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City Cast Madison

There’s something truly special about strolling through an orchard with a cup of cider and a basket of freshly picked apples. If you’re itching for that fresh fall flavor, you won’t have to venture too far out of the city to find it.

Here are some choice stops for you to get your apple fix.

⏰ Hours: Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Door Creek Orchard grows dozens of varieties of apples. And if the breed you’re looking for isn’t in season yet, the orchard has a box where you can drop a note with your name and email, and they’ll let you know when it’s time to collect the goods. Aside from apples, the orchard also has grapes.

🧭 175 Drammen Valley Road, Mount Horeb

⏰ Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Munchkey Apples in Mount Horeb has plenty of apple varieties and, as an added bonus, its farm store is also fully stocked with Hook’s cheese products. If you stop by, be sure to say “Hello” to the cows and dogs that work on the farm.

⏰ Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

This farm is unique because it’s one of the few dog-friendly locations around town. In addition to a variety of apple offerings, Appleberry Farm also has a Chocolate Shoppe ice cream store and a wagon full of pumpkins and pies for sale.

⏰ Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-1p.m., Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Eplegaarden in Fitchburg offers apple and raspberry picking! The farm has red and yellow raspberry varieties that will continue to ripen throughout the fall. Eplegaarden also offers big bags of “seconds” apples, otherwise known as the apples that aren’t as pretty as the rest, but will still taste good as a cider or sauce.

For even more apple orchards and fun, tune into 

 with Cap Times Food Editor Lindsay Christians. Happy picking!

It’s Apple Picking Season

Madison's Best

Angie Treinen didn’t set out to build a corn maze empire when she first entered the world of farming. But after two decades of designing unique and intricate mazes, 

 has solidified itself among the nation’s corn maze royalty.

Treinen Farm in Lodi has been in the Treinen family for nearly a century. The farm produces hay, soybeans, corn, and pumpkins, and is known for its Belgian and Percheron draft horses.

The farm is currently run by husband and wife duo Angie and Alan, who built the farm’s first corn maze in 2001. Since then, Angie has taken on the role of maze master and Alan builds and maintains the attraction.

Angie designs the mazes with themes like 

“Schrödinger’s Cat and Other Thought Experiments”

“Rainbows, Kittens, and Killer Baby Unicorns”

 (but be sure to leave yours at home because dogs aren’t allowed).

Upon arrival, you’ll receive a partial map of the maze showing its entrances and the location of the first mailbox inside the maze. Once you reach the mailbox, inside it you’ll find the next piece of your map. Repeat these steps until you have a finished map and successfully navigate the maze.

If your group is reasonably motivated, Angie says the whole process should take 45 minutes to an hour. If you’re up for a bigger challenge, there are 10 secret locations throughout the maze and if you find them all, you’ll win a prize!

For all the novices out there, Angie says not to freak out because you’re never too far from an exit. But she also suggests bringing a flashlight if you plan to navigate in the evening.

In addition to the corn maze, you’ll also find a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, horses, an enchanted woods, and much more at Treinen Farm. Additionally, outside food is allowed and picnics are encouraged.

, roughly 20 miles north of Madison and the perfect amount of time to listen to 

Crop Circle or Corn Maze? Either Way, You Need To See It.

Madison is full of great biking opportunities. Whether you want to unwind with a short spin, take a long bike trip with friends, or make it an overnight adventure, here are the best bike trips around Madison.

If you have limited time or are just getting comfortable with riding a bike around the city, here are some great options.

Downtown Loop along State Street and around the Capitol: It’s two miles long and great for people watching.

: This three-mile ride is best paired with a picnic in the middle.

 through the UW Arboretum: A beautiful six-mile trip through some of the city’s flora.

If you’ve got an hour or two, these are the rides we recommend.

: One of the most iconic rides in Madison, featuring gorgeous prairies and lots of wildflowers. It clocks in at around 12 miles.

: Lake Farm Park to Seminole Hwy, through the Arboretum and back to Lake Farm via Wingra and Cap City paths. This one’s around 16 miles.

 connects several trails, making it a great rendezvous for a ride out of the city.

 south to Paoli and back: Make a day out of it with this 17-mile loop. Paoli’s home to the new 

 and back: Pack a tent and stay overnight. This ride is about 46 miles round-trip.

 and back: At 10 miles, this one’s for less riding and more camping.

Ready to hop on the saddle? Listen to our conversation with Madison Bikes board member Grant Foster for 

more trips and recommendations on how to prepare

More of Madison’s Best Bike Trips 🚲

Madison's Best Bike Trips

Madison is home to many Mexican restaurants, grocery stores, and food trucks. But when it comes to burritos, a few spots stand out from the pack. Here are your picks for Madison’s best burritos.

El Rancho proved to be Madison’s fan-favorite spot for burritos. With two locations offering authentic Mexican cuisine, there’s something for just about everyone on the menu.

Habanero’s first opened in 2007 with an emphasis on local and organic produce. The restaurant’s menu takes the Qdoba and Chipotle approach, meaning customers can customize their burritos (or bowls, or salads, etc.) to their heart’s content.

Tapatios Cocina Mexicana in Fitchburg is the brick-and-mortar iteration of the local food cart Cali Fresh. Bonus: you can get containers of their homemade salsa to go.

For those looking to spice things up, here are some less traditional options for burrito goodness. 

 has stellar Salvadoran food (and coffee); If you need more than just one meal, head to 

; And if you’re looking for a breakfast burrito, check out 

Madison’s Best Burritos

When it comes to coffee, it’s clear there’s no shortage of delicious options in Madison. It was a hard list to narrow down, but here are (some of) Madison’s best coffee shops.

Centrally located on North Hamilton St., Bradbury's is the place for espresso and crepes. Readers love that the downtown spot has a light and airy vibe and staff who truly know their way around coffee.

The cult of JPH is very real, and for good reason. The Johnson St. coffee shop has 

become a staple of the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood

 for its food, drinks, and welcoming atmosphere. “It feels like a community. I’ve met so many interesting people there,” reader Catherine F. says.

With two locations in town — one on Willy St. and the 

 — Cafe Domestique has built up a following for both its baristas and bike-friendly atmosphere. Looking for something new to try? Check out the 

Dubbed “Madison's Cafe off the Bay,” Lakeside St. Coffee House is a near-west-side favorite for many. Readers love its homey feel with ample seating and, of course, unbeatable lake views. The shop also hosts live music.

With four locations across town, EVP Coffee has been serving Madisonians their morning brew for more than 25 years. What’s special about this spot? The beans. As several readers noted, EVP Coffee roasts their coffee on a daily basis to make their coffee as fresh as possible.

 EVP is short for “Etes-vous prets?” which means "Are you ready?" in French. The phrase used to be the traditional starting command for rowing races.

If you’re looking for Capitol views, there’s no better place than Wonderstate Coffee. The roasters use organic equitably sourced coffee for their drinks. Aside from serving top-notch drinks and food, the shop also offers 

When you’re off the isthmus, consider checking out these spots: 

Here's what you need to know about Madison today. 

☕️ Madison's Best Coffee Shops

There’s no shortage of ice cream in Madison — we are in the Dