This Wisconsin City Should Be Your Next Afternoon Adventure

Every time someone tells me they’ve never been to Madison, I ache to bring them there myself. Cities like Madison don’t get enough credit for being worthwhile destinations for a few hours, let alone an entire weekend. But if you have the opportunity to visit this gorgeous city I once called home, even if it’s just for an afternoon, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Filled to the brim with history, spaces to connect with nature, cultural touchstones, and incredible food, Madison is one of my favorite places. If I only had a few hours to spare here, these are the things that would be at the top of my list.

Eat Your Heart Out

If anything could make my home city of Chicago better, it would be transporting some of my favorite Madison eateries to the Windy City. From Indonesian cuisine to comfort food favorites, these are my must-visit restaurants. Just a few hours isn’t enough time to hit them all, though, so you’ll have to come back for a weekend in Madison to complete them all.

• Bandung Indonesian Restaurant – Tasty Indonesian food with a friendly atmosphere
• Michelangelo’s Coffee House – An artsy coffee shop right on Downtown’s State Street
• Paul’s Pel’meni – A UW-Madison staple that specializes in Russian dumplings
• Tornado Steak House – Classic Madison steakhouse with a cozy supper club aesthetic
• Mint Mark – Quintessential Madison vibes and produce-forward small plates
• The Old Fashioned – A comfortable tavern with my favorite fried cheese curds anywhere

Spend Time on the Square

It’s impossible to ignore the Wisconsin State Capitol, which towers over the buildings downtown and dominates the skyline. I encourage visitors, especially first-timers, to spend even a few minutes enjoying its majestic beauty and visiting Capitol Square—if for no other reason than to marvel at the granite dome, the only one of its kind in the United States. Free guided tours are available every day at various times. You don’t have to do a 45-50 minute tour to appreciate the building, though. If it’s open, explore on your own. My favorite artworks to see are the rotunda mosaics dedicated to Legislation, Justice, Government, and Liberty. If you have more time to spare and want to revel in more Madison history, try taking a self-guided walking tour.

Get Back to Nature

One thing I didn’t take full advantage of in Madison was the abundance of outdoor spaces. Some of these locations contribute to what makes this city so unique. After getting a chance to get out into the city to enjoy all it has to offer, why not end the day unwinding at one of these charming spots?

• Henry Vilas Zoo – This zoo is one of the handful of free zoos left in the country. I fell in love with it as a kid, and that continued into my adulthood, particularly during Zoo Lights during the holiday season.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum – Overseen by UW-Madison, this tract of land is open to the public and is one of the most scenic spots in the city. There are tunnels of trees that burst into autumnal beauty, and a pond I always visit, hoping to see turtles.
• Olbrich Botanical Gardens – Let’s face it, Wisconsin weather isn’t always conducive to outdoor adventures. That’s why Olbrich is such a gift, particularly the Bolz Conservatory. Inside the conservatory, it’s always a tropical paradise, even if the weather is more to Jack Frost’s liking.

There isn’t a bad way to spend a few hours in Madison. Although I wouldn’t advocate for visitors to only spend an afternoon there, if you are going to pay it a short-but-sweet visit, you can’t go wrong with any of these places. They’ll give you a taste of Wisconsin’s capital city but leave you wanting more on your return visit.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip to the Madison area using the Only In Your State itinerary planner.