When I instructed my pals I used to be heading to Madison, Wisconsin in January I received two questions again in response…WHERE? and WHY? I suppose folks assume that except you’re a Packers fan or have an actual hankering for cheese curds, there isn’t any purpose to move to Wisconsin within the winter.
But I’m going to allow you to in on somewhat secret. Madison is fairly superior. And winter actually isn’t that unhealthy. Ok, granted, I reside in New England so I’m not precisely used to the balmy climate of Florida in January. Yet I’m additionally one to hibernate beneath blankets in entrance of a fireplace throughout the winter months – except I’ve a purpose to emerge from my cocoon and reside somewhat. And there are many enjoyable (and heat) issues to do in Madison Wisconsin within the winter to fill a weekend getaway.
About Madison, Wisconsin
Note: This article is a part of a paid partnership with Destination Madison. I’m nonetheless sharing my trustworthy opinion and expertise exploring this cool Midwestern metropolis.
First, let’s deal with the the place query. Madison is Wisconsin’s state capital, situated about 90 minutes west of Milwaukee, 2.5 hours southwest of Green Bay, and solely an hour south of Wisconsin Dells, the waterpark capital of the world. Madison is a small metropolis, with about 230,000 residents. But they’ve a really good (and blissfully calm) airport that’s serviced by 25 direct flights.
Madison is situated on an isthmus between two lakes, with three different lakes close by. This geography lends itself to out of doors actions. Madison is one in every of solely 5 Platinum-level bike cities within the U.S. and the one place I’ve heard of that usually plows the snow off the bike paths earlier than the roads! Altogether, Madison has over 200 miles of trails, mixed with 6,000 acres of parkland and 15,000 acres of lakes.
It is subsequently no surprise that Madison is persistently rated as a prime group through which to reside, work, play, and lift a household and you will discover it on lists of one of the best capital cities, fittest cities, and most walkable cities. Unlike some Midwest cities the place the younger folks transfer out, millennials are flocking to Madison, making greater than half of Madison’s inhabitants beneath 30.
This blended combine of faculty city, state capital, and tech and medical trade start-up hub affords job alternatives that appeal to one of the best and brightest. And after getting millennials and Gen Z, you recognize you’ll discover nice eating places, espresso outlets, and cultural actions, as a result of you may’t get the hipsters with out being hip.
Things to do in Madison Wisconsin in Winter
So why would I wish to go to Madison Wisconsin within the winter? I’ve this factor for faculty cities and small cities. Maybe it stems from once I moved to the Providence, Rhode Island space and found how nice somewhat metropolis will be. Especially one that may be a school city. And a state capital.
You have the meals, enjoyable, and accessibility, with out the trouble of site visitors, the expense of meals and parking, and the overwhelming feeling of navigating a large metropolis like Chicago or Atlanta.
Winter may also be a good time to go to a small metropolis. Hotels are cheaper, every little thing is much less crowded, and a northern metropolis like Madison must transcend the norm with festivals, occasions, and experiences designed to draw guests.
So simply bundle up and discover! I discovered a lot to do in Madison WI within the winter, each indoors and outdoors. And by the way in which – lots of it’s FREE!
1. Shop on the Dane County Farmers’ Market
The Dane County Farmers’ Market normally occupies the sq. across the statehouse on Saturday mornings, however within the winter months, it strikes indoors to the newly renovated Garver Feed Mill. This stunning previous constructing can be the everlasting house to an outpost of Ian’s Pizza, a kombucha store, and the Kosa Spa Retreat.
On Saturday morning it welcomes distributors providing a choice of contemporary cheeses, meats, baked items, produce, honey, and handmade gadgets like soaps and physique merchandise. Even if you’re simply visiting, it’s enjoyable to browse, take pleasure in some samples, and perhaps decide up a snack.
2. Cheer at a College Sports Game
Madison is house to the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and over 40,000 college students when courses are in session. Division 1 sports activities and lots of hometown delight make attending a school sporting occasion a should in case you actually wish to get a way of Madison.
