landmarks
Starbucks
6. Starbucks
4.2
(445)
Coffee shop
Sights & Landmarks
Seattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its signature roasts, light bites and WiFi availability.
Camp Randall Stadium
7. Camp Randall Stadium
4.7
(3087)
Stadium
Sights & Landmarks
Sports stadium hosting the University of Wisconsin Badgers football games & other large events.
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
8. Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
4.6
(1807)
Convention center
Sights & Landmarks
University of Wisconsin-Madison
9. University of Wisconsin-Madison
4.6
(1025)
Public university
Sights & Landmarks
Lakefront research school offers 930+ acres of gardens & natural areas, including an arboretum.
Madison Children's Museum
10. Madison Children's Museum
4.7
(2140)
Children's museum
Museums
3 floors of interactive & educational exhibits designed for kids 12 & under plus a cafe.
Chazen Museum of Art
11. Chazen Museum of Art
4.7
(868)
Art museum
Museums
Free campus art museum offering rotating exhibits from a collection of over 20,000 works.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
12. Wisconsin Veterans Museum
4.8
(557)
History museum
Museums
Exhibits & artifacts showcasing Wisconsin citizens in the military over the last 150 years.
University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum
13. University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum
4.9
(403)
Arboretum
Nature & Parks
1,200 acres of varied habitats including prairies, forests & wetlands plus trails & nature classes.
Lake Mendota
14. Lake Mendota
4.7
(65)
Lake
Nature & Parks
Expansive lake with several boat launches & marinas, also popular for winter ice sports.
Madison Mallards
15. Madison Mallards
4.6
(670)
Baseball club
Fun & Games
Kohl Center
16. Kohl Center
4.7
(2163)
Arena
Sights & Landmarks
Modern, on-campus sports facility for Badgers collegiate basketball & hockey games.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Madison?

Get inspired for your trip to Madison with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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