Olbrich Park Playground @Walter St

Right next to Olbrich Botanical Gardens on the east side, this playground is the kind of spot that makes a full afternoon easy to plan. The gardens are literally steps away, so parents can actually enjoy themselves while the kids run it out. It’s on Walter St in a part of Madison that doesn’t get enough credit — quieter than the west side spots but still close to enough food options that you’re not scrambling for lunch. Worth pairing with a walk through the gardens if you’ve never done it.