Usually voted one of the habitable, happiest, and greenest cities within the USA, Madison is the sort of place we wished to cease and keep for some time. As a capital metropolis and college city, it has a steadiness of sophistication and enjoyable. Take all these cosmopolitan choices and encompass them with 5 lakes and 270 parks, and we will get our outside repair, too. So we rented a wonderful house inside just a few blocks of Capitol Sq. and Lake Monona and spent two weeks on this vibrant metropolis, discovering so many enjoyable issues to do in Madison!
In recent times, we now have made a concerted effort to be extra eco-conscious when selecting the place to remain, eat, store, and play. In the event you can have time whereas doing proper by the locals and the planet…that’s a win for all! In Madison, sustainability is a part of their cultural material—from being house to the founding father of Earth Day to planting the seeds of the farm-to-table motion. As a traveler in Madison, being inexperienced couldn’t have been simpler, with all their plant-based eating places, classic buying, farmers markets, electrical transportation, and recycling at each flip.
That will help you plan a visit to our new favourite midwestern metropolis, we’ve narrowed down the very best issues to do in Madison which are as stellar at sustainability as they’re at good instances.
New to Madison? Begin Right here.
Downtown Madison is on a thin stretch of land between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, making it simply one in every of two US cities and the one capital on an isthmus. At its coronary heart is the beautiful capitol constructing, with the principle streets radiating off of its well-manicured grounds. The primary thoroughfare is known as State Avenue (love that it kicks off with an enormous delight flag painted on the crosswalk), which flows into the College of Wisconsin on the west aspect of city. The lakeside campus is beautiful, surrounded by historic houses, the huge inexperienced house of the Arboretum, and the colourful Monroe Avenue buying space. Head east of the capital constructing and this early Twentieth-century industrial space is now a hipster haven with the artsy Willy Avenue, Atwood Avenue, and Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
To get your bearings and have a good time within the course of, begin your exploration with these enjoyable issues to do in Madison.
Capitol Constructing Tour
Be taught concerning the state of Wisconsin, town of Madison, and one of the spectacular items of structure in any US capital metropolis with a fast (and free) tour. The educated guides lead excursions seven days per week, on the hour (from 9-4 pm, save for lunchtime and Sunday mornings). As we walked across the grand Rotunda, Senate Chamber, and Corridor of the Home of Representatives, our information identified a slew of enjoyable details. Do you know Wisconsin has the very best proportion of ladies state supreme court docket justices? Six out of seven! Or that the Capitol Constructing is the one one within the USA with a granite dome and it’s manufactured from 43 styles of stone, sourced from all over the world? Our favourite a part of touring this house is that it’s very a lot a working constructing. Not solely did we get to rub elbows with state representatives however acquired to observe proceedings from the wings! After your tour, head to the roof deck for unimaginable views over city and get a way of this metropolis’s distinctive topography.
Strolling Tour with Madison Belief for Historic Preservation
If you’re going to take a metropolis strolling tour, go along with structure specialists and advocates for historic preservation! We joined the nonprofit Madison Belief for Historic Preservation for his or her Mansion Hill stroll to see the fantastic Nineteenth-century houses from town’s earliest movers and shakers, together with the Governor’s Mansion. The wide selection of architectural types (Italianate, Queen Anne, Streamline Moderne, and so forth) was fascinating, as was our detour to The Lamp Home, one of many early works of Wisconsin native, Frank Lloyd Wright. Rising up as a young person in Madison and learning on the College of Wisconsin, his work may be discovered all through town…don’t miss the Unitarian Assembly Home!
Madison Belief for Historic Preservation has 10 completely different routes all through town and gives group excursions on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings in the summertime, with non-public excursions out there all year long.
#MadisonByBike
This metropolis is fantastically bikeable, with over 60 miles of motorcycle lanes and B-cycle e-bike stands all over. Begin by taking one in every of Vacation spot Madison’s 4 scenic routes, highlighting a few of the greatest stops within the metropolis. Plus, they reward riders with reductions and prizes after they examine in to native landmarks & companies alongside their signature routes. (We flashed our go at Starkweather Brewing and it earned us BOGO craft ales!) And don’t fear about straying off the path, Madison is a Platinum-Stage Bike-Pleasant Group (simply 1 of 5 cities within the USA!) so it’s secure and easy pedaling throughout city.