On my go to, the UW males’s hockey crew was enjoying the Ohio State Buckeyes and the professional-sports-sized enviornment was a sea of purple. Watching the marching band cheer and Bucky Badger leads the group in resounding choruses of Varsity and cheers of On Wisconsin even had me buzzing alongside.
3. Tour the State House
The tallest constructing in Madison, the Wisconsin Statehouse looms over town in a manner that looks like all roads result in the Capitol. Each of its 4 sides affords the same façade, providing up stunning picture alternatives from each angle.
While stunning from the surface, this 100-year-old constructing ought to actually be seen from the within as nicely. Anyone can stroll inside and discover, and there are additionally free guided excursions provided day by day on the hour at 9, 10, 11, 1, 2, and three pm Monday by way of Saturday, besides holidays, with extra restricted excursions on Sunday afternoons.
If it’s open, take a peek on the view from the Trumpeter’s Balcony, or attempt to discover the statue of a badger.
4. Attend a Performance
There are over 20 performing arts areas in Madison together with ballet, theater, symphony, and extra eclectic choices, together with loads of reside music settings from classical to karaoke and every little thing in between. I just lately attended the primary efficiency within the Madison Circus Space’s new constructing, one of many nation’s solely devoted locations for the circus arts.
5. Enjoy a Uniquely Madison Experience
The tourism board, Destination Madison, has partnered with many native companies and sights to create Essential Madison Experiences. Check the calendar to see what could also be on supply if you end up visiting.
Experiences embody constructing a Wisconsin cheese board, a mixology class, studying to prepare dinner with Mustard on the National Mustard Museum, and having fun with an outside winter stroll.
6. Cozy up on the Spa
When it’s chilly outdoors, it’s heat and comfortable within the spa. Step into the steam room, sweat it out on the sauna, meditate within the leisure room…all earlier than settling in for a soothing physique remedy and Ayurvedic therapeutic massage on the Kosa Spa in Garver Feed Mill.
My therapeutic massage was some of the enjoyable I’ve ever skilled and I discovered myself drifting off to sleep a number of occasions throughout the 75-minute Classic Abhyanga expertise.
7. Chow Down on a Food Tour
One of my favourite methods to discover a brand new metropolis is thru a meals tour. Madison Eats affords a wide range of choices, each downtown and the Atwood “Brew and Chew” tour. These three-hour excursions embody six stops with food and drinks tastings – plus enjoyable, entertaining, and informative guides.
I realized that Madison is house to one of many prime 10 chocolatiers within the nation, that they’ve actually good Austin-style tacos, and I truly like pecans, a minimum of the sugary ones by native producer Nutkrak.
8. Hike or Snowshoe on the UW Arboretum
The University of Wisconsin Arboretum covers 1,200 acres used for each analysis and public entry to a community of trails. Altogether there are 17 miles of trails by way of restored prairies, savannas, woodlands, and wetlands. In the winter, snowshoeing and Nordic snowboarding are each allowed on designated trails.
You will move by Native American effigy mounds and sacred scorching springs in your romp by way of the woods. Just decide up a path map or take an image of the path map earlier than heading out.
9. Warm up within the Museums
If it will get too chilly outdoors, Madison affords loads of choices for warming up in its museums — lots of which provide free admission. Located proper on State Street, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) affords a everlasting assortment, momentary displays, particular occasions, and a big rooftop sculpture backyard.
The Wisconsin Historical Museum covers every little thing from the fur commerce to the Native American peoples who’ve lived in Wisconsin for over 12,000 years. The Chazen Museum of Art, named after a former University of Wisconsin president, is house to greater than 22,000 artistic endeavors from world wide.
If you might be visiting with younger kids, allow them to burn off vitality and spark their creativity on the Madison Children’s Museum. From the decrease Wildernest for little ones beneath 5, to the Rooftop Ramble, youngsters can climb, create, think about, and discover.
