Madison's capital square is one of the most iconic spots in the city! We had our first date at the Ancora Cafe right down the street and love spending Saturday mornings here at the Dane County Farmer's Market. If you're still in town the day after the wedding, we highly recommend checking it out! Ancora's blackberry iced lattes or coffee from Wonderstate, along with empanadas from a local food truck, are our go-to's :) Great places in general for dinner around the square include Jalisco, Lucille's, and Tornado Steak House (Mike's favorite).
Right within walking distance of the square is one of the prettiest lake views in Madison!
Another iconic place in Madison, the terrace is a great spot for sitting out by the lake, listening to live music, and getting ice cream at UW Madison's Babcock Creamery. You can also rent paddle-boards, canoes, and kayaks if you'd like to get out on the water!
Beautiful botanical gardens and conservatory not too far from the lake and Mike and Emma's apartment! If you're in the area, we highly recommend you also check out Level 5 Donuts, which is a quick drive/walk away in the Atwood Neighborhood (you will NOT regret it).
If you want the full "Mike and Emma weekend experience," we're regulars at this small local coffee shop, which is located right next door to Batch, our favorite bakery. Grab a coffee, a treat from Batch, and walk over to Yahara Place Park (2025 Yahara Place) to sip/eat along the Yahara River and Lake Monona. This is in our favorite Madison neighborhood and a spot very near and dear to our hearts! If you're hungry, Ha Long Bay, one of our favorite restaurants, is also located right across the street from Cafe Domestique/Batch.
Another beautiful spot for a walk with views of Lake Mendota, Union Terrace, and the capital.