Rebecca & Ryan
Things To Do
Sip on a Wisconsin Old Fashioned Cocktail
A Wisconsin Old Fashioned is THE cocktail to try at least once while visiting Madison. This Old Fashioned is made with brandy, soda, and usually cherries and/or an orange peel. Everyone’s Grandpa from Wisconsin makes these and when you go to any bar – from a fancy cocktail bar to a small-town pub, you’ll find a killer Wisconsin Old Fashioned on the menu.
Eat Squeaky Cheese Curds
It should be illegal to come to Wisconsin and not try a fresh cheese curd. This food is a local favorite! You can eat fried cheese curds, sure, but the local favorites are fresh squeaky cheese curds (the squeakier the better). You can find fresh cheese curds at the Farmer’s Market and almost every grocery store or corner market.
Brewery Hopping
Beer is a whole micro-culture here in Wisconsin, it's practically a religion. At the very least, you must try a Spotted Cow beer by New Glarus Brewing Company (can’t be legally sold outside the state of Wisconsin). We also urge you to do a little self-guided brewery hopping tour! Here are some of our favorite Madison breweries to visit and drink at: Al Asylum Funk Factory Delta Beer Lab Alt Brew
Memorial Union
Memorial Union is a place to come to socialize, relax, and be nourished- all with a great view of the lake!
Wisconsin State Capitol
Exploring the Capitol is one of the best free things to do in Madison. Yes, it’s totally free to enter and visitors are allowed to walk around the building. It houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature along with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. A MUST: visit the Observatory Deck / Lantern Balcony! Yes, you can walk around on the deck that wraps the dome! Take the elevator to the 4th floor and then walk up another flight of stairs to the 5th floor. Here you will find an attendant who will guide you to yet another staircase that will take you outside to the deck. It features stunning views of the whole city and really helps you see how downtown Madison is on an isthmus (aka a little piece of land between two bodies of water.)
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Olbrich isn’t your average botanical garden. Wander their 16+ acres of gardens, which features a super unique attraction that you can’t find in many places in the world, an authentic Thai Pavilion.
Geology Museum
If you love museums, or if you need an indoor activity, check this one out! They have dinosaur skeletons, mineral and fossil collections, and tons of exhibits on how glaciers impacted the geography of Wisconsin.