vacationing in wisconsin-- where to go/what to do? (Green Bay: movies, shops)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by TKramar

Highlights of Madison for those without children? I'm figuring on driving directly towards Madison then turning north for my own trip. I'm concerned about the potential of getting lost/missing my turn-offs with the other route from Milwaukee to central WI.

Highlights of Madison... let's see...

Check out the biergarten of the Great Dane brewery is an absolute must -- it's the coolest spot for a beer and a bite to eat in all the Midwest. Even if weather doesn't permit, it's still worth a trip because the building itself is pretty cool, the food is quite good for pub fare, and the beer is top notch.

An afternoon spent on the the lakefront terrace behind the university union is usually a good way to take in the sun and do some people-watching. Or take in a band on the evenings when there's a band playing. Unfortunately the union won't serve you beer unless you're a member of the union.

Speaking of beer, if you're a fan of beer, there's a million breweries in and around Madison to visit. Details are available if you're interested. If you're not I won't bore you.

A stroll down State Street to check out the various shops is pretty cool for a first-time visitor. Anything from instrument shops to head shops to indie book stores to indie record shops to cafes and the like. And some chain places mixed in too for good measure. It's only 5 blocks long and it connects the Capitol square to the UW campus. It's closed to traffic except bikes and buses so it's a relaxing place to take a walk.

Cornish pastries are a popular item in spots throughout the upper Midwest. They're most common in upper Michigan where they're called pastys (pronounced PASS-tees). In Madison they're just called Cornish pastries. There's a place near the Capitol end on State Street called Papa Myle's Teddywegers that sells 'em. Good place to stop for lunch.

Kids or not, the capitol building is worth a look. It's the largest one in the U.S. outside of Washington. Recently renovated too, so it's in pretty tip-top shape.

If you're in town on a Wednesday night, be sure to catch a Celtic jam session at Mickey's Tavern.

If you like baseball, there's an amateur baseball league comprised of college players keeping themselves busy during the off-season. They play throughout the upper Midwest and southern Ontario. One of the league's teams is the Madison Mallards. It's a cheap way to spend an afternoon and catch a game -- I think tickets max out at 10 bucks unless you get one of the food/drink packages.

Speaking of beer, if you're a fan of beer, there's a million breweries in and around Madison to visit. Details are available if you're interested. If you're not I won't bore you.

There's a small zoo in Vilas Park. It's not much but it's free. Any time I get to see orangutans for free, I'm there.

Check out the local rock scene at places like High Noon Saloon, Majestic Theater or The Project Lodge.

Visit the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

At least drive down Williamson Street on the near east side and Monroe Street on the near west side to check out some of the shops and stuff.


The place to look for events while you're in town is The Isthmus. It's a weekly newspaper, distributed free throughout the downtown and campus areas. There's also an online version if you're traveling with your 'puter.


Madison can be tough to navigate. It looks like a relatively easy grid pattern when you look at it on the map, but there are a lot of one ways and six-way intersections and streets that intersect each other at weird angles that make it very easy to get turned around. If you have GPS, bring it.

[TKramar]

Thanks D!

Unfortunately I won't have GPS. I asked about it, and it IS available--at the cost of $10.95 a day, and I'll have the car for over a week. That's like another $100--a little out of my price range. But I do have a cousin in De Forest, not far from Madison, and I'll probably be passing through there on the way from Wisconsin to Illinois, as well as the trip from Milwaukee towards Madison before the northern sweep.

[Drover]

Any way you could borrow one from a friend? GPS really does make road-tripping a lot easier, and not just for the directions either.

[TKramar]

Quote: Kids or not, the capitol building is worth a look. It's the largest one in the U.S. outside of Washington. Recently renovated too, so it's in pretty tip-top shape.

I didn't mean to dismiss that part, just the children's museum part. :-)

I can't borrow a GPS, as I don't know anyone who has one now. I might be able to borrow my cousin though!

[geekduo]

For those with kids visiting Madison, a stop at Ella's Deli is an absolute must. It's a one of a kind experience.
Ella's Deli and Ice Cream Parlor
Kind of reminds me of the movie,Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium.

[Drover]

That movie gave me a headache.

[geomom]

We're getting so excited planning out our week! We live close enough to the Dells (maybe 2-3 hours) that we could easily get back there for a weekend anytime, so I'm wondering if we should plan more time in Door County and Milwaukee, since they're too far for quick trip, and maybe just go through the Dells for a day on our way home (though I'm guessing that weekends will be kind of busy there) How many days would you plan on spending in each of Door County and Milwaukee? We have from Saturday until the following Sunday (so a full 7 days)-- would like to spend at least the first Saturday night in Madison, go through Milaukee, and then we have camping reservations at Peninsula State Park for Tuesday and Wednesday. Would you recommend maybe staying an extra day in Door County and then going back through Milwaukee for another night or two? Or should we REALLY plan on a day or two in the Dells as well (our child is only 4yo and not wild about crowds, so I don't feel a need to do the big waterpark thing with her-- are there other things we should try to see there?)

[strawflower]

Peninsula State Park is awesome! I think you'd be best off to get to the park late Tuesday afternoon, go to the outdoor theater up the road between ephraim and Fish Creek (it's fun..they usually have a kids movie that starts at about 8. Bring lawn chairs and blankets!), on Wednesday go to the beach there and/or explore the park (there's nice, easy hiking trails or you could climb the big lookout tower or go to the lighthouse. If you bring bikes, the bike trails are awesome and even a four year old would do fine) and then on Thursday explore Fish Creek or any of the other quaint towns.

Hope this helps. We camp at Peninsula for a week over the 4th of July and it's always fun.

[nanannie]

I would skip the Dells,
unless you are really into T shirt and fudge shops.
Its a "Tourist Town USA".

[susancruzs]

I second the "skip the Dells" especially with your child being four. You are close enough to plan a weekend there when she is a little older!

Enjoy your trip, you are getting great ideas!