Procuring: Madison’s Coolest Eco-Pleasant Shops
Downtown has 370+ retailers, galleries, eating places, night time spots, playhouses, museums, and cultural locations…and the very best half? 82% of these companies are domestically owned! Whereas downtown has loads to do, it doesn’t imply you shouldn’t maintain exploring. Willy Avenue, a 10-block stretch east of Capitol Sq., has a few of Madison’s coolest indie retailers, coffeehouses, and eating places. Scattered round city are greater than 100 thrift retailers, flea markets, and vintage shops to encourage secondhand (learn: eco-friendly) buying.
The Final Farmers’ Market
Not simply any farmers’ market, Dane County gives the largest producer-grown market within the USA! Each Saturday from April by means of November, over 150 distributors line the beautiful Capitol Sq. to promote merchandise they personally grew or made. Flowers, baked items, crafts, and produce of each selection are such a feast for the senses that we went again to this market twice! It additionally makes for fabulous memento buying…we’d extremely advocate getting a replica of the brand new Dane County Cookbook, celebrating its 50th anniversary with tales and greatest recipes from its group of farm-to-table foodies.
Classic Retailers
Good Fashion Store: This assortment of seven unbiased classic clothes distributors beneath one roof has a curated number of clothes from the ’30s by means of Y2K. Good Fashion Store additionally hosts the annual Midwest Classic Flea and we have been fortunate to catch this retro buying extravaganza throughout our keep!
Retro Revolution: This classic house items store is a riot of colour and is especially good for tableware.
Stillgood’s: Within the Willy St. neighborhood, this store buys gently worn designer, modern, and classic clothes. A far cry from Good Will, Stillgood’s house is as stylish as the garments.
Inexperienced Residing
Inexperienced Life Buying and selling Co: Overlook single-use packaging, you possibly can meet just about any family and sweetness want with this stunning store’s refilling stations and luxe eco-friendly merchandise. We additionally beloved that Inexperienced Life Buying and selling is a drop-off level for group compost…very useful throughout our two-week keep!
Willy Avenue Co-op. If you’re provisioning for an extended keep or simply have enjoyable grinding your personal sunflower butter, this deluxe grocery retailer has all of your natural, domestically sourced goodies—from produce to cheeses to ready-made gadgets to magnificence merchandise. Even doing a loop across the Willy Avenue Coop and studying the bulletin board is price it for the robust group vibe.
Garver Feed Mill
This 100-year-old landmark constructing has an excellent eclectic combine of companies…Roll Play Madison Board Video games, the beloved Ian’s Pizza, Ledger Espresso Roasters, and The Glitter Workshop…the place you possibly can store or make your personal candles, jewellery, mini succulent backyard, solar catcher, and extra. Plus, Garver Feed Mill has a fab spa and yoga studio, so no matter you fancy, it’s a cool hub and only a six-minute stroll from the must-visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens, so it’s already on the route.
Museums & Theaters
You would possibly assume, let me save the artwork museums and theater for a visit to New York or LA, however Madison has some gems and most of them are free!
Orpheum Theater
A basic Twenties theater and the icon of State Avenue, the Mad Orpheum is fabulous inside and outside. Just lately renovated, this theater hosts Broadway exhibits, prime comedians, or main musicians any given week. Humorous girl Chelsea Handler was on the town throughout our keep (professional tip: examine VividSeats.com for loopy offers on dwell occasions), shortly adopted by John Cleese and Pete Davidson, so we didn’t catch a top-notch comic by likelihood.
Overture Heart for the Arts
Not simply any performing arts house, this multi-venue constructing hosts Broadway performances, ballet, opera, artwork displays, and so many cultural occasions with the objective of “Extraordinary Experiences for All.” Overture’s mission is to “help and elevate our group’s artistic tradition, economic system, and high quality of life by means of the humanities,” which is why roughly half of their occasions are both low-cost or free. We beloved the artwork of the Mending Venture, a weekly meetup the place seamstresses supply their providers to those that want darning, just a few suggestions, or somebody to speak to.
