Repeatedly voted some of the habitable, happiest, and greenest cities within the USA, Madison is the form of place we needed 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 superb condo 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!
Lately, we have now made a concerted effort to be extra eco-conscious when selecting the place to remain, eat, store, and play. When you can have a very good 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 cloth—from being residence 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 procuring, 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 perfect issues to do in Madison which can be 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 primary streets radiating off of its well-manicured grounds. The principle thoroughfare is known as State Road (love that it kicks off with an enormous satisfaction 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 properties, the huge inexperienced area of the Arboretum, and the colourful Monroe Road procuring space. Head east of the capital constructing and this early Twentieth-century industrial space is now a hipster haven with the artsy Willy Road, 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
Study in regards to the state of Wisconsin, town of Madison, and some 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 information. Do you know Wisconsin has the best proportion of ladies state supreme courtroom 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 sorts of stone, sourced from around the globe? Our favourite a part of touring this area is that it’s very a lot a working constructing. Not solely did we get to rub elbows with state representatives however obtained 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’ll take a metropolis strolling tour, go together 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 wonderful Nineteenth-century properties 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 many others) 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 could be discovered all through town…don’t miss the Unitarian Assembly Home!
Madison Belief for Historic Preservation has 10 totally different routes all through town and provides group excursions on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings in the summertime, with non-public excursions obtainable all year long.
#MadisonByBike
This metropolis is fantastically bikeable, with over 60 miles of motorbike lanes and B-cycle e-bike stands all over. Begin by taking one in every of Vacation spot Madison’s 4 scenic routes, highlighting among the greatest stops within the metropolis. Plus, they reward riders with reductions and prizes after they verify in to native landmarks & companies alongside their signature routes. (We flashed our move 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 simple pedaling throughout city.
Buying: Madison’s Coolest Eco-Pleasant Shops
Downtown has 370+ outlets, galleries, eating places, evening spots, playhouses, museums, and cultural locations…and the perfect half? 82% of these companies are domestically owned! Whereas downtown has loads to do, it doesn’t imply you shouldn’t preserve exploring. Willy Road, a 10-block stretch east of Capitol Sq., has a few of Madison’s coolest indie outlets, coffeehouses, and eating places. Scattered round city are greater than 100 thrift outlets, flea markets, and vintage shops to encourage secondhand (learn: eco-friendly) procuring.
The Final Farmers’ Market
Not simply any farmers’ market, Dane County provides the most important producer-grown market within the USA! Each Saturday from April via 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 procuring…we’d extremely suggest 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 Type Store: This assortment of seven impartial classic clothes distributors underneath one roof has a curated collection of clothes from the ’30s via Y2K. Good Type Store additionally hosts the annual Midwest Classic Flea and we have been fortunate to catch this retro procuring extravaganza throughout our keep!
Retro Revolution: This classic residence items store is a riot of shade 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 area is as stylish as the garments.
Inexperienced Residing
Inexperienced Life Buying and selling Co: Neglect single-use packaging, you’ll be able to meet just about any family and sweetness want with this lovely 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 Road 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 Road Coop and studying the bulletin board is value 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’ll be able to 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 suppose, 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 traditional Twenties theater and the icon of State Road, the Mad Orpheum is fabulous in and out. Lately renovated, this theater hosts Broadway exhibits, high comedians, or main musicians any given week. Humorous girl Chelsea Handler was on the town throughout our keep (professional tip: verify VividSeats.com for loopy offers on stay occasions), shortly adopted by John Cleese and Pete Davidson, so you realize we didn’t catch a top-notch comic by probability.
Overture Middle for the Arts
Not simply any performing arts area, 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 “assist and elevate our group’s inventive tradition, economic system, and high quality of life via 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 Road, you’ll be able to’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, Variety, Fairness, and Entry). And in the case of particular displays, Federico Uribe’s “Metamorphosis” was the most effective we’ve skilled. This Colombian artist turns on a regular basis objects on their head to make you suppose, giggle, 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 original from baggage…this artist takes on arduous matters 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’re not positive 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 fun the 175th yr of UW Madison. Everytime you try campus, be sure you cease in.
Madison Nightlife
Wisconsin could also be recognized for its “old school” cocktails, however Madison’s ingesting scene is something however. Lately named one of many high 5 “Greatest Consuming Cities in The World” by Punch Journal and residential to over 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries, Madison is making some glorious craft drinks. Plus, they respect the dive bars which have been holding it down for many years.
Cocktails
Gibs: This craft cocktail bar is about in a two-story Victorian home for cozy vibes and feel-good drinks. We love that every month they characteristic 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 area is dominated by a wooden bar of pros making OG Outdated-Fashioneds. We bellied as much as see how the bartenders whip up a powerful murals with a darkish cherry on high. They nailed it!
Breweries, Distilleries, and Dive Bars
Starkweather Brewing. These intelligent brewers have made pals 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 evening. 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 stay music, this place is value 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 a very good signal!
Genna’s Lounge. Est. 1964 with a location improve within the Nineteen Nineties, this flatiron-building bar on Essential Road ought to actually be in your route. They’ve an incredible 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 can be 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 Go to navigate to their 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries and rating reductions and prizes alongside the best way.
