Guidebook for Madison

Bradley
Guidebook for Madison

Shopping

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 St
Curated, gently-used clothing that tends to run modern and twenty-something (primary target is college students). Prices are mid-range for thrift.
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 Avenue
Founded in 1975, this independent feminist bookstore features all the big genres, but also focuses on women writers, LGBT literature, local authors and more.
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 localnici recomandă
Good Style Shop
817 E Johnson St
8 localnici recomandă
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.
Great little local musical instrument shop and repair
Spruce Tree Music & Repair
851 E Johnson St
Great little local musical instrument shop and repair
Locally owned record store
Strictly Discs
1900 Monroe St
Locally owned record store
Great thrift store in a fun neighborhood.
8 localnici recomandă
St. Vincent De Paul Store
1309 Williamson St
8 localnici recomandă
Great thrift store in a fun neighborhood.
Come for the delicious cheese (and secretly good sandwiches), stay for the cheese puns.
14 localnici recomandă
Fromagination
12 S Carroll St
14 localnici recomandă
Come for the delicious cheese (and secretly good sandwiches), stay for the cheese puns.

Sightseeing

$5, open Tues. to Sat. Collection includes anthropology, business and technology, costumes, textiles, personal artifacts, domestic life, political and military life. Hosts special events/lectures.
21 localnici recomandă
Wisconsin Historical Museum
30 N Carroll St
21 localnici recomandă
$5, open Tues. to Sat. Collection includes anthropology, business and technology, costumes, textiles, personal artifacts, domestic life, political and military life. Hosts special events/lectures.
They have something like 500 different kinds of mustard. The museum is quick, quirky and comprehensive, but the best part is tasting all the mustards available for sale.
12 localnici recomandă
Muzeul National de Muștar
7477 Hubbard Ave
12 localnici recomandă
They have something like 500 different kinds of mustard. The museum is quick, quirky and comprehensive, but the best part is tasting all the mustards available for sale.
Known as the "cake on the lake," this Frank Lloyd Wright design offers guided tours, a gift shop, a rooftop cafe in summer, great views and many community events throughout the year.
58 localnici recomandă
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
1 John Nolen Dr
58 localnici recomandă
Known as the "cake on the lake," this Frank Lloyd Wright design offers guided tours, a gift shop, a rooftop cafe in summer, great views and many community events throughout the year.
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 localnici recomandă
Capitoliul statului Wisconsin
2 E Main St
141 localnici recomandă
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.

Entertainment & Activities

Stroll 16 acres of outdoor gardens featuring stunning landscapes and Midwest-hardy plants (free). Visit the tropics in the Bolz Conservatory, filled w/ exotic plants, flowers, orchids and birds ($2).
138 localnici recomandă
Grădinile botanice Olbrich
3330 Atwood Ave
138 localnici recomandă
Stroll 16 acres of outdoor gardens featuring stunning landscapes and Midwest-hardy plants (free). Visit the tropics in the Bolz Conservatory, filled w/ exotic plants, flowers, orchids and birds ($2).
Creative, large museum that our nieces adore. Has sections for kids of all ages (including rooftop mini-farm). They also do adult nights, complete with booze and special exhibits/activities.
66 localnici recomandă
Muzeul Copiilor din Madison
100 N Hamilton St
66 localnici recomandă
Creative, large museum that our nieces adore. Has sections for kids of all ages (including rooftop mini-farm). They also do adult nights, complete with booze and special exhibits/activities.
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 localnici recomandă
Parcul James Madison
614 E Gorham St
34 localnici recomandă
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.
Complete with a children's zoo (and carousel), it's a fun place to spend an afternoon. Newest addition: polar bears. Free.
101 localnici recomandă
Grădina Zoologică Henry Vilas
702 S Randall Ave
101 localnici recomandă
Complete with a children's zoo (and carousel), it's a fun place to spend an afternoon. Newest addition: polar bears. Free.

Everything Else

Honestly, totally worth checking out. This museum is truly a hidden "gem" ....
11 localnici recomandă
University of Wisconsin Geology Museum
1215 W Dayton St
11 localnici recomandă
Honestly, totally worth checking out. This museum is truly a hidden "gem" ....
Home to the Rathskellar, it's the only union at a public university in the U.S. to serve alcohol. In summer on the massive patio overlooking the lake, find free films, concerts and other events.
122 localnici recomandă
Terasa Memorial Union
800 Langdon St
122 localnici recomandă
Home to the Rathskellar, it's the only union at a public university in the U.S. to serve alcohol. In summer on the massive patio overlooking the lake, find free films, concerts and other events.
If you like to rock climb (or would like to give it a try), check out Boulders. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices.
6 localnici recomandă
Boulders Climbing Gym
3964 Commercial Ave
6 localnici recomandă
If you like to rock climb (or would like to give it a try), check out Boulders. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices.
Cooperative yoga studio; almost all classes are drop-in and cost $15.
Yoga Co-op of Madison
812 E Dayton St
Cooperative yoga studio; almost all classes are drop-in and cost $15.

Food Scene

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 localnici recomandă
Sophia's Bakery & Cafe
831 E Johnson St
19 localnici recomandă
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.
A Madison classic, this German-themed restaurant/bar features giant glass boots, servers in costume and generally has a polka band playing.
11 localnici recomandă
Essen Haus
514 E Wilson St
11 localnici recomandă
A Madison classic, this German-themed restaurant/bar features giant glass boots, servers in costume and generally has a polka band playing.
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 localnici recomandă
Tipsy Cow
102 King St
11 localnici recomandă
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 :)
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 localnici recomandă
Johnson Public House
908 E Johnson St
34 localnici recomandă
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.
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 localnici recomandă
Mickies Dairy Bar
1511 Monroe St
23 localnici recomandă
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.
Amazing brunch (try the grapefruit creme brulee) - and their macaroni and cheese pizza is to die for.
17 localnici recomandă
Jacs Dining and Tap House
2611 Monroe Street
17 localnici recomandă
Amazing brunch (try the grapefruit creme brulee) - and their macaroni and cheese pizza is to die for.
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 localnici recomandă
The Coopers Tavern
20 W Mifflin St
26 localnici recomandă
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".
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 localnici recomandă
Weary Traveler Freehouse
1201 Williamson St
61 localnici recomandă
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 ....
With 40 Wisconsin beers on tap & another 160 in bottles, it's a great place to sample to local flavor. Solid food menu (try its famous cheese curds) & WI-style Old Fashioneds. Something for everyone.
86 localnici recomandă
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney St
86 localnici recomandă
With 40 Wisconsin beers on tap & another 160 in bottles, it's a great place to sample to local flavor. Solid food menu (try its famous cheese curds) & WI-style Old Fashioneds. Something for everyone.
Amazingly good, locally-sourced restaurant.
29 localnici recomandă
Forequarter
29 localnici recomandă
Amazingly good, locally-sourced restaurant.
Really great artisan pastry and breads. Also good spot for brunch/lunch - try their soup.
35 localnici recomandă
Madison Sourdough
916 Williamson St
35 localnici recomandă
Really great artisan pastry and breads. Also good spot for brunch/lunch - try their soup.
If you like bagels, this is the spot.
8 localnici recomandă
Gotham Bagels
112 E Mifflin St
8 localnici recomandă
If you like bagels, this is the spot.
Great coffee and crepes. Cozy, with ample people-watching through the walls of windows.
14 localnici recomandă
Bradbury's Coffee
127 N Hamilton St
14 localnici recomandă
Great coffee and crepes. Cozy, with ample people-watching through the walls of windows.
Solid happy hour, excellent service and great pub-style food. Live music on Sundays.
6 localnici recomandă
Brocach Irish Pub & Whiskey Den
7 W Main St
6 localnici recomandă
Solid happy hour, excellent service and great pub-style food. Live music on Sundays.
Darts in the basement, solid craft beer selections and cheap, delicious food (including lots of vegetarian options).
Argus Bar & Grill
123 E Main St
Darts in the basement, solid craft beer selections and cheap, delicious food (including lots of vegetarian options).
Nothing fancy, but quality food and fun cocktails. Good options for vegetarians.
19 localnici recomandă
RED
316 W Washington Ave
19 localnici recomandă
Nothing fancy, but quality food and fun cocktails. Good options for vegetarians.

Essentials

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 localnici recomandă
Pinkus McBride Market
301 N Hamilton St
6 localnici recomandă
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.
Madison's primary natural foods store.
77 localnici recomandă
Willy Street Co-op—East
1221 Williamson St
77 localnici recomandă
Madison's primary natural foods store.
A little pricier, but open 24 hours and carries all the basic groceries.
15 localnici recomandă
Capitol Centre Market
111 N Broom St
15 localnici recomandă
A little pricier, but open 24 hours and carries all the basic groceries.

Drinks & Nightlife

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 localnici recomandă
Genna's Lounge
105 W Main St
19 localnici recomandă
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.
Cheap beer in a dive-y atmosphere, with darts, shuffleboard and free popcorn. Sunday karaoke, Monday movie night, and Tuesday trivia.
6 localnici recomandă
Come Back In
508 E Wilson St
6 localnici recomandă
Cheap 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 localnici recomandă
Tempest Oyster Bar
120 E Wilson St
30 localnici recomandă
Oysters half-off during happy hour; great for date night or a drink with friends.