With a growing population, city offerings, and scenic and leisure activities, there’s a lot to do in Wisconsin’s capital city. Uniquely positioned on an isthmus, Madison occupies a slender strip of land between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, setting the stage for ample outdoor adventures. But Madison is a place of balance, a city where you can pursue either movement or rest, center your visit around full days or long nights, indulge in cheese curds and beer or keep things light with plant-based fare and mocktails. And even more awaits if you’re willing to venture an hour or so outside of the city, from family-friendly attractions to stargazing and hiking.
Where to Play, Eat, and Stay on a Trip to Madison, Wisconsin
Visiting Madison for a few fall days, I was struck by just how many different activities I could undertake in and around the city. I spent time on a quiet National Scenic Trail and at a lively bookstore. I took a beautiful boat ride and drank at a penthouse bar. If any or all of that sounds up your alley, here’s some of the best that Madison and its surrounding areas have to offer.
Things to do in and around Madison
Wisconsin State Capitol
Photo: Anthony Marcusa
The Wisconsin State Capitol stands out in the middle of Madison and serves as a beacon for getting around, with streets from all directions converging on this massive building. If you’re interested in state legislation, you can join a free 45-minute walking tour inside, starting at the ground-floor Rotunda and continuing to areas like the Senate, Governor’s Conference Room, and Supreme Court. Outside, architecture fans will find large sidewalks and tree-lined streets that make appreciating the exterior both easy and pretty. Above all else, the Capitol building is the perfect place to get your bearings when you first get to Madison.
Wisconsin State Capitol: 2 E Main St, Madison, WI 53702
Overture Center for the Arts
A hybrid performing arts center and art gallery — home to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art — this stunning pavilion hosts a range of events almost nightly, from Broadway musicals to comedy shows, ballet to live performances by the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Be sure to check out what’s playing any night you’re in town. These aren’t small events either — expect to be impressed by performances including The Nutcracker, Hamilton, and Beauty and the Beast.
Overture Center: 201 State St, Madison, WI 53703
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Photos: Anthony Marcusa
Madison’s Olbrich Botanical Gardens blends beautiful plant life with imaginative artwork. While there’s surely fun to be had during the day, the place lights up at night with a variety of installations, some of which are interactive. There’s an indoor section teeming with vegetation all around and a lengthy outdoor area where you can walk for over an hour. One section not to miss is the Thai Pavilion, a gift to the University of Wisconsin-Madison from the Thai government. You’ll want to be mindful of crowds at the garden as it can get busy, but it does have moments where it feels like you’re wandering alone in Wonderland.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens: 3330 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Photos: Anthony Marcusa
The Ice Age Trail is a massive hiking trail that spans roughly 1,200 miles across Wisconsin and offers some of the same beauty and customization as the more widely known Appalachian Trail. I took a leg of the Gibraltar Rock segment about 45 minutes outside of Madison. It was a tame yet gorgeous trail that had some hilly inclines and delivered stunning vistas on a warm fall day (although the leaves had yet to change color). Those interested in doing the entire trail can backpack, camp, and stop in small towns along the way.
Ice Age Trail: From Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, WI, to Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay, WI
Lake Geneva Boat Tour
Photo: Anthony Marcusa
The waterfront town of Lake Geneva is just under a 90-minute drive from Madison, bringing beauty, relaxation, and some unique sightseeing to your Wisconsin trip. There are two fun ways to tour the lakeshore and take in the vast (and expensive) homes there. There’s a boat tour that’s more passive and informative, or you can head out on your own and take a walk along the path that traverses the front of every house along the lake. Interestingly, no two homes along the lakefront are allowed to be built the same as any of the others, and anyone who buys or builds on the lakefront land must provide a public path for residents and visitors alike to use.
Lake Geneva Cruise Line: Riviera Docks, 812 Wrigley Dr, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Yerkes Observatory
Photos: Anthony Marcusa
Just outside of Lake Geneva was the most thrilling and unexpected part of my time in Wisconsin. The Yerkes Observatory houses the largest refracting telescope in the world, a wild sight to behold and one you can actually look through and move. In between some passing clouds, I caught sight of a far-off star cluster, the planet Saturn, and the surface of the moon. Recent renovations and a renewed effort to connect with the community mean there’s always something worth checking out, even if you can’t make it on a clear night.
Yerkes Observatory: 373 W Geneva St, Williams Bay, WI 53191
Wisconsin Dells
Photo: Anthony Marcusa
About an hour from Madison is Wisconsin Dells, a town from another time that felt like the Niagara Falls of the Midwest. There’s something simultaneously cute and bewildering about this kitschy locale that provides a lot of family-friendly entertainment but also some unique history and beautiful attractions. The area is big on waterslides, theme parks, rides, escape rooms, shows, and boat tours (I took an exciting Duck tour but sadly missed out on a revamped Ghost Boat tour). It’s a family destination with plenty to do, and menus that are big on meats and cheeses. Regardless of what draws you there in the first place, one thing is sure: You’re never really visiting Wisconsin Dells for one thing — you’re visiting for the whole vibe.
Wisconsin Dells: Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Where to eat and drink in and around Madison
Bar Corallini
This intimate yet lively Italian restaurant in Madison was a major standout for me. There’s a robust food and drink menu representing all the staple categories, from antipasti and pasta to pizza and piatti (plates). There’s also an extensive vegan selection and inventive cocktails and mocktails. The atmosphere is engaging — perfectly suited for a single person to hang out at the bar, a couple to have a romantic date, or a group of friends gathering in a spacious booth. The only downside is that there was too much food I wanted to try.
Bar Corallini: 2004 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Eno Vino
Eno Vino, the top-floor bar and restaurant at the AC Hotel Madison Downtown, is worth checking out even if you’re not staying there overnight. The restaurant serves fine-dining fare like braised short ribs and crispy lobster, elevated snacks like Catalonian croquettes with jamon serrano (Spanish dry-cured ham), a lengthy wine list, classic cocktails, and inventive mocktails. The drink menu also includes THC-infused beverages. As for the setting, the large and gorgeous space always seems to be lively, and it also presents a stunning view of the Capitol Rotunda.
Eno Vino: One N Webster St, Madison, WI 53703
Ahan
Be sure to check out the Asian-fusion fare at this laid-back restaurant in Madison led by Executive Chef and Owner Jamie Brown-Soukaseume. The menu is diverse and compelling, with options largely inspired by Thai and Lao cuisine. A great choice for diners with dietary restrictions, the menu also clearly articulates what adheres to dairy-free, gluten-free, gluten-sensitive, nut-free, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan standards, as well as what’s modifiable and where the restaurant sources its ingredients.
Ahan: 744 Williamson St, Ste. 100, Madison, WI 53703
Sognefjord Winery
Photo: Anthony Marcusa
This family-run winery sits on a beautiful tract of land that yields gorgeous views while patrons enjoy a fine glass of wine. The name comes from Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway, and emphasizes the family’s Norwegian heritage. You’ll see it in the names of the wines as well, which draw inspiration from Norse culture.
Sognefjord Winery: 380 Co Rd A, Baraboo, WI 53913
Where to stay in and around Madison
AC Hotel Madison Downtown
I stayed at the AC Hotel right near the Capitol. It provides a comfortable rest and ideal location for exploring the city. Close to the center of Madison, its convenient location means you can walk to a lot of different areas of the city with ease, including a bunch of bars, restaurants, shops, and tours. Your room may also have a great view of the Capitol Rotunda.
AC Hotel Madison Downtown: 1 N Webster St, Madison, WI 53703
The Cove of Lake Geneva
While Lake Geneva isn’t a particularly big place, this stay provides a convenient location for exploring the town, including walking trails and lakefront restaurants. The resort has condo-style accommodations (read: one- and two-bedroom suites), many of which come with full kitchens, living rooms, fireplaces, and private balconies or patios. Communal spaces include indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness area, and recreational spaces such as an arcade. I stayed there in the fall, and it was fairly quiet, so be mindful that the summer months will be quite lively.
The Cove of Lake Geneva: 111 Center St, Lake Geneva
Getting to and around Madison
Photo: Mihai Andritoiu/Shutterstock
The Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) is your main gateway into the Madison area, with flights from major hubs, including Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Washington, DC. If you’re heading to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Dells, or the Ice Age Trail, you’ll want to rent a car and drive for the most convenient experience.
It might be worth considering travel from Chicago, as well, especially if you have to make a connecting flight in the major Midwest hub. A drive to Madison is about two-and-a-half hours; Lake Geneva is closer and typically takes about 75 minutes to drive there from Chicago.
If you’re heading to Madison proper, the trip from the airport by car is about 15 minutes. However, a vehicle isn’t necessary for spending time in the city. It’s easy to get around walking, especially if you’re staying downtown. The city also features public transit and a bike share program, as well as rideshare options. 