Things To Do

✨ Recommended Places & Activities ✨

Dane County Farmers' Market

The best farmers' market in WI is every Saturday in the summer around the capitol! We love the excellent fresh spicy cheese bread from Stella's Bakery. Sample fresh cheese curds galore, buy some fresh fruits and veggies, or get some flowers to lighten up your room!

Memorial Union

This classic UW-Madison spot has entertained folks for decades. It is right on the edge of the iconic Lake Mendota, one of the main lakes surrounding Madison. Grab a pitcher of Spotted Cow and sit back in the colorful terrace chairs watching the beautiful sunset over the lake. Those with children may also like the accessible swimming docks, or renting water equipment (kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, etc) through UW-Madison Hoofers. Don't forget to grab some local Babcock Dairy Store ice cream or some fried cheese curds!

State Street

State Street is a pedestrian-only mall that runs from the capitol building down to the border of the UW-Madison campus. It is full of local shops, restaurants, and bars. Looking for lunch? Grab a bite at State Street Brats, or Ian's Pizza, or try out a food truck (the large fresh spring rolls are quite popular). Definitely worth a stroll down and back. Some other places to explore are: Wisconsin Historical Society, Museum of Modern Art, UW-Madison Science Hall. State Street and its surrounding area has something for everyone!

Wisconsin State Capitol

You won't miss this iconic building--right across the street from the Park Hotel. Make sure to head inside and check out the beautiful craftsmanship and artwork. Then, head up to the top and go out on the observatory deck for stunning views of downtown Madison, ranging from Lake Monona to Lake Mendota and everything in-between!

UW-Madison Campus

UW-Madison campus is the heart of Nathan and Sabrina's story. They met back in 2015 in the dorms in "lakeshore" (they lived right on the shore of Lake Mendota). We recommend seeing the vast campus, from Engineering Hall (Nathan's main building), to the Discovery Building (one of Sabrina's favorite places), to the Medical Science Center (Sabrina's office and the original Madison hospital), to the Union South for bowling, to Camp Randall (football stadium), to our two brand new gyms. There is so much history and unique buildings to explore! You can even ride the "80" bus--it is a free bus that takes you in a loop around campus, just hop on and off.

Picnic Point

Take a break from downtown and go for a walk to Picnic Point. Picnic Point is the spot at the end of a land peninsula with a beautiful view of Madison over the water. The best way to get there is to drive (or take the 80 bus) to the parking lot at the base of the point. Then, you have to walk a mile to the end of the trail. You won't get lost--there will be other "Badger" students guiding the way!

The Edgewater

Walk from the capitol square down Wisconsin Avenue to The Edgewater Hotel for a beautiful view of Lake Mendota. There is a restaurant right on the water edge called "The Boathouse" which we love, or just sit on the overlook to watch the sunset over the lake.

✨ Favorite Food & Drink ✨

Wonderstate Coffee

Look no further! The best coffee is just right outside the Park Hotel. Sabrina's favorite is the Maple Latte, while Nathan loves the classic Vanilla Bean Latte. They make their beans locally in WI and use fresh syrups. Cannot go wrong with any coffee from here.

Madison Sourdough

The best (and local!) sourdough breads! Stop in for breakfast or lunch and enjoy one of our favorite places to eat. They also have excellent coffee/lattes.

Canteen

Great modern Mexican food located right outside the Park Hotel. We LOVE going for their happy hour since it is such a deal: half off margs and tacos.

Rare Steakhouse

Rare is right on the capitol square and has the best steak in town--a bit pricey, but so good. However, they have a happy hour which is fantastic prices and excellent food and drinks. Nathan absolutely loves their Old Fashions, the best in town! For dessert, you cannot pass up their famous Banana's Foster dish--it is made tableside and is heaven on your plate. We get it every time we go.

Eno Vino Downtown

Just off the square, head up to the top floor for a drink overlooking the capitol. We love this gem for a fancy date night.

La Brioche True Food

Head a bit away from downtown for a local staple and get brunch. We love this place and their elegant yet comfy vibe.