A Perfect Weekend in Madison Wisconsin
Check out the must do’s of this charming Midwest city!
Madison
Madison is a beautiful city and one of the few cities in the world that is built on an Isthmus! An Isthmus is a narrow strip of land with lakes on either side. The lake culture is important to Madison year round and people enjoy them sailing and swimming in the summer & skating and ice fishing in the winter!
Olbrich Garden’s Thai Pavilion
Where to stay
If you are looking for top notch accommodations in Madison nothing beats The Edgewater. The views are amazing with the hotel right on Lake Mendota, the location is phenomenal, and the hotel’s restaurant and bars are great! When my husband and I came to see Madison for the first time we stayed here and fell in love with the city!
The Edgewater and waterfront bar The Boathouse
Where to stay: Another stellar option is the AC Hotel Downtown Madison. The rooms are beautiful but the cherry on top is the rooftop bar and restaurant with the best views of the gorgeous capital in the city with floor to ceiling glass windows.
AC Hotel Outdoor Patio
AC Hotel Rooftop Bar
What to Do
Map of Madison and the surrounding lakes
The Farmers Market: If you come when the weather is warm in Madison, every Saturday the Farmer’s Market is held right around the capital building in the heart of the city. This is a great first stop to see the vibrant downtown and get a feel for Madison, and also get some yummy food at the country’s biggest producer only market! Get some cheese and eating Stella’s Spicy Cheese Bread is an absolute must! While around the Capitol Square pop over to the Monona Terrace (Frank Lloyd Wright Building) to see some great views!
My parents at the Thai Pavilion at Olbrich Gardens!
Bike to Olbrich Gardens: Madison is really easy to get around and when the weather is nice I highly recommend renting a bike to explore. BCycle has a deal with the cities and their e-bike stations are everywhere! Buy a day pass so you can just hop on and off at each stop and the electric bike makes it a really enjoyable ride on the many many trails.
E-Bikes are the best way to get around Madison!
Now that you have your bikes, head towards the Lake Loop Path that goes all the way around Lake Monona. You will just be doing a portion of the path and enjoy the ride along the lake as you head towards Olbrich Gardens. Once you get there you will find another Bcycle station right in the parking lot so lock up your bike and head into the stunning and FREE gardens! Grab a map because the gardens are huge and explore any area that you’d like. A can’t miss sight is the Thai Pavilion that is huge and very well kept by the local Thai community!
Olbrich Beergarden at Sunset!
Olbrich Biergarten: Next up head directly across the street from the gardens to Olbrich Beer Garden! I love this spot on the lake, it is very laid back with picnic tables and string lights and fabulous views! While in Wisconsin it is crucial to try Spotted Cow Beer, you cannot get it anywhere else in the country and is considered contraband if you bring it across state lines! Trying cheese curds is also a must - but pro tip: do not order them here since they are not fried I will recommend my favorite below
Great Dane Brewery
Bike back to the Capital Square and by now you will need some food! Great Dane Brewery has one of the best back patios I’ve seen in a beautiful vine covered garden. All their food is great (and of course beer) but these are my favorite Cheese Curds in the city!
State Street
State Street: Next on the list is checking out State Street! State street is the pedestrian road connecting downtown to the University of Wisconsin campus. It is full of boutiques and cute stores so take your time making your way to campus.
Memorial Union Terrace
Ice Cream at Memorial Union Terrace
Memorial Union Terrace: The student union on UW’s campus is a gem for the whole city to use. It’s right on the lake with live music, beer and good food and gorgeous sunsets. It’s open to anyone and the chairs are an icon that you can only get through the university! You can’t come to Madison in the summer without spending some time here enjoying the views. Also you must try the ice cream homemade by students!
Map of Boat Rentals on the Lakes
Duck Boat on Lake Wingra
Get on the Lake: When in Madison you must get out on the water in some shape or form. There are a few great options for you depending on what you are looking for! Madison Boats has three locations, you can rent kayaks, canoes and my personal favorite Duck Paddle Boats! Rent them in advanced here and decide which lake and boat type is right for you!
Kayaking on Lake Monona
If a bigger boat is more your style, I highly recommend going on a Betty Lou Cruise where you take a scenic boat tour with food and drinks provided. Their menu and theme rotates and be sure to book early because they fill up fast! Locals love it too!
Sunset View on the Monona Terrace
What to Pack
