At our City Cast Neighbors happy hour last week (thanks to everybody who came!) at the Muskellounge and Sporting Club, a couple of our members mentioned the challenge of finding things to do when their parents come to Madison to visit.
With the UW-Madison commencement ceremonies this week, there’s going to be a lot of parents in town. So, here are a bunch of ideas for how to entertain them, whether they like Madison’s party vibe, they prefer peace and quiet, or they love the outdoors:
For parents who love peace and quiet
Madison has some great museums to escape to, including the Chazen Museum of Art and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, which are both free (but accept donations). If history is more their bag, check out the Wisconsin Historical Society’s new temporary History Maker Space and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.
Olbrich Gardens is a gorgeous place for the family to walk around in, whether touring the outdoor gardens or heading indoors to Bolz Conservatory. And while there are certainly some crowded areas of the UW-Madison campus, there are plenty of quiet places to explore, such as Washburn Observatory and Music Hall.
For parents who love hustle and bustle
If they want to rub elbows with the locals, start with the Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Capitol Square on Saturday. Then, stroll down State Street and check out the shops and restaurants. Finally, end up on the Memorial Union Terrace for ice cream or a cold beer.
Speaking of beer, you could also head out west to the beer garden at Capital Brewery in Middleton, or out east to the Biergarten at Olbrich Park, for a cold one and some food. And if it’s a summer weekend in Madison, there’s probably an outdoor neighborhood festival going on somewhere in the city!
If your parents like to bike, check out some BCycles and hit the trails! (Rob Thomas / Madison Minutes)
For parents who love the outdoors
We mentioned Olbrich Gardens already, but you can also go on a lovely stroll or bike ride through the UW-Madison Arboretum, either on your own or on a guided walk. Or you can take a walk along Lake Mendota on the LakeshoreNature Preserve Trail and head out to Picnic Point.
If your parents are avid bike riders, check out some BCycles and explore Madison’s extensive network of bike trails. Or your parents might be fascinated by Madison’s lakes, so get out on a MSCR pontoon boat from Tenney Park or a canoe or paddleboat on Lake Wingra. (Seeing your Mom and Dad trying to navigate a giant floating duck boat could be a cherished family memory!)
For parents who love food
Beyond the Dane County Farmers Market, there are certain places that a foodie visiting Madison has to hit. Take your parents to one of Madison’s fine bakeries, like Madison Sourdough or Bloom Bake Shop. Hit Fromagination to sample some fine cheese and buy some souvenirs to take back home, and keeps things a little spicy with a trip to Middleton’s National Mustard Museum.
A stop at The Old Fashioned for cheese curds is a must for a newcomer to Madison, as is a lollipop steak or a martini at the bar at the Tornado Club. Your parents might also appreciate the retro charm of Le Tigre Lounge, especially if they like the conversation to be clean.
And I hear parents who come to Madison are dazzled by a trip to Woodman’s! The selection of frozen pizzas alone will be the topic of conversation back home for weeks!