Madison Museum of Modern Artwork
On State Avenue, you possibly can’t miss this putting modern glass constructing, constructed by world-renowned architect César Pelli. MMoCA’s everlasting assortment has upwards of 6,000 objects and 1,400 artists of various backgrounds to additional their mission of IDEA (Inclusion, Range, Fairness, and Entry). And in relation to particular displays, Federico Uribe’s “Metamorphosis” was probably the greatest we’ve skilled. This Colombian artist turns on a regular basis objects on their head to make you assume, chuckle, and cry…a cow manufactured from leather-based sneakers, a tiger created from bullet casings, a reef constructed of washed-up plastics, and a refugee customary from baggage…this artist takes on exhausting subjects like poaching and plastic air pollution with a little bit of humor and a number of whimsy to lighten the temper and invitations dialog for change. Catch Metamorphosis earlier than it closes on Could 26, 2024.
Chazen Museum of Artwork
We aren’t certain what sort of endowment the College of Wisconsin-Madison has, however a gallery with Warhol, Miró, Magritte, Calder, and Cristo, plus Roman relics from 10 BCE? We have been impressed. Beloved the Chazen Museum of Artwork’s Modern African Artwork exhibit and the gallery of latest acquisitions to have a good time the 175th yr of UW Madison. Everytime you take a look at campus, ensure you cease in.
Madison Nightlife
Wisconsin could also be identified for its “old style” cocktails, however Madison’s consuming scene is something however. Just lately named one of many prime 5 “Finest Consuming Cities in The World” by Punch Journal and residential to over 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries, Madison is making some wonderful craft drinks. Plus, they respect the dive bars which have been holding it down for many years.
Cocktails
Gibs: This craft cocktail bar is ready in a two-story Victorian home for cozy vibes and feel-good drinks. We love that every month they function a “Group Cocktail” with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a brand new charity.
Twister Supper Membership: Though meat-eaters rave about their entrees, we got here to this old-school steakhouse for its supper membership vibes. Simply off Capitol Sq., the slim cozy house is dominated by a wooden bar of pros making OG Previous-Fashioneds. We bellied as much as see how the bartenders whip up a powerful murals with a darkish cherry on prime. They nailed it!
Breweries, Distilleries, and Dive Bars
Starkweather Brewing. These intelligent brewers have made associates with their neighbors at Olbrich Botanical Gardens to infuse their beers with recent herbs and fruits and provides a portion of the proceeds again to that nonprofit. To not point out their cauliflower wings have been unreal and we’ve by no means had a lot enjoyable at a trivia night time. Mark your calendar for Starkweather Brewing’s Thursday’s Music Bingo!
Mickey’s Tavern. This dive bar is one in every of Madison’s oldest in steady operation…since 1902! From the funky decor to the dwell music, this place is price taking in, from atop a leather-based bar stool with a PBR in your hand. We occurred to sit down subsequent to their bartender in retirement, who nonetheless eats right here each week. That’s signal!
Genna’s Lounge. Est. 1964 with a location improve within the Nineteen Nineties, this flatiron-building bar on Predominant Avenue ought to definitely be in your route. They’ve a fantastic patio for the post-farmers market merriment and a comfortable vibe inside.
State Line Distillery: Madison’s first grain-to-glass distillery, utilizing domestically sourced grain and regenerative agriculture, is crafting spirits which are uniquely Wisconsin. Tour the distillery and make a night of it with cocktails of their award-winning lounge.
Professional Tip: Get the free Madison on Faucet Move to navigate to their 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries and rating reductions and prizes alongside the way in which.
Out of doors Patios & Massive Vistas
Eno Vino Downtown. Take the elevator to the tenth flooring of the AC lodge for the sexiest bar with the very best view over city. Wanting eye to eye with the dome of the capitol constructing, we sipped cocktails out of bronze pineapples, whereas our server made us hibachi-style veggies in a blaze of glory.
