Madison Guidebook
Breweries
Madison and the surrounding area have some of the best breweries in the Midwest! Check these out.
Octopi Brewing
1131 Uniek DrLarge Waunakee brewery and restaurant.
Working Draft Beer Company
1129 E Wilson StWisconsin's best and most famous microbrewery! You can ONLY get their brews in Wisconsin as they are illegal to export to other states.
52 locals recommend
New Glarus Brewing Company
2400 WI-69Wisconsin's best and most famous microbrewery! You can ONLY get their brews in Wisconsin as they are illegal to export to other states.
Large brewery in Verona featuring live outdoor music during the summer.
17 locals recommend
Wisconsin Brewing Company
1079 American WayLarge brewery in Verona featuring live outdoor music during the summer.
Madison brewery infamous for their extremely hoppy beers and bonkers bottle label art.
11 locals recommend
Karben4 Brewing
3698 Kinsman BlvdMadison brewery infamous for their extremely hoppy beers and bonkers bottle label art.
ALT Brew
1808 Wright StBrewery near Madison College that features gluten-free beers.
Old Sugar Distillery
931 E Main StNot a brewery per se, but they make a mean whiskey.
Specialize in sours. If you're unfamiliar, think "fruity, similar to wine" but still hoppy, malty, and carbonated.
11 locals recommend
Funk Factory Geuzeria
1602 Gilson StSpecialize in sours. If you're unfamiliar, think "fruity, similar to wine" but still hoppy, malty, and carbonated.
Giant Jones Brewing Company
South Brearly StreetDelta Beer Lab
167 E Badger RdMiddleton brewery featuring a large outdoor patio area with live music.
17 locals recommend
Capital Brewery
7734 Terrace AveMiddleton brewery featuring a large outdoor patio area with live music.
Award-winning brewery with three locations throughout town. East Washington Ave is their newest and largest, Frances St attracts a diverse campus crowd, especially during summer, and their Whitney Way location is filled with incredible kitsch decor straight from the 1950s.
6 locals recommend
Vintage Brewing Co. Capitol East
803 E Washington AveAward-winning brewery with three locations throughout town. East Washington Ave is their newest and largest, Frances St attracts a diverse campus crowd, especially during summer, and their Whitney Way location is filled with incredible kitsch decor straight from the 1950s.
Featuring multiple locations throughout the city, this is the original. Ask for a table in the secret biergarten out back!
30 locals recommend
The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company
123 E Doty StFeaturing multiple locations throughout the city, this is the original. Ask for a table in the secret biergarten out back!
Starkweather Brewing Company
A nice brewery and restaurant in the Atwood neighborhood.
Arts, Culture, & History
Featuring concert venues, museums, and places of historical interest within the city.
My favorite Madison music venue! Attracts touring acts and local performers of all genres.
23 locals recommend
Majestic theater
115 King StMy favorite Madison music venue! Attracts touring acts and local performers of all genres.
Large State Street theater that attracts famous bands and comedians.
24 locals recommend
Orpheum Theater
216 State StLarge State Street theater that attracts famous bands and comedians.
Atwood neighborhood institution that attracts bands, standups, and film festivals.
22 locals recommend
Barrymore Theatre
2090 Atwood AveAtwood neighborhood institution that attracts bands, standups, and film festivals.
Madison's newest and largest concert venue that attracts Grammy-winning acts of all genres.
12 locals recommend
The Sylvee
25 S Livingston StMadison's newest and largest concert venue that attracts Grammy-winning acts of all genres.
High Noon Saloon
701 E Washington AveSmall bar and alternative/indie venue.
Free art museum featuring an extensive collection of Japanese woodblock prints originally owned by internationally famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
73 locals recommend
Chazen Museum of Art
800 University AveFree art museum featuring an extensive collection of Japanese woodblock prints originally owned by internationally famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Frank Lloyd Wright-designed convention center on Lake Monona. The terrace is open to the public on top and features incredible views of the lake.
58 locals recommend
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
1 John Nolen DrFrank Lloyd Wright-designed convention center on Lake Monona. The terrace is open to the public on top and features incredible views of the lake.
