Madison Misdeeds: A True Crime Walking Tour

Schedule

Thu Oct 15 2026 at 05:00 pm to 06:45 pm

UTC-05:00
Location

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

𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣’𝙨 𝙈𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩
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.
This walking tour explores mature themes and is recommended for ages 13 and up.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
A deep-dive into Madison’s lesser-known crime history, including daring heists, holdups, murders, gambling operations and more
Insights into the seedy history of our state capital from the 1840s through the 1970s

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/4eUsBUd

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
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
This tour explores mature themes and is recommended for ages 13 and up.
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.
Please arrive at the starting location at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start time. Upon arrival, please check in with a staff member to confirm your tour reservation.
The guided tour is approximately 1.3 miles 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.
Walking tours will happen rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, consider bringing an umbrella.
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.
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 PM on weekdays and will not reopen until Friday morning when regular business hours at the U.S. Bank Plaza building resume.
For Saturday tour dates, 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, public parking options are 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. In addition, there is street parking information on the City of Madison website.

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
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
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Wisconsin Historical Museum
Host or PublisherWisconsin Historical Museum

Ask AI if this event suits you