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As we enter the final curve of Wisconsin’s winter, the cold weather and dreary skies can become increasingly unbearable. To help ease the symptoms of these few months, we offer some ideas for how to pass the time around Madison. The categories of activities are Museums, Food, Outdoors, and Events.
Museums: Madison boasts a variety of museums for art, nature, history, and fun. These recommendations are by no means a complete list, but can get you started and are a great way to pass a few hours.
Food: The food scene in Madison spans from farm-to-table dining, to local eateries and cafes, to pubs and taverns. If you’re looking for a fun way to explore the city, check out some of our ideas below.
Outdoors: Wisconsin residents are known for their ability to brave the cold. If you’re up for activities in lower temperatures, we have a few ideas we encourage you to try out.
Events: Madison is a center for a variety of sports games, theater productions, and concerts that are great for wintertime viewing.
As we enter the final curve of Wisconsin’s winter, the cold weather and dreary skies can become increasingly unbearable. To help ease the symptoms of these few months, we offer some ideas for how to pass the time around Madison. The categories of activities are Museums, Food, Outdoors, and Events.
Museums: Madison boasts a variety of museums for art, nature, history, and fun. These recommendations are by no means a complete list, but can get you started and are a great way to pass a few hours.
- The Chazen: As the University of Wisconsin’s art museum, the Chazen acts as a hub for art education and houses an expansive collection of art from across the world. The museum has about 24,000 works in its permanent collection along with rotating exhibits. Upcoming exhibitions include re:mancipation, a study on the history of the Emancipation Group, and Message from Our Planet, a digital art media exhibit.
- Geology Museum: Another UW museum, the Geology Museum is a great time for prehistoric-era enthusiasts, paleontology buffs, and crystal lovers alike. At this museum, a visitor can touch volcanic rocks native to Wisconsin, check out dinosaur fossils and meteorites, and explore a model cave.
- Wisconsin Historical Museum: Wish you knew more about the state where you live? This museum might be just the place for you! Get an extensive history of Wisconsin with exhibits on indigenous tribes, immigrant experience, settling life, agriculture, industry, influential people, and political developments, among others.
- Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA): This art museum is situated in the center of downtown Madison, adjacent to the Overture Center, and displays 6,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art. A must-visit for Wisconsin art-lovers, the museum boasts strong collections of Chicago Imagists, Mexican Modernists, and contemporary photography. Upcoming exhibitions include Sertraline Dolls, a video game inspired installation, and Floyd Newsum’s Evolution of Sight, which spans works from his over-50-year career.
Food: The food scene in Madison spans from farm-to-table dining, to local eateries and cafes, to pubs and taverns. If you’re looking for a fun way to explore the city, check out some of our ideas below.
- Farmers Market at Garver Feed Mill: Madison hosts the largest producer-only, outdoor farmers market in America. We wish we could enjoy the Capitol location year round, but Wisconsin winter weather is a barrier. Although not as big, many vendors sell their goods at an indoor farmers market every Saturday morning at Garver Feed Mill on the East Side. There you can buy cheese, honey, produce, sweets, and meat, just as you could outside. Check it out and shop local.
- Best pizza: Madison is home to many pizza restaurants, with everyone backing a different establishment as the best. If you’re a fellow pizza lover, we welcome you to try a couple around town to establish your favorite. For a solid start, we recommend Pizza Brutta, Ian’s Pizza, Novanta, and Grampa’s Pizzeria.
- Best boba: One of the most popular drinks right now, there are plenty of boba places in Madison that are worth a try. Fun to compare and a delicious way to get out, some must-trys are Sencha Tea Bar, Taiwan Little Eats, Bambu, Kung Fu Tea, and Le C’s Patisserie and Tea House.
- Best cafe: A great way to study, grab some food, and meet with friends, the cafes in Madison are the perfect multi-use space. However, everyone has their preference on which is best, and we encourage you to find your cafe of choice. Some local options are Barriques, Colectivo, Indie Coffee, Michelangelo’s, Crescendo, Leopold’s, and Lakeside St. Coffee House.
Outdoors: Wisconsin residents are known for their ability to brave the cold. If you’re up for activities in lower temperatures, we have a few ideas we encourage you to try out.
- Ice skating: A quintessential winter activity, ice skating is a perfect way to spend time outside during these winter months. You can play hockey, spend time with friends, or go on a solo outing. No need to worry if you don’t own a pair of skates; Vilas Park and Tenney Park have renting options available. If you have skates of your own, the City of Madison Parks Division has a list of open rinks and skating options available in Madison.
- Henry Vilas Zoo: Although traditionally known as a popular activity for summer days, a winter trip to the zoo should not be overlooked as a great day trip. To embrace the winter weather, you can visit the Arctic Passage exhibits. Here you can see polar bears, grizzly bears, and harbor seals, as well as explore a previously operational Tundra Buggy. In addition to these animals, indoor exhibits like the Aviary, the Primate House, and the Herpetarium are worth a visit. To warm yourself up after an outdoor walk, we recommend a ride on the carousel as well.
- Geocaching: This new activity involves using GPS, pinpoint location, and occasional hints to track down a hidden object in your area. These objects can be hidden around town or in parks. You can base a walk around the city or a winter hike on finding one or more of these hidden gems. If you’re looking to go the nature route, Picnic Point and the Arboretum both host a variety of Geocache sites.
Events: Madison is a center for a variety of sports games, theater productions, and concerts that are great for wintertime viewing.
- UW Sports: Watching University of Wisconsin athletics is a great way to spend time during the winter. Some of the most popular sports going on right now are basketball and hockey. Men’s hockey and basketball, as well as women’s basketball are played at the Kohl Center. Women’s hockey is played at LaBahn Arena for a smaller, but very energetic crowd. For more information on the Badger schedule and in season sports, the University’s composite schedule is available on the athletic website.
- Overture Center: This center for the performing arts hosts many plays, musicals, and other artistic recitals. Many traveling Broadway shows make their way to the Overture, including the Lion King, Hadestown, and Chicago. With productions from everywhere, and for everyone, the Overture center caters to all audiences and tastes. We encourage you to check out the upcoming events and attend a show of interest.
- Concerts: Madison has become a stopping place for many touring musicians. These artists are not always the most well-known, but the smaller concerts make for an even better experience. Keep your eyes peeled on your favorite musician’s schedules; they may begin to include a Madison debut. Some of the most frequented venues for performances include the Sylvee, the Orpheum, and the Barrymore.