The Edgewater
Madison, Wisconsin
1001 Wisconsin Place, Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Original Property Opened in 1948
Historic Hotels of America member since 2015
Celebrating its 75th year, The Edgewater, located in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin, serves as an urban resort just steps away from the eclectic restaurants and shops of the city’s vibrant downtown. As the only AAA Four Diamond Award recipient in Dane County, it is consistently ranked as one of the top hotels in the region and recently received a Reader’s Choice Award from Condé Nast Traveler. The Edgewater offers guests best-in-class amenities, including an outdoor plaza and park, several dining outlets, a luxurious spa, a public pier, and extraordinary facilities for meetings, events, and weddings—all right on the shores of Lake Mendota. The Edgewater is the place for traditions, celebrations, and lasting memories. For 2023, the property is highlighting its 75-year history with a variety of events, including historic hotel tours, live music, and more.
Discover
- Admire the architectural heritage of The Edgewater, designed by Lawrence Monberg in the Art Moderne style that was popular in the 1930s. The restored location still maintains the classic façade of the historic building.
- Discover the historic accommodations of The Edgewater. This magnificent historic hotel has hosted many illustrious celebrities over the years, including Elvis Presley, Elton John, and Bob Marley.
- Stand on The Grand Plaza, a public space that lies at the heart of The Edgewater between the Langdon Building and the Wisconsin Building. It is almost an acre in size, with regularly scheduled outdoor events, concerts, and celebrations.
Explore
- Explore the Madison Children’s Museum, an inspiring place where kids lead and adults follow. Its mission is to engage, challenge, and inspire every visitor who comes into the museum with custom-crafted, award-winning exhibits. Those displays provide programming that brings all ages together and focuses on sustainability.
- Visit the Wisconsin State Capitol, which is the tallest building in Madison. Gaze at the statue "Wisconsin" on top of the dome, sculpted in 1920 by Daniel Chester. Take note of the naturally occurring fossils found throughout the capitol and embedded in the marble walls and staircases.
- Travel to five of Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings in Madison. Visitors can find his low-slung, prairie-style houses and grand public buildings scattered throughout the city. Several of the city’s Wright-designed houses are still private residences, including the Walter Rudin House, the Robert Lamp House, Eugene Gilmore House (“Airplane House”). Other structures, such as the First Unitarian Meeting House and Monona Terrace, are must-see spots for architecture enthusiasts.
Experience
- Drive to the National Mustard Museum. Featuring more than 6,000 varieties from all 50 states and more than 70 counties, the museum holds the world’s largest collection of mustards and mustard memorabilia. Visitors can sample from the hundreds of tasty mustards and other gourmet sauces and condiments.
- Experience Wisconsin’s heritage at the Wisconsin Historical Museum. Stand in a replica of a 1,000-year-old house, explore a fur trading post, walk into a frontier lead mine, and climb up inside a tractor cab. Explore Wisconsin’s rich history through the stories, ideas, and attitudes presented in the museum.
- Tour the Overture Center, located within walking distance of The Edgewater. Designed by César Pelli, this impressive venue features a contemporary art museum, along with world-class theatrical performances and acclaimed musical artists.
Taste
- Take in some wonderful views of Lake Mendota from the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Statehouse. Savor a classic Wisconsin fish fry inside this gorgeous venue.
- Celebrate the legacy of Augie’s Tavern, named after The Edgewater's colorful owner of more than 50 years, Augie Faulkner. Grab a stool, enjoy some pub fare, and drink a local craft beer—it’s what Augie would have wanted for his guests.
- Visit the Memorial Union to sample Wisconsin’s very own Babcock ice cream. Created by the University of Wisconsin – Madison to support food science research, the famous desert has been sold on campus since 1951.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
