Monona Terrace, Convention center along Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin.
The building features curvilinear forms and organic design elements that span 250,000 square feet along the shoreline of Lake Monona in Wisconsin.
Originally proposed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938, the center took nearly six decades to construct and finally opened to the public in 1997.
The center hosts over 600 conventions, meetings, and weddings annually, generating approximately 52 million dollars in economic benefits for the Madison region.
The rooftop area is open to visitors Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Wright dedicated approximately 63,000 hours of work over 21 years to this project and received only 250 dollars in compensation before his death.
Location: Madison
Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright
Official opening: 1997
Website: http://mononaterrace.com
GPS coordinates: 43.07167,-89.38056
Latest update: November 25, 2025 06:36
Frank Lloyd Wright developed one of the most influential architectural styles of the 20th century over seven decades of practice. His buildings connect interior spaces with surrounding landscapes through horizontal lines, natural materials, and open floor plans. From the Prairie Houses of the Midwest to the post-war Usonian homes, Wright created designs that transformed American residential architecture. His major works include Fallingwater, built over a waterfall in Pennsylvania, the Guggenheim Museum in New York with its spiral ramp, and the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, which survived the great 1923 earthquake. The Robie House in Chicago demonstrates his Prairie School principles, while Taliesin West in Arizona served as his winter home and architecture school. His structures are located across the United States, Japan, and Europe, demonstrating his vision of organic architecture that works in harmony with nature.
Wisconsin State Capitol
449 m
Hans Christian Heg
371 m
Wisconsin
447 m
Majestic Theatre
319 m
Hotel Loraine
435 m
Madison Public Library
586 m
State Office Building
95 m
Churchill Building
529 m
Belmont Hotel
572 m
American Exchange Bank
506 m
Dane County Courthouse
277 m
Bellevue Apartment Building
156 m
Baskerville Apartment Building
287 m
Madison Municipal Building
161 m
Christian Dick Block
309 m
Joseph J. Stoner House
328 m
Cardinal Hotel
523 m
Evjue Stage
584 m
Timekeeper
285 m
Genius of Wisconsin
420 m
The West
446 m
Bust of Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
437 m
Liberty Bell replica
437 m
Vel R. Phillips
358 m
Work of art, sculpture
449 m
Work of art, sculpture
475 m
Freiburg-Madison Sister Cities Mosaics
203 m
Monona Terrace Rooftop Terrace
66 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes