Recurrently voted probably the most habitable, happiest, and greenest cities within the USA, Madison is the form of place we wished to cease and keep for some time. As a capital metropolis and college city, it has a stability of sophistication and enjoyable. Take all these cosmopolitan choices and encompass them with 5 lakes and 270 parks, and we are able to get our outside repair, too. So we rented a wonderful residence inside a couple of 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, now we have made a concerted effort to be extra eco-conscious when selecting the place to remain, eat, store, and play. In case you can have an excellent 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 procuring, farmers markets, electrical transportation, and recycling at each flip.
That can assist you plan a visit to our new favourite midwestern metropolis, we’ve narrowed down the most effective issues to do in Madison which might 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 all 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 known as State Avenue (love that it kicks off with an enormous pleasure flag painted on the crosswalk), which flows into the College of Wisconsin on the west facet of city. The lakeside campus is beautiful, surrounded by historic properties, the huge inexperienced house of the Arboretum, and the colourful Monroe Avenue procuring 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 in regards to the state of Wisconsin, town of Madison, and probably the most spectacular items of structure in any US capital metropolis with a fast (and free) tour. The educated guides lead excursions seven days every 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 girls 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 product of 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 bought 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 will 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 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 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 might 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 affords group excursions on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings in the summertime, with personal excursions accessible all year long.
#MadisonByBike
This metropolis is fantastically bikeable, with over 60 miles of motorcycle lanes and B-cycle e-bike stands in all places. Begin by taking one in all Vacation spot Madison’s 4 scenic routes, highlighting a number of the finest stops within the metropolis. Plus, they reward riders with reductions and prizes once they examine 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-Degree Bike-Pleasant Neighborhood (simply 1 of 5 cities within the USA!) so it’s secure and simple pedaling throughout city.
Procuring: Madison’s Coolest Eco-Pleasant Shops
Downtown has 370+ outlets, galleries, eating places, evening spots, playhouses, museums, and cultural locations…and the most effective half? 82% of these companies are regionally owned! Whereas downtown has lots 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 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 affords the largest producer-grown market within the USA! Each Saturday from April by way 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 procuring…we’d extremely advocate getting a duplicate of the brand new Dane County Cookbook, celebrating its 50th anniversary with tales and finest recipes from its neighborhood of farm-to-table foodies.
Classic Outlets
Good Type Store: This assortment of seven impartial classic clothes distributors underneath one roof has a curated choice of clothes from the ’30s by way of Y2K. Good Type Store additionally hosts the annual Midwest Classic Flea and we had been fortunate to catch this retro procuring 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: Neglect single-use packaging, you’ll be able to meet nearly any family and wonder want with this stunning store’s refilling stations and luxe eco-friendly merchandise. We additionally liked that Inexperienced Life Buying and selling is a drop-off level for neighborhood compost…very useful throughout our two-week keep!
Willy Avenue Co-op. In case you are provisioning for an extended keep or simply have enjoyable grinding your personal sunflower butter, this deluxe grocery retailer has all of your natural, regionally 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 value it for the sturdy neighborhood vibe.
Garver Feed Mill
This 100-year-old landmark constructing has a brilliant 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 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. Lately renovated, this theater hosts Broadway reveals, high 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 reside occasions), shortly adopted by John Cleese and Pete Davidson, so you understand we didn’t catch a top-notch comic by probability.
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 aim of “Extraordinary Experiences for All.” Overture’s mission is to “help and elevate our neighborhood’s inventive tradition, financial system, and high quality of life by way of the humanities,” which is why roughly half of their occasions are both low-cost or free. We liked the artwork of the Mending Venture, a weekly meetup the place seamstresses supply their companies to those that want darning, a couple of ideas, or somebody to speak to.
Madison Museum of Modern Artwork
On State Avenue, 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, Range, Fairness, and Entry). And in terms of particular displays, Federico Uribe’s “Metamorphosis” was top-of-the-line we’ve skilled. This Colombian artist turns on a regular basis objects on their head to make you assume, snicker, and cry…a cow product of leather-based footwear, a tiger created from bullet casings, a reef constructed of washed-up plastics, and a refugee customary from baggage…this artist takes on laborious 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 had been impressed. Beloved the Chazen Museum of Artwork’s Modern African Artwork exhibit and the gallery of recent acquisitions to have fun the 175th 12 months of UW Madison. Everytime you try campus, ensure you cease in.