The Boathouse. That is THE greatest spot for sundowners on Madison’s many lakes. This nautical-themed bar on the water stage of Lake Mendota is a stunner. To make it much more romantic, take your drinks to the tip of the pier and dangle your toes over the water as you sip.
Terrace at Memorial Union. Lest we overlook that this can be a faculty city and the college has one of the enviable places on the lake. Get the school vibe and water views at this campus hub, it doesn’t matter what yr you graduate(d).
Music Venues
Nattspil: Finish your night time at this Asian-Scandavian fusion restaurant and DJ sales space. Spinning chill music from 7-11pm most nights, it’s a vibe like no different, with a aspect of pickled greens.
Excessive Midday Saloon: Voted Madison’s favourite dwell music venue yr after yr, this intimate house on the Close to Eastside garners high quality acts. We noticed the superior indie band Mipso play, and although we didn’t know them that effectively, we adopted the lead of the Madisonians, dancing and singing alongside for an superior live performance expertise.
North Avenue Cabaret: Clearly, we hit the city fairly exhausting, however one venue we’re so unhappy we missed and you must take a look at on our behalf is the North Avenue Cabaret. It’s a speakeasy joint devoted to roots music, with a kitchen that crafts its menu primarily based on the leisure on stage. (New Orleans jazz would possibly get you Jambalaya or a Chicago bluesman would possibly yield deep-dish pizza.)
Madison’s Finest Vegan-Pleasant Eating places
As environmentalists, we determined to surrender consuming animals and dairy again in 2015 as a result of it was the one largest transfer we may make to scale back our carbon footprint. In keeping with an Oxford Journal of Science research, this one dietary mod reduces your carbon footprint by two-thirds!!! So in the event you ever considered plant-based consuming to your well being, the planet, or pure curiosity….Madison is your spot to provide it a go! There are over 100 eating places with vegan-friendly choices! So overlook “faux meat” and assume farm-to-table, James-Beard winners (Madison has over 30), and meals that’s good for you and the Earth.
Espresso Retailers, Bakeries, & Sweets
Mom Idiot’s: This solar-powered espresso store doubles as a rotating artwork gallery, efficiency house, and vegan bakery within the Willy Avenue neighborhood.
Bloom Bakeshop: Providing an ever-changing menu of scratch-made breads, pastries, and sandwiches with a great deal of vegan and gluten-free choices, at two places. We went to Monroe Avenue and waited of their line (out the door) for the plant-based biscuit sandwich and it was sooo price it!
Cargo Espresso: This Close to Eastside espresso store has a enjoyable journey theme with maps spanning their double-height partitions. Good vibes abound right here, from their pleasant baristas to group choices like open mic nights and printing providers.
Ice Cream Social: Whereas there is just one vegan possibility on this dessert menu, we’ve gotta give props that every one the ice cream is gluten-free and 10% of its proceeds go to organizations combating for social and racial fairness!
Brunch & Lunch
Himal Chuli: Nepalese meals naturally leans veggie and flavor-forward, so vegans have loads of nice choices right here. The style of the subcontinent continues with Himalayan decor and real hospitality.
Daisy Cafe: This art-filled house has probably the greatest plant-based brunch menus we’ve ever seen. Plus, they’ve all the standard breakfast meals and fresh-baked pastries for all diets (or lack thereof).
Ian’s Pizza: Madison’s favourite pizza place serves oooey-gooey vegan pies with toppings effectively past bell peppers. Utilizing pizza as a power for good, they’ve given away 1000’s of pies over time, plus supported over 400 nonprofits by means of common occasions like their Dough-Nation Night time.
Inexperienced Owl Cafe: 100% vegan with a world menu and nice cocktails. Closes early, don’t miss it!
Dinner
Jardin at Robinia Courtyard: That is town’s most interesting plant-based eating. We loved the uncommon deal with of “Lobster Casarecce” and can perpetually dream of their “quesabirria” with roasted chili consommé, braised lion’s mane, and avocado crema. Come on Thursday nights for Latin dance classes, dwell music, and a celebration.
Weary Traveler: We beloved this place on title alone and fell even more durable once we noticed the artwork, devices, and souvenirs from all over the world on the partitions and the global-inspired menu. This cozy Nineteenth-century house has a neighborhood vibe that makes you need to keep effectively after your meal for a spherical of board video games and cognac.
Service provider: Whereas they’ve only a handful of plant-based choices, we need to give a nod to this stylish restaurant for its dedication to domestically sourced substances and supporting native farmers. Additionally they do ultra-romantic (and reasonably priced) Tuesday date nights.
Professional Tip: Vacation spot Madison has a fantastic meals listing the place you possibly can search by dietary wants, desired setting, neighborhood, and so forth.
Out of doors Enjoyable
Madison is within the prime 15 cities within the USA in relation to quantity of inexperienced house, with 29,044 sq. ft. per capita! Between a forward-thinking authorities and a college on the forefront of learning city inexperienced areas and ecological results, Madison is right for having fun with the outside with out leaving town limits.
Get on the Water
Three of Madison’s 5 lakes have watercraft leases at varied factors alongside the shores of Mendota, Monona, and Wingra. So no matter you fancy, taking out a pontoon boat, tandem kayak, or stand-up paddleboards, see this record of rental factors and tools choices. Into water snowboarding? There’s a leap in entrance of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace. How Wisconsin is that?!
UW Madison Arboretum
The College of Wisconsin has restored 1,200 acres of forest, prairie, wetlands, and savanna within the middle of town for pupil analysis and group enjoyment. They provide incredible guided hikes, stargazing classes, and volunteering alternatives. Examine their schedule for the most recent happenings or simply take a wander and scent just a few of their 6,000 plant specimens!
Bike & Hike the Lakeshore Path
Comply with the Madison by Bike Route from Memorial Union Terrace to Picnic Level. There’s a ton of pure magnificence alongside the way in which, so get able to hop on and off to see the Observatory Hill Effigy Mound (Madison is filled with these Native American sacred websites), the Allen Centennial Backyard, College Bay Marsh, and final however not least…Picnic Level. Make a hike of it with the two-mile Picnic Level Marsh Loop, by means of the backyard and forest, and catch views throughout the lake and again to the capitol dome. Fireplace pits are all alongside this spit of land, so even on a cold day, it’s a stunning place to absorb nature.
Olbrich Gardens
For over 70 years, Olbrich Botanical Gardens and their ~500 annual volunteers have been creatively cultivating 16 acres right into a wonderland. The gardens are freed from cost and attending their fabulous workshops (from Tai Chi meditation to panorama portray) and cultural occasions return to the nonprofit. We have been in awe of their annual Gleam mild artwork present, with its singing timber, dancing butterflies, glittering disco balls, and extra dazzling mild installations, and have little question the opposite occasions can be unimaginable too.
Wild Card: Madison Circus House
Welcoming all aspiring acrobats, flying trapeze artists, hoop dancers, and German wheelers, Madison Circus House is a artistic and secure place to provide all of it a whirl. As two individuals who by no means made it previous Gymboree and declare no dance abilities, we by no means considered making an attempt the circus arts, however Madison has probably the greatest applications within the nation. With a ten,000-square-foot house and a slew of courses for each stage, Madison Circus House is a beacon of inclusivity and enjoyable. We signed up for his or her aerial silks class with Stephanie, discovered the fundamentals, and labored our means as much as the French Climb and Crooked Star. Undecided if our grace improved, however we all know how a lot enjoyable we had in school and frolicking among the many execs (like 5x world champ German Wheeler) on this inspiring house. Watch the video above (and take a look at to not chuckle).
Volunteering
We’re joyful to report that each the Arboretum and Olbrich Gardens (locations it’s best to definitely go to anyway) supply volunteering alternatives and they’re superior! On the Arboretum, we joined their weekly Ecological Restoration Work Occasion the place we un-strangled timber from invasive species, met great individuals, and discovered quite a bit about their prairie ecosystem within the course of!
