The best arts & culture spots in Portage

13 arts & culture spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Arts & Culture · 13 places · showing the latest additions first

AL. Ringling Mansion

Arts & Culture

AL. Ringling Mansion is the opulent 1906 home of the eldest Ringling brother, and it makes for a surprisingly fun local afternoon. Pop in…

623 Broadway St (Baraboo)

“AL. Ringling Mansion is the opulent 1906 home of the eldest Ringling brother, and it makes for a surprisingly fun local afternoon. Pop in for a guided tour, lean into the Haunted Happenings, or make a night of it with onsite stays and the attached AL.”

From the Baraboo newsletter, September 30, 2026

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From the Van Orden Mansion museum packed with Sauk County artifacts to the archives at the restored Island Woolen Mill office building,…

900 2nd Ave (Baraboo)

“From the Van Orden Mansion museum packed with Sauk County artifacts to the archives at the restored Island Woolen Mill office building, Sauk County History Center is where family lore turns into facts.”

From the Baraboo newsletter, September 22, 2026

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PhotoMidwest

Arts & Culture

PhotoMidwest is where Madison photographers actually hang out, swap tips, and show work. Between its volunteer-run gallery, member darkroom…

700 Rayovac Dr #208 (Madison)

“PhotoMidwest is where Madison photographers actually hang out, swap tips, and show work. Between its volunteer-run gallery, member darkroom and digital lab, and the PhotoMidwest Festival 2026 running September 17, 2026 through February 26, 2027, it’s an easy yes for fresh inspiration and accountability.”

From the Madison newsletter, September 22, 2026

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MadMAT - Madison Museum of Art & Technology is all about digital, animated, interactive work, the kind you poke, tweak, and co-create with…

1741 Commercial Ave (Madison)

“MadMAT - Madison Museum of Art & Technology is all about digital, animated, interactive work, the kind you poke, tweak, and co-create with code. Browse the collection, click to make art yourself, then hop on their mailing list to catch the next pop-up featuring local and marginalized artists.”

From the Madison newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Geology Museum

Arts & Culture

Whether you need a midweek brain treat or a rainy-day escape, Geology Museum lets you touch rocks from Wisconsin’s volcanic days, stand…

1215 W Dayton St (Madison)

“Whether you need a midweek brain treat or a rainy-day escape, Geology Museum lets you touch rocks from Wisconsin’s volcanic days, stand beneath a mastodon, and gawk at glowing minerals. Dinosaurs, meteorites and a Wisconsin cave model round it out... a surprisingly fun reset to slip into this week.”

From the Madison newsletter, August 8, 2026

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Majestic Theatre

Arts & Culture

Majestic Theatre keeps your week from feeling like a rerun with national live music, DJ-fueled dance parties, and the kind of energy you…

115 King St (Madison)

“Majestic Theatre keeps your week from feeling like a rerun with national live music, DJ-fueled dance parties, and the kind of energy you can feel in your shoes. This week: WORK IT! 90s/2000s R&B and Hip Hop Night on August 14, plus Shlump + Tiedye Ky on August 15.”

From the Madison newsletter, August 12, 2026

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When you want a low-key Madison outing that turns curiosity into aha moments, L.R. Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum delivers more than…

1150 University Ave (Madison)

“R. Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum delivers more than 65 hands-on exhibits from mechanics to modern physics, designed by UW faculty, staff, and students for kids and grownups alike. It’s free, and guided group tours are available.”

From the Madison newsletter, September 10, 2026

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Dane Arts Mural Arts

Arts & Culture

Dane Arts Mural Arts brings neighbors together for community murals, plus creative wellness and youth art workshops that actually spark…

5004 Allis Ave (Madison)

“Dane Arts Mural Arts brings neighbors together for community murals, plus creative wellness and youth art workshops that actually spark joy. If you’ve been meaning to get involved or just need fresh inspiration, this is your sign.”

From the Madison newsletter, August 28, 2026

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Madison Museum of Contemporary Art has a stacked lineup right now, from Extended Play: A-Side and Films by Bill Bedford to Gelsy Verna:…

227 State St (Madison)

“Madison Museum of Contemporary Art has a stacked lineup right now, from Extended Play: A-Side and Films by Bill Bedford to Gelsy Verna: Mother, Father, Please Help Me. Catch David R. Harper: Good Morning Sweetheart before it closes August 30, then wander the nearly 6,000-piece collection.”

From the Madison newsletter, August 18, 2026

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Wisconsin Veterans Museum packs real Wisconsin voices into thoughtful exhibits, artifacts, and more than 2,800 oral histories spanning from…

30 W Mifflin St (Madison)

“Wisconsin Veterans Museum packs real Wisconsin voices into thoughtful exhibits, artifacts, and more than 2,800 oral histories spanning from the Civil War to today, plus rotating shows, virtual options, and candlelit cemetery tours, all from a Smithsonian Affiliate accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.”

From the Janesville newsletter, September 4, 2026

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Madison Children's Museum packs three floors with hands-on fun for ages 12 and under, from the nature-tinged Rooftop Ramble and the…

100 N Hamilton St (Madison)

“Madison Children's Museum packs three floors with hands-on fun for ages 12 and under, from the nature-tinged Rooftop Ramble and the inventive Wonderground to the Art Studio and delightfully scrappy Trash Lab. When you need a breather, Lunchbox Cafe has snacks while the kids keep plotting their next adventure.”

From the Madison newsletter, September 14, 2026

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Nathaniel Dean House

Arts & Culture

Nathaniel Dean House is a Victorian-style nine-room house museum dedicated to Blooming Grove’s story, from Ho Chunk homelands to pioneer…

4718 Monona Dr (Madison)

“Nathaniel Dean House is a Victorian-style nine-room house museum dedicated to Blooming Grove’s story, from Ho Chunk homelands to pioneer families and beyond. Easy nearby field trip, wander the preserved rooms, then keep an eye on community programs that turn porches into stages and history into the good kind of gossip.”

From the Madison newsletter, August 22, 2026

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Small but mighty, Wisconsin Science Museum packs in interactive demos, quirky historic instruments, and a Hall of Fame that spotlights…

The Atrium, Lower Level, South Hall, 2300 S Park St Ste 300 (Madison)

“Small but mighty, Wisconsin Science Museum packs in interactive demos, quirky historic instruments, and a Hall of Fame that spotlights Wisconsin researchers behind everything from lasers to nanotech to cancer treatment. It’s the kind of place where you can tinker, learn, and leave weirdly proud of local brainpower.”

From the Madison newsletter, October 1, 2026

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