Photography courtesy of Destination Madison
"The Madison Mural" by Triangulador and Henrique Nardi (funded by Madison Arts Commission)
EAT
A huge benefit of being in the midst of fertile farmland: Madison is full of fresh food and farm-to-table offerings. See for yourself at the Dane County Farmers Market. From April through November, there are two outdoor markets; in the winter, they move indoors for a holiday market and a winter market.
Photography courtesy of Destination Madison
Fromagination by Focal Flame Photography
For coffee and morning food, visit Marigold Kitchen with its fresh takes on breakfast and brunch, from pumpkin buckwheat cinnamon roll pancakes to huevos rancheros. For those with an expansive palette, enjoy lunch or dinner at acclaimed Laotian restaurant Lao Laan-Xang, or find Nepalese cuisine at Himal Chuli. For a bit of food and fun, check out the National Mustard Museum in nearby Middleton.
And yes, of course, there is beer and cheese. Visit Fromagination for all of your cheese needs. It offers sandwiches and a huge selection of artisan cheeses from around the state and beyond. Want to try some local brews? Check out Madison on Tap, an app that provides information, discounts, and prizes for visiting the city’s many breweries. And for sit-down service with local beer and cheese curds, head over to The Old Fashioned Tavern.
Photography courtesy of Destination Madison
Snowshoeing on Lake Mendota by the Wisconsin Union
PLAY
Start at the center of the city: the capitol building. Free tours are offered daily, except on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. As of this writing, reservation are not required.
Several museums can be explored within a few blocks of Capitol Square. If you’re with kids, check out the three-level Madison Children’s Museum, complete with an upcycled playground, aquaponics tank, art studio, and more. The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art presents traveling exhibitions and events, while its permanent collection includes nearly 6,000 objects, including Chicago Imagism, Mexican Modernist prints, Wisconsin-based artists, and contemporary photography.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison boasts the always-free Chazen Museum of Art, with 23,000 works of art from diverse eras throughout time and locations across the globe. A little farther from the city center, Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers 16 acres of outdoor gardens and a tropical conservatory. The UW-Madison Arboretum’s 1,200 acres of forest, prairie, and other ecosystems are also ripe for exploring year-round.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the water view. In the warmer months, boat rentals are available from many spots around the area's five scenic lakes. For kayaks, paddleboats, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes, visit one of Madison Boats’ locations. For motorized adventures, check out Capitol Lake Pontoons. In the winter months, Rutabaga Paddlesports rents snowshoes for trekking onto the lakes, or you can visit one of the City of Madison Parks’ rental locations to trek during the day or during one of the candlelit hikes.
Madison has also consistently been rated a top city for biking. Take advantage of the city’s numerous trails and protected bike lanes, and connect to Dane County trails and Badger State Trail. Madison’s bike-sharing program, BCycle, runs from March 15–December 15, or visit Budget Bicycle Center to rent a bike for a longer timeframe.
Photography courtesy of Destination Madison
East Washington Avenue by OVJ Photography
STAY
While there are many chain hotels downtown and along the expressways, Madison also offers several boutique, historic, and luxury spots to stay.
Located in the Mansion Hill district, The Governors Mansion Inn and Mansion Hill Inn are both small boutique hotels in renovated historic buildings.
For more of a bed and breakfast experience, check out Hotel Ruby Marie, with four nearly on-site dining options, including traditional German fare at Essen Haus. Another B&B option is Mendota Lake House Inn with beautiful lake views and continental breakfast.
For a larger hotel experience, reserve a room at The Edgewater Hotel, which has a spa and can accommodate weddings and larger meetings and special events.
Susan B. Clark is a Chicago-based photographer and writer focused on art, architecture, and outdoor adventures. While the Midwest is her home base, you can also find her traveling the world when her son’s school schedule allows. Follow their adventures on Instagram @heysusanbrigid.
