Things To Do
Memorial Union Terrace
The Terrace at Memorial Union on the UW campus is one of the most iconic spots in Madison. UW-Madison is a wet campus and this expansive patio is the perfect spot to hang out for a drink by Lake Mendota.
Young Blood Beer Company - King Street
Youngblood Beer Co is one of our favorite breweries in Wisconsin (and that's saying a lot). If you enjoy hazy IPAs and fruity sours, this place will be your jam. With a cute outdoor patio that looks upon the capital, it's a perfect stop for a mid-afternoon beer! Inside is a plant lovers paradise and they have a small but delicious snack menu. HIGHLY recommend.
New Glarus Brewing Company
If you fancy a drive into farm country, you simply must stop by New Glarus Brewing Company. The iconic Spotted Cow Farmhouse Ale is the best lite beer we have and is only sold in the state of Wisconsin. The brewery itself is set up on a hillside overlooking the town of New Glarus, and the venue looks like a cross between ancient Grecian runes and an old Bavaria. It can also be accessed via bike trail but is roughly a 40 mile round trip from Madison.
Madison Farmer's Market
The Dane County Farmer's Market is the largest in the midwest and occurs every Saturday morning on the capital square. With hundreds of vendors selling everything from flowers, produce, cheese, and homemade crafts it makes for a fantastic start to your day. It also makes for great people watching and you can experience the second largest capital in the U.S. the one in D.C. firsthand.
Madison Children's Museum
Madison's Children's Museum is a great place to take kiddos to run around and blow off steam. It's similar to the City Museum in St. Louis with indoor and outdoor activities perfect for the summer months!
The Biergarten at Olbrich Park
For a fantastic place to watch the sunset and look out at the lake and Madison skyline, look no further than the Biergarten at Olbrich Park. This is a great place for families so kids can run around while parents can kick back with a drink.
Live On King Street
For music lovers, the Majestic puts on a free concert series every Friday in the summer months where they block off King Street and you can listen to live music outside. Check the link for who is playing!
Henry Vilas Zoo
The Henry Vilas Zoo is another great spot for families. It's a smaller zoo that offers free admission and takes around 1.5 hours to stroll through the whole thing. Zuzu's across the street is a cute mediterranean spot to stop into for a snack with a quaint outdoor patio.
Garth's Brew Bar
Another one of our favorite spots is Garth's Brew Bar on Monroe Street. This bar has the best beer from all across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota, and so much more. While hanging out on Monroe street stop into some small businesses: retail, restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries -- they've got it all!
Muskellounge and Sporting Club
Muskellounge is one of the best spots for cocktails in the city. The bar itself is themed like a fishing lodge in Northern Wisconsin, but it also has board games, ping pong, darts, Big Buck Hunter, shuffleboard, and foosball. In short, it's super fun.
State Line Distillery
Another spot for tremendous cocktails is State Line Distillery. They make their own Vodka, Gin, Coffee Liqueur, Aquavit, Apertivo, and Rum. You can ask for a dealer's choice and they will make you a surprise drink based on spirits you like! There is another spot called Imaginary Factory next door if you fancy a draft cocktail and a game of ping pong.
Breakfast and Brunch
There are so many great spots for brunch and breakfast in the city, but I would highly recommend getting a reservation beforehand. Sardine, a bistro on the near-east side, specializes in French brunch cuisine and is situated on Lake Monona. Bar Corallini offers an exceptional Sunday brunch with Italian breakfast fare. La Kitchenette specializes in crepes and french sandwiches. For some grab-and-go or quick breakfast options: Madison Sourdough, Gotham Bagels, Marigold Kitchen, and Grace Coffee are all wonderful choices with robust bakeries. If you are looking for a diner vibe you can visit Bassett Street Brunch Club. Bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary's? Look no further than DLUX. Lastly if you are looking for a sweeter breakfast, Shortstack Eatery is a great option but they often have a line around the block. But that's how you know it's good right? :)
Dinner Spots
Asian cuisine: Morris Ramen, Nam's Noodles (half restaurant, half karaoke bar with private rooms) RED Sushi ($$$$), Ha Long Bay, Little Taiwan Eats Italian cuisine: Bar Corallini, Osteria Papavero, Naples 15, Lombardino's, Cento Pizza: Salvatore's, Pizza Brutta, Gates and Brovi, Naples 15 American cuisine: The Old Fashioned, Cooper's Tavern, Alchemy, Tornado Room Steak House, Tipsy Cow, Graze (American-asian fusion), Heritage Tavern ($$$) Mexican food: Canteen, Taqueria Guadalajara Tapas: A Pig in a Fur Coat ($$$) Menus with good vegetarian options: Mint Mark, Banzo ($) Drunk food (open late): Paul's Pelmini for Russian dumplings, Ian's Pizza, Parthenon Gyro's
Honorable Mention Bars
So many bars we love but you all aren't visiting for 2 weeks so we added a lot of of our favorites with write-ups but adding others here for all vibes: Dive bars: The Blue Moon, Come Back Inn, Caribou Tavern, Up North, Silver Dollar Tavern, The Wisco Breweries: Working Draft Brewing Company, Tiny's Tap House Cocktail bars: Robin Room, Nitro Beverage Lounge, Nat Spiel, Gib's Bar, Plain Spoke, Cask And Ale (Whiskey Bar), Settle Down Tavern, Oz by Oz, Turnkey, Lucille Bars with sunny patios: Echo Tap, Come Back Inn, Mickey's Tavern, Sweet Home Wisconsin, Robinia Courtyard Themed bars: Prost! (German bar in an old church), Camp Trippalindee (camp themed bar on the roof of the Graduate hotel), I/O Arcade Bar Gay bars: Shamrocks, Woofs