10. Zen out on the Botanical Gardens
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens is an efficient spot for a peaceable stroll, even on a winter’s day. Wander out to the Thai Pavilion, or pop into the toasty Bolz Conservatory to heat up within the glass pyramid. The Conservatory is free on Saturday mornings and is simply throughout the road from the Garver Feed Mill — making an ideal Saturday morning combo with the Farmer’s Market.
When visiting with youngsters, in case you get a heat day, take a winter stroll within the Henry Vilas Zoo (additionally free) will carry you face-to-face with lions, tigers, lemurs, bears, meerkats, and extra. This accredited zoo is house to over 650 animals from all around the world and options over 115 species, 20 of that are thought-about endangered and susceptible.
11. Shop. Sip. Taste.
If boutique buying is your jam, be sure you try the choices that line State Street, like shoo. Or in case you choose specialty outlets, don’t miss popping into Fromagination to style check some scrumptious Wisconsin cheese. When you get drained you may reenergize at native espresso outlets like Collectivo or Grace.
For people who love quirky sights, or are mustard nuts like me, don’t miss out on a cease on the National Mustard Museum. This hilarious museum has collections and mustard memorabilia from across the nation, however the true deal with is the present store upstairs. There you may pattern many of the 200-300 kinds of mustard that they provide on the market.
If upscale buying is your thought of enjoyable, head out to Hilldale Shopping Center, the place you will discover manufacturers like lululemon, Anthropologie, and Kendra Scott. When you’ve shopped till you might be able to drop, there are additionally loads of native eating and consuming institutions. You received’t be upset with the Sconnie burger at Cafe Hollander.
Where to Stay in Madison
Note: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
Note: This put up could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
There are nice choices in Madison, whether or not you might be on the lookout for an upscale retreat or a downtown hotspot.
Graduate Madison
Graduate Hotels have staked their declare to school cities — making it an ideal alternative for any school go to. The Graduate Madison is not any exception. The decor within the foyer brings within the influences of Madison, from town chicken of pink flamingoes to canoes hanging overhead, paying tribute to the 5 lakes round Madison.
Upstairs the rooms mix academia with native touches for a singular and localized keep. Pet and student-friendly Graduate Madison helps company perk up on the Pointdexter foyer espresso store, or relax on the camp-themed rooftop bar, Camp Trippalindee? Any guesses what film impressed the title?
The Edgewater
The lakefront Edgewater Hotel is a brief stroll from the capitol, but in addition affords stunning water views. This upscale resort options giant, newly renovated rooms, two eating places, and bars, in addition to a full-service spa. In the winter, company can take pleasure in lakeside ice skating.
The Statehouse restaurant affords breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner with attractive water views by way of the floor-to-ceiling home windows. This historic resort is ideal for these on the lookout for extra luxurious finishes and a quieter location.
Where to Eat in Madison
If you assume it’s all cheese curds and fish fries in Madison, assume once more. You will discover every little thing from farm-to-table delicacies to genuine Thai eating places to good old style supper golf equipment. These are a number of of my favourite discoveries.
Breakfast: Short Stack Eatery
Short Stack Eatery is a well-liked native spot for breakfast all day, and it’s even open 24 hours on Saturdays. In addition to basic pancakes, it’s also possible to discover extra attention-grabbing choices like candy potato oatmeal pancakes or pulled pork and tacky grits.
Lunch or COcktails: Graze
Offering unobstructed views of the State Capitol, Graze is a well-liked spot for enterprise lunches and after-work joyful hour. Inspired by the New York gastropubs, Graze will get its title from each the grass-fed meat they serve and the small plates it serves to encourage diners to linger and graze.
Graze’s vodka-battered cheese curds had been one of the best I tasted in Madison and the Bibimbop provided a pleasant stability to the fried curds.
Dinner: Everly
This veggie-forward restaurant within the Monroe neighborhood affords up tasty small plates and ingenious cocktails. Everly serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner in its sun-washed eating room and out of doors patio.
Order the fried Brussels sprouts and edamame hummus toast — you can be glad you probably did. It is finest to go together with pals as a way to pattern and share.
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