Madison, WI
Coffee Shops & Sweet Treats
Local coffee shop two blocks from the house that also serves simple breakfast & lunch options. You can buy bottles of wine here too!
7 locals recommend
Barriques - University
2505 University AveLocal coffee shop two blocks from the house that also serves simple breakfast & lunch options. You can buy bottles of wine here too!
Collectivo is one of my favorite spots to meet friends for breakfast or lunch. We usually grab a bite to eat then check out a couple of the nearby shops or walk down by Lake Wingra.
21 locals recommend
Colectivo Coffee - Monroe St.
2530 Monroe StCollectivo is one of my favorite spots to meet friends for breakfast or lunch. We usually grab a bite to eat then check out a couple of the nearby shops or walk down by Lake Wingra.
This popular bakery makes amazing sweet treats and also has a ton of vegan and gluten free options. There is no indoor seating, so pick up a treat to-go.
13 locals recommend
Bloom Bake Shop
1851 Monroe StThis popular bakery makes amazing sweet treats and also has a ton of vegan and gluten free options. There is no indoor seating, so pick up a treat to-go.
Artisan ice cream shop scooping 6-8 flavors. Order a flight of three flavors so you can try more than one (and it’s the best bang for your buck). Check their hours online before you go.
Ice Cream Social
Artisan ice cream shop scooping 6-8 flavors. Order a flight of three flavors so you can try more than one (and it’s the best bang for your buck). Check their hours online before you go.
This is our family’s favorite ice cream place. It also happens to be next to Wingra Park which makes it a great family stop.
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
This is our family’s favorite ice cream place. It also happens to be next to Wingra Park which makes it a great family stop.
Food scene
The BEST rooftop views in Madison. This wine/tapas restaurant and bar is on our must-see list for out-of-town visitors. We often go for a glass of wine and desert. Beautiful views of the Capitol at night.
31 locals recommend
Eno Vino Downtown
1 N Webster StThe BEST rooftop views in Madison. This wine/tapas restaurant and bar is on our must-see list for out-of-town visitors. We often go for a glass of wine and desert. Beautiful views of the Capitol at night.
An excellent Italian restaurant that has been around for decades. Has a very loyal local following despite the giant historic tourist mural on the side of the building. Only open for dinner. Call ahead for a reservation.
Lombardino's Restaurant
An excellent Italian restaurant that has been around for decades. Has a very loyal local following despite the giant historic tourist mural on the side of the building. Only open for dinner. Call ahead for a reservation.
Cadre is a French-inspired, Wisconsin made restaurant featuring a locally-sourced, seasonal dinner menu, curated wine list and craft cocktails. A good pick for nice dinner. They also have a cute outdoor patio in the summer.
Cadre Restaurant
Cadre is a French-inspired, Wisconsin made restaurant featuring a locally-sourced, seasonal dinner menu, curated wine list and craft cocktails. A good pick for nice dinner. They also have a cute outdoor patio in the summer.
Farm-to-table high quality food. Open for breakfast and lunch. They are also known for their farm-to-freezer meals, so if you don’t want to cook but want to eat at home, stop by earlier in the day to pick up pasta dish, pot pie or soup to-go and eat at the house.
Pasture & Plenty
2433 University AveFarm-to-table high quality food. Open for breakfast and lunch. They are also known for their farm-to-freezer meals, so if you don’t want to cook but want to eat at home, stop by earlier in the day to pick up pasta dish, pot pie or soup to-go and eat at the house.
Simple neighborhood bar 2 blocks from the house with yummy burgers and a tap list featuring several craft beers. They also have several pinball machines on the upper level to entertain kids and adults alike.
13 locals recommend
Blue Moon Bar & Grill
2535 University AveSimple neighborhood bar 2 blocks from the house with yummy burgers and a tap list featuring several craft beers. They also have several pinball machines on the upper level to entertain kids and adults alike.
Located directly across from the Capitol building. This is a go-to restaurant for us because the view is amazing and it reminds us of all the reasons we love Madison. Our favorite dish here is the Bibimbap. There is an outdoor patio in the summer that is wonderful.
56 locals recommend
Graze
1 S Pinckney StLocated directly across from the Capitol building. This is a go-to restaurant for us because the view is amazing and it reminds us of all the reasons we love Madison. Our favorite dish here is the Bibimbap. There is an outdoor patio in the summer that is wonderful.
Also located on Capitol Square, Coopers is casual, cozy and has great food. They also have a great beer list and are always busy, so plan to wait. They have an outdoor patio area in the summer too.
26 locals recommend
The Coopers Tavern
20 W Mifflin StAlso located on Capitol Square, Coopers is casual, cozy and has great food. They also have a great beer list and are always busy, so plan to wait. They have an outdoor patio area in the summer too.
This is the best steak house in Madison. We go hear for fancy occasions (anniversaries, birthdays, etc.). Call in advance to get a reservation. This place has an old Wisconsin supper club feel to it, so don’t go here if you are not OK with wood paneling on the walls and deer mounts.
39 locals recommend
Tornado Steak House
116 S Hamilton StThis is the best steak house in Madison. We go hear for fancy occasions (anniversaries, birthdays, etc.). Call in advance to get a reservation. This place has an old Wisconsin supper club feel to it, so don’t go here if you are not OK with wood paneling on the walls and deer mounts.
Order a poke bowl to-go and walk over to Wingra Park (right behind the restaurant). Enjoy your food while you sit beside the lake and watch the boats. They also have Dole Whip here too for a sweet treat after your meal.
Miko Poké
2701 Monroe StOrder a poke bowl to-go and walk over to Wingra Park (right behind the restaurant). Enjoy your food while you sit beside the lake and watch the boats. They also have Dole Whip here too for a sweet treat after your meal.
One of my favorites for breakfast or lunch. The food is excellent, they have a cute outdoor area in the summer, and their bakery case has wonderful treats to take home. You could walk here on a nice day as it's not too far from the house.
15 locals recommend
La Brioche True Food
2862 University AveOne of my favorites for breakfast or lunch. The food is excellent, they have a cute outdoor area in the summer, and their bakery case has wonderful treats to take home. You could walk here on a nice day as it's not too far from the house.
Activities
Have kids? This zoo is free and it’s only a 5 minute drive from our house. There’s plenty of animals to see and a cool playground inside the zoo. Don’t miss the polar bear – he’s our favorite. Grab an easy, kid-friendly lunch at Café Zuzu across the street from the zoo.
101 locals recommend
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall AveHave kids? This zoo is free and it’s only a 5 minute drive from our house. There’s plenty of animals to see and a cool playground inside the zoo. Don’t miss the polar bear – he’s our favorite. Grab an easy, kid-friendly lunch at Café Zuzu across the street from the zoo.
This outdoor jewel is located so close to the house you could run there. We often do. Otherwise load up the car and park at the base of the peninsula and take a hike to the end. You can follow the popular main path or head through the less busy trails in the woods.
55 locals recommend
Picnic Point
2000 University Bay DrThis outdoor jewel is located so close to the house you could run there. We often do. Otherwise load up the car and park at the base of the peninsula and take a hike to the end. You can follow the popular main path or head through the less busy trails in the woods.
Madison’s public pool is an excellent, affordable, outdoor swimming pool. There is a zero-depth entry for little kids, two water slides, a diving board, and plenty of other water features and swimming areas.
9 locals recommend
Goodman Pool
325 W Olin AveMadison’s public pool is an excellent, affordable, outdoor swimming pool. There is a zero-depth entry for little kids, two water slides, a diving board, and plenty of other water features and swimming areas.
This place has something for everyone. There's a vintage mini golf course, an outdoor driving range (that’s heated in the winter), Par 3 golf course, batting cages, arcade, and an indoor mini golf course for rainy days. Grab a family friendly meal at the nearby Vintage Brewing Company.
10 locals recommend
Vitense Golfland
5501 Schroeder RdThis place has something for everyone. There's a vintage mini golf course, an outdoor driving range (that’s heated in the winter), Par 3 golf course, batting cages, arcade, and an indoor mini golf course for rainy days. Grab a family friendly meal at the nearby Vintage Brewing Company.
Located in Baraboo, WI (a 45 minute drive), Devil’s Lake is one of Wisconsin’s most popular state parks. There are many hiking options, but our favorites are along the east shore, specifically the East Bluff Trail and the Balanced Rock Trail. The views and photo opportunities here are wonderful.
120 locals recommend
Devil's Lake State Park
S5975 Park RdLocated in Baraboo, WI (a 45 minute drive), Devil’s Lake is one of Wisconsin’s most popular state parks. There are many hiking options, but our favorites are along the east shore, specifically the East Bluff Trail and the Balanced Rock Trail. The views and photo opportunities here are wonderful.
