TIM + SIENA FOREVER
Madison Reccs
Restaurants, Bars, Coffee Shops
THE OLD FASHIONED - Huge bar & restaurant with Wisconsin classics on the Capitol Square. Brunch, lunch, dinner. MARIGOLD - popular downtown brunch & lunch spot. Great pancakes! TORNADO - old school Wisconsin style steakhouse / supper club. LAKESIDE STREET COFFEE HOUSE - great cozy coffee shop with lake views SARDINE - French-ish bistro on the lake HOT LUNCH - fun sandwich shop with a bar MICKEY'S TAVERN, THE CRYSTAL CORNER, IDEAL BAR - Our favorite east side dive bars BAR CORRALINI, MINT MARK - East side fancier bars (w/ good food!) LAO LAAN XANG - Laotian HIMAL CHULI - Nepalese OLD SUGAR DISTILLERY - fun (affordable!) cocktails DOTTY DUMPLING'S DOWRY - Madison institution. Beers, burgers, cheese curds, pub food. CAMP TRIPPALINDEE - Kitschy rooftop bar at The Graduate hotel. BUTTERBIRD - fried chicken & sides (healthier options too) TOBY'S SUPPER CLUB - a real Wisconsin supper club experience. Worth the trip out to the edge of town. Fish fry, prime rib, brandy old fashioneds.
Dane County Farmer's Market
Saturday 6:15 am - 1:45 pm Huge farmers market that goes around the entire length of the state Capitol Square. Lots of fresh produce, prepared foods, and an adjacent art fair. Gets very crowded! Go early.
Memorial Union Terrace
Huge lakeside terrace with iconic colorful metal chairs. Great place to hang and have a beer and a bratwurst. Inside the building adjacent to the terrace there’s a German-style cafeteria/beer hall called Der Rathskeller. You’ll need to get a guest pass if you’re not a member - it’s only $1 and you can purchase it with your food and drink.
Wisconsin State Capitol
Wisconsin State Capitol Building. Open to the public, feel free to wander around. Like a mini version of the national Capitol building.
Go on a walk
Some of our favorite places to go on a walk (or bike ride!): STATE STREET - Campus-adjacent pedestrian mall with lots of shops and restaurants. Goes from the middle of the UW campus all the way to the Capitol Square. LAKESHORE PATH - ends near the UW Madison Memorial Union terrace, goes along the edge of Lake Mendota UW MADISON ARBORETUM OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS You can also rent kayaks at a number of Madison waterfront parks (Lake Wingra Park, Brittingham Park, Olbrich Park, etc.)
Day Trips
Our favorite day trips from Madison: TALIESIN: Frank Lloyd Wright home and 800 acre property, offers tours THE HOUSE ON THE ROCK: hand-built cliffside house and insane vast curiosity museum. Iconic Midwestern shrine to kitsch. Beyond description! DEVIL'S LAKE STATE PARK or GOVERNOR DODGE STATE PARK: Good for a hike/picnic/swim!