Why go
- Capital of Wisconsin, United States.
- Served by Dane County Regional Airport (MSN).
History
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the second-most populous city in the state, with a population of 269,840 at the 2020 census. The Madison metropolitan area has an estimated 708,000 residents. With a downtown centrally located on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona, the city also encompasses Lake Wingra. Madison was founded in 1836, and is named after American Founding Father and President James Madison. Madison is the county seat of Dane County.
Where to stay
901 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703 · ihg.com
704 E Gorham St, Madison, WI 53703 · mendotalakehouse.com
Fluno Center for Executive Education, 601 University Ave 8th Floor, Madison, WI 53715 · fluno.com
130 E Gilman St, Madison, WI 53703 · governorsmansioninn.com
610 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI 53713 · ihg.com
524 E Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703 · rubymarie.com
327 E Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703 · thesaddlerymadison.com
611 E Dayton St, Madison, WI 53703 · thedylin.com
1308 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53715 · union.wisc.edu
1 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53703 · concoursehotel.com
414 S Baldwin St, Madison, WI 53703 · madisonmarquettehotel.com
1602 W Beltline Hwy, Madison, WI 53713 · wyndhamhotels.com
231 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703 · hilton.com
440 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703 · hilton.com
2153 Rimrock Rd, Madison, WI 53713 · hilton.com
102 E Rusk Ave, Madison, WI 53713 · hilton.com
One N Webster St, Madison, WI 53703 · marriott.com
525 W Johnson St, Madison, WI 53703 · hilton.com
770 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715 · hilton.com
2424 University Ave, Madison, WI 53726 · bestwestern.com
22 S Carroll St, Madison, WI 53703 · bestwestern.com
1001 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI 53703 · theedgewater.com
333 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703 · hyatt.com
706 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI 53713 · marriott.com
601 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53703 · hilton.com
9 E Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703 · hilton.com
722 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI 53713 · marriott.com
823 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703 · marriott.com
2702 Syene Rd, Madison, WI 53713 · valuedstay.com
Restaurants & places to go
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Su-Fr 08:00-20:00; Sa 07:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access Wikipedia: en:Lamb Building ·… · michelangeloscoffeehouse.com
Mexican, Restaurant · Mexican restaurant offering tacos and entrees Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:30 · 1318 South Midvale Boulevard, Madison, 53711 · taqueriaeljalapenomadison.com
German, Restaurant · Building was made 1897 Opening hours: Mo-Fr 16:00-01:00, Sa 12:00-01:00, Su 12:00-23:00 Features: vegan options · 401 East Washington… · letsprost.com
Pizza, Restaurant · Mostly features vintage arcade games · 4503 Monona Drive, Monona, 53716 · rossispizzamonona.com
American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 10:00-22:00 Features: step-free access · 1 West Towne Mall, Madison, 53719 · locations.thecheesecakefactory.com
Bagel, Fast Food · Opening hours: 06:00-14:00 Features: takeaway · 2839 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, 53713 · locations.einsteinbros.com
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 10:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-24:00; Su 10:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 4 Collins Court, Madison, 53716 · arbys.com
Tacos, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00 · 464 North Midvale Boulevard, Madison, 53705 · bartaco.com
Wings, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-We 11:00-23:00; Th-Sa 11:00-00:00 · 53719 · buffalowildwings.com
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 06:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 6909 Odana Road, Madison, 53719-1038 · bk.com
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 430 South Gammon Road, Madison, 53719 · chick-fil-a.com
Donut, Coffee Shop, Fast Food · Opening hours: 05:00-20:00 Features: takeaway · 801 South Park Street, Madison, 53715 · locations.dunkindonuts.com
Juice, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 650 State Street, Madison, 53703 · locations.jamba.com
Middle Eastern, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:30-21:00 · 555 State Street, Madison, 53703 · nafnafgrill.com
Pasta, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:30-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, step-free access · 6520 Monona Drive, Monona, 53716 · locations.noodles.com
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, vegan options, step-free access, air conditioning · 698 South Whitney Way, Madison,… · locations.tacobell.com
Breakfast, Pancake, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We-Su 07:00-13:00 · 5518 University Avenue, Madison, 53705 · originalpancakehouse.com
French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 17:15+; Fr 16:45+ Features: step-free access · 1 South Pinckney Street, Madison, 53703 · letoile-restaurant.com
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00 Features: vegetarian options · 334 State Street, Madison, 53703 · ruyihandpullednoodle.com
Southeast Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu 16:00-22:00; We-Sa 12:00-15:00,16:00-22:00; Su 12:00-15:00,16:00-20:00 · 53704 · ahanmadison.com
