Madison Misdeeds: A True Crime Walking Tour

Schedule

Thu Oct 16 2025 at 05:00 pm to 06:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

1 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703-2808, United States | Madison, WI

Step into Madison’s shadowy past and uncover some the city’s unsavory secrets on this true crime walking tour! From the 1840s through the 1970s, Wisconsin’s capital was home to a surprising and unique underworld of bootleggers, bank robbers and even killers who left their malevolent mark on Madison. Hear historic tales of backroom deals, gambling dens, daring heists, holdups and cold-blooded murders as you walk the downtown streets where these misdeeds unfolded.
Note that this walking tour explores mature themes and is recommended for ages 13 and up. Please read “Know Before You Go” for more information about the tour.

COST
Adult (18-64): $20
Teen (13-17): $20
Senior (65+): $20
Children (5-12): $20
Children Under 5: Free
Advance registration required.
Society members receive a 10% discount, please verify your membership where prompted to receive discount at check out.
Book Tickets: https://wihist.org/4l6hkRe

About the Location
An active, community-focused space that hosts school groups, pop-up exhibits, author talks, public programs and more; located in the US Bank Building on Madison's Capitol Square.
History Maker Space
1 S. Pinckney Street
Madison, WI 53703

Know Before You Go & Accessibility
General Information:
Although the tour is based out of the Wisconsin History Society (WHS) History Maker Space, this tour will be taking place within the community and will be visiting multiple locations in the Capitol Square area.
The starting and ending location of the tour will be in front of the U.S. Bank Plaza building (1 S. Pinckney Street) and facing the Wisconsin State Capitol building.
We recommend arriving at the starting location at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start time. Upon arrival, please check in with a WHS staff member to confirm your tour reservation.
The guided tour is approximately 1.3 mile in length and covers some paved but hilly terrain.
Comfortable shoes for walking are strongly recommended. Tour participants are encouraged to bring water, sunglasses, and a hat with them. With the tour taking place outside, shade will vary.
Walking tours will happen rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, consider bringing an umbrella.
Parking:
For Thursday tour dates, it is strongly recommended not to park in the underground onsite garage at the U.S. Bank Plaza Building.
The U.S. Bank Plaza parking garage closes after 6 p.m. on weekdays and will not reopen until Friday morning when regular business hours at the U.S. Bank Plaza building resume.
Regarding Saturday tour times, the underground onsite garage at the U.S. Bank Plaza building is not open.
As an alternative to parking onsite at the U.S. Bank building, there are public parking options available in downtown Madison. There is a public parking garage, Capitol Square North Garage (218 E. Mifflin St., Madison, WI 53703), located about two blocks and a 6-minute walk from the tour’s starting location and end location. In addition, there is street parking information on the City of Madison website.
Tour participants with questions about the tour content, or with mobility concerns are encouraged to contact Jenny Pederson at [email protected] or (608) 669-5160.

Contact
For more information, please contact the box office at 608-264-4848 or [email protected].

Where is it happening?

1 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703-2808, United States
Wisconsin Historical Museum

Host or Publisher Wisconsin Historical Museum

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Madison

Thu, 16 Oct at 09:00 am Pine Box @Game Hole Con 2025

Alliant Energy Center

BLC Maverick Hockey Bus Trip Fundraiser to Madison
Thu, 16 Oct at 09:00 am BLC Maverick Hockey Bus Trip Fundraiser to Madison

Kohl Center

SPORTS NONPROFIT
FREE LEAGUE @ GAMEHOLE CON
Thu, 16 Oct at 10:00 am FREE LEAGUE @ GAMEHOLE CON

Alliant Energy Center

Madison Pride Bar Crawl
Thu, 16 Oct at 04:00 pm Madison Pride Bar Crawl

Madison

PARTIES BAR-CRAWLS
Wild Ones Annual Meeting and Fall Potluck
Thu, 16 Oct at 05:30 pm Wild Ones Annual Meeting and Fall Potluck

Neighborhood House Community Center

POTLUCK FOOD-DRINKS
Chaparelle
Thu, 16 Oct Chaparelle

High Noon Saloon

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Wisconsin Badgers vs. UCLA Bruins
Thu, 16 Oct at 06:00 pm Wisconsin Badgers vs. UCLA Bruins

UW Field House

Cage The Elephant
Thu, 16 Oct at 06:00 pm Cage The Elephant

The Sylvee - WI

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Troubadours of Rhythm
Fri, 12 Sep at 08:00 pm Troubadours of Rhythm

The Bur Oak

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Dean House Tours
Sun, 14 Sep at 02:00 pm Dean House Tours

4718 Monona Drive, Madison, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53716

A Night With Dr. Kristin Du Mez "The Grace Between Us"
Sun, 14 Sep at 05:30 pm A Night With Dr. Kristin Du Mez "The Grace Between Us"

312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53703

ART LITERARY-ART
Sea Shanty Sing
Tue, 16 Sep at 07:00 pm Sea Shanty Sing

2040 Winnebago St. , Madison, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53703

Amanda J. Guzm\u00e1n Talk: Collected Puerto Rico
Thu, 18 Sep at 05:30 pm Amanda J. Guzmán Talk: Collected Puerto Rico

Chazen Museum of Art

ART FINE-ARTS
Muso MUSIC & FILM Night - Ken Burns Country Music Ep. 7
Tue, 23 Sep at 06:30 pm Muso MUSIC & FILM Night - Ken Burns Country Music Ep. 7

2040 Winnebago St. , Madison, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53703

COUNTRY-MUSIC-FESTIVALS ENTERTAINMENT
"Uncovering Ancient Aztalan": In-person Badger Talk in Madison, WI
Tue, 23 Sep at 07:00 pm "Uncovering Ancient Aztalan": In-person Badger Talk in Madison, WI

1215 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706-1600, United States

MEETUPS
Ritt Deitz in Conversation with Doug Moe
Wed, 01 Oct at 06:00 pm Ritt Deitz in Conversation with Doug Moe

Mystery to Me

ART LITERARY-ART
Objects that Connect Us: Sharing Stories Across Generations
Fri, 03 Oct at 05:30 pm Objects that Connect Us: Sharing Stories Across Generations

1 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703-2808, United States

ART LITERARY-ART
Folsom Prison Experience: A Johnny Cash Show at the Barrymore
Sat, 04 Oct at 07:00 pm Folsom Prison Experience: A Johnny Cash Show at the Barrymore

2090 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53704

PERFORMANCES ART
Johnny Cash Show - Madison, WI - Folsom Prison Experience
Sat, 04 Oct at 07:00 pm Johnny Cash Show - Madison, WI - Folsom Prison Experience

Barrymore Theatre

MUSIC MAGIC-SHOW
Muso MUSIC & FILM Night - Ken Burns Country Music Ep. 8
Tue, 07 Oct at 06:30 pm Muso MUSIC & FILM Night - Ken Burns Country Music Ep. 8

2040 Winnebago St. , Madison, WI, United States, Wisconsin 53703

COUNTRY-MUSIC-FESTIVALS ENTERTAINMENT

What's Happening Next in Madison?

Discover Madison Events