PLEASE READ
The Dairy Plant is under construction, our guided observations will be put on hold during the renovation period. Guided observations will resume after the renovation is complete.
We are CLOSED to the public to ensure the safety of our students, staff and customers.
The Babcock Dairy Store offers short, guided presentations from the second-story observation deck that overlooks the dairy plant. One of our student workers will lead small groups and describe the general processes of the plant, from receiving the milk to creating the finished product. Visitors will be able to view production lines for ice cream and cheese making.
Each presentation usually lasts 15-20 minutes.
Observation Information
Cost
Observations are free, however, visitors typically enjoy a dish of ice cream afterward. A prepackaged dish is $2.25. After you schedule an observation, we ask that you contact us with pre-ordering information at dairystore@babcockdairy.wisc.edu.
Pre-orders are required for all tour groups larger than 15 people.
Group Size
Please keep in mind that we require a minimum of 10 people in order to schedule a tour. For groups of less than 10, presentations are open to the public on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 12:00 p.m.
Groups of 10 or less can also feel free to visit Babcock Hall anytime the building is open. The observation deck is always accessible to the public and all of the machinery in the plant is labeled and visible from the windows.
Available times
Observations can be scheduled from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Production can only be seen from 9:00 am – 11:00 am Monday – Friday.
Check our calendar for available times. Observations are NOT given from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm due to our busy lunch hour.
Parking
Due to construction, our street parking out front is currently unavailable. There is however one handicap spot that is open for use. Lot 36 on Observatory Drive is a ramp, otherwise the back parking lot has free parking on Saturdays.
Campus Tours
Interested in seeing what else UW-Madison campus as to offer? Visit the campus tours page to find other venues you can visit while visiting the Babcock Dairy Store!