Madison is a fun college town with a cute downtown and some superb breweries!

Mad City Tips:

Hang out on the water! Madison has several lakes in the city so be sure to spend some time enjoying them.
Madison is definitely a college town, so prepare for Badger everything! As a Michigan State grad it wasn’t my favorite part of the city, but it is fun to see the culture.
Madison is quite small, you can accomplish a lot in just a day or two!
Madison is only 1.5 hours west of Milwaukee, another fun city to explore! Check out my Milwaukee beer and travel guide here.

Adventures & Ales Top Madison Recommendations:

New Glarus Brewing: New Glarus is 50 minutes south of Madison but 1000% worth going out of your way to visit. This Wisconsin-only brewery is located on a huge, gorgeous property with a beer garden and views of the surrounding farms. There are only a few beers on tap but it is set up where you either pay for 3 tasters or for a pint, and you keep the glass. Spotted Cow is their most popular beer and a must-try. There is a large gift shop with swag and local cheese/snacks for sale to accompany your beers. The Beer Depot downstairs has to-go beer offerings with a large variety of beers and single bottle options as well. They also offer tours to learn more about their giant facility.
Memorial Union Terrace: A super cute outdoor restaurant, bar and lounge space on the water on UW’s campus. Grab a local beer and hang out on the water! This is also a popular spot to watch the sunset.
Young Blood Beer Company: A fantastic brewery downtown near the Capitol building. They have chill vibes, a patio space, a kitchen and delicious beers.
Stay at Mansion Hill Inn! Madison is full of old mansions that have been converted to bed and breakfast spots and Mansion Hill Inn is fantastic. It is a beautiful old space with modern amenities and attentive staff. Your stay also includes a Madison BCycle pass and there is a docking station at the Inn.
Working Draft Beer Company: A great brewery in the Marquette neighborhood with an IPA-heavy tap list and a nice taproom. They have a small patio space and fantastic beers.

Madison Tourist Spots Actually Worth Visiting:

The Old Fashioned: A famous restaurant in the heart of downtown with extremely delicious cheese curds that have been rated the best in the state. The bar selection is huge and they have a solid draft list as well.
Ride around town with a Madison BCycle pass! Madison is super bike friendly and there are BCycle docking stations all over to make things easy!
Explore State Street: This is the heart of downtown and is a cute, walkable area full of restaurants, shops and bars.
Explore the Arboretum: A large outdoor space with trails, gardens and events.

Other Madison Things To Do:

Colectivo Coffee: A local coffee chain with great coffee and food. They have a few locations in town and have nice outdoor seating options.
If you are visiting in the summer months be sure to check out Concerts on the Square on Wednesday evenings at the Capitol. This is an incredible event that brings together the city with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, BYOB drinks and food and drink vendors throughout.
Bascom Hill: A nice viewpoint at the heart of UW’s campus.
Hop Haus Brewing: A brewery in Fitchburg on the way to Madison from New Glarus. They have a full kitchen and average beers.