Guidebook for Madison
Shopping
Come for the delicious cheese (and secretly good sandwiches), stay for the cheese puns.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Fromagination
12 S Carroll StCome for the delicious cheese (and secretly good sandwiches), stay for the cheese puns.
St. Vincent De Paul Store
1309 Williamson StGreat thrift store in a fun neighborhood.
Strictly Discs
1900 Monroe StLocally owned record store
Spruce Tree Music & Repair
851 E Johnson StGreat little local musical instrument shop and repair
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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.
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, 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.
Food Scene
Bradbury's Coffee
127 N Hamilton StGreat coffee and crepes, one block from the apartment.
Gotham Bagels
112 E Mifflin StIf you like bagels this is the spot, also super close.
Really great artisan pastry and breads. Also good spot for brunch/lunch.
35 Einheimische empfehlen
Madison Sourdough
916 Williamson StReally great artisan pastry and breads. Also good spot for brunch/lunch.
Forequarter
Amazingly good, local-sourced restaurant.
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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".
Amazing brunch - and their macaroni and cheese pizza is to die for.
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Jacs Dining and Tap House
2611 Monroe StreetAmazing brunch - and their macaroni and cheese pizza is to die for.
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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.
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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.
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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 :)
A Madison classic, this German-themed restaurant/bar features giant glass boots, servers in costume and generally has a polka band playing.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
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.
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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.
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).
Solid happy hour, excellent service and great pub-style food. Live music on Sundays.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Brocach Irish Pub & Whiskey Den
7 W Main StSolid happy hour, excellent service and great pub-style food. Live music on Sundays.
Nothing fancy, but quality food and fun cocktails. Good options for vegetarians.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
RED
316 W Washington AveNothing fancy, but quality food and fun cocktails. Good options for vegetarians.
Drinks & Nightlife
Classic Wisco!! 40 WI beers on tap and another 160 in bottles, it's a great place to sample to local flavor. Solid food menu and of course the namesake Old Fashioned. Something for everyone.
86 Einheimische empfehlen
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney StClassic Wisco!! 40 WI beers on tap and another 160 in bottles, it's a great place to sample to local flavor. Solid food menu and of course the namesake Old Fashioned. Something for everyone.
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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 ....
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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 Einheimische empfehlen
Tempest Oyster Bar
120 E Wilson StOysters half-off during happy hour; great for date night or a drink with friends.
Essentials
Willy Street Co-op—East
1221 Williamson StMadison's primary natural foods store.
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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.
A little pricier, but open 24 hours and carries all the basic groceries.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Capitol Centre Market
111 N Broom StA little pricier, but open 24 hours and carries all the basic groceries.
Arts & Culture
Chazen Museum of Art
800 University AveArt museum on the UW-Campus
Free, small modern-art museum with rotating shows and upscale restaurant/bar on the roof
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
227 State StFree, small modern-art museum with rotating shows and upscale restaurant/bar on the roof
Sightseeing
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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
Complete with a children's zoo, it's a fun place to spend an afternoon
101 Einheimische empfehlen
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall AveComplete with a children's zoo, it's a fun place to spend an afternoon
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 Einheimische empfehlen
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.
Creative, large museum that my nieces adore. Has sections for kids of all ages - and they also do adult nights, complete with booze and special exhibits/activities. Surprisingly fun.
66 Einheimische empfehlen
Madison Children's Museum
100 N Hamilton StCreative, large museum that my nieces adore. Has sections for kids of all ages - and they also do adult nights, complete with booze and special exhibits/activities. Surprisingly fun.