Sunset from the Memorial Union Terrace
The Backstory
Good views were essential in our decision making
A few months back, I was planning a long weekend getaway for my wife and I to celebrate her thirtieth birthday. I was unsure of where to go, so I turned where any other rational person would turn, twitter. The criteria for our trip was it had to be a relatively close drive (within 6 hours), have good restaurant and beer choices, preferably some cool outdoorsy activities, and it had to be somewhere neither my wife nor I had been.
The first response I received went something like this, “You may think I’m crazy, but have you ever thought about Madison, Wisonsin?”
“Hmm,” I thought to myself, “I did not consider Madison. In fact, I know absolutely nothing about it.”
The Research
So I used my interweb sleuthing skills to find out more. The first article I read about Madison, I was more than intrigued. While perusing the second, I thought, “Well this place looks perfect.” By the fifth, I was contemplating a move there.
The Decision
Within 6 hours? Barely, but check. Good restaurants? Um, pork belly mac and cheese anyone? Good beer choices? Triple check. Cool outdoorsy activities? Youbetcha. It met all my criteria and then some. I didn’t have to do any more research or consider any more places. Madison it would be.
So what made Madison so great?
Madison had exactly what we were looking for
It’s always a nice to surprise to visit a place you barely knew existed and have it make such a positive impression on you. Madison was one of those places. So what made it so special? What was it about a small college city set on a few lakes that had us wishing we had more time?
We honestly loved everything about our weekend getaway to our new favorite nearby city. While we have many choices, Madison seems to have it all. Chicago? Great city that I love, but just too expensive sometimes. Kansas City? Love that, too, but too similar to St. Louis. Memphis? Can’t beat barbecue and blues, but there’s not much more to it.
Madison offered us exactly what it was we were looking for, and after reading about all what there is to do, and seeing the pictures of all the beautiful sights there is to see, you’ll be packing your bags and planning a trip to Madison as well.
Food and Beer
Gotta have plenty of cheese when you're in Wisconsin
If you’ve been following this site for any length of time, you’d know that food is very important to me. Giving me sustenance and the energy to live is secondary to the glorious tastes of delicious and savory treats (I’m telling you, I really love food). Based on some solid recommendations from some twitter friends (thanks Keith from Traveling Savage and Kevin from the Mad Traveler!), our food choices for the weekend had my belly singing with joy and needing elastic waistbands by the time we left.
We do love a nice fine dining meal here and there, but as long as the food is fresh, flavorful, unique, and tasty, we’re happy campers, so fancy isn’t a requirement. In the interest of not spending too much, many of the restaurants we went to were glorified bar and grills, which ultimately became a major highlight of Madison for us. We love casual, laid back atmospheres, and Madison is chock full of ‘em, with most chefs taking advantage of locally grown ingredients and adding his or her own unique twist to favorite dishes, all for a very fair price. Because the restaurant reviews became a whole different animal in itself, I decided to make it its own post, so check it out.
Cool Outdoorsy Activities
If you love the outdoors and you’ve never had the chance to visit Wisconsin, I highly suggest a trip. Just driving around is quite beautiful, with thick, green forests and rolling hills everywhere, combined with farmland and a multitude of lakes and rivers. It really is a gorgeous place, and Madison and the surrounding areas are no different.
We were lucky enough to be there at the beginning of October, and while Fall isn’t at its height quite yet, the changing colors added a beauty to an already stunning place. Trips to the UW Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens, and nearby Devil’s Lake State Park stood out as highlights for us.
Fall just starting to show its colors at the UW Arboretum
- UW Arboretum- A 1200 acre arboretum near Lake Wingra, this place is wonderful if you’re looking for a nice chill, laid back area to just enjoy nature. From the vast Curtis Prairie to the Longenecker Garden to the Lost City Forest to the extensive walking trails, you’ll be sure to enjoy this huge, free outdoor paradise. A great place to visit.
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Thai Pavilion in Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Olbrich Botanical Gardens- When originally researching Madison, the Botanical Gardens intrigued me because of the Thai Pavilion on its grounds. We spent quite a bit of time in Thailand, and Wisconsin was the last place in the world I was expecting to see anything Thai-related. I later discovered that UW is home to one of the largest Thai student populations in the country, and the Thai government donated the pavilion as a gift. It was built in Thailand, disassembled, shipped to Wisconsin, then reassembled where it stands now. Quite impressive!
Fall is a comin' at Devil's Lake State Park
- Devil’s Lake State Park- We almost didn’t go here as a warning on the website told of thousands of Boy Scouts descending on Devil’s Lake for the weekend, making the park very crowded. We put it off until Sunday morning, and we decided to head up early and take our chances. We are very glad we did as the park is lovely. Plenty of hiking and biking is possible, and though we didn’t spend too much time here, we did manage to get a nice couple hour hike in. The colors were just starting to change, and I can’t imagine the rainbow of fall colors that will be evident in a few weeks.
And Then Some-The Added Bonuses
The city itself couldn’t be in a more perfect setting, located on an isthmus (as one of only two North American cities-can you name the other?) and surrounded by five different lakes. The University of Wisconsin is a great looking campus and adds a life and vibrancy to an already exciting city. If all that isn’t enough, Madison is one of the most bike-friendly in the country, with countless bike paths and lanes winding throughout not only the city but suburbs as well.
- Biking- Tons of bike paths and lanes everywhere mean that not only are there places to ride, but the drivers are used to bikers, which makes it that much easier to ride. The downtown area and campus are very close to each other and relatively flat, making it a great place to park your car, get on your two-wheeled transport and go. Bike racks are everywhere as well, so don’t leave your bicycle at home.
Not a bad spot for sipping some beers
- The Memorial Union Terrace- Set right on Lake Mendota on UW’s campus, the Terrace is the perfect place to sit, relax, and unwind with a tasty beer or some ice cream. A massive multi-tiered patio, with tables and chairs everywhere, provide plenty of seating for students, families, and travelers alike. Sailboats dot the lake, along with kayaks and canoes. If you haven’t had enough activity yet, you can rent a kayak or canoe and take to the lake. Us, we just preferred to sip some beers and do some people watching. The perfect place to watch the sun set.
Goods of all kinds to be had at this massive farmer's market
- Saturday Farmer’s Market- One of the largest in the country, the Farmer’s Market takes place every Saturday from 6:30am-2pm around the Capitol Square, with over 200 vendors selling all the favorite local produce, baked goods, and of course, cheese. Markets are one of my favorite parts of traveling, and this one was honestly one of the best I’ve seen anywhere, not only in the US, but the world. Tons of great fruits and veggies, tons of delicious and unique cheese, tons of delectable baked goods, and just a fun, friendly atmosphere. If you’re in town over the weekend, I would put this at the very top of your list of things to do.
A great backdrop of the city of Madison that can be seen from all over
- The Wisconsin State Capitol- The Capitol building, modeled after the US Capitol, is the center of activity in Madison. It’s set atop a hill in the middle of downtown and can be seen from most places in Madison. The center for the Farmer’s Market and surrounded by a plethora of restaurants and bars, this will most likely be a sort of “home base” for your trip to Madison.
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A quiet State Street on Sunday evening
State Street- Running from the Capitol Building to the UW campus, State Street houses an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and museums. Bikes and buses are allowed on the street, but no other cars, making it very pedestrian friendly. Worth a visit.
It’s always nice to visit a place you have heard of but knew nothing about. That is how it was with Madison for us. There are so many cities everywhere in the world, including my own city of St. Louis, that just simply don’t get the love they deserve. Largely unknown to a big part of the population, cities like these have so much to offer. In today’s age of instant information and communication with people located everywhere on Earth, maybe this will change? I know that without twitter, Madison is a place I would most likely never have thought of as a travel destination.
So when planning that next trip, think outside the box. Look into any and all possibilities, and most importantly, get in touch with some locals who can point you in the right direction of places to eat and drink and things to see and do. Our trip to Madison was a surprising highlight in a region largely unknown to us before. I am delighted to be able to share my experience with others, and I can’t wait for our return trip.
What’s your favorite off the tourist map destination? Have any cities you’ve visited really surprised you? Please share in the comments below!