Children's museum with cool science and nature exhibits.
66 locals recommend
Madison Children's Museum
100 N Hamilton StChildren's museum with cool science and nature exhibits.
Veteran's museum on Capitol Square, features exhibits about every war since Wisconsin became a state in 1848.
21 locals recommend
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
30 W Mifflin StVeteran's museum on Capitol Square, features exhibits about every war since Wisconsin became a state in 1848.
A university museum featuring a nice collection of fossils.
11 locals recommend
University of Wisconsin Geology Museum
1215 W Dayton StA university museum featuring a nice collection of fossils.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
227 State StNon-campus affiliated art museum.
A museum focusing on Wisconsin's history from the Ice Age to today.
21 locals recommend
Wisconsin Historical Museum
30 N Carroll StA museum focusing on Wisconsin's history from the Ice Age to today.
It sounds wild and honestly isn't very exciting to look at, but Elvis Presley stopped a mugging using his Karate skills in the early 1970s only a few blocks from my home. There is a memorial plaque commemorating this weird little slice of Madison history.
Elvis Madison Karate Fight Memorial Plaque
3618 East Washington AvenueIt sounds wild and honestly isn't very exciting to look at, but Elvis Presley stopped a mugging using his Karate skills in the early 1970s only a few blocks from my home. There is a memorial plaque commemorating this weird little slice of Madison history.
This is the arch where Union soldiers left their training facility in Madison to march across town to the train depot at Union Corners where they were then sent to the southern battlefields of the American Civil War.
Camp Randall Memorial Arch
1455 Monroe StThis is the arch where Union soldiers left their training facility in Madison to march across town to the train depot at Union Corners where they were then sent to the southern battlefields of the American Civil War.
Grab a pitcher, enjoy live music, swim, enjoy a sunset at this beautiful lakeside student union.
122 locals recommend
Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon StGrab a pitcher, enjoy live music, swim, enjoy a sunset at this beautiful lakeside student union.
Gorgeous venue for Broadway plays and prestigious musical acts.
83 locals recommend
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State StGorgeous venue for Broadway plays and prestigious musical acts.
Food & Drinks
Madison has the best food scene for a city it's size anywhere in the United States! These are a few of my favorite restaurants and bars.
Fair Oaks Diner
44 S Fair Oaks AveWalking distance greasy-spoon diner. Cash only!
Smoky Jon's #1 BBQ
2310 Packers AveMadison's tastiest BBQ place.
Taqueria Guadalajara
1033 S Park StBest Mexican food in town!
Fantastic food and drinks. Get a brandy old-fashioned with a side of cheese curds!
86 locals recommend
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney StFantastic food and drinks. Get a brandy old-fashioned with a side of cheese curds!
Their newest location, this Madison pizza joint has been a campus institution for 30 years.
16 locals recommend
Ian's Pizza Garver
3241 Garver GreenTheir newest location, this Madison pizza joint has been a campus institution for 30 years.
Madison's best pizza place! Try the Thai Pie or Couch Potato.
41 locals recommend
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. - Madison East
2916 Atwood AveMadison's best pizza place! Try the Thai Pie or Couch Potato.
Morris Ramen
106 King StDelicious ramen place just off the Square.
A nice bar and grill with fantastic prime rib, sandwiches and breakfast. Recently refurbished and with a new patio!
6 locals recommend
Brothers Three Bar & Grill
614 N Fair Oaks AveA nice bar and grill with fantastic prime rib, sandwiches and breakfast. Recently refurbished and with a new patio!
Nice restaurant and tavern with delicious local food and a good tap list.
26 locals recommend
The Coopers Tavern
20 W Mifflin StNice restaurant and tavern with delicious local food and a good tap list.
Indonesian cuisine, we get delivery from here regularly and absolutely love it. Best Pad Thai in town.
7 locals recommend
Bandung Indonesian Restaurant
600 Williamson StIndonesian cuisine, we get delivery from here regularly and absolutely love it. Best Pad Thai in town.
Gourmet pizza place and cocktail bar located in a former bank on Capitol Square. Ask the bartenders about going down to the vault, where you can sip cocktails in a massive bank vault converted into a cozy lounge.
27 locals recommend
Lucille
101 King StGourmet pizza place and cocktail bar located in a former bank on Capitol Square. Ask the bartenders about going down to the vault, where you can sip cocktails in a massive bank vault converted into a cozy lounge.
Mint Mark
1929 Winnebago StCool tapas and cocktail lounge.
Sardine
617 Williamson StFancy brunch spot along Lake Monona.
Banzo
2105 Sherman AveDelicious Middle Eastern place.
Breakfast and brunch place. Get here early as it is very popular and tends to get busy.
36 locals recommend
Monty's Blue Plate Diner
2089 Atwood AveBreakfast and brunch place. Get here early as it is very popular and tends to get busy.
Alchemy
1980 Atwood AveCool cocktail bar.
Bar Corallini
2004 Atwood AveItalian restaurant and cocktail lounge.
Madison's oldest bar, features punk bands a few nights a week. Cash only!
37 locals recommend
Mickey's Tavern
1524 Williamson StMadison's oldest bar, features punk bands a few nights a week. Cash only!
Madison's most popular Vietnamese and Laotian restaurant. Gets very busy so be prepared to wait a while for a table.
55 locals recommend
Hạ Long Bay Restaurant
1353 Williamson StMadison's most popular Vietnamese and Laotian restaurant. Gets very busy so be prepared to wait a while for a table.
A very cool Willy St restaurant that was the gathering place for radicals, socialists, and free thinkers during Madison's heyday in the 1960s.
61 locals recommend
Weary Traveler Freehouse
1201 Williamson StA very cool Willy St restaurant that was the gathering place for radicals, socialists, and free thinkers during Madison's heyday in the 1960s.
A cocktail and wine bar located in the penthouse of one of Madison's few skyscrapers. Fantastic views and tasty cocktails, a perfect date night spot.
31 locals recommend
Eno Vino Downtown
1 N Webster StA cocktail and wine bar located in the penthouse of one of Madison's few skyscrapers. Fantastic views and tasty cocktails, a perfect date night spot.
RED
316 W Washington AveGourmet sushi place.
Cento
122 W Mifflin StGourmet Italian restaurant.
Graze
1 S Pinckney StFancy gastro-pub, you will want to make a reservation.
Tempest Oyster Bar
120 E Wilson StNew Orleans-style oyster bar featuring live jazz on occasion.
Paisan's Restaurant
131 W Wilson StGreat happy hour specials and delicious Italian food.
Tornado Steak House
116 S Hamilton StMadison's best steak house and supper club.
Come here for free, all you can drink beer on your birthday or after a game. It attracts a rowdy college crowd.
7 locals recommend
Nitty Gritty-Madison
223 N Frances StCome here for free, all you can drink beer on your birthday or after a game. It attracts a rowdy college crowd.
Cocktail and beer bar on the Square, it's definitely a hipster place.
19 locals recommend
Genna's Lounge
105 W Main StCocktail and beer bar on the Square, it's definitely a hipster place.
Summer camp-themed bar on Langdon St on campus, named after the famous dive that Rodney Dangerfield performed at the end of "Back to School", an 80s comedy filmed on the UW campus.
Camp Trippalindee
601 Langdon StSummer camp-themed bar on Langdon St on campus, named after the famous dive that Rodney Dangerfield performed at the end of "Back to School", an 80s comedy filmed on the UW campus.
Brazilian grill where they bring the meat to your table on sticks and shave it directly onto your plate. Come hungry, this place is expensive but absolutely worth it when you arrive with an empty stomach.
Samba Brazilian Grill
240 W Gilman StBrazilian grill where they bring the meat to your table on sticks and shave it directly onto your plate. Come hungry, this place is expensive but absolutely worth it when you arrive with an empty stomach.
Campus breakfast institution. Gets EXTREMELY busy, especially on Badger football game day. Cash only!
23 locals recommend
Mickies Dairy Bar
1511 Monroe StCampus breakfast institution. Gets EXTREMELY busy, especially on Badger football game day. Cash only!
Cool restaurant overlooking the Dane Co Airport runway. They offer the $100 Burger, a burger and fries plate that includes a 30-minute plane ride around the city. You will want to call for a reservation.
Pat O'Malley's Jet Room
3606 Corben CtCool restaurant overlooking the Dane Co Airport runway. They offer the $100 Burger, a burger and fries plate that includes a 30-minute plane ride around the city. You will want to call for a reservation.
Ogden's North Street Diner
560 North StNorth side brunch spot.
Tip Top Tavern
601 North StCool beer and cocktail bar. Occasionally featuring live music.
Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery
2827 Atwood AveDelicious brunch place.
Delicious custard (ice cream but thicker) spot. Locally owned and operated!
17 locals recommend
Michael's Frozen Custard
2531 Monroe StDelicious custard (ice cream but thicker) spot. Locally owned and operated!
Best fried chicken in town and a good local tap list as well. Wall murals feature some Madison history as the restaurant used to be the pilot's lounge for the original Madison airport in the 1930s.
11 locals recommend
Off Broadway Drafthouse
5404 Raywood RdBest fried chicken in town and a good local tap list as well. Wall murals feature some Madison history as the restaurant used to be the pilot's lounge for the original Madison airport in the 1930s.
Good food and brews with live music. There is typically a $5-10 cover charge if you are staying for music.
Red Rooster
Good food and brews with live music. There is typically a $5-10 cover charge if you are staying for music.
Entertainment & Activities
Madison's minor league baseball team, you can usually score a smoking deal on Duck Blind seats and get all you can eat/drink. Also great for families in the stands. There is usually a small carnival set up for every game for kids.
9 locals recommend
Madison Mallards
2920 N Sherman AveMadison's minor league baseball team, you can usually score a smoking deal on Duck Blind seats and get all you can eat/drink. Also great for families in the stands. There is usually a small carnival set up for every game for kids.
Very nice free zoo located in the Monroe neighborhood on the near west side of Madison.
101 locals recommend
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall AveVery nice free zoo located in the Monroe neighborhood on the near west side of Madison.
Historic football stadium where the Wisconsin Badgers kick other Big Ten teams' butts!
61 locals recommend
Camp Randall Stadium University of Wisconsin
1440 Monroe StHistoric football stadium where the Wisconsin Badgers kick other Big Ten teams' butts!
Basketball and hockey arena for the Wisconsin Badgers. Also home to concerts, graduations, and UW's massive career fairs.
10 locals recommend
The Kohl Center
601 West Dayton StreetBasketball and hockey arena for the Wisconsin Badgers. Also home to concerts, graduations, and UW's massive career fairs.
Mini golf, batting cages, driving range, par three course, and a bar and grill.
10 locals recommend
Vitense Golfland
5501 Schroeder RdMini golf, batting cages, driving range, par three course, and a bar and grill.
A lovely walk around Wisconsin's Capitol Building. Farmers' market on Saturday mornings in Spring, Summer and Fall, definitely check that out! Good selection of restaurants and bars as well.
17 locals recommend
Capitol Square -South
223 W Main StA lovely walk around Wisconsin's Capitol Building. Farmers' market on Saturday mornings in Spring, Summer and Fall, definitely check that out! Good selection of restaurants and bars as well.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison
4002 Evan Acres RdMadison's only casino featuring slots and virtual poker.
Bridges Golf Course
2702 Shopko DrNearest golf course to my home, also features an affordable driving range.
Odana Hills Golf Course
4635 Odana RdMadison's most popular course.
Middleton golf course that is absolutely beautiful and very reasonably priced.
Pleasant View Golf Course
1322 N Pleasant View RdMiddleton golf course that is absolutely beautiful and very reasonably priced.
The UW's golf course, you will need to reserve a tee time at least a week or two in advance if you want to play this professional-level course that hosts the American Family Classic every year.
6 locals recommend
University Ridge Golf Course
9002 County Rd PDThe UW's golf course, you will need to reserve a tee time at least a week or two in advance if you want to play this professional-level course that hosts the American Family Classic every year.
Madison International Speedway
1122 Sunrise RdLocal race track, check their website for events.
A barcade featuring classic 80s and 90s arcade games and a few newer arcade games designed by independent studios. Only midwest spot with a Killer Queen console.
6 locals recommend
I/O Arcade Bar
924 Williamson StA barcade featuring classic 80s and 90s arcade games and a few newer arcade games designed by independent studios. Only midwest spot with a Killer Queen console.
FIVE Nightclub
5 Applegate CtPopular Madison gay bar featuring drag shows and dancing.
Parks & Nature
Gigantic arboretum perfect for hiking, jogging, riding bikes, or a scenic drive.
60 locals recommend
University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum
1207 Seminole HighwayGigantic arboretum perfect for hiking, jogging, riding bikes, or a scenic drive.
Beautiful gardens where you are guaranteed to see the largest Thai Pavilion in the Western Hemisphere and happy couples shooting gorgeous wedding shots. Entry is free for the outdoor portion, the indoor section (open year round) has a $2 admission fee.
138 locals recommend
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood AveBeautiful gardens where you are guaranteed to see the largest Thai Pavilion in the Western Hemisphere and happy couples shooting gorgeous wedding shots. Entry is free for the outdoor portion, the indoor section (open year round) has a $2 admission fee.
James Madison Park
614 E Gorham StLarge park on Lake Mendota near downtown.
A German-style biergarten on Lake Monona, a short walk from Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
20 locals recommend
The Biergarten at Olbrich Park
3527 Atwood AveA German-style biergarten on Lake Monona, a short walk from Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
Large park on Lake Mendota that features an ice rink in the winter months.
11 locals recommend
Tenney Park
402 N Thornton AveLarge park on Lake Mendota that features an ice rink in the winter months.
A lovely UW garden on the west end of campus. Features a corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), a gigantic, alien-like plant that smells like death when it blooms.
15 locals recommend
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock DrA lovely UW garden on the west end of campus. Features a corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), a gigantic, alien-like plant that smells like death when it blooms.
West side park featuring a gigantic hill that's great for winter sledding.
10 locals recommend
Elver Park
1250 McKenna BoulevardWest side park featuring a gigantic hill that's great for winter sledding.
Olin Park features the Midwest's largest beer festival, Great Taste of the Midwest, every August and a fantastic Christmas light show in November and December. Fantastic views across the lake of the Capitol Building and downtown as well.
15 locals recommend
Olin Park
1156 Olin-Turville CtOlin Park features the Midwest's largest beer festival, Great Taste of the Midwest, every August and a fantastic Christmas light show in November and December. Fantastic views across the lake of the Capitol Building and downtown as well.
Brittingham Park
829 W Washington AveYou can rent boats at this park to go for a paddle around Lake Monona.
Shopping
Features shopping, food court, and a movie theater. Also surrounded by great chain restaurants.
21 locals recommend
East Towne Mall
89 E Towne WayFeatures shopping, food court, and a movie theater. Also surrounded by great chain restaurants.
Hilldale Shopping Center
726 N Midvale BlvdMadison's ritziest mall.
Monroe St features a large collection of local and boutique shops, perfect if you are looking for a unique gift.
12 locals recommend
Monroe Street
Monroe StreetMonroe St features a large collection of local and boutique shops, perfect if you are looking for a unique gift.
West Towne Mall
66 W Towne MallMadison's west side mall.
Tons of bars, restaurants, and boutique shops along this campus mainstay.
111 locals recommend
State Street
State StreetTons of bars, restaurants, and boutique shops along this campus mainstay.
Essentials
Hy-Vee
3801 E Washington AveLarge grocery store with great selection.
Metro Market
6010 Cottage Grove RdFancy grocery store featuring large selection of organic produce.
ALDI
3925 Lien RdBasic and affordable grocery store.
I mean, it's a Walmart. They have everything. This is probably the nicest one in Madison.
Walmart Supercenter
4198 Nakoosa TrailI mean, it's a Walmart. They have everything. This is probably the nicest one in Madison.
Target
4301 Lien RdEast side Target.
Asian Midway Foods
301 S Park StMadison's largest Asian grocery store.