Madison, Wisconsin

Not often mentioned among the great cities of the United States like Washington DC, New York City, and Albuquerque, is the relatively lesser known capital of Wisconsin. Home of Bucky the Badger and the University of Wisconsin, capital of the drunkest state in the union, Madison packs a lot of punch into a relatively small and delightful geographical oddity.

Where to Go and What to Do

1. The first and most notable feature of Madison is geographical: Lakes Mendota and Monona and the isthmus they form between them, on which the capital and city proper are built. There are not many isthmuses in the world to begin with, possibly because it’s too hard to spell, and there are even fewer that are just the right size to both see the whole thing and also build a city on.

2. Alliant Energy Center isn’t groundbreaking or breathtaking in the way that some conference centers or other architecturally inclined gathering places are, but it is the premier event center in the city, and it does offer some excellent entertainment. The CrossFit Games, comedians, household names in music, and many exciting conferences and meetings are held here.

3. The Capitol Building is a great example of American architecture in practice, combining several styles and a large, imposing dome that can be seen for miles around. There is an ordinance in effect that does not allow for buildings to be taller than the capital, allowing for unobstructed views of the dome from every direction. Understandably, this makes the capital building a bit of a logo for Madison.

4. The oldest and largest public university in the state, the University of Wisconsin is an integral part of Madison and Madison life. Banks, hospitals, and many other organizations claim affiliation with the University and it takes up a lot of real estate on the isthmus.

5. The Arboretum of the University of Madison is a great place to walk, see Wisconsin plant and wildlife, and enjoy some time in nature without a lengthy drive from the city. Best of all, it’s free! There are 4 miles of paved road and 10+ miles of trails to walk, snowshoe, ski, and hike in this 1,200 acre area. There is a lot of wildlife in the Arboretum, especially bird life. Every time we have gone we have seen parts of the resident rafter of wild turkey.

6. The Olbrich Botanical Gardens are a wonderful feature of the city. Situated just off of Lake Monona the Gardens are free to enter and wander, with only the exhibits carrying an entry fee. They have exhibits at times throughout the year, such as orchid exhibits and light shows in the winter.

7. Henry Vilas Zoo is a great family activity, made even greater by the fact that it is completely free! There is free parking and free entry and an array of interesting, non domestic animals like tigers, lions, bison, otters, and bears. This is a great little zoo if you have children, and can take up to two hours if you want to see everything.

8. Memorial Union Terrace has a history going back nearly 100 years; to 1928 to be precise. Home to many events throughout the year, the Terrace is a popular spot for UW students and residents of Madison alike. Known just as well for its picturesque views of the lake as well as the distinctive chairs, the Terrace is a great place to go and enjoy some quiet time in a beautiful setting inside the city.

9. Devil’s Lake State Park may be an hour from the Capitol, but Devil’s Lake is a highlight of enough quality to list anyway. If the Arboretum, Botanical Gardens, and Henry Vilas Zoo aren’t giving you enough nature vibes in town, or there are too many people and you need to get away, Devil’s Lake State Park is a great place to go.

The lake is centered in a valley surrounded by hills and cliffs, offering a variety of trail options that vary from flat and mundane to strenuous. The route around the lake is about 5 miles and takes you up and down the cliffs, past both beaches, and along the waters edge. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours, and the views of the lake from the top can’t be beat.

You can also rent kayaks or paddle boats, or simply hang out at the beach and pack a picnic. If you want to take a couple of days, there are campgrounds onsite and around the area, and in the winter months there is skiing, both cross country and downhill nearby.

Where to Eat

Mishqui Peruvian Cuisine is hands down one of the best places to eat in Madison. Offering traditional South American dishes like their delectable Peruvian or Colombian empanadas and their mouthwatering ceviche, this small restaurant packs a major punch. Their juices are distinct and some of the best drinks we’ve ever had. Purple corn juice, chicha morada, may not sound like a good time, but trust us; it is.

Mishqui now has two locations, in Monona and Middleton. They have been open since April 2022.

