Things To Do
University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum
FREE - One of Josh's favorite places to go! Lots of great walking paths and great variety of plants and recovered ecological land
Henry Vilas Zoo
FREE & kid friendly! They also sell concessions
Vilas Park Beach
FREE & kid friendly - right next to the zoo!
River Arts Inc. (River Arts on Water Gallery)
Where Kel works! She directs all of the exhibitions and educational programming here. It's about 30-40 minutes outside of Madison on the Wisconsin River. The Sauk State Trail is right around here as well, which traces the Wisconsin River. (Note that the gallery may be closed on Sat, Aug 17 for the wedding)
Chazen Museum of Art
FREE!
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
FREE!
Arts + Literature Laboratory
FREE- Kel used to be the lead curator here and had a solo show here back in 2021. One of her favorite galleries/performance spaces in town!
Madison Children's Museum
Children under 1 year FREE, $12 for everyone else, $11 for seniors Thursdays, with FREE admission from 4–8 pm
BB Clarke Beach
FREE & kid friendly!
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
FREE
Buraka - Ethiopian Cuisine
Kid friendly - Josh's favorite restaurant in town!
Osteria Papavero - Rustic & Authentic Italian Cuisine
Kel bartended here during grad school, it's an authentic Italian restaurant, and still one of our faves! Great wines and cocktails
Devil's Lake State Park
Vehicles without WI plates $16/day/vehicle, FREE admission with sate park sticker. AMAZING hiking and views with a beach! Camping sites available too!
Marigold Kitchen
Great breakfast place!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
FREE - we LOVE this spot, it's so pretty with lots of interesting botanicals! The lake is also across the street!
Circus World
Kid friendly! Adult (18-64): $23 Teen (13-17): $23 Senior (65+): $20 Child (5-12): $15 Child Under 5: Free
Terrace a the Memorial Union
Kid friendly! On the University Campus, lots of shops and food to buy inside. Seating that looks over Lake Mendota.
Monty's Blue Plate Diner
Kid friendly!
Lazy Jane's Cafe and Bakery
Also great breakfast & bakery!
Willalby's Cafe - CASH ONLY
Great greasy spoon breakfast! Accepts CASH ONLY
Mint Mark
One of our faves! Small plates with great cocktails, mocktails, wine, and beer
Sa-Bai Thong Thai Cuisine
Our favorite Thai food place! We eat here all the time, it's right by our apartment!
Alchemy Cafe
Kid friendly!
The Wisco
Dive bar, bar food, live music!
Mason Lounge
Great bar with great beer selection, serves pizza from a place we order from sometimes (so it's Jersey Girl approved)
Crystal Corner Bar - CASH ONLY
Classic Madison dive bar and live music - no food though!
Mickey's Tavern
Great bar with good food. Great brunch on the weekends too! They also have live music, and kitchen closes 10pm.
Weary Traveler Freehouse
The bar/restaurant and kitchen is open VERY LATE!