Monona, Wisconsin
Monona is a city of 8,527 people in Dane County, Wisconsin, founded in August 29, 1938.
Why visit Monona
Townapedia lists 79 museums and landmarks, 43 parks and trails, 59 places to eat, 5 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Overture Center for the Arts, Monona Farmers Market, Adolph H. Kayser House and American Tobacco Company Warehouses Complex.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 11°F.
Weather in Monona
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Monona
Monona is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. A suburb of the state capital, Madison, the city lies on the southeastern shore of Lake Monona, from which it takes its name. The population was 8,624 at the 2020 census. Monona is almost entirely surrounded by the City of Madison, save for a few short borders with the unincorporated town of Blooming Grove.
From the Wikipedia article Monona, Wisconsin (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Overture Center for the Arts
Cinema and theater · 3.1 mi
Arts center in Madison, Wisconsin, including theaters and an art museum
Monona Farmers Market
Farm and orchard · 0.9 mi
400 East Broadway, Monona
Su 08:30-12:30
Museums and landmarks79
Adolph H. Kayser House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Historic house in Wisconsin, United States
American Tobacco Company Warehouses Complex
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
United States historic place in Madison, Wisconsin
Badger State Shoe Company building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Historic building located at 123 North Blount Street in Madison, Wisconsin
Bascom B. Clarke House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Historic house in Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Bernard-Hoover Boathouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Historic building located in James Madison Park, Madison, Wisconsin
Biederstaedt Grocery
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Commercial building in Madison, Wisconsin
Breese Stevens Field
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Playing field in Madison, Wisconsin
Brittingham Boathouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Boathouse in Madison, Wisconsin
Cardinal Hotel
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Hotel in Madison, United States of America
Carrie Pierce House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
House in Madison, Wisconsin, United States
City Market
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Historic building in Madison, Wisconsin
Curtis–Kittleson House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Historic house in Madison, Wisconsin, USA
67 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds43
Monona Golf Course
Golf course · 1.0 mi
111 East Dean Avenue, Madison
Apr 1-Nov 24: Mo-Fr 06:00-sunset, PH,Sa,Su 05:30-sunset; Nov 24-Apr 1 off
Edna Taylor Conservation Park
Hiking and trails · 0.9 mi
802 Femrite Drive, Madison
04:00-(sunset+01:00)
James Madison Park
Park · 3.2 mi
Waterfront park located on Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin
31 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes59
Below Deck Concession Stand
Cafe · American, Ice Cream · 0.4 mi
800 West Broadway, Monona
Mo-Su 12:00-21:00
Forage Kitchen
Restaurant · Salad, American, Soup · 0.5 mi
800 West Broadway, Monona
Mo-Su 11:00-20:00
Rocky Rococo
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.2 mi
4556 Monona Drive, Madison
Mo-Th 10:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-23:00; Su 10:30-21:30
Salvatore's Tomato Pies
Restaurant · Pizza · 0.5 mi
5507 Monona Drive, Monona
Tu-Fr 16:00-21:00; Sa-Su 11:00-21:00
Rossi's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.3 mi
Mostly features vintage arcade games
4503 Monona Drive, Monona
47 more on the map.
History
Originally part of the Town of Blooming Grove, Monona was incorporated as a village on August 29, 1938. Prior to 1938, the area mainly consisted of farmland and summer homes. However, by 1938, permanent homes and small businesses had become much more common in the area. During the 1950s, Monona grew in population from 2,544 to 8,178.
In 1963, Monona built a community center and adjacent swimming pool. In 1967, a public library was built. In 1969, when Monona was incorporated as a city, a city hall was built across from the library. It houses all city operations, including the fire and police departments.
The Kohl's Food Store, Ray S. and Theo P. Owen House, Schroeder-Bohrod House, and Willard and Fern Tompkins House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
From the History section of Monona, Wisconsin on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay5
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Madison
Motel and hotel · 1.4 mi
4402 East Broadway Service Road, Madison
Churches and places of worship10
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Grace Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Lake Edge United Church of Christ
Church · United Church Of Christ · 1.8 mi
4200 Buckeye Road, Madison
Monona United Methodist Church
Church · United Methodist · 0.6 mi
606 Nichols Road, Monona
Shopping11
Gas and EV charging11
Schools, colleges and libraries48
Healthcare4
Dean Clinic - Madison East
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.8 mi
1821 South Stoughton Road, Madison
Map of Monona
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°F | 11°F | 1.7 in |
| Feb | 32°F | 14°F | 1.7 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 2.3 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 36°F | 4.2 in |
| May | 69°F | 47°F | 4.5 in |
| Jun | 78°F | 57°F | 5.7 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 61°F | 4.7 in |
| Aug | 81°F | 59°F | 4.1 in |
| Sep | 74°F | 51°F | 3.9 in |
| Oct | 61°F | 39°F | 3.0 in |
| Nov | 46°F | 28°F | 2.3 in |
| Dec | 33°F | 18°F | 1.9 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Uw Arboretum - Madison (5 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Dane County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2020-04-04: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-10-18: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides (Flood)
- 2011-04-05: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2008-06-14: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2008-03-19: Record Snow And Near Record Snow (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 6 miles away.
- McFarland 3 mi southeast, about 5 min by car
- Madison 5 mi northwest, about 9 min by car
- Maple Bluff 5 mi northwest, about 8 min by car
- Fitchburg 7 mi southwest, about 11 min by car
- Cottage Grove 7 mi east, about 11 min by car
- Middleton 9 mi northwest, about 15 min by car
- Oregon 9 mi south, about 15 min by car
- Sun Prairie 10 mi northeast, about 17 min by car
- Waunakee 10 mi northwest, about 17 min by car
- Stoughton 11 mi southeast, about 17 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Yahara River - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona Post Office 53716 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona Tower 2 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona Tower 1 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona Street Light - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona Garden Family Restaurant - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona United Methodist Church - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Walgreens Monona - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona Public Library - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona City Hall - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona Fire Department - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Monona Community Center - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- University of Wisconsin Armory and Gymnasium (Red Gym), University of Wisconsin, Langdon Street, Madison, WI - 54302241387, w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 1250 Sherman Avenue, Sherman Avenue Historic District, TheCatalyst31, CC0
- Breese Stevens Field1, Sonofjen, CC BY-SA 4.0
- George A. Lougee House, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Robert M. Lamp House, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- West Madison Depot, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Adolph H. Kayser House, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Grimm Book Bindery, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- University Presbyterian Church and Student Center, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- John J. Suhr House, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- William T. Leitch House, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bowen House, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Miller House, Madison, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Carrie Pierce House, Pinckney Street and Gilman Street, Mansion Hill, Madison, WI - crop, Carrie Pierce House, Pinckney Street and Gilman Street, Mansion Hill, Madison, WI.jpg : w_lemay derivative work: James Steakley, CC BY 2.0
- Madison, Wisconsin Dec04 IMG 2848, Unknown author, CC BY 2.0
- Robert M. Bashford House, Pinckney Street and Gilman Street, Mansion Hill, Madison, WI, w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Madison Vocational School building, Carroll Street entrance, TheCatalyst31, CC0
- Hotel Loraine, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Brittingham Boathouse, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Thompson's Block, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Grace Episcopal Church & view to southwest from Wisconsin State Capitol Building, Michael Howe, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Quisling Towers Apartments, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Steinle Turret, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- First Church of Christ, Scientist, Wisconsin Avenue, Mansion Hill, Madison, WI, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Tenney Plaza, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lamb Building, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Van Slyke House (Madison, Wisconsin), James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
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