Madison boast having one o the best farmers markets in the United States. Over 130 vendors lines the sidewalk of the state capitol grounds. The market is the largest producer-only farmers market in the country. You'll find the season's best veetables, flowers, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and specialty items. Saturday 6:15 am - 1:45 pm
Take a stroll down State St. anchored by the Wisconsin State Capitol on one end and the University of Wisconsin campus on the other. State St. is home to shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurant, pubs, taverns, museums, and performance venues.
One of the most beloved destinations in Madison, located on the shores of Lake Mendota. Open since 1928 that union is best known for its terrace, whic faces the lake and is filled with colorful sunburst chairs and tables. Perfect for enjoying the view with brat and pitcher of beer. Inside is the Der Rathskeller a German beer hall vibe. Other attractions include rotating art exhibits, galleries, multiple eateries and Babcock ice cream (made right on campus).
Madison Public market opened to the public in March. The 45,000 sq. ft. market features produce from Wisconsins farms, culturally diverse prepared frood, locally made food products and handcrafted art/crafts and jewelry.
located in heart of UW the Chazen Museum of Art is home to the second largest collection of art in Wi. The Chazen presents collections that range from ancient times to the present day. Admission is free
Take a walk along Picnic Point for the best views of Madison. A nearly mile long peninsula along Lake Mendota's south shore is among Madison's most distinctive features. This is a place that feels like the middle of nowhere, even though the university and city skyline ar ein plain sight.
Taliesin is the name of Frank Lloyd Wright's Wisconsin home where he lived for nearly 50 years. It means "shining brow" in Welsh, in honor of his Welsh heritage, and is built on the "brow" of the hill in Wisconsin's Driftless region. Take a tour with us and immerse yourself in Taliesin’s unique mix of architecture, culture, nature, and agriculture in Spring Green, Wisconsin.
National landmark site where the five Ringling Brothers began
The house on the rock is exotic and eclectic creations of collections, displays, and galleries, Housing the world's largest carousel and streets of yesterday. Featuring everything from suits of armor to ivory carvings. There is a 200 ft. sea creature, maritime displays and Titanic memorabilia. This place is over the top! Located near Spring Green.
Madison has fast become one of the most sought-after food cities of the Midwest. Madison is a favorite among foodies looking to try new, creative dishes. It’s the site of many farmers markets and producers so a lot of the ingredients are locally sourced. Madison’s food scene thrives on both innovation and tradition. Madison’s culinary scene boasts national acclaim from James Beard, Bon Appetit and Food and Wine Magazine. -Itaru Nagano; Fairchild: James Beard Best Chef Midwest -Tory Miller; L’Etoile: James Beard Best Chef Midwest -Kasey Cooke; Mint Mark: JB Semifinalist Best Chef Midwest -Jamie Brown; Ahan: JB Semifinalist Best Chef Midwest -Francesco Mangano; JB Osteria Papavero: Semifinalist Best Chef Midwest -Dan Fox; Heritage: JB Semifinalist Best Chef Midwest -Vata Edari; CocoVaa Chocolatier: JB Semifinalist Outstanding Pastry Chef -Andrew Hutchison; Madison Sourdough: JB Semifinalist Outstanding Pastry Chef
1. Cheese curds are a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s heritage and culture. Madison takes it a step further; It’s a way of life. Cheese curds have achieved full-blown cult status. Fried to golden perfection, bars and restaurants make their name on their curds. Of the state’s 129 cheese plants, more than 45 make and sell cheese curds. All of which begs the question of who makes the best. Crave Brothers won last years American Cheese Society cheese curd competition. These are other stand outs: Carr Valley Cheese, Arena Cheese, Cedar Grove Cheese and Hooks Cheese. Bars/Restaurants tout their cheesemaker, breading and dips. Try them and try them often.
2. Friday night fish fry is a deep-rooted Wisconsin tradition, blending Polish and German Catholic customs with local freshwater fish. Most taverns and restaurants in Madison serve beer-battered cod, walleye or bluegill with coleslaw, rye bread, tartar sauce and fries. Often paired with an Old-Fashioned Cocktail. Just about every place in town has a fish fry going on Friday night. These are the more popular spots: Jordon’s Big Ten Pub, Dexters Pub, Laurel Tavern, Off Broadway Taphouse, Tip Top Tavern and Coopers Tavern. Many places don’t take reservations so it can be a long wait or go early!
