Guidebook for Madison
Shopping
Curated, gently-used clothing that tends to run modern and twenty-something (primary target is college students). Prices are mid-range for thrift.
ReThreads
410 State StCurated, gently-used clothing that tends to run modern and twenty-something (primary target is college students). Prices are mid-range for thrift.
Founded in 1975, this independent feminist bookstore features all the big genres, but also focuses on women writers, LGBT literature, local authors and more.
A Room of One’s Own
2717 Atwood AvenueFounded in 1975, this independent feminist bookstore features all the big genres, but also focuses on women writers, LGBT literature, local authors and more.
Curated vintage shop with great clothes, but pricier than your average thrift store. Men's and women's clothing, shoes and accessories. It's fun to walk through, even if you don't buy anything.
8 locals recommend
Good Style Shop
817 E Johnson StCurated vintage shop with great clothes, but pricier than your average thrift store. Men's and women's clothing, shoes and accessories. It's fun to walk through, even if you don't buy anything.
Spruce Tree Music & Repair
851 E Johnson StGreat little local musical instrument shop and repair
Strictly Discs
1900 Monroe StLocally owned record store
St. Vincent De Paul Store
1309 Williamson StGreat thrift store in a fun neighborhood.
Come for the delicious cheese (and secretly good sandwiches), stay for the cheese puns.
14 locals recommend
Fromagination
12 S Carroll StCome for the delicious cheese (and secretly good sandwiches), stay for the cheese puns.
Sightseeing
$5, open Tues. to Sat. Collection includes anthropology, business and technology, costumes, textiles, personal artifacts, domestic life, political and military life. Hosts special events/lectures.
21 locals recommend
Wisconsin Historical Museum
30 N Carroll St$5, open Tues. to Sat. Collection includes anthropology, business and technology, costumes, textiles, personal artifacts, domestic life, political and military life. Hosts special events/lectures.
They have something like 500 different kinds of mustard. The museum is quick, quirky and comprehensive, but the best part is tasting all the mustards available for sale.
12 locals recommend
National Mustard Museum
7477 Hubbard AveThey have something like 500 different kinds of mustard. The museum is quick, quirky and comprehensive, but the best part is tasting all the mustards available for sale.
Known as the "cake on the lake," this Frank Lloyd Wright design offers guided tours, a gift shop, a rooftop cafe in summer, great views and many community events throughout the year.
58 locals recommend
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
1 John Nolen DrKnown as the "cake on the lake," this Frank Lloyd Wright design offers guided tours, a gift shop, a rooftop cafe in summer, great views and many community events throughout the year.
Ornate architectural gem that features 43 types of stone from six countries and eight states. About ten years ago, it was restored at the cost of 145 million dollars.
141 locals recommend
Wisconsin State Capitol
2 E Main StOrnate architectural gem that features 43 types of stone from six countries and eight states. About ten years ago, it was restored at the cost of 145 million dollars.
Entertainment & Activities
Stroll 16 acres of outdoor gardens featuring stunning landscapes and Midwest-hardy plants (free). Visit the tropics in the Bolz Conservatory, filled w/ exotic plants, flowers, orchids and birds ($2).
138 locals recommend
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood AveStroll 16 acres of outdoor gardens featuring stunning landscapes and Midwest-hardy plants (free). Visit the tropics in the Bolz Conservatory, filled w/ exotic plants, flowers, orchids and birds ($2).
Creative, large museum that our nieces adore. Has sections for kids of all ages (including rooftop mini-farm). They also do adult nights, complete with booze and special exhibits/activities.
66 locals recommend
Madison Children's Museum
100 N Hamilton StCreative, large museum that our nieces adore. Has sections for kids of all ages (including rooftop mini-farm). They also do adult nights, complete with booze and special exhibits/activities.
Great city park with playground, beach, lake path, sand volleyball court and lots of space to run around (or take a blanket and read a book). You can also fish. Dogs on leashes are welcome.
34 locals recommend
James Madison Park
614 E Gorham StGreat city park with playground, beach, lake path, sand volleyball court and lots of space to run around (or take a blanket and read a book). You can also fish. Dogs on leashes are welcome.
Complete with a children's zoo (and carousel), it's a fun place to spend an afternoon. Newest addition: polar bears. Free.
101 locals recommend
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall AveComplete with a children's zoo (and carousel), it's a fun place to spend an afternoon. Newest addition: polar bears. Free.
Everything Else
Honestly, totally worth checking out. This museum is truly a hidden "gem" ....
11 locals recommend
University of Wisconsin Geology Museum
1215 W Dayton StHonestly, totally worth checking out. This museum is truly a hidden "gem" ....
Home to the Rathskellar, it's the only union at a public university in the U.S. to serve alcohol. In summer on the massive patio overlooking the lake, find free films, concerts and other events.
122 locals recommend
Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon StHome to the Rathskellar, it's the only union at a public university in the U.S. to serve alcohol. In summer on the massive patio overlooking the lake, find free films, concerts and other events.
If you like to rock climb (or would like to give it a try), check out Boulders. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices.
6 locals recommend
Boulders Climbing Gym
3964 Commercial AveIf you like to rock climb (or would like to give it a try), check out Boulders. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices.
Yoga Co-op of Madison
812 E Dayton StCooperative yoga studio; almost all classes are drop-in and cost $15.
Food Scene
Tiny tiny tiny! Great pastry and brunch; only open Sat. and Sun. If you find a place to sit, you'll make new friends. Otherwise take it with and walk along the neighborhood or eat at Reynold's park.
19 locals recommend
Sophia's Bakery & Cafe
831 E Johnson StTiny tiny tiny! Great pastry and brunch; only open Sat. and Sun. If you find a place to sit, you'll make new friends. Otherwise take it with and walk along the neighborhood or eat at Reynold's park.