Madison Sourdough bakes a mean baguette. As a bakery, patisserie, and café this culinary singularity has captured our taste buds with its delicate croissants and French breads reminiscent of the loaves of Paris itself. The bakers make bread daily for the café that serves as the face of Madison Sourdough, as well as for restaurants and businesses around the city.

They also offer some of the best coffee in town. We consider ourselves good judges of coffee, and MS has never disappointed.

Madison Chocolate Company has the best chocolate in the city, hands down. Most cities have good chocolate hidden somewhere in the nooks and crannies; the MCC also has some stellar drinking chocolate. Serving up delicious cups of hot chocolate or coffee, this chocolate shop offers a cute, little nook of a sitting room to enjoy and watch people walking and traffic passing from a corner spot southwest of the capital.

La Brioche is one of the loveliest and classiest places to eat in Madison. An eclectic yet well considered collection of chairs, tables, paintings, and other decorations give the place a European feel. The bakery creates some really excellent confections and we suggest the eclairs especially. The restaurant offers a small menu, but quite good.

Leopold’s is a little place adjacent to the University of Wisconsin, just down the street from Camp Randall Stadium. It is one of our favorite cafes and possibly the best coffee shop in Wisconsin. The appeal doesn’t stop at caffeine though, as Leopold’s is also a bookstore, with quite a few interesting titles as well as classics, forgoing the usual bestsellers lists in favor of bolder and frankly more wintersting works.

The cafe and bookstore holds some late hours and offers alcoholic drinks in addition to the lattes and cappuccinos. It has quite the nightlife as a matter of fact and is quite the hip spot for a date or small group of friends. Uniquely, it also shares the building it calls home with Fabiola’s, an Italian eatery. It really is a one stop shop.

Finca Coffee is an oddity, and a welcome one. The theme is El Salvador, the coffee is fantastic, and the menu is distinct. Salvadoran quesadillas and pupusas are the stars of the menu, and while the ingredients are familiar they are also unique and needless to say, appetizing.

Madison is a one of a kind type of city, and we enjoyed living here immensely. The wildlife surprised us, but the wetlands that make up a large portion of Wisconsin enables all kinds of wild things to thrive here. Pelicans, bald eagles, raptors, turkeys, minks, water rats, sandhill cranes, deer, and many other delightful creatures call Wisconsin, and Madison, home. Whether you want to spend time alone out at Aldo Leopold’s Cabin or Devil’s Lake, or walk the city and take in a concert at the Sylvee, Madison has something for you. Enjoy, and Happy Traveling!

Where to Stay in Madison Wisconsin

The list of places to avoid is far shorter than the places you could stay and be safe and happy in Madison. The isthmus and downtown, where the capitol building is located, is where most of the happening things… happen. Camp Randall, the Sylvee, government offices, museums, and all kinds of bars, cafes, and restaurants are there. We have a map down below of places to stay.

How to Get Around Madison

Madison is 2-3 hours drive from Chicago so if you’re coming into O’Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) airports you’ve got some work to do. There are buses and shuttles that run between the neighboring big cities, or you could rent a car. You can actually fly right into Madison at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) if you can find decently priced tickets, which shouldn’t be that hard. There’s a graphic here that shows the direct flights from MSN, and there are a good amount of major cities on there.

As we are discussing the Midwest here, we’ve listed the drive times to Madison from some of the other larger urban areas. A short 4 hour trip is nothing to a Midwesterner, right?

Highways 90 and 94 are the main roads coming into the city, and in Madison itself the best way to get around is by car. Washington Avenue is the main road along the Isthmus, taking you directly to, or away from, the Capitol Building. In the last couple of years the city has made great strides in public transportation. In the downtown areas you will notice fairly new and well designed bus routes, bus lanes, and bus stops. Bike infrastructure has been on the rise as well, with often physically separate lanes. The ubiquitous electric scooters found in most major cities are available in Madison, and if you want to park the car or simply pack your bike, you’ll be able to get around both major lakes with ease.

By car, Madison is: