Regularly voted one of the most liveable, happiest, and greenest cities in the USA, Madison is the kind of place we wanted to stop and stay for a while. As a capital city and university town, it has a balance of sophistication and fun. Take all those cosmopolitan offerings and surround them with 5 lakes and 270 parks, and we can get our outdoor fix, too. So we rented a fabulous apartment within a few blocks of Capitol Square and Lake Monona and spent two weeks in this vibrant city, discovering so many fun things to do in Madison!
In recent years, we have made a concerted effort to be more eco-conscious when choosing where to stay, eat, shop, and play. If you can have a good time while doing right by the locals and the planet…that’s a win for all! In Madison, sustainability is part of their cultural fabric—from being home to the founder of Earth Day to planting the seeds of the farm-to-table movement. As a traveler in Madison, being green couldn’t have been easier, with all their plant-based restaurants, vintage shopping, farmers markets, electric transportation, and recycling at every turn.
To help you plan a trip to our new favorite midwestern city, we’ve narrowed down the best things to do in Madison that are as stellar at sustainability as they are at good times.
New to Madison? Start Here.
Downtown Madison is on a skinny stretch of land between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, making it just one of two US cities and the only capital on an isthmus. At its heart is the gorgeous capitol building, with the main streets radiating off of its well-manicured grounds. The main thoroughfare is called State Street (love that it kicks off with a huge pride flag painted on the crosswalk), which flows into the University of Wisconsin on the west side of town. The lakeside campus is gorgeous, surrounded by historic homes, the vast green space of the Arboretum, and the vibrant Monroe Street shopping area. Head east of the capital building and this early 20th-century industrial area is now a hipster haven with the artsy Willy Street, Atwood Avenue, and Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
To get your bearings and have a great time in the process, start your exploration with these fun things to do in Madison.
Capitol Building Tour
Learn about the state of Wisconsin, the city of Madison, and one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in any US capital city with a quick (and free) tour. The knowledgeable guides lead tours seven days a week, on the hour (from 9-4 pm, save for lunchtime and Sunday mornings). As we walked around the grand Rotunda, Senate Chamber, and Hall of the House of Representatives, our guide pointed out a slew of fun facts. Did you know Wisconsin has the highest proportion of women state supreme court justices? Six out of seven! Or that the Capitol Building is the only one in the USA with a granite dome and it’s made of 43 varieties of stone, sourced from around the world? Our favorite part of touring this space is that it’s very much a working building. Not only did we get to rub elbows with state representatives but got to watch proceedings from the wings! After your tour, head to the roof deck for incredible views over town and get a sense of this city’s unique topography.
Walking Tour with Madison Trust for Historic Preservation
If you are going to take a city walking tour, go with architecture experts and advocates for historic preservation! We joined the nonprofit Madison Trust for Historic Preservation for their Mansion Hill walk to see the glorious 19th-century homes from the city’s earliest movers and shakers, including the Governor’s Mansion. The wide range of architectural styles (Italianate, Queen Anne, Streamline Moderne, etc) was fascinating, as was our detour to The Lamp House, one of the early works of Wisconsin native, Frank Lloyd Wright. Growing up as a teenager in Madison and studying at the University of Wisconsin, his work can be found throughout the city…don’t miss the Unitarian Meeting House!
Madison Trust for Historic Preservation has 10 different routes throughout the city and offers group tours on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings in the summer, with private tours available throughout the year.
#MadisonByBike
This city is fantastically bikeable, with over 60 miles of bike lanes and B-cycle e-bike stands all over the place. Start by taking one of Destination Madison’s four scenic routes, highlighting some of the best stops in the city. Plus, they reward riders with discounts and prizes when they check in to local landmarks & businesses along their signature routes. (We flashed our pass at Starkweather Brewing and it earned us BOGO craft ales!) And don’t worry about straying off the trail, Madison is a Platinum-Level Bike-Friendly Community (just 1 of 5 cities in the USA!) so it’s safe and straightforward pedaling all over town.
Shopping: Madison’s Coolest Eco-Friendly Stores
Downtown has 370+ shops, galleries, restaurants, night spots, playhouses, museums, and cultural destinations…and the best part? 82% of those businesses are locally owned! While downtown has plenty to do, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep exploring. Willy Street, a 10-block stretch east of Capitol Square, has some of Madison’s coolest indie shops, coffeehouses, and restaurants. Scattered around town are more than 100 thrift shops, flea markets, and antique stores to inspire secondhand (read: eco-friendly) shopping.
The Ultimate Farmers’ Market
Not just any farmers’ market, Dane County offers the largest producer-grown market in the USA! Every Saturday from April through November, over 150 vendors line the gorgeous Capitol Square to sell products they personally grew or made. Flowers, baked goods, crafts, and produce of every variety are such a feast for the senses that we went back to this market twice! It also makes for fabulous souvenir shopping…we’d highly recommend getting a copy of the new Dane County Cookbook, celebrating its 50th anniversary with stories and best recipes from its community of farm-to-table foodies.
Vintage Shops
Good Style Shop: This collection of seven independent vintage clothing vendors under one roof has a curated selection of clothing from the ’30s through Y2K. Good Style Shop also hosts the annual Midwest Vintage Flea and we were lucky to catch this retro shopping extravaganza during our stay!
Retro Revolution: This vintage home goods shop is a riot of color and is particularly good for tableware.
Stillgood’s: In the Willy St. neighborhood, this shop buys gently worn designer, contemporary, and vintage clothing. A far cry from Good Will, Stillgood’s space is as chic as the clothes.
Green Living
Green Life Trading Co: Forget single-use packaging, you can meet virtually any household and beauty need with this beautiful shop’s refilling stations and luxe eco-friendly products. We also loved that Green Life Trading is a drop-off point for community compost…very handy during our two-week stay!
Willy Street Co-op. If you are provisioning for a longer stay or just have fun grinding your own sunflower butter, this deluxe grocery store has all your organic, locally sourced goodies—from produce to cheeses to ready-made items to beauty products. Even doing a loop around the Willy Street Coop and reading the bulletin board is worth it for the strong community vibe.
Garver Feed Mill
This 100-year-old landmark building has a super eclectic mix of businesses…Roll Play Madison Board Games, the beloved Ian’s Pizza, Ledger Coffee Roasters, and The Glitter Workshop…where you can shop or make your own candles, jewelry, mini succulent garden, sun catcher, and more. Plus, Garver Feed Mill has a fab spa and yoga studio, so whatever you fancy, it’s a cool hub and just a six-minute walk from the must-visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens, so it’s already on the route.
Museums & Theaters
You might think, let me save the art museums and theater for a trip to New York or LA, but Madison has some gems and most of them are free!
Orpheum Theater
A classic 1920s theater and the icon of State Street, the Mad Orpheum is fabulous inside and out. Recently renovated, this theater hosts Broadway shows, top comedians, or major musicians any given week. Funny lady Chelsea Handler was in town during our stay (pro tip: check VividSeats.com for crazy deals on live events), shortly followed by John Cleese and Pete Davidson, so you know we didn’t catch a top-notch comedian by chance.
Overture Center for the Arts
Not just any performing arts space, this multi-venue building hosts Broadway performances, ballet, opera, art exhibits, and so many cultural events with the goal of “Extraordinary Experiences for All.” Overture’s mission is to “support and elevate our community’s creative culture, economy, and quality of life through the arts,” which is why roughly half of their events are either low-cost or free. We loved the art of the Mending Project, a weekly meetup where seamstresses offer their services to those who need darning, a few tips, or someone to talk to.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
On State Street, you can’t miss this striking contemporary glass building, built by world-renowned architect César Pelli. MMoCA’s permanent collection has upwards of 6,000 objects and 1,400 artists of diverse backgrounds to further their mission of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access). And when it comes to special exhibits, Federico Uribe’s “Metamorphosis” was one of the best we’ve experienced. This Colombian artist turns everyday objects on their head to make you think, laugh, and cry…a cow made of leather shoes, a tiger created from bullet casings, a reef constructed of washed-up plastics, and a refugee fashioned from luggage…this artist takes on hard topics like poaching and plastic pollution with a bit of humor and a lot of whimsy to lighten the mood and invites conversation for change. Catch Metamorphosis before it closes on May 26, 2024.
Chazen Museum of Art
We are not sure what kind of endowment the University of Wisconsin-Madison has, but a gallery with Warhol, Miró, Magritte, Calder, and Cristo, plus Roman relics from 10 BCE? We were impressed. Loved the Chazen Museum of Art’s Contemporary African Art exhibit and the gallery of new acquisitions to celebrate the 175th year of UW Madison. Whenever you check out campus, make sure you stop in.
Madison Nightlife
Wisconsin may be known for its “old-fashioned” cocktails, but Madison’s drinking scene is anything but. Recently named one of the top five “Best Drinking Cities in The World” by Punch Magazine and home to over 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries, Madison is making some excellent craft beverages. Plus, they respect the dive bars that have been holding it down for decades.
Cocktails
Gibs: This craft cocktail bar is set in a two-story Victorian house for cozy vibes and feel-good drinks. We love that each month they feature a “Community Cocktail” with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a new charity.
Tornado Supper Club: Even though meat-eaters rave about their entrees, we came to this old-school steakhouse for its supper club vibes. Just off Capitol Square, the narrow cozy space is dominated by a wood bar of professionals making OG Old-Fashioneds. We bellied up to see how the bartenders whip up a strong work of art with a dark cherry on top. They nailed it!
Breweries, Distilleries, and Dive Bars
Starkweather Brewing. These clever brewers have made friends with their neighbors at Olbrich Botanical Gardens to infuse their beers with fresh herbs and fruits and give a portion of the proceeds back to that nonprofit. Not to mention their cauliflower wings were unreal and we’ve never had so much fun at a trivia night. Mark your calendar for Starkweather Brewing’s Thursday’s Music Bingo!
Mickey’s Tavern. This dive bar is one of Madison’s oldest in continuous operation…since 1902! From the funky decor to the live music, this place is worth taking in, from atop a leather bar stool with a PBR in your hand. We happened to sit next to their bartender in retirement, who still eats here every week. That’s a good sign!
Genna’s Lounge. Est. 1964 with a location upgrade in the 1990s, this flatiron-building bar on Main Street should certainly be on your route. They have a great patio for the post-farmers market merriment and a cozy vibe inside.
State Line Distillery: Madison’s first grain-to-glass distillery, using locally sourced grain and regenerative agriculture, is crafting spirits that are uniquely Wisconsin. Tour the distillery and make an evening of it with cocktails in their award-winning lounge.
Pro Tip: Get the free Madison on Tap Pass to navigate to their 30 breweries, cideries, and distilleries and score discounts and prizes along the way.
Outdoor Patios & Big Vistas
Eno Vino Downtown. Take the elevator to the 10th floor of the AC hotel for the sexiest bar with the best view over town. Looking eye to eye with the dome of the capitol building, we sipped cocktails out of bronze pineapples, while our server made us hibachi-style veggies in a blaze of glory.
The Boathouse. This is THE best spot for sundowners on Madison’s many lakes. This nautical-themed bar at the water level of Lake Mendota is a stunner. To make it even more romantic, take your drinks to the end of the pier and dangle your feet over the water as you sip.
Terrace at Memorial Union. Lest we forget that this is a college town and the university has one of the most enviable locations on the lake. Get the college vibe and water views at this campus hub, no matter what year you graduate(d).
Music Venues
Nattspil: End your night at this Asian-Scandavian fusion restaurant and DJ booth. Spinning chill music from 7-11pm most nights, it’s a vibe like no other, with a side of pickled vegetables.
High Noon Saloon: Voted Madison’s favorite live music venue year after year, this intimate space on the Near Eastside garners quality acts. We saw the awesome indie band Mipso play, and though we didn’t know them that well, we followed the lead of the Madisonians, dancing and singing along for an awesome concert experience.
North Street Cabaret: Clearly, we hit the town pretty hard, but one venue we are so sad we missed and you have to check out on our behalf is the North Street Cabaret. It’s a speakeasy joint dedicated to roots music, with a kitchen that crafts its menu based on the entertainment on stage. (New Orleans jazz might get you Jambalaya or a Chicago bluesman might yield deep-dish pizza.)
Madison’s Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants
As environmentalists, we decided to give up eating animals and dairy back in 2015 because it was the single biggest move we could make to reduce our carbon footprint. According to an Oxford Journal of Science study, this one dietary mod reduces your carbon footprint by two-thirds!!! So if you ever thought about plant-based eating for your health, the planet, or pure curiosity….Madison is your spot to give it a go! There are over 100 restaurants with vegan-friendly options! So forget “fake meat” and think farm-to-table, James-Beard winners (Madison has over 30), and food that’s good for you and the Earth.
Coffee Shops, Bakeries, & Sweets
Mother Fool’s: This solar-powered coffee shop doubles as a rotating art gallery, performance space, and vegan bakery in the Willy Street neighborhood.
Bloom Bakeshop: Offering an ever-changing menu of scratch-made breads, pastries, and sandwiches with loads of vegan and gluten-free options, at two locations. We went to Monroe Street and waited in their line (out the door) for the plant-based biscuit sandwich and it was sooo worth it!
