Visiting Madison, WI next week with 2 kids...what is there to do?

[lovetobemama]

My DH has a business trip to Madison next week, and he wants me to come along with the kids. I have a (almost) 3-yr-old little boy and a 7-mo-old daughter. We will be taking naps in the hotel in the afternoons, but are looking for some good morning/daytime activities that aren't too expensive for the days.

Any good things to try? Any things to avoid? I saw on the city website about taking a Dells boat tour, but I don't know how far that would be from the city. Also, it's a little pricey, so I was not sure if we would try it.

Are the zoo and children's museum nice? My son is really into trains. Is there anything to do with trains anywhere that might be good?
Thanks for any help you might be able to offer!

[numnumsgalore]

The Henry Vilas zoo is great! And free!

[scorch_dc]

There is a ton of stuff listed on Moms in Madison: http://www.momsinmadison.com.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is nice to stroll in, and the outdoor gardens are free, and indoor conservatory only $1 adults (your kids would be free). The leaves are changing, so it is beautiful. http://www.olbrich.org

The zoo is nice and free, as the other person mentioned - very hard to find parking unless you get there right when they open (or a bit before, actually) though. But there is a playground and everything there.

Downtown there is the Madison Children's Museum. If your husband is staying downtown, then you could even walk over. It is really targeted for the 3 & under set. http://www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org/

If you live in the city where you are now, going to a pumpkin patch might be fun. There is one not far out of town: http://www.eplegaarden.com/

That is just a few. Moms in Madison does have a ton of stuff listed !

(oh, and depending on where your hotel is, the Dells is about an hour north).