Welcome to Madison, Wisconsin!
You will find the best of all worlds in Wisconsin’s vibrant capital city and picturesque surrounding towns: natural beauty and outdoor recreation, stimulating cultural offerings, distinctive restaurants and shops, and an irreverent spirit of fun.
Built on an isthmus between lakes Monona and Mendota, Madison is renowned for its beautiful scenery. A total of five area lakes and over 200 parks provide an abundance of year-round outdoor activities, from hiking, biking, swimming and sailing along with cross-country skiing, snow sailing, and ice fishing.
Madison offers a variety of things to do before and after the conference sessions. Within blocks of many of the conference hotels and one block from the Memorial Union is the iconic State Street.
After checking out the State Street shops and restaurants, take time to stop by and tour the beautiful Wisconsin State Capitol. Tour the Capitol on your own or by guided tour to experience this stunning icon.
To search for other activities while in Madison view the Calendar of Events, or search the listings below for activities, restaurants, and attractions in the area.
Things to Do in Madison
Dane County Farmers Market
Wednesdays: 8:30 AM – 1:45 PM, 200 Block, Martin Luther King Boulevard
Saturdays: 6:15 AM – 1:45 PM, Wisconsin Capitol Square
The largest producers-only farmers market in the United States, offering fresh produce, goods, and locally owned food trucks.
Forward Madison FC Soccer
917 E Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-0855
Madison’s USL League One soccer team, playing at Breese Stevens Field from March through October.
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall Avenue, Madison, WI 53715
(608) 266-4732
Open Daily: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
A free, award-winning zoo less than two miles from Capitol Square, connecting to Lake Wingra, Vilas Park, and the UW-Madison Arboretum.
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State Street, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 258-4141
Madison’s premier venue for Broadway productions, classical music, community theater, and more.
Outdoor UW
800 Langdon Street (Memorial Union, Lower Level), Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1630
Office Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – Sunset, Rentals Daily 12:00 PM – Sunset
Rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes or enjoy guided outdoor events (weather permitting).
Picnic Point
(608) 265-9275
Open Daily: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
A scenic nature trail with access to Lake Mendota and views of the Wisconsin State Capitol, accessible by foot, bike, or Campus Bus #80.
Union South
1308 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53715
(608) 890-3000
Open Monday – Thursday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM, Friday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
A student union offering food, bowling, pool tables, and various activities.
Wisconsin State Capitol – Free, Hourly Tours (No reservation required)
2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-0382
Open Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Weekends and Holidays: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Explore one of the most beautiful and historic state capitol buildings, with a 5th-floor observation deck offering stunning views.
Restaurants
A Pig In A Fur Coat
Fine Dining, New American
940 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 441-9400
Wed–Sat: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Sun–Tue: Closed
Bassett Street Brunch Club
Casual Brunch
444 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 467-5051
Mon–Thu: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Fri–Sat: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM, Sun: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Dotty’s Dumplings Dowry
Burgers/American
317 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 259-0000
Sun–Mon: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Tue–Thu: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Graze
Fine Dining
1 S Pinckney St (at Main St), Madison, WI 53703
(608) 251-2700
Mon–Sat: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sun: Closed
Heritage Tavern
Farm-to-table, Fine Dining
131 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 509-7468
Mon–Sat: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Sun: Closed
Ian’s Pizza – 100 State Street
By-the-slice Pizza, Farm-fresh Salads
100 State St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 257-9248
Sun–Tue: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Wed–Thu: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM, Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM – 2:30 AM
Ian’s Pizza – 319 N Frances Street
By-the-slice Pizza, Farm-fresh Salads
319 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 257-9248
Open Monday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 AM
I/O Arcade Bar
924 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703
Open Tue–Thu: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Fri: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM, Sat: 11:00 AM – 2:30 AM, Sun: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Jalisco Cocina Mexicana
Homestyle Mexican, Margaritas
115 N King St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255-9040
Mon–Sat: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Sun: Closed
Johnny Delmonico’s Steakhouse
Steakhouse
130 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-4999
Mon–Sat: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Sun: Closed
Lucille
Pizza, Small Plates, Craft Cocktails
125 N King St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 283-4770
Mon–Sat: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Sun: Closed
Marigold Kitchen
Breakfast/Brunch
118 S Pinckney St (btwn King & Doty St.), Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255- 8205
Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Sat–Sun: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Paul’s Pelmeni
Casual Russian Dumplings
414 W Gilman St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 467-3234
Mon–Wed: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM, Thu: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM, Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM – 2:30 AM, Sun: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Parthenon Greek American Restaurant
Award-winning, Locally-made Gyros
314 W State St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255-0747
Mon–Thu: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sun: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
The Old Fashioned
German-style Wisconsin Classics
23 N Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 310-4545
Mon–Thu: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Fri: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sat: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
The Post
Casual Brunch/Lunch, Happy Hour
24 S Carroll St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-4884
Mon–Thu: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Fri–Sat: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Sun: Closed
The Great Dane
Microbrewery, American and German
123 E Doty Street, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 284-0000
Sun: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Mon–Thu: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Coffee Shops
Ancora Coffee
216 State St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 255-5450
Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sat: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sun: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Colectivo Coffee
115 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-5100
Mon–Fri: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sat–Sun: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Colectivo on State Street
100 State St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-5100
Mon–Fri: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sat–Sun: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Indie Coffee
714 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 204-9240
Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sat–Sun: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Valentia Coffee
10 S Pickney St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 709-8382
Mon–Fri: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sat: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sun: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wonderstate Coffee
702 E Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703
(608) 441-2326
Mon–Fri: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Sat–Sun: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Bike Rentals
Budget Bicycle Center – $30 Daily Bike Rental
1230 Regent Street
(608) 251-8413
Open Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm, Saturday: 10am – 5pm, Sunday: 11am – 5pm
Machinery Row Bicycles – $50 Daily Bike Rental
601 Williamson Street
(608) 442-5974
Open Monday: 10am – 7pm, Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 6pm, Saturday: 10am – 5pm, Sunday: 11am – 4pm
Madison BCycle
(800) 473-4743
System Hours: 5am – 12am
Pedal-assisted e-bike rentals with stations located throughout Madison. $7 per 90-minute ride.