DH and I are going on our first baby free getaway this weekend to Madison! We are so pumped and can't wait to check out the city. Any recs for restaurants and things to do? We basically plan on walking around (with no stroller!) and stopping to eat and for drinks whenever we want! TIA!
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Wisconsin?
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@BadgerMom: ahhh, yes!! Sorry haha
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@peaches1038: Ha! That's ok, I'm just so not used to my neck of the woods coming up on hellobee! Have you ever been before? Where are you staying (area)? That'll help me give you the rundown
I went to school there and now live about 45 mins away so we spend a lot of time in Madison.
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@peaches1038: if you'll be there in a Saturday definitely do the Dane County Farmers Market in the morning. It's lots of fun to walk and they have a lot of pastries/breads/etc that would make a great walking breakfast!
The Old Fashioned and Great Dane are great pub style restaurants on the capital square. The Great Dane also has non-downtown locations. It's one of my Madison favorites! If you'd like an amazing and fancier (and expensive) meal you should check out Harvest. I've had one of my top meals there, but haven't been in a long time.
DH and I went to school there and got married there, but we haven't been for a visit in a while. It's a great weekend trip!
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@peaches1038: I used to live in Madison, but unfortunately have been gone too long to have recommendations. But I do agree, definitely hit up the farmer's market on the square.
I'm also glad to see the Great Dane on the list, that was a favorite lunch spot when I worked near the square while living there.
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@peaches1038: Here are the things I’d hit up if I had a child free weekend in Madison
Dane County Farmers Market (Saturday AM on the square) – make sure and get a loaf of spicy cheese bread and some fresh squeaky cheese curds
State Street – runs from the Capital Square to the University, lots of great shops, restaurants, and bars.
Memorial Union Terrace – basically just off the end of State Street, definitely stop for some ice cream and have a brat/beer on the lake (I'd spend all day here just drinking/hanging out if I could)
The Old Fashioned & The Great Dane are great and definitely local staples, but expect food that is fried and on the heavier side.
If you’re looking for higher end dining for a $$$ date night I’d look at the menus for Harvest, Graft, L’Etoile, and Red Sushi and see what sounds good to you.
I think Graze has the best fried cheese curds, and the cocktails are the most fun/interesting at Merchant (the food is also good).
If you really want to get silly/cliché, head down to the Essen Haus to share a boot with DH and do some polka.
As far as things to do while you’re not eating and drinking – walking around the University, specifically Bascom Hill area is fun or down the Lakeshore Path, Comedy Club on State, The Vilas Zoo is great (and free) but may not exactly be what you’re looking for since you’re kid free…
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@BadgerMom: thanks!! We are staying near the botanical gardens but will have a car! These suggestions are fantastic! Yay!!
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@bookwormmama: @MamaG: thank you both!!
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@peaches1038: Ahh, the Botanic Gardens are beautiful, definitely worth a trip since you can take a relaxing stroll without kids! And knowing that you're staying on that side of town, there is a great brunch/lunch spot called Crema Cafe. Also, check out the shops and restaurants on Williamson (Willie) Street -- super cute neighborhood! That area also has a great distillery called Old Sugar Distillery. Have fun!
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I will second The Old Fashioned. I also like Ha Long Bay if you're into Thai food.
I absolutely adore this bookstore: http://www.roomofonesown.com/
Not sure if you're into beer, but I
Spotted Cow (only available in WI).Have fun!
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My neck of the woods! Here are my recommendations (in addition to the ones above – I don’t disagree with any of them!):
Everyone has already said the Farmers Market and I agree – but let me add specifics. There is construction on the square, so they have an area on the street with all the food trucks. Most are fantastic, but my absolute favorite is Caracas Empanadas. We had them at our wedding for a late-night snack. My favorite is the breakfast empanada.
There is store called Capital Kids on the square if you want to pick up a present for your kid(s). A little pricey, but they have a ton of cool stuff.