Whereas at Olbirch Gardens, we adopted the lead horticulturist and volunteer squad (some with 14 years of service), and acquired the bottom prepared for winter and a fruitful spring. We made quick associates as we dug up spent annuals and reduce outdated mint, and an invitation quickly adopted for the Olbrich Backyard’s brew-debut occasion! Close by Starkweather Brewing was about to faucet their kegs, infused with Olbrich’s lemongrass, apricots, and pears. Alongside new associates, sipping saisons infused with herbs from the very backyard we sowed, reminded us that the rewards of volunteering by no means stop to amaze.
Voluntourism is catching on in Madison and we wished to assist unfold the phrase, so we gladly settle for the invite to return on their NBC station. Watch the interview, above.
For extra info on how one can add volunteering to your Madison travels, take a look at the volunteering pages for the UW Madison Arboretum, Olbrich Gardens, and VisitMadison.com
The place to Keep: Finest Eco-Pleasant Motels in Madison
Whether or not you might be staying for an extended digital nomad keep (like we did) or coming for a getaway weekend, we’ve pinpointed posh locations to put your head and launch your adventures.
Voyageur Prolonged Stays
Created by a pair of world-traveling Madisonians, Voyageur has upped the sport on extended-stay lodging with high-design flats in a few of the metropolis’s coolest spots. We stayed at their new Medallion property, impressed by Frank Lloyd Wright, designed by Dutch designer Arno Hoogland, and constructed by a neighborhood craftsman! For a shorter keep, they do have one fabulous property proper on Lake Monona with a sauna and kayaks to greatest benefit from the waterfront locale. Splitting our time between downtown and the lake made for the right Madison keep.
Governor’s Mansion Inn
Keep within the state’s, first govt residence and residential to 18 Wisconsin governors. This 1850s mansion has been transformed right into a nine-room inn with authentic particulars in a recent fashion. Proper off Lake Mendota, and some blocks from the capitol constructing within the historic Mansion Hill neighborhood, Governor’s Mansion Inn is among the most regal stays.
The Graduate Madison
Get into the Badger spirit with a keep on the boutique lodge chain impressed by the school cities they reside in. Positioned one block from State Avenue and the College of Wisconsin campus, alongside Lake Mendota, The Graduate Resort is impressed by all issues Madison and collegiate stylish with a fab restaurant and rooftop bar.
The Edgewater
We got here right here for drinks on the superior Boathouse bar (see above), wound up taking a correct tour, and fell in love with the place. And we aren’t alone. Condé Nast ranked The Edgewater as probably the greatest accommodations within the Midwest and it simply gained a 2023 Historic Motels of America award! Not just a few walled-off resort, it’s designed to be part of the group with its lakeview terrace being a favourite picnic spot and city ice skating rink by winter. And at 75 years in enterprise, they know a factor or two about hospitality.
Madison…Our Favourite Metropolis within the Midwest!
After two weeks in Madison, we have been taking a look at property. We completely jived with the forward-thinking ethos of this city and couldn’t consider the pure great thing about this Midwestern metropolis. Wherever we have been, we have been by no means removed from the water or the center of the motion. We love that it was sufficiently big to have tons to do however sufficiently small that we may stroll or bike in all places, and by no means really feel misplaced. After which there was a way of gratitude. Whether or not it was acknowledging their presence on Ho-Chunk Nation ancestral land on the Modern Museum of Artwork or bakeries calling out all of the farmers they thank for his or her every day bread, everybody had a face and voice right here. From their historical past of civil rights activism to electing (and re-electing) an overtly homosexual girl for mayor, town is all about progress and inclusivity. We will’t wait to be welcomed again!
Many due to Vacation spot Madison for inviting us to their nice metropolis and supporting our journey storytelling. To point out our gratitude to the group, we now have donated to the next native nonprofits: Maintain Dane, Olbrich Gardens, and the Clear Lakes Alliance.
For extra on our Madison expertise, see our Instagram Spotlight reel and proceed your Wisconsin exploring with our cross-state highway journey information.
