Best Things to Do in Madison

Wisconsin didn’t hold back when it designed its capitol building. The 105-year-old structure is the tallest in the city (by law), is topped with a 284-foot dome, and is filled with murals, mosaics and marble from France, Italy and Germany. To get to know the Capitol better, stop at the visitor desk for one of the free daily tours. From Memorial Day until early November, you can check out a panoramic view of the city from the Observation Deck.

Most pictures you’ll see of Olbrich Botanical Garden include its Thai pavilion. The ornate structure was a gift to Madison from the Thai government and the Thai chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association in honor of the many Thai students at the state’s flagship school. 

While all 16 acres are worth exploring, if you only have a little while, we’d also recommend the Rose Garden and the Perennial Garden. 

Sometimes called the front porch of Madison, the Union Terrace is THE place to hang out during warm weather months. Sit in the iconic sunburst chairs, sip pints of an Ale Asylum IPA, listen to local and national bands perform and watch the sunset on the lake. During the day, you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards here (or take a sailboat lesson). 

At a Wisconsin Badgers homecoming game in 1998, the House of Pain’s hip-hop anthem “Jump Around” played before the start of the fourth quarter. The crowd went wild, the game was won (against a Drew Bees-led Purdue, no less) and a tradition was born. If you go to a game now, prepare to do as the song says and “jump up, jump up and get down” for the entire four-minute rendition. Also, prepare for impressive marching band shows, colorful chants from the student section and, oh yeah, Big 10 football. 

The largest farmers’ market in the nation, this Saturday staple on the grounds of the Capitol building will have you questioning how much cheese is too much cheese to consume before lunch. In addition to whatever produce is seasonal, expect stands (and lots of free samples) for honey, ice cream, baked goods, dips and, of course, cheese.

While leaving his hotel in Washington D.C., Barry Levenson, the former assistant attorney general for the State of Wisconsin, saw a mini jar of mustard on a room service tray in the hallway and decided to take it. He argued a case before the Supreme Court with the stolen mustard in his pocket, and when he won, he decided to devote his life to mustard. Since 1992, he’s run the National Mustard Museum, where there are over 6,000 mustards from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, as well as hundreds of items of memorabilia.

This Madison institution has been around since the 1940s (look for the original menu hanging on the wall). The portions are obscenely large (making it a favorite of football players who practice across the street at Camp Randall), and there is usually a wait. If you’re nursing a hangover, get the Scrambler, a dish made of crispy hashbrowns (called “yanks” here), three eggs, one meat or two veggies, cheese, gravy and served with a side of toast. 

This Parisian-style cheese shop has been a longtime local favorite. They source some of the best of the best cheese the Dairy State has to offer. Can’t decide? Grab a couple of “orphans.” Fromagination usually has a basket of small wedges, perfect for building a sampler platter. 

This tavern on the Capitol square is an ode to all things Wisconsin. Expect more than 50 locally crafted beers, beer-battered cheese curds, entrees with a side of sauerkraut and a Friday fish fry. 

Found on what locals call Willy Street (an eclectic neighborhood of co-ops, quirky bars and eateries and colorful shops), the vibe here leans crunchy. The menu is made up of primarily locally sourced ingredients but includes dishes from all over the world. The most popular item? The Bob’s Bad Breath Burger. It’s a half-pound of pasture-raised Wisconsin beef, topped with cream cheese, green goddess dressing, caramelized onions, garlic, tomatoes and Pickapeppa Sauce with a side of Yukon Gold potatoes and local mixed greens. It truly lives up to its name. 

Four words: mac and cheese pizza. If you spent all night carousing on State Street and you no longer have the ability to bounce back after a night after drinking, do yourself a favor and get a slice before heading home. It’s cheap, fortifying, magically cheesy and may help you not feel like death the following day. You might also consider the Macho Nacho (chipotle crème sauce, pepperjack, house-made chorizo, cheddar, tortilla strips, pico de gallo and salsa verde) or the Drunken Ravioli (vodka marinara sauce, mozzarella, cheese ravioli, butter and asiago) as alternative specialty pizzas. 

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, part of the coursework for students studying food science is doing arguably the most Wisconsin thing imaginable: making cheese and ice cream. It’s not just little DIY treats — the students work for the UW-Madison Babcock Hall Dairy Plant. They help process over 2 million pounds of milk from local farmers each year, turning it into their namesake (and award-winning) ice cream and cheese, all of which can be purchased here. We recommend the Blue Moon ice cream — it tastes like Fruity Pebbles. 

The Great Dane is the Goldilocks of Madison bars. It has an extensive menu (including the requisite curds and all-important Friday fish fry), myriad beers brewed in-house, games like “Big Buck Hunter” and pool, TVs tuned to sports, multiple bar areas and tons of outdoor seating. It’s an excellent place to go if your tribe can’t decide where to go. 

Yes, the Nitty Gritty is a bit of a “WHOOOO!!” girl bar. But if it’s your birthday, it’s a good time — the bar lets those celebrating their most recent trip around the sun drink for free all night long. It’s easy to spot who’s birthday it is because they are clutching a branded plastic mug with a balloon attached to it. 

The Plaza is a wild place. It allegedly opened during Prohibition, though the dive bar hasn’t changed since the ’70s. Over the years, celebs like Johnny Cash, Bill Murray and myriad others have visited. Whether they were drawn in by the $8 pitchers of macro lagers, inexpensive mix drinks or the secret sauce on the Plazaburger, we’re not sure. 

Karben4 Brewing’s IPA, Fantasy Factory, has easily the most recognizable label in the state, if not the Midwest. It depicts a stoic, gun-toting tabby cat atop a rearing unicorn with a glowing green horn and flame-throwing nostrils. The background is a pixelated rainbow. And yes, their Madison tasting room is exactly as fun as you’d imagine. 

Ok, so it’s not strictly in town (it’s about a 40-minute drive), but for beer nerds, it’s a must-do. New Glarus is one of the most popular craft breweries in the nation. Don’t believe us? According to the Brewers Association, it was the 12th largest craft brewer in 2020, which is even more impressive when you consider it’s only available within Wisconsin. Their Spotted Cow is beloved statewide, arguably because it’s most Wisconsinites’ first foray into craft beer — It introduces them to what beer can be. It’s pillowy and delicious, but honestly, it’s not even their most impressive offering. We’d recommend the Fat Squirrel or the Serendipity if they have it.

If Wes Anderson were to design a hotel, it would likely look like this Graduate outpost. It feels like a very plaid summer camp. Pets are welcome, and the hotel offers complimentary bikes for guests to tootle around town. The rooftop restaurant, Camp Trippalindee, is a nod to the ’80s film “Back to School.” 

Madison’s oldest operating hotel, the Ruby Marie, was built in 1873 during the railroad boom. Initially, the hotel offered 36 guest rooms, but the rooms have since been expanded, so there are now 15, each decorated with different Victorian-era pieces. 

This urban resort is, frankly, sexy. It boasts luxe amenities and services ranging from spa treatments and fitness classes to three signature restaurants and an ice rink. The lakefront suites have panoramic views of Lake Mendota.