Just down the ways from that place is a cheese shop called Fromagination. It is my favorite place in the world. They sell cheese orphans at the register (little ends of cheese that are a couple bucks each). They are fun to much on while you walk around the square. You can get some of the Hook’s 12 or 15 year cheddar in a tiny piece try. They also have great sandwiches. We pick some up and do picnics on the capitol lawn regularly.
Other restaurants I like the in downtown area: Merchant (great cocktails), Lucille (pan pizza made with Spotted Cow beer), Tipsy Cow, Marigold Kitchen (breakfast and brunch) , Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry (burgers).
Walk down state street after you do the famers market. There are a ton of street vendors set up Saturday morning and there are a lot of shops down the way. You could also check out Ian’s pizza – it’s pizza by the slice and they are famous for the mac and cheese pizza. Saturday mornings they also have breakfast pizza – my favorite is the biscuits and gravy pizza.
The Madison Museum of Modern art is off state street. Admission is free from 4-8 on Friday nights.
Another area to check out is “Willy Street” (Williamson and Atwood Streets) which is kind of the hippy area. Some of my favorite restaurants are in this area – The Weary Traveler Free House, Umani (Ramen and Dumplings), and . There is also Tex Tubbs Taco Palace just next to One Barrel Brewing. Across the street is a chocolate shop. Great area for a date night.
Forequarter and Pig in a Fur Coat are high-end and are great places if you guys are foodies.
If you guys like micro brews, there are a ton in Madison. Ale Asylum, Next Door Brewing, Karben 4, Wisconsin Brewing, Rockhound Brewing, The Great Dane, Capitol Brewing.
There is Wollershiem Winery about 30 mins NW and New Glarus Brewery about 45 mins SW.
Other things to do:
Rent a kayak or stand-up paddle board from Rutabaga paddle sports and go out on the lakes.
Madison has a bike share so you could rent a bike and explore downtown or do a loop around the lake.
Hike out to Picnic Point on UW campus.
As far as night life goes, downtown – especially state street – can get overrun with college-aged kids, but there are plenty of nicer restaurants that have bars that stay open late.
If you want that authentic Wisconsin steakhouse, the Tornado Room is popular. Very old-school. Wood paneling, dark, classic.
Have fun! I LOVE Madison!
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@BadgerMom: thank you! I will check out all of your suggestions!
@winter_wonder: perfect! We love browsing book stores!
@TemperanceBrennan: thank you thank you!! I can't wait to go to fromagination! It sounds heavenly!!!!!!!!!!!
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Enjoy yourselves!! obvs I have no recommendations, but I hope you have fun!
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@FannyMae: thank you! I'm so excited!
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@peaches1038: You will have to let us know how you like it!
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@BadgerMom: @bookwormmama: @MamaG: @winter_wonder: @TemperanceBrennan:
Thank you for the awesome recommendations ladies!! We had an amazing time! We ate at merchant, sardine, pig in a fur coat and at next door brewery. All the food was delicious! Our air bnb was super cute and the hosts were very impressed with our restaurant picks! We had a lot of fun at the farmers market (got those empanadas too!) and went to both art museums. All the shops were so lovely and we spent a small fortune on cheese at Fromagination ! We really loved Madison! -
@BadgerMom: I second those cheese curds at Graze! We had an amazing brunch there.
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@peaches1038: So glad you had a great time! Your weekend sounds like it was the perfect Madison excursion!
Where do you live? - I'm guessing Chicago -
@TemperanceBrennan: it was perfect and yep! We live in Chicago. I am trying to convince DH to move to Madison now!
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@peaches1038: sounds like an awesome weekend! I think I'll have to talk to my DH about a weekend in Madison once LO2 is a bit older!
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Following this thread as we're not too far away and just bought a camper. Love all the ideas posted although we will be with-kids.
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@peaches1038: I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. You've got me itching to do a Madison staycation now!!!
@josina: With kids I'd definitely check out the Children's Museum (they just updated one of their exhibit floors) and the Vilas Zoo.
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@josina: we want to go back with DS soon! It was a very kid friendly city!
I went to school there and now live about 45 mins away so we spend a lot of time in Madison.
Spotted Cow (only available in WI).Reply
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