Outside Patios & Massive Vistas
Eno Vino Downtown. Take the elevator to the tenth flooring of the AC lodge for the sexiest bar with the perfect 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 degree 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 neglect that it is a school city and the college has some of the enviable areas on the lake. Get the faculty vibe and water views at this campus hub, it doesn’t matter what yr you graduate(d).
Music Venues
Nattspil: Finish your evening 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 stay music venue yr after yr, this intimate area 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 nicely, we adopted the lead of the Madisonians, dancing and singing alongside for an superior live performance expertise.
North Road Cabaret: Clearly, we hit the city fairly arduous, however one venue we’re so unhappy we missed and you need to try on our behalf is the North Road Cabaret. It’s a speakeasy joint devoted to roots music, with a kitchen that crafts its menu based mostly 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 Greatest Vegan-Pleasant Eating places
As environmentalists, we determined to surrender consuming animals and dairy again in 2015 as a result of it was the only largest transfer we might make to cut back our carbon footprint. In line with an Oxford Journal of Science examine, this one dietary mod reduces your carbon footprint by two-thirds!!! So when you ever considered plant-based consuming in 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 neglect “faux meat” and suppose 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 area, and vegan bakery within the Willy Road 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 areas. We went to Monroe Road and waited of their line (out the door) for the plant-based biscuit sandwich and it was sooo value 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 choice 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 area has the most effective plant-based brunch menus we’ve ever seen. Plus, they’ve all the normal 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 nicely past bell peppers. Utilizing pizza as a drive for good, they’ve given away hundreds of pies through the years, plus supported over 400 nonprofits via common occasions like their Dough-Nation Night time.
Inexperienced Owl Cafe: 100% vegan with a worldwide menu and nice cocktails. Closes early, don’t miss it!
Dinner
Jardin at Robinia Courtyard: That is town’s best plant-based eating. We loved the uncommon deal with of “Lobster Casarecce” and can endlessly dream of their “quesabirria” with roasted chili consommé, braised lion’s mane, and avocado crema. Come on Thursday nights for Latin dance classes, stay music, and a celebration.
Weary Traveler: We beloved this place on identify alone and fell even more durable once we noticed the artwork, devices, and souvenirs from around the globe on the partitions and the global-inspired menu. This cozy Nineteenth-century area has a neighborhood vibe that makes you wish to keep nicely 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 wish to give a nod to this stylish restaurant for its dedication to domestically sourced substances and supporting native farmers. In addition they do ultra-romantic (and inexpensive) Tuesday date nights.
Professional Tip: Vacation spot Madison has an incredible meals listing the place you’ll be able to search by dietary wants, desired setting, neighborhood, and many others.
Outside Enjoyable
Madison is within the high 15 cities within the USA in the case of quantity of inexperienced area, 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 checklist 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 scholar analysis and group enjoyment. They provide improbable guided hikes, stargazing periods, and volunteering alternatives. Verify their schedule for the newest happenings or simply take a wander and odor 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 best way, so get able to hop on and off to see the Observatory Hill Effigy Mound (Madison is stuffed 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, via the backyard and forest, and catch views throughout the lake and again to the capitol dome. Hearth pits are all alongside this spit of land, so even on a cold day, it’s a beautiful 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 could be unimaginable too.
Wild Card: Madison Circus Area
Welcoming all aspiring acrobats, flying trapeze artists, hoop dancers, and German wheelers, Madison Circus Area is a inventive 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 expertise, we by no means considered attempting the circus arts, however Madison has the most effective applications within the nation. With a ten,000-square-foot area and a slew of lessons for each degree, Madison Circus Area 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 approach as much as the French Climb and Crooked Star. Unsure if our grace improved, however we all know how a lot enjoyable we had at school and frolicking among the many professionals (like 5x world champ German Wheeler) on this inspiring area. Watch the video above (and take a look at to not giggle).
Volunteering
We’re pleased to report that each the Arboretum and Olbrich Gardens (locations you must actually go to anyway) supply volunteering alternatives and they’re superior! On the Arboretum, we joined their weekly Ecological Restoration Work Social gathering 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 obtained the bottom prepared for winter and a fruitful spring. We made quick pals as we dug up spent annuals and in the reduction of previous mint, and an invitation quickly adopted for the Olbrich Backyard’s brew-debut get together! Close by Starkweather Brewing was about to faucet their kegs, infused with Olbrich’s lemongrass, apricots, and pears. Alongside new pals, 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 needed to assist unfold the phrase, so we gladly settle for the invite to come back on their NBC station. Watch the interview, above.
For extra info on how one can add volunteering to your Madison travels, try the volunteering pages for the UW Madison Arboretum, Olbrich Gardens, and VisitMadison.com
The place to Keep: Greatest Eco-Pleasant Resorts 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 among 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 an area 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 up to date type. 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 faculty cities they reside in. Situated one block from State Road and the College of Wisconsin campus, alongside Lake Mendota, The Graduate Lodge 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 the most effective inns within the Midwest and it simply received a 2023 Historic Resorts 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 imagine 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 large enough to have tons to do however sufficiently small that we might stroll or bike in every single place, 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 brazenly homosexual lady 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 indicate our gratitude to the group, we have now 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.