A Madison classic, this German-themed restaurant/bar features giant glass boots, servers in costume and generally has a polka band playing.
11 locals recommend
Essen Haus
514 E Wilson StA Madison classic, this German-themed restaurant/bar features giant glass boots, servers in costume and generally has a polka band playing.
Good food (including vegetarian options), solid beer selection, cozy, casual atmosphere. In the summer, check out their patio. Brad and I actually had our first date here :)
11 locals recommend
Tipsy Cow
102 King StGood food (including vegetarian options), solid beer selection, cozy, casual atmosphere. In the summer, check out their patio. Brad and I actually had our first date here :)
Charming neighborhood coffee shop with a wide variety of local teas (try the ginger turmeric), fast wi-fi and delicious food (try the homemade granola). New patio outside for when it's warm.
34 locals recommend
Johnson Public House
908 E Johnson StCharming neighborhood coffee shop with a wide variety of local teas (try the ginger turmeric), fast wi-fi and delicious food (try the homemade granola). New patio outside for when it's warm.
Solid, inexpensive Wisconsin diner food; their weekend breakfast is always packed with college students, so come early and prepare to stand in line. Order a shake and you won't regret it.
23 locals recommend
Mickies Dairy Bar
1511 Monroe StSolid, inexpensive Wisconsin diner food; their weekend breakfast is always packed with college students, so come early and prepare to stand in line. Order a shake and you won't regret it.
Amazing brunch (try the grapefruit creme brulee) - and their macaroni and cheese pizza is to die for.
17 locals recommend
Jacs Dining and Tap House
2611 Monroe StreetAmazing brunch (try the grapefruit creme brulee) - and their macaroni and cheese pizza is to die for.
Craft beer Irish pub more than 100 different microbrews in bottles and another 20 or so on tap. Reasonably priced and with friendly staff - ask about "the snug".
26 locals recommend
The Coopers Tavern
20 W Mifflin StCraft beer Irish pub more than 100 different microbrews in bottles and another 20 or so on tap. Reasonably priced and with friendly staff - ask about "the snug".
Good food and atmosphere, It feels like it's been there forever. Nice place for conversation (or grab a board game from their collection and play with friends). Try the grog in winter ....
61 locals recommend
Weary Traveler Freehouse
1201 Williamson StGood food and atmosphere, It feels like it's been there forever. Nice place for conversation (or grab a board game from their collection and play with friends). Try the grog in winter ....
With 40 Wisconsin beers on tap & another 160 in bottles, it's a great place to sample to local flavor. Solid food menu (try its famous cheese curds) & WI-style Old Fashioneds. Something for everyone.
86 locals recommend
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney StWith 40 Wisconsin beers on tap & another 160 in bottles, it's a great place to sample to local flavor. Solid food menu (try its famous cheese curds) & WI-style Old Fashioneds. Something for everyone.
Forequarter
Amazingly good, locally-sourced restaurant.
Really great artisan pastry and breads. Also good spot for brunch/lunch - try their soup.
35 locals recommend
Madison Sourdough
916 Williamson StReally great artisan pastry and breads. Also good spot for brunch/lunch - try their soup.
Gotham Bagels
112 E Mifflin StIf you like bagels, this is the spot.
Great coffee and crepes. Cozy, with ample people-watching through the walls of windows.
14 locals recommend
Bradbury's Coffee
127 N Hamilton StGreat coffee and crepes. Cozy, with ample people-watching through the walls of windows.
Solid happy hour, excellent service and great pub-style food. Live music on Sundays.
6 locals recommend
Brocach Irish Pub & Whiskey Den
7 W Main StSolid happy hour, excellent service and great pub-style food. Live music on Sundays.
Darts in the basement, solid craft beer selections and cheap, delicious food (including lots of vegetarian options).
Argus Bar & Grill
123 E Main StDarts in the basement, solid craft beer selections and cheap, delicious food (including lots of vegetarian options).
Nothing fancy, but quality food and fun cocktails. Good options for vegetarians.
19 locals recommend
RED
316 W Washington AveNothing fancy, but quality food and fun cocktails. Good options for vegetarians.
Essentials
Forget an essential and we don't have it? Need a sixer or a quick sandwich? Pinkus is your stop. Open late, this college-geared convenience store will even sell you single sticks of butter. Truth.
6 locals recommend
Pinkus McBride Market
301 N Hamilton StForget an essential and we don't have it? Need a sixer or a quick sandwich? Pinkus is your stop. Open late, this college-geared convenience store will even sell you single sticks of butter. Truth.
Willy Street Co-op—East
1221 Williamson StMadison's primary natural foods store.
A little pricier, but open 24 hours and carries all the basic groceries.
15 locals recommend
Capitol Centre Market
111 N Broom StA little pricier, but open 24 hours and carries all the basic groceries.
Drinks & Nightlife
A piece of Madison history, this bar (in it's original location) was a meeting spot for radical activists during the 60s protests. Great happy hour with free appetizers and large outdoor patio.
19 locals recommend
Genna's Lounge
105 W Main StA piece of Madison history, this bar (in it's original location) was a meeting spot for radical activists during the 60s protests. Great happy hour with free appetizers and large outdoor patio.
Cheap beer in a dive-y atmosphere, with darts, shuffleboard and free popcorn. Sunday karaoke, Monday movie night, and Tuesday trivia.
6 locals recommend
Come Back In
508 E Wilson StCheap beer in a dive-y atmosphere, with darts, shuffleboard and free popcorn. Sunday karaoke, Monday movie night, and Tuesday trivia.
Oysters half-off during happy hour; great for date night or a drink with friends.
30 locals recommend
Tempest Oyster Bar
120 E Wilson StOysters half-off during happy hour; great for date night or a drink with friends.