Noah’s Ark Waterpark is located in Wisconsin Dells, 1 hour northwest of Madison. The area is a tourist destination and has several waterparks and other attractions. Noah’s Ark Waterpark claims to be the largest waterpark in the U.S.
50 locals recommend
Noah's Ark Waterpark
1410 Wisconsin Dells PkwyNoah’s Ark Waterpark is located in Wisconsin Dells, 1 hour northwest of Madison. The area is a tourist destination and has several waterparks and other attractions. Noah’s Ark Waterpark claims to be the largest waterpark in the U.S.
Wisconsin Dells is located one hour northwest of Madison. The “Ducks” are vehicles that originated during World War II and can travel on both land and in the water. The tour takes you down the Wisconsin River where you get to view beautiful scenery and hear about the history of the Wisconsin Dells area.
30 locals recommend
Original Wisconsin Ducks
1890 Wisconsin Dells PkwyWisconsin Dells is located one hour northwest of Madison. The “Ducks” are vehicles that originated during World War II and can travel on both land and in the water. The tour takes you down the Wisconsin River where you get to view beautiful scenery and hear about the history of the Wisconsin Dells area.
This gem is located in the nearby Monroe Street neighborhood. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or even a boat, bring a picnic, play on the new playground, or throw a frisbee around. There are several nearby restaurants where you can pick up food to-go and bring it to the park.
Wingra Park
This gem is located in the nearby Monroe Street neighborhood. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or even a boat, bring a picnic, play on the new playground, or throw a frisbee around. There are several nearby restaurants where you can pick up food to-go and bring it to the park.
Shopping
Every Saturday from April through October the Dane County Farmer’s Market takes place on Capitol Square. It’s one of the Midwest’s best...so they say. Get there early and enjoy some spicy cheese bread from Stella’s (located on the State Street corner).
93 locals recommend
Dane County Farmers Market
3241 Martin Luther King Jr BlvdEvery Saturday from April through October the Dane County Farmer’s Market takes place on Capitol Square. It’s one of the Midwest’s best...so they say. Get there early and enjoy some spicy cheese bread from Stella’s (located on the State Street corner).
A standard grocery store with the most inexpensive options within a 5-mile radius of the house.
Metro Market
A standard grocery store with the most inexpensive options within a 5-mile radius of the house.
Best place to get fresh produce, meat and deli items. Also have several freshly made to-go options, salad bar, Asian food bar, and sushi.
Metcalfe's Market
Best place to get fresh produce, meat and deli items. Also have several freshly made to-go options, salad bar, Asian food bar, and sushi.
A private-label grocery store located on Monroe Street. There is free underground parking accessed from the back of the building.
45 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1810 Monroe StA private-label grocery store located on Monroe Street. There is free underground parking accessed from the back of the building.
Organic, natural food store with an extensive number of to-go options.
30 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
4710 University AveOrganic, natural food store with an extensive number of to-go options.
Hilldale Shopping Center (1 mile west of the house) is the place to go. There are national chains like Lululemon, Madewell, Sur La Table, and White House Black Market. In addition, local stores like University Book Store (Badger gear), Twigs, and Morgan’s Shoes make this a great place to shop. There are plenty of restaurants here too.
63 locals recommend
Hilldale Shopping Center
726 N Midvale BlvdHilldale Shopping Center (1 mile west of the house) is the place to go. There are national chains like Lululemon, Madewell, Sur La Table, and White House Black Market. In addition, local stores like University Book Store (Badger gear), Twigs, and Morgan’s Shoes make this a great place to shop. There are plenty of restaurants here too.
Traveler advice
Getting around
B-Cycle Bicycle Rental
Rent electric bicycles and ride around Madison. There are stations all over the greater downtown area and you can check out a bike at one station and return it to any other station in town. Madison has miles and miles of bike routes and off-road trails. A fun ride is the "Loop the Lake" route around Lake Monona.
Getting around
Hiking
There are several nearby hiking options we love. Lakeshore Nature Preserve and the UW Arboretum are especially close and wonderful places to explore. I like the Lakeshore Nature Preserve best because many of the trails run along the shores of Lake Mendota and they are shaded which makes them nice for summer walks.
Getting around
Take a walk
This neighborhood is awesome. Especially if you head east into the Regent Street historic district (generally located between Lathrop, Regent, Allen, and Kendall streets). Check out all the cool historic homes. Get some ice cream or a candy treat at the Regent Street market on your way home.