In this episode, I’m sharing how our family turned a single free hotel night into a jam-packed, budget-friendly weekend in Madison, Wisconsin.

Whether you’re testing the waters of family travel or just looking for a low-stakes spring break idea, the "mini-vacation" is perfect.

How We Traveled for Free

We turned a Hyatt promotion and a credit card anniversary night into a 5,000-point gain!

  • Check your apps: Always look for "stay X nights, earn X points" promotions.
  • Status Perks: Using our Hyatt Discoverist status (from the credit card) gave us a 2:00 PM late checkout, which meant extra pool time and stress-free showers before the drive home.

The Madison Itinerary:

1. The Epic Campus (Verona, WI)

This was the highlight of our trip! Epic is a medical software company with a campus that is surprisingly whimsical and fun.

  • What: Six different themed campuses including "Wizard’s Academy" (think Harry Potter) and "Storybook" (Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and more).
  • Cost: Free! But you must reserve tickets for a self-guided tour in advance.
  • Pro-Tip: Allot 2-3 hours to do the "scavenger hunt" packets they provide at check-in if you want to see more than one campus.

2. Henry Vilas Zoo

A rare gem—a quality zoo that is completely free.

  • Don't Miss: The tree-shaped climbing playground and the capybaras!
  • Fun Fact: Ever wonder why Wisconsin is the "Badger State"? We learned the answer here (hint: it involves 1800s miners and caves!).

3. State Street & The Terrace

  • Dining: We loved Izakaya Kuroyama for Japanese food (plenty of veggie/non-shellfish options) and Gotham Bagels for an authentic New York crunch. We also loved Maharani Indian Restaurant right across from the Hyatt Place.
  • The Classic Move: Grab ice cream at the UW Memorial Union and watch the sunset over the lake.

Where to Stay:

We loved the Hyatt Place Madison Downtown. The convenient location meant we could walk to the capital, State Street, and the Union. Views of the capital at night were beautiful and our kids loved the pool! The free breakfast was nice and we loved that this location has a nice supply of games, puzzles, and coloring sheets.

🎒 Travel Tips

  • Waterproof Cards: A lifesaver for restaurant waits when water spills are inevitable.
  • The "Isthmus" Lesson: Use the geography of Madison (a strip of land between two lakes) to teach your kids a new vocabulary word!
  • Late Checkout is Key: It turns a 1-night stay into two full days of fun.

Ready for Your Own Curated Adventure?

If you want to go on a trip like this but don’t want to spend hours scrolling through hotel promotions and scavenger hunt maps, let me do it for you!

Visit the Curated Adventures tab on my website. I offer custom itinerary design that accounts for your child’s interests, sensory needs, and even how to maximize your travel points.

👉 Work With Me: Curated Adventures

Listen to the Full Episode

Traveling with Special Kids
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Connect with the Community

Head over to Instagram to see photos of the Wizard’s Academy and Dorothy’s house from our trip.

  • Instagram:@AdventuresWithKidsPod
  • Question of the week: Which Epic campus should we visit next? Let me know in the DMs!

Until next time, enjoy the adventure!