Madison Nightlife
Wisconsin could also be recognized for its “old style” cocktails, however Madison’s consuming scene is something however. Lately named one of many high 5 “Finest 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 function a “Neighborhood 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 robust 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 contemporary herbs and fruits and provides a portion of the proceeds again to that nonprofit. To not point out their cauliflower wings had 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 all Madison’s oldest in steady operation…since 1902! From the funky decor to the reside 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 an excellent signal!
Genna’s Lounge. Est. 1964 with a location improve within the Nineties, this flatiron-building bar on Essential Avenue ought to actually be in your route. They’ve an awesome patio for the post-farmers market merriment and a comfy vibe inside.
State Line Distillery: Madison’s first grain-to-glass distillery, utilizing regionally sourced grain and regenerative agriculture, is crafting spirits which might 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 Move to navigate to their 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries and rating reductions and prizes alongside the best way.
Out of doors Patios & Huge Vistas
Eno Vino Downtown. Take the elevator to the tenth ground of the AC resort for the sexiest bar with the most effective view over city. Trying 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 finest 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 top of the pier and dangle your toes over the water as you sip.
Terrace at Memorial Union. Lest we neglect that this can be a school city and the college has probably the most enviable areas on the lake. Get the school vibe and water views at this campus hub, it doesn’t matter what 12 months 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 facet of pickled greens.
Excessive Midday Saloon: Voted Madison’s favourite reside music venue 12 months after 12 months, 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 properly, 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 laborious, however one venue we’re so unhappy we missed and it’s a must to try on our behalf is the North Avenue 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 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. Based on an Oxford Journal of Science research, this one dietary mod reduces your carbon footprint by two-thirds!!! So when you ever considered plant-based consuming on your well being, the planet, or pure curiosity….Madison is your spot to offer it a go! There are over 100 eating places with vegan-friendly choices! So neglect “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 Outlets, 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 areas. We went to Monroe Avenue 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 neighborhood choices like open mic nights and printing companies.
Ice Cream Social: Whereas there is just one vegan choice on this dessert menu, we’ve gotta give props that each one the ice cream is gluten-free and 10% of its proceeds go to organizations preventing 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 top-of-the-line 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 properly past bell peppers. Utilizing pizza as a drive for good, they’ve given away 1000’s of pies through the years, plus supported over 400 nonprofits by way of common occasions like their Dough-Nation Evening.
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 perpetually dream of their “quesabirria” with roasted chili consommé, braised lion’s mane, and avocado crema. Come on Thursday nights for Latin dance classes, reside music, and a celebration.
Weary Traveler: We liked 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 properly 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 regionally sourced elements and supporting native farmers. In addition they do ultra-romantic (and inexpensive) Tuesday date nights.
Professional Tip: Vacation spot Madison has an awesome meals listing the place you’ll be able to search by dietary wants, desired setting, neighborhood, and so forth.
Out of doors Enjoyable
Madison is within the high 15 cities within the USA in terms of 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 listing of rental factors and gear choices. Into water snowboarding? There’s a bounce 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 heart of town for scholar analysis and neighborhood enjoyment. They provide unbelievable guided hikes, stargazing periods, and volunteering alternatives. Test their schedule for the newest happenings or simply take a wander and odor a couple of 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, by way 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 soak up 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 had been in awe of their annual Gleam gentle artwork present, with its singing bushes, dancing butterflies, glittering disco balls, and extra dazzling gentle installations, and have little question the opposite occasions could 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 inventive and secure place to offer 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 top-of-the-line packages 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, realized 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 professionals (like 5x world champ German Wheeler) on this inspiring house. Watch the video above (and check out to not snicker).
Volunteering
We’re completely satisfied to report that each the Arboretum and Olbrich Gardens (locations you need to actually go to anyway) supply volunteering alternatives and they’re superior! On the Arboretum, we joined their weekly Ecological Restoration Work Celebration the place we un-strangled bushes from invasive species, met great folks, and realized lots 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 bought the bottom prepared for winter and a fruitful spring. We made quick pals as we dug up spent annuals and in the reduction of 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 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 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 data 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: Finest Eco-Pleasant Accommodations in Madison
Whether or not you’re 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 number 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 finest benefit from the waterfront locale. Splitting our time between downtown and the lake made for the proper 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 resort chain impressed by the school cities they reside in. Situated 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 top-of-the-line accommodations within the Midwest and it simply received a 2023 Historic Accommodations of America award! Not just a few walled-off resort, it’s designed to be part of the neighborhood 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 had 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 had been, we had been by no means removed from the water or the guts 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 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 girl for mayor, town is all about progress and inclusivity. We are able to’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 neighborhood, now we 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 street journey information.
