Madison event weekends: what to do between sessions

Wisconsin's capital on an isthmus between two lakes, with the Memorial Union terrace and the biggest farmers market in the US.

Events we cover in Madison

Arriving

Dane County (MSN) is 15 minutes away; Chicago O'Hare is 2.5 hours.

Where to stay

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Hampton Inn Madison East
• Mid-range: Graduate Madison
• Splurge: The Edgewater

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Where to eat

• Dane County Farmers Market Saturdays on the Square
• The Old Fashioned Wisconsin supper club food
• Babcock Dairy Campus ice cream

With kids

• Henry Vilas Zoo (free).

Rainy-day backups

• Chazen Museum of Art.

Free things to do

• Memorial Union Terrace.
• Wisconsin State Capitol tours.

Getting around

• Walkable and bike-friendly. Hotels for commencement weekend often sell out a year ahead and require two- or three-night minimums. Book as soon as the date is posted.