Zander and Madison
Things To Do
The Globe
Our favorite restaurant in Madison! A great mix of global cuisines with something for everyone, we wish we could eat this everyday! Madison loves the Afghan Korma with chicken and a spice level of 6 out of 5. Zander loves the Coconut Curry Hurry with chicken and a spice of level of 3 out of 5. Get a side of the pita bread to dip or the samosas with tomato achar dipping sauce! Takeout ordering is available through the Clover app and takes about 30 minutes.
State Street Brats
This is a great casual bar that has been a staple in Madison for years. We love the outdoor patio especially in the summer. In true Wisconsin fashion, we love the cheese curds! Be sure to get a picture with the three monkeys in the front!
Memorial Union Terrace
Part of the reason we wanted to have a June wedding is so our guests can enjoy the iconic Memorial Union Terrace and colorful sunburst chairs! This is such a great place to eat, relax, drink, feed the ducks, listen to music, and enjoy the sunshine! Try a classic Wisconsin brat at the outdoor brat stand and get some ice cream from the Daily Scoop inside Memorial Union.
Henry Vilas Zoo
This is a completely free zoo that we love to visit even as adults! This is definitely a must-do in Madison! Ubering might be easiest as parking can be a bit sparse at times.
Dane County Farmers Market
Saturdays 6:15am - 1:45pm (Don't miss the ceremony, though!) This is a large farmers/craft market right on the Capitol Square! It is great to start your day by grabbing a coffee and shopping around outside! Many people recommend to try Stella's Hot Cheese Bread.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
These are beautiful, free gardens to walk through and enjoy being outside! We also love the indoor conservatory that has birds, butterflies, and tropical plants!
Wisconsin State Capitol
We love visiting the beautiful Wisconsin State Capitol so much! Even if you don't go inside, it is worth it to walk around the outside and take pictures. Free tours are offered that start at the information desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays The 6th floor has a museum and observation desk that offers great views of the city!
Wonderstate Coffee - Madison Cafe
This is a great local coffee shop right on the Capitol Square! We recommend the iced vanilla latte with oat milk and one of their amazing cookies!
Casetta Kitchen and Counter
Cassetta is an AMAZING sandwich shop that is a must try! They make their bread fresh and have the best chocolate chip cookies ever! Madison likes The Manzo or The Hoboken (add arugula) and Zander likes The Italian. They also have amazing daily specials that can be found on their website. The store can be a bit busy at times so account for that!
Madison Children's Museum
This is a great children's museum in the heart of Madison with a cafe and rooftop play area! We definitely recommend visiting if you are bringing kids. Tickets can be purchased in advance online for a bit cheaper than in person if interested.
Lake Mendota Paddle Rentals at Memorial Union
Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard through Memorial Union to take out on Lake Mendota! It is a perfect way to see the city skyline and cool off in warm weather! Follow it up by spending some time at the Memorial Union Terrace (suggestion above)
The Howard Temin Lakeshore Path
This is a picturesque relaxing walk along Lake Mendota. We have also rented BCycles (which can be found around campus to rent) to ride along this path. If you start at Memorial Union, you can take this path all the way to Picnic Point, which is a popular scenic spot near campus.
Picnic Point
This is a great walk that will eventually lead you to a picturesque view of the Madison skyline!
Conrad's Grill - Madison
This is Zander's favorite place to get lunch and a great late night food place! They specialize in wraps with chicken tenders and tater tots. Zander recommends the Honey Mustard BBQ wrap and Madison recommends the Spicy Chicken wrap.