3. Burgers and Curds a. Tipsy Cow https://www.tipsycowmadison.com/food b. Coopers Tavern https://www.thecooperstavern.com/ c. Settle Down Tavern https://www.settledownmadison.com/ d. Old Fashioned https://theoldfashioned.com/
4. Pizza a. Ians https://ianspizza.com/ b. Salvatore’s https://www.salvatorestomatopies.com/ c. Molten Monkey https://www.moltenmonkey.com/ d. Lucille https://www.lucillemadison.com/
5. Italian a. Lombardino’s https://www.lombardinos.com/ b. Cento https://www.centomadison.com/ c. Naples 15 https://naples15.com/ d. Osteria Papavero https://osteriapapavero.com/
6. Supper Clubs a. Turn Key https://www.turnkeymadison.com/ b. Tornado Room https://www.tornadosteakhouse.com/ c. Harvey House https://www.theharveyhouse.com/
7. Farm to Table a. Fairchild https://www.fairchildrestaurant.com/ b. Mint Mark https://www.mintmarkmadison.com/ c. Heritage https://heritagetavern.com/
8. Steakhouses a. Rare https://rare-madison.com/ b. One Prime https://oneprimemadison.com/ c. Draper Brothers https://draperbrotherschophouse.com/ d. Johhny Delmonico’s https://draperbrotherschophouse.com/
L’Etoile
a. The Statehouse https://statehousemadison.com/ b. Eno Vino Downtown https://www.enovinodowntown.com/
a. Odgen’s North St. Diner b. Marigold Kitchen http://marigoldkitchen.com/ c. Pink Flamingo Brunch Café https://www.pinkflamingobrunch.com/ d. Mickeys Dairy Bar
a. Greenbush Bakery https://greenbushbakery.com/ b. Level Five Donuts (vegan) https://www.level5donuts.com/
a. Bloom Bake Shop https://www.bloombakeshop.com/ b. Madison Sourdough https://www.madisonsourdough.com/ c. Batch Bakehouse https://www.batchbakehouse.com/ d. Stella’s Bakery https://stellasofmadison.com/
a. Ice Cream Social https://www.icecreamsocialwi.com/ b. Babcock Dairy https://babcockdairystore.wisc.edu/ c. Stellies Ice Cream https://www.stelliesicecream.com/ d. Chocolate Shop https://chocolateshoppeicecream.com/
Craft cocktails on the Square, throwing darts in college bars from bourbon to elaborate modernist cocktails. Downtown is the heart of it all. Where bars on State St. flow right into Capital Square. Something more eclectic, head east to Willy St. This bohemian stretch is filled with neighborhood pubs and eclectic music venues. Over by campus and Regent St. the nightlife skews younger energy and pitchers of beers. For beer lovers and cider connoisseurs alike, Madison is, quite simply, a slice of Paradice. You’ll find award winning breweries as well as beer gardens galore. There are over 20 breweries in Madison and the surrounding metropolitan area. Taprooms, too many to count. Madison’s distillery scene features over a dozen spots blending historic charm with modern, locally sourced, and artisan craft spirits.
a. Giant Jones: a certified organic brewery owned by women brewing Big Beers b. Working Draft: pumps out European classics to hoppy and roasty stouts c. Youngblood; fresh take on hoppy and hazy beers
a. Stateline: an award-winning grain to glass distillery using locally sourced grains. b. Old Sugar: offers house made craft spirits including whiskeys, rums and special liqueurs. Next door to Giant Jones
a. The Malt House b. Longtable Beer Cafe c. BarleyPop Tap and Shop d. Tip Top Tavern e. Dexters Pub f. Coopers Tavern
a. Essen Haus b. Prost Beer Hall
a. Public Parking: selected by Bon Appetit’ as one of 9 best new bars in 2025. James Beard Semifinalist best new bar b. Imaginary Factory: James Beard Semi-Finalist Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Next door to Stateline Distillery
a. Le Tigre Lounge b. Stuffed Olive
Free concerts
Have breakfast in a farm and see the animals. This family farm opens the breakfast doors once a year.