Cargo Coffee: This Near Eastside coffee shop has a fun travel theme with maps spanning their double-height walls. Good vibes abound here, from their friendly baristas to community offerings like open mic nights and printing services.
Ice Cream Social: While there is only one vegan option on this dessert menu, we’ve gotta give props that all the ice cream is gluten-free and 10% of its proceeds go to organizations fighting for social and racial equity!
Brunch & Lunch
Himal Chuli: Nepalese food naturally leans veggie and flavor-forward, so vegans have plenty of great options here. The taste of the subcontinent continues with Himalayan decor and genuine hospitality.
Daisy Cafe: This art-filled space has one of the best plant-based brunch menus we’ve ever seen. Plus, they have all the traditional breakfast foods and fresh-baked pastries for all diets (or lack thereof).
Ian’s Pizza: Madison’s favorite pizza place serves oooey-gooey vegan pies with toppings well beyond bell peppers. Using pizza as a force for good, they’ve given away thousands of pies over the years, plus supported over 400 nonprofits through regular events like their Dough-Nation Night.
Green Owl Cafe: 100% vegan with a global menu and great cocktails. Closes early, don’t miss it!
Dinner
Jardin at Robinia Courtyard: This is the city’s finest plant-based dining. We enjoyed the rare treat of “Lobster Casarecce” and will forever dream of their “quesabirria” with roasted chili consommé, braised lion’s mane, and avocado crema. Come on Thursday nights for Latin dance lessons, live music, and a party.
Weary Traveler: We loved this place on name alone and fell even harder when we saw the art, instruments, and souvenirs from around the world on the walls and the global-inspired menu. This cozy 19th-century space has a neighborhood vibe that makes you want to stay well after your meal for a round of board games and cognac.
Merchant: While they have just a handful of plant-based options, we want to give a nod to this chic restaurant for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients and supporting local farmers. They also do ultra-romantic (and affordable) Tuesday date nights.
Pro Tip: Destination Madison has a great food directory where you can search by dietary needs, desired setting, neighborhood, etc.
Outdoor Fun
Madison is in the top 15 cities in the USA when it comes to volume of green space, with 29,044 sq. ft. per capita! Between a forward-thinking government and a university at the forefront of studying urban green spaces and ecological effects, Madison is ideal for enjoying the outdoors without leaving the city limits.
Get on the Water
Three of Madison’s five lakes have watercraft rentals at various points along the shores of Mendota, Monona, and Wingra. So whatever you fancy, taking out a pontoon boat, tandem kayak, or stand-up paddleboards, see this list of rental points and equipment options. Into water skiing? There’s a jump in front of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace. How Wisconsin is that?!
UW Madison Arboretum
The University of Wisconsin has restored 1,200 acres of forest, prairie, wetlands, and savanna in the center of the city for student research and community enjoyment. They offer fantastic guided hikes, stargazing sessions, and volunteering opportunities. Check their schedule for the latest happenings or just take a wander and smell a few of their 6,000 plant specimens!
Bike & Hike the Lakeshore Path
Follow the Madison by Bike Route from Memorial Union Terrace to Picnic Point. There’s a ton of natural beauty along the way, so get ready to hop on and off to see the Observatory Hill Effigy Mound (Madison is full of these Native American sacred sites), the Allen Centennial Garden, University Bay Marsh, and last but not least…Picnic Point. Make a hike of it with the two-mile Picnic Point Marsh Loop, through the garden and forest, and catch views across the lake and back to the capitol dome. Fire pits are all along this spit of land, so even on a chilly day, it’s a lovely place to take in nature.
Olbrich Gardens
For over 70 years, Olbrich Botanical Gardens and their ~500 annual volunteers have been creatively cultivating 16 acres into a wonderland. The gardens are free of charge and attending their fabulous workshops (from Tai Chi meditation to landscape painting) and cultural events go back to the nonprofit. We were in awe of their annual Gleam light art show, with its singing trees, dancing butterflies, glittering disco balls, and more dazzling light installations, and have no doubt the other events would be incredible too.
Wild Card: Madison Circus Space
Welcoming all aspiring acrobats, flying trapeze artists, hoop dancers, and German wheelers, Madison Circus Space is a creative and safe place to give it all a whirl. As two people who never made it past Gymboree and claim no dance skills, we never thought about trying the circus arts, but Madison has one of the best programs in the country. With a 10,000-square-foot space and a slew of classes for every level, Madison Circus Space is a beacon of inclusivity and fun. We signed up for their aerial silks class with Stephanie, learned the basics, and worked our way up to the French Climb and Crooked Star. Not sure if our grace improved, but we know how much fun we had in class and frolicking among the pros (like 5x world champ German Wheeler) in this inspiring space. Watch the video above (and try not to laugh).
Volunteering
We’re happy to report that both the Arboretum and Olbrich Gardens (places you should certainly visit anyway) offer volunteering opportunities and they are awesome! At the Arboretum, we joined their weekly Ecological Restoration Work Party where we un-strangled trees from invasive species, met wonderful people, and learned a lot about their prairie ecosystem in the process!
While at Olbirch Gardens, we followed the lead horticulturist and volunteer squad (some with 14 years of service), and got the ground ready for winter and a fruitful spring. We made fast friends as we dug up spent annuals and cut back old mint, and an invite soon followed for the Olbrich Garden’s brew-debut party! Nearby Starkweather Brewing was about to tap their kegs, infused with Olbrich’s lemongrass, apricots, and pears. Alongside new friends, sipping saisons infused with herbs from the very garden we sowed, reminded us that the rewards of volunteering never cease to amaze.
Voluntourism is catching on in Madison and we wanted to help spread the word, so we gladly accept the invite to come on their NBC station. Watch the interview, above.
For more information on how you can add volunteering to your Madison travels, check out the volunteering pages for the UW Madison Arboretum, Olbrich Gardens, and VisitMadison.com
Where to Stay: Best Eco-Friendly Hotels in Madison
Whether you are staying for a longer digital nomad stay (like we did) or coming for a getaway weekend, we’ve pinpointed posh places to lay your head and launch your adventures.
Voyageur Extended Stays
Created by a pair of world-traveling Madisonians, Voyageur has upped the game on extended-stay lodging with high-design apartments in some of the city’s coolest spots. We stayed at their new Medallion property, inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, designed by Dutch designer Arno Hoogland, and built by a local craftsman! For a shorter stay, they do have one fabulous property right on Lake Monona with a sauna and kayaks to best enjoy the waterfront locale. Splitting our time between downtown and the lake made for the perfect Madison stay.
Governor’s Mansion Inn
Stay in the state’s, first executive residence and home to 18 Wisconsin governors. This 1850s mansion has been converted into a nine-room inn with original details in a contemporary style. Right off Lake Mendota, and a few blocks from the capitol building in the historic Mansion Hill neighborhood, Governor’s Mansion Inn is one of the most regal stays.
The Graduate Madison
Get into the Badger spirit with a stay at the boutique hotel chain inspired by the college towns they reside in. Located one block from State Street and the University of Wisconsin campus, along Lake Mendota, The Graduate Hotel is inspired by all things Madison and collegiate chic with a fab restaurant and rooftop bar.
The Edgewater
We came here for drinks at the awesome Boathouse bar (see above), wound up taking a proper tour, and fell in love with the place. And we are not alone. Condé Nast ranked The Edgewater as one of the best hotels in the Midwest and it just won a 2023 Historic Hotels of America award! Not just some walled-off resort, it’s designed to be a part of the community with its lakeview terrace being a favorite picnic spot and town ice skating rink by winter. And at 75 years in business, they know a thing or two about hospitality.
Madison…Our Favorite City in the Midwest!
After two weeks in Madison, we were looking at property. We totally jived with the forward-thinking ethos of this town and couldn’t believe the natural beauty of this Midwestern city. Wherever we were, we were never far from the water or the heart of the action. We love that it was big enough to have tons to do but small enough that we could walk or bike everywhere, and never feel lost. And then there was a sense of gratitude. Whether it was acknowledging their presence on Ho-Chunk Nation ancestral land at the Contemporary Museum of Art or bakeries calling out all the farmers they thank for their daily bread, everyone had a face and voice here. From their history of civil rights activism to electing (and re-electing) an openly gay woman for mayor, the city is all about progress and inclusivity. We can’t wait to be welcomed back!
Many thanks to Destination Madison for inviting us to their great city and supporting our travel storytelling. To show our gratitude to the community, we have donated to the following local nonprofits: Sustain Dane, Olbrich Gardens, and the Clean Lakes Alliance.
For more on our Madison experience, see our Instagram Highlight reel and continue your Wisconsin exploring with our cross-state road trip guide.
