These days, travelers are planning “local” getaways more than ever. This type of travel allows for the most flexibility in uncertain times. It also grants them the option to explore without having to get on a plane or risk losing money due to cancellations. And we totally get it! Over the last year, we’ve spent a lot of time exploring destinations within several hours drive. If you are looking for a road trip destination in the midwestern US, then Madison Wisconsin may be the place for you!
Nowadays, you can even explore a less than local destination remotely! We recently embarked on a Virtual Press Trip of Madison Wisconsin and were so very impressed by all the awesome activities and epicurean delights it has to offer.
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One of America’s Greenest Cities
Madison is not only the capital city of the state of Wisconsin, it has been deemed one of America’s top 10 greenest cities! So what does it take to be considered one of the greenest cities? According to WalletHub the top variables for determining the most environmentally friendly cities include:
- Environment – air quality, population density, heat island effects and green spaces
- Transportation – average commute, walking, biking, fuel consumption and alternative fuel options
- Energy Sources – renewable energies
- Lifestyle & Policy – farm markets, proximity to organic farms, community gardens and local plastic bans
As one of the top 10, Madison Wisconsin checks many of these boxes and peaks our interest!
Kayaker’s Paradise
There are five lakes in the vicinity of Madison Wisconsin, which make for many acres of watercrafting. They have a collection of restaurants that are accessible from the water. Restaurants like Buck & Honey’s Monona even have dedicated kayak parking! And if being on the water isn’t really your cup of tea, those lakes offer miles and miles of waterfront beaches and parks, perfect for a picnic!
As a Cyclist, Madison is your Oyster!
Madison Wisconsin is a city of passionate cyclists! The city has over 200 miles of biking and hiking trails and is known as one of the best cities on earth for biking! They have trails of various lengths and difficulties, for all skill levels, all mapped out on their website. Traveling into the city bike-less? They have plenty of bike rental and share programs, like Bcycle.
Over a Dozen Breweries
Now, if beer is more your style, there is plenty of that to go around in this town as well! There are over a dozen breweries within a six mile radius of the city center. Breweries like Capital Brewery, a German style brewery that boasts the largest Bier Garten in the midwest. Developed in 1984, Capital Brewery is the fifth oldest brewery in the state. They have produced many award winning beers in their 35 barrel and a seven barrel (small batch) systems.
Our virtual tasting tour of Madison included their ‘Ye Ole Hopped IPA’, produced using nine different hops including Amarilo, and their Kölsh. The beers paired delightfully with the mustards and cheeses we also sampled, described below. Their beers are available at the brewery, and at local bars, restaurants and shops.
Foodie Heaven
Do you love craft food? From a plethora of restraurants, to a cheese shop specializing in Wisonsin cheese and a Mustard Museum, Madison has it all!
Mustard Mecca!
Madison’s National Mustard Museum is the “home of the World’s Largest Mustard Collection and Mustard Memorabilia”. Here, you can sample hundreds of mustards at their tasting bar which range from sweet to spicy, and everything in between. And admission to the National Mustard Museum is free! They keep the mustard flowing by shop sales, donations and the help of volunteers. You can even support them remotely through their online shop.
Our virtual tasting tour of Madison included the following mustards:
- East Shore Slow Cooked Cranberry Mustard – this zesty mustard features a winning combination of sweet yet tart cranberries and a subtle blend of spices.
- Slimm & Nunne Sweet & Nicely Hot Mustard – also known as the National Mustard Museum Flagship mustard, this sweet-hot mustard has a serious bite with a honey texture and flavour.
We paired these mustards with the cheeses and accompaniements below. Both mustards are available through their online shop.
Did you know – mustard is the most popular hot dog condiment?
The National Mustard Museum
Cheese Central!
Founded in 2007 by Ken Monteleone, Fromagination is Madison’s artisinal, one stop cheese shop. They carry a variety of cheeses from all over the state, including cow, sheep, goat and water buffalo milk artisan cheeses. Fromagination encourages cheese exploration and indulgence through sight, touch, smell and taste. But don’t take our word for it! Check out one of Fromagination’s virtual classes for yourself!
Our virtual tasting tour of Madison included the following locally made cheeses:
- Marieke Gouda – this award-winning Gouda is made from cow’s milk. It is aged 4 to 6 months on Dutch wooden planks which give it it’s sweet and nutty character.
- Landmark Creamery Anabasque – this cave-aged, sheep’s milk cheese has a nutty character, and “a pleasantly sheep-y finish.” Aged for a minimum of three months, it has a high fat content and the rind is edible.
- LaClare Evalon – this award winning cheese is made from raw goat milk. This “is a Gouda-style artisan cheese, with hint of Italian Asiago flavor and feel.”
We paired these cheeses with the mustards above, along with crackers, as well as dried apple, orange and pineapple slices, cranberries and corn nuts.
Did you know – Wisconsin cheesemakers require a license sell their cheeses?
Ken Monteleone of Fromagination
More on Madison
Looking for accommodations? There are plenty of hotels in Madison to choose from. The weather in Madison varies seasonally if you are planning a visit. In the winter you can expect temperatures in the 10 to 30s °F. In summer, temperatures are in the 60s to 80s.
A big thank you to Anna Shersal and Robert Gard of the Destination Madison Team who hosted this Virtual Press Trip. The one hour remote experience introduced us to all of the great things Madison has to offer. We can’t wait to travel out to Madison Wisonsin to explore it in person!
As we continue to research destinations for future road trips, stay tuned for more posts of “local” destinations, like the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Looking for a more economical way to get to Madison? Why not look into making the trip by bus, like this trip from Milwaukee to Madison orchestrated by the team at Wanderu. As the leading bus and train travel search platform in North America and Europe, their travel guides are sure to get you on the right track.
Does Madison Wisconsin look like a place you might like to explore?
Beer, cheese, mustard and Kayaking? Madison sounds like my kind of city! I must visit there some day.
It certainly made it’s way to the top of our lists Sue! Definitely a spot we don’t want to miss 🙂
Wow I live in the UK but it sounds great there!
Imagine there is something similar in the UK as well – sometime of cheese center. You’ll have to share with us when you find it!
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Over the years I have been shocked by the number of award-winning chef’s in Madision.
That’s very interesting Chuck! We bet the restaurants there are incredible as well. Looking forward to finding out for ourselves!
I had no idea Madison was one the greenest cities! Very cool!
We think so too Taylor! Looking forward to finding out why in person someday soon.
Madison looks like a great place to travel to. It has many attractions we would like to experience like kayaking, walking, or having a delicious lunch at a waterfront restaurant. We would also like to try different kinds of beer and cheeses.
I haven’t been to Wisconsin in forever–this post makes me think it’s time to change that!
Did you eat your weight in cheese when you were there Darla?! We can’t wait to visit in person! Aiming for this fall. Safe travels!
I have a friend that just moved to Madison. I will use this next time I visit her.
What fun! It looks like such a great place to visit! Would love to hear about your experience after your trip. Safe travels!
Madison sounds like a great place to visit. Saving this just in case I get there one day from the other side of the ocean!
We couldn’t agree with you more Alma! Likely we will eat our weight in cheese on our next trip haha
Beer and cheese after an architectural walking tour would be my ticket to fun. I’d also spent a day kayaking. Hello green city!
Madison truly seems like the perfect destination to do everything we would want as well Terri. Enjoy yourself if you get a chance to make it there!
Your’e right, local travel is definitely the way to go nowadays! I’ve lived just a few hours from Madison most of my life and never been. I have to rectify that soon 🙂 Thank you for sharing this!
Isn’t it funny, the relatively local destinations we overlook Natalie? We took advantage of the pandemic to focus our energy on exploring our hometown. Happy travels!
A license to sell cheese? That is interesting.
Isn’t it Anukrati? It’s their way of ensuring that only quality products make their way out to the consumer. I’m not complaining haha
I haven’t been there in years! Your article brought back some good memories. I also had no idea about the license required for cheese sellers….very interesting!
Only the best cheeses offered in Wisconsin 🙂 Glad to take you on a trip down memory lane Erin! Hope you get a chance to revisit someday.
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