Wisconsin Getaway: 3 Days to Explore Madison

Staying downtown means that many of Madison’s best attractions and restaurants are just a short walk or bike ride away. The Graduate Madison boutique hotel will give you the full-on Badgers experience, with tons of UW-Madison memorabilia around every corner and a rooftop patio with a view of Lake Mendota. For more options, try The Edgewater, Hotel Indigo or The Livingston Inn. 

For some of the best dining in the city, head to the Capitol Square for lively, outdoor dining and local eats. If you’re out on Friday, don’t miss out on a Wisconsin tradition and try a fish fry at The Old Fashioned. For craft cocktails and farm-to-table American fare, Merchant is worth a stop. Or, dive into cheddar-crusted steel pan pizza and Latin Cuisine at Lucille.

The real heart of downtown Madison can be found on State Street. Lined with savory ethnic restaurants (think Russian dumplings and hand-pulled noodles), charming boutiques and specialty shops, this pedestrian mall links the University of Wisconsin campus straight to the Capitol Square. During the summer, State Street comes to life with musicians, dancers and an abundance of outdoor patio dining. 

End your evening at one of State Street’s patios with an ice cream cone from the Chocolate Shoppe or an espresso martini from the Botanist Social. 

A favorite among locals and visitors alike, the Dane County Farmers' Market takes place every Saturday morning from April to November. Rain or shine, you and your crew can stroll through upwards of 150 vendors each week, sampling favorites like squeaky cheese curds and fresh produce, along with a heavenly assortment of baked goodies perfect for picnicking on the capitol lawn. (Did we mention Spicy Cheese Bread from Stella's?) As the largest producers-only farmers’ market in the United States, this is not to be missed! 

Madison is one of America’s most bike-friendly cities, so it comes as no surprise that it has a great bike-sharing system, Madison B-Cycle. With 40 stations, home to more than 350 e-bikes throughout the downtown area, Madison’s B-Cycle program has totally changed the way people move around town. This bike-sharing program allows you to check out an e-bike and return it to the nearest station wherever you end up. Why not spend an afternoon cruising around to take in the local sights? Find the Capital City State Trail downtown and ride to your next two stops: lunch and a garden tour. 

The Capital City Trail goes through Madison’s Atwood neighborhood, which has a great selection of restaurants where you can catch lunch either before or after your tour of Olbrich Botanical Gardens & Bolz Conservatory. You’ll see every color in the rainbow popping up along the path as you explore 16 acres of flowers, fountains and more. The outdoor gardens are free, while the indoor conservatory has a small admission fee (and makes for a nice, warm excursion in the colder months).

Lunch depends on what you’re in the mood for! Try Alchemy Café for gourmet pub grub, including some of the most delicious sweet potato fries and bourbon cocoa buffalo wings around.  James Beard-nominated Ahan serves up bold Laotian fare, whereas cozy Lazy Jane’s Cafe offers made-from-scratch, signature scones, brunch and daily specials. All three have vegan and vegetarian options, too. 

Want to try more? Madison Eats offers food-themed walking tours of the Atwood neighborhood, as well as other neighborhoods throughout the city. 

Before dinner, stroll through the free Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Featuring a permanent collection with over 5,000 pieces of art as well as rotating exhibitions, you and your group can also explore the rooftop for expansive views of downtown Madison. 

For a dazzling view of the water, head to Eno Vino, a popular rooftop restaurant and lounge located on the 10th floor of the AC Hotel, just one block off Capitol Square. Their modern American menu matches their modern vibe and includes an extensive wine list. Going casual? The Boathouse at The Edgewater offers classic Wisconsin brats and burgers and live music in the summer along Lake Mendota. 

After dinner, do what the locals do and head to the Memorial Union Terrace on the shore of gorgeous Lake Mendota. The terrace is known for its iconic colorful sunburst chairs, great people watching and arguably Madison’s most beautiful sunsets. Summer entertainment includes everything from free movies to open mic nights and live music. Grab a pitcher of a local craft brew and spend the night catching up with friends.  

Or, if you're up for dinner and a show, book tickets to a performance at the Overture Center for the Arts. The venue offers all kinds of performances, ranging from Broadway musicals to symphony orchestras to author readings.  

Take a free guided tour of the impressive Wisconsin State Capitol Building, which features exquisite glass mosaics, hand-carved furniture and 43 different varieties of stone from around the world.  

If you and the kids are in search of more adventures, spend a few hours playing together at the Madison Children's Museum, which features out-of-this-world exhibits including puzzle city, a bone bridge and rooftop playground with real chickens!

Make the most of your last few hours in Madison by exploring the delightful Monroe Street Neighborhood. You and your crew can find a delicious caffeine fix at Colectivo or Madison Chocolate Company before strolling through the free Henry Vilas Zoo or the gorgeous trails at the UW Madison Arboretum. Stop in at local boutiques such as Orange Tree Imports and Good Day Shop for fun souvenirs, handcrafted home goods, stylish clothing and much more. After working up an appetite, make your own perfect picnic with tasty sandwiches and gourmet snacks from Alimentari, or finish on a fancier note at the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Fairchild.