Things To Do
Dane County Farmers' Market
While we are getting our hair & makeup done, you’ll need something to do. We’ll lucky for you, our wonderful hotels are right near the Capital Square. Starting bright and early every Saturday in the summer is the Dane County Farmers Market. Take a lap around the block to see 130 vendors offering free cheese curd samples, beautiful flowers, and fresh Wisconsin produce. If you make one stop, you must go to the eastern corner of the Market (where State St begins) and join the line for Stella’s Hot & Spicy cheesy bread. Grab that first and munch on it as you walk around. You’ll thank us later.
The Coopers Tavern
Go grab a drink or a meal at the restaurant where we had our first date. We recommend getting the cheese curds or the pretzel with beer cheese, or you could do as a nervous Luke did: panic and order both! We’ve gone back here every year on our first-date-aversary, Dorothy threw Luke a surprise 25th birthday here, and we celebrated here on our proposal weekend. It holds a special place in our hearts.
J. Henry & Sons Bourbon Tasting Room & Farm
Cool, you have a car here! Head on out to Luke’s old stomping grounds, J Henry & Sons Distillery. Luke worked here for almost 2 years giving tours, making cocktails, sampling bourbon, and driving a forklift. It’s the best bourbon north of Miami and run by a wonderful family committed to making delicious bourbon & rye out of a 100-year-old dairy barn. If you have the time and transportation, check it out, tell them we said hello, and get a hickory-smoked Joe Z Old Fashioned.
Tipsy Cow
What we believe are the best cheese curds in Madison, need we say more?
Memorial Union - The Terrace
Another Madison staple. The Terrace is the University of Wisconsin’s student union. Inside you’ll find the Rathskellar and other food stops, Badgers merch, and Babcock ice cream made from the university’s cows (milked twice a day!). Outside is the real show featuring an expansive terrace full of multicolored chairs and tables looking out over beautiful lake Mendota. Grab a pitcher of Spotted Cow, listen to some live music, and watch the 2nd largest fleet of sailboat in the country cruise on by. (There’s your tour guide fact of the day)
Lucille
We would frequent Lucille when we lived in Madison for two reasons. 1) The ‘She’s A-maiz-ing’ pizza – you simply have to order it. 2) The cocktails – they stick to the classics and crush it. If you want an elevated experience, ask for the “Luke & Dorothy Special”. That’s not a thing and they won’t know what you mean, but if enough people do it, we could make it one.
The Old Fashioned
If you’re a Wisconsinite, you’re already scrolling because you’ve been here a dozen times. For our out of towners, lend us your ear. This is an institution in Madison. Many say these are the best cheese curds in Madison, and they make a mean – you guessed it – old fashioned. We personally recommend the one with our beloved J Henry bourbon for a more traditional old fashioned build. If you’re new here and want to really get thrown for a loop, order a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned – Brandy, Sweet.
Ancora Cafe + Bakery
Luke absolutely love this coffee (we'd say we, but Dorothy won’t join the dark [roast] side). Luke is an Americano guy, and they crush it at that. If you have a bigger sweet tooth, they often do fun lattes like a Froot Loops or a Honey Lavender latte. And if you’re waking up looking for a bite to eat. We are huge fans of the Basic BEC or anything on a Stella’s Hot & Spicy roll.
Come Back In
The sweet, sweet planning commission of Madison, WI has once again delayed the demolition of our favorite watering hole – Come Back In. We played 4 seasons of sand volleyball here – never won the league, but we did win the drinking league 3 times. It’s a no-frills German bar that serves cold beer and hot food. Brought your tux and stilettos? Leave them at home and grab flip flops and a Packers jersey to sport at this working-class establishment.
Wisconsin State Capitol
Madison is most famously known by history buffs for being the beginning of our relationship; however, there are surprisingly other historical facts about the city. If you want to learn more about Madison’s history, agriculture, and government or just see a really cool building, stop in the Capitol for a free tour!
Prost! MSN
In case you’re sitting here thinking, “but Luke & Dorothy, I still haven’t found enough German-influenced establishments in Madison, where oh where should I go?” Fear not, we have you covered! A newer haunt of Madison, this hofbrauhaus style beer hall while work the muscles with their large beer steins and set your nostrils on fire with their spicy mustard that accompanies the gargantuan bavarian pretzel (don’t skip it, carbs are good for you maybe).