Thai, Indonesian, Lunch, Dinner, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 11:00-13:45; Tu-Sa 17:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating · 600 Williamson Street, Madison,… · bandungrestaurant.com
Italian, Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 16:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00 Features: vegetarian options · 2004 Atwood Avenue,… · barcorallini.com
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 468 State Street, Madison, 53703 · chocolateshoppeicecream.com
Cuban, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 18:00-03:00 · 2007 Atwood Avenue, Madison, 53704-5324 · cubaricanscocina.com
Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Th-Fr 12:00-18:00; Sa-Su 11:00-16:00 · 823, 53703 · teasider.com
Steak, Brunch, American, Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 16:00-22:00; Su 09:00-14:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway,… · turnkeymadison.com
Ice Cream, Dessert, Cake, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 2856 University Avenue, Madison, 53705-3644 · dairyqueen.com
Latin American, Mexican, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su off Features: air conditioning · 15 North Broom Street, Madison, 53703 · orderalabrasamexicangrill.com
Azerbaijani, Restaurant · Opening hours: Sa-Su 11:00-21:00; Mo-Fr 11:00-20:00 Features: takeaway · 6615 University Avenue, Middleton, 53562 · order.toasttab.com
Barbecue, Restaurant · Opening hours: 10:00-20:00 · 3001 North Sherman Avenue, Madison, 53704 · beefbutterbbq.com
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 20 West Mifflin Street · thecooperstavern.com
Diner, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Sa 07:00-14:00 · 5501 Schroeder Road, Madison, 53711 · coppertoprestaurantmadison.com
Curry, Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00 Features: takeaway, vegetarian options · 2907 University Avenue, Madison, 53705 · curryintheboxuniversity.com
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 08:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-10:30 · 10 West Mifflin Street, Madison, 53703 · elouramediterranean.com
Peruvian, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-21:00 · 616 University Avenue, Madison, 53715 · estacioninkamadison.com
Salad, American, Soup, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-20:00 Features: vegetarian options · 800 West Broadway, Monona, 53716 · eatforage.com
Poke, Salad, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:45-21:00 Features: delivery · 542 North Midvale Boulevard, Madison, 53705 · freshfinpoke.com
Raclette, Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Sa 10:00-15:00,17:00-22:00, Sa 10:00-14:00 Features: vegetarian options · 1602 Gilson Street, 53715 · friendsapplaud.com
Jamaican, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 16:00-22:00; We 16:00-21:00 · 1925 Monroe Street, Madison, 53711 · fyasydekitchen.com
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 · 411 State Street, Madison, 53703 · lecsmadison.com
Tibetan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00 Features: vegan options · 827 East Johnson Street · littletibetmadison.com
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We,Th 11:00-14:30,16:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-14:30,16:00-22:30, Sa 11:00-22:30, Su 11:00-22:00; PH off · 532 South Park… · oishimadison.com
Venezuelan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 08:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-23:00; Su 08:00-18:00 · 6714 Raymond Road, Madison, 53719 · paqueroberto.com
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su 11:00-19:45; Mo-Sa 11:00-20:45 Features: takeaway · 615 State Street, Madison, 53703 · poketeriyaki.com
Noodle, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su 00:00-21:00; Mo-Sa 11:00-14:30,16:30-21:30 · 1124 South Park Street, Madison, 53715 · ramenstationwi.com
389 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) 5.8 mi to the centre
4000 International Ln, Madison, WI 53704 — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 7 airlines (Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways…) · direct flights to 11 destinations incl. Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Cincinnati… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 7 airlines, 11 direct destinations
- Delta Air Lines DL (A320, Embraer 170, A319, 737-700, CRJ, MD-88…) · 7 routes: Atlanta, Cincinnati*, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Salt Lake City*, Washington*
- United Airlines UA (ERJ, CRJ-700, CRJ) · 3 routes: Chicago*, Denver*, Newark*
- American Airlines AA (ERJ-145, ERD, CRJ) · 2 routes: Chicago*, Dallas-Fort Worth*
- US Airways US (ERJ-145, ERD) · 2 routes: Chicago*, Dallas-Fort Worth
- Air France AF (A320, CRJ-700, CRJ-900) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A319) · 1 route: Denver
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (A320, 737-700, CRJ-700, CRJ-900) · 1 route: Atlanta*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Middleton Municipal Morey Field 7.1 mi to the centre
Middleton, WI, US
Waunakee Airport 7.9 mi to the centre
Waunakee, WI, US
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Dane County Regional Airport (MSN); 18 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: MSN has direct flights to 11 destinations on 7 airlines (incl. Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Cincinnati…).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Madison, Wisconsin. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Bus, Metro · Madison, Wisconsin · Schedules & GTFS data
Trains & rail
Rail operator
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach