Guidebook for Madison
Food Scene
Love the complimentary endless chips and salsa trio while you wait for your food. Walk to Monona Terrace and around the Capital after a meal.
BelAir Cantina Madison
111 Martin Luther King Jr BlvdOur favorite brunch place! Cool atmosphere, quality food, free parking (have host validate on your way out), walkable to tons of fun shops and the capital.
11 locals recommend
Bassett Street Brunch Club
444 W Johnson StOur favorite brunch place! Cool atmosphere, quality food, free parking (have host validate on your way out), walkable to tons of fun shops and the capital.
Good beer options, delicious flatbreads, burgers and salads-never had to wait to be seated. Right down the street from the house. Get custard at Michaels or play a round of mini golf at Vitense after. Other locations downtown as well.
10 locals recommend
Vintage Brewing Co. Madison
674 S Whitney WayGood beer options, delicious flatbreads, burgers and salads-never had to wait to be seated. Right down the street from the house. Get custard at Michaels or play a round of mini golf at Vitense after. Other locations downtown as well.
The Thirsty Goat
3040 Cahill MainDelicious food, cool outdoor seating with fire pit, tons of beer on tap.
Another nearby favorite of ours. Convenient, never too busy, good menu options.
The Flying Hound Alehouse
6317 McKee RdAnother nearby favorite of ours. Convenient, never too busy, good menu options.
Greenbush Bakery
1402 Regent StLocals rave about these donuts!
Mac n cheese pizza. Need I say more? Quality pizza, local favorite.
14 locals recommend
Ian's Pizza on State
100 State StMac n cheese pizza. Need I say more? Quality pizza, local favorite.
Hubbard Avenue Diner
7445 Hubbard AveKnown for their pie, but everything’s good.
Really cool vibe & tasty food including homemade chips you’ll want to take home with you!
Ancho and Agave
1601 Aspen CommonsReally cool vibe & tasty food including homemade chips you’ll want to take home with you!
Small, near campus coffee shop that’s known for it’s waffles. Has a quaint back patio.
6 locals recommend
Indie Coffee
1225 Regent StSmall, near campus coffee shop that’s known for it’s waffles. Has a quaint back patio.
Multiple locations, cool vibe with lots of menu options for food and drinks. Dog friendly.
Grace Coffee Co.
1216 E Washington AveMultiple locations, cool vibe with lots of menu options for food and drinks. Dog friendly.
Buck & Honey's - Monona
800 West BroadwayRP Adler's Pub & Grill
Always love the food here! Good place to watch a game.
Sightseeing
This is where the action happens! Go inside to view the interior, and enjoy walking around, especially on State Street to check out unique shops and places to eat.
141 locals recommend
Wisconsin State Capitol
2 E Main StThis is where the action happens! Go inside to view the interior, and enjoy walking around, especially on State Street to check out unique shops and places to eat.
Get a taste of campus life by walking or biking the grounds of UW-Madison.
45 locals recommend
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Get a taste of campus life by walking or biking the grounds of UW-Madison.
Parks & Nature
Rent kayaks, bikes, or just walk by the lake. Enjoy music and nightlife on Memorial Union Terrace if weather permits.
7 locals recommend
Lake Mendota
Rent kayaks, bikes, or just walk by the lake. Enjoy music and nightlife on Memorial Union Terrace if weather permits.
Beautiful place to walk...even when things aren't in bloom, ride, run, or walk the trails near Lake Wingra.
31 locals recommend
University of Wisconsin Madison Arboretum Visitor Center
2880 Longenecker DrBeautiful place to walk...even when things aren't in bloom, ride, run, or walk the trails near Lake Wingra.
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall AveFree! And it's actually a great zoo!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood AveBeautiful spot on Lake Monona with capital view-great place to watch the sunset. Must be 21. Bring a picnic or get something to eat from the limited menu and enjoy your drink (they have non-alcoholic options too) at one of the many large tables. Play bags (or corn hole if you prefer) on-site, or go to the huge field to throw a frisbee, kick a soccer ball, or use the basketball and volleyball courts. Beach access allows swimming and boat rentals. Awesome atmosphere! Right across from botanical gardens.
20 locals recommend
The Biergarten at Olbrich Park
3527 Atwood AveBeautiful spot on Lake Monona with capital view-great place to watch the sunset. Must be 21. Bring a picnic or get something to eat from the limited menu and enjoy your drink (they have non-alcoholic options too) at one of the many large tables. Play bags (or corn hole if you prefer) on-site, or go to the huge field to throw a frisbee, kick a soccer ball, or use the basketball and volleyball courts. Beach access allows swimming and boat rentals. Awesome atmosphere! Right across from botanical gardens.
Shopping
State Street
State StreetA great place to shop, eat, and people watch.
Eat at The Great Dane, Cafe Hollander or Bar Taco & play bags in the courtyard outside the Apple Store. Nice outdoor mall with cute cafes, cupcake shop, and movie theater. Seasonal farmers’ market.
63 locals recommend
Hilldale Shopping Center
726 N Midvale BlvdEat at The Great Dane, Cafe Hollander or Bar Taco & play bags in the courtyard outside the Apple Store. Nice outdoor mall with cute cafes, cupcake shop, and movie theater. Seasonal farmers’ market.
Essentials
Target
6321 McKee RdRight by Hyvee and Aldi, too.