A Midwest Foodie Paradise: Madison, Wisconsin

GET OUTDOORS

Pick up a B-Cycle at stations throughout the city and bike miles of gorgeous trails, including within the UW-Madison Arboretum. Biking around Lake Monona is a local favorite!

Rent stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats and more at Madison Boats.

Head to Olbrich Botanical Gardens for a serene afternoon in verdant surroundings.

Don’t miss the Dane Country Farmers’ Market for the best in local produce, cheese, meat and more. If your stay includes a Saturday between March and November, you can experience the extraordinary Saturday on the Square farmers’ market.

STAY INSIDE

Take time to relax and enjoy Madison’s world-class art museums. For art, try The Chazen Museum of Art on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus or the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMOCA) in downtown. For history, visit the Wisconsin Veterans’ Museum, if you want to earn some foodie cred, try the National Mustard Museum just a short drive away in Middleton.

Madison’s music scene is full of local gems and hosts international artists big and small. Check out jazz clubs Cafe Coda or North Street Cabaret. For contemporary, check out what’s playing at The Sylvee, The High Noon Saloon or The Orpheum.

And don’t forget secret Madison! From Kiki’s House of Righteous Music to the Gin Pennant, Madison is full of underground gems that you just might be lucky enough to stumble into!

DAY TRIPS

Just an hour west of Madison, Spring Green sits on the edge of the Driftless Region of Wisconsin and offers plenty to eat, see and do to fill a day trip! Spend the afternoon visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin and exploring downtown boutiques Convivio (excellent coffee, great homegoods, specialty wine and spirits and sometimes a pop-up speakeasy in basement), Arcadia Books and Victoria Sterling (the best in antique jewelry and contemporary homegoods, cozy fashion, and one-of-a-kind accessories). Then plan for dinner at Reunion, a restaurant and social club in a historic bank building or check out pop-up nights at Homecoming.

Depending on the season, round out your day with a show under the stars at American Players Theatre.

Visit Seven Acre Dairy in Paoli, Wisconsin, for food that’s rich in tradition and inspired by the region’s farms and fields–plus the best soft-serve ice cream you’ve ever tasted! Just a 25-minute drive from Madison, you can stay the night at the charming inn on site and/or reserve a dining dome in the colder months to enjoy the beautiful Sugar River Valley countryside from within your own private snow globe.

Harvey House – An elevated supper club in an old train station with luxurious service and a stellar bar. Try the Superior walleye with pumpernickel, savory cabbage, spaetzle and horseradish sabayon. If you can’t book a table, stop in late to snag a seat at the bar and get ready for the best in classic cocktails.

Fairchild – Home of 2023 James Beard best chef Midwest award winners Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger. You'll find “simple dishes with quality ingredients from Madison and Wisconsin farmers” full of elegance and that are more elevated than the sum of their parts.

L’Etoile – Founded by Odessa Piper, a pioneer of the sustainable food movement, the notable L’Etoile is home today to Chef Tory Miller’s farm-to-table upscale fine dining. Pro Tip: Try Graze next door for a more approachable version of Miller’s expertise.

Heritage Tavern — A “passion for pigs” and heritage breeds exemplifies Chef Daniel Fox’s approach to food. A repeated James Beard finalist, Fox’s restaurant nose-to-tail cooking, elevated Wisconsin classics and a stellar bar program.

Lola’s – Trust me: you’ll never know you’re in a strip mall once you step inside this retro hideaway with great cocktails, elevated bar food and a stellar vinyl program.

The Delciouser — Stop in for their exquisite spice blends that will make your home cooking, well, deliciouser! Their Deer Camp Seasoned Salt or Umamier Spice Blend are special favorites. If you’re lucky, you’ll be in town for one of their pop-up dining events. Some of the most thoughtful and creative food in Madison comes out of their kitchen, but you have to be in the know and book well in advance.

Leopold’s – A bookstore, some of the best cocktails in town and Fabiola’s–a classic red sauce place next door? Yes, please!

Robin Room – The cocktail bar for aficionados. An extensive menu with classics, modern classics and Robin Room recipes, it’s a place to linger if you can find a seat!

State Line — Remember how I said Madison punches above its weight? This distillery’s tasting room boasts an innovative cocktail program and an easy-going vibe in the heart of Madison’s hippest neighborhood (Marquette/Willy Street).