Things To Do

Dane County Farmers' Market

This is a must on Saturday Morning. Go for the pastries, stay for the lively conversations with Wisconsin cheesemakers. The Dane County Farmers' market is the largest producer-only market in the United States, everything at this market is from Wisconsin, and the people behind the table are the ones growing and producing every lettuce leaf with love. May is still early on in our growing season, but keep your eye out for the elusive spring trifecta: Morels, Asparagus, Ramps!

Tour the Wisconsin State Capitol

Shop @ Fromagination

Take a little bit of Wisconsin goodness home with you! This beautiful cheese shop is right on the capitol square. It's also a perfect spot to pick up a sandwich after you've worked up an appetite from walking the Saturday Farmers' Market.

Walk State Street

It is a great walk from the Capitol, has lots of atmosphere, fun restaurants and lots of small artsy shops. For the older generation it feels great to be young again seeing so many students. One of my favorite aspects about Madison is State Street. The location is really unique, as it connects University of Wisconsin-Madison to the State Capitol and is only a block away from Lake Mendota. There is something for everyone whether it's ethnic restaurants, unique local businesses, street performers, protests, Badger game days, farmers markets, shows or a museum or two, there is always something going on in the area.

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

If you're already taking our suggestion to explore along State Street, the Madison Museum of Art is an excellent stop along your journey. MMoCA offers free, engaging exhibitions and education programs that feature established and emerging modern and contemporary artists. The four galleries are manageable to peruse in about an hour, and if it's lovely weather, the Rooftop Sculpture Garden provides a pleasant respite and inspiring view of downtown.

Memorial Union Terrace

Drink a beer in der Ratskeller or, if it's warm, out on the terrace by the Lake Mendota.

Chazen Museum of Art

UW-Madison Geology Museum

Coffee + Crepes @ Bradbury's

Hands-down the best place to get coffee on the Square. They open early and serve out of this world sweet and savory crepes, too.

Eat @ Graze Restaurant

Go for the Magic Coffee and buttery, flaky pastries to tide you over as you loop around the Farmers' Market, stay for brunch and the spectacular view of the Capitol Square. Graze also serves a super tasty dinner, as well as weekday lunch. Walk-in only (no reservations).

Eat @ Forequarter

Small plates

Eat @ Sujeo

EAT @ Hạ Long Bay

Do you love Vietnamese and Thai food? Then this is the place to go. Order AP10 and the Bánh xèo (sizzling Vietnamese Crepe), you'll have no regrets.

Drinks @ The Robin Room

Pizza + Bourbon @ Greenbush Bar

Sicilian cuisine in the heart of Madison's Old Greenbush neighborhood, located in the basement of the Italian Worker's Union. This place is open only for dinner, and don't mess around, just order their pizzas. Also, Greenbush has the best bourbon list in the city, if not the state. Worth checking out for that little secret alone.

Shop @ Strictly Discs

Peruse 1000s of LPs in this hip music shop in the Monroe Street neighborhood.

Eat @ Brasserie V

This neighborhood restaurant is on Monroe street, on the West side of downtown Madison. If you want to take advantage of your time in Wisconsin by scoping out the best places for beer, you'll definitely want to check out Brasserie V. Don't skip the fries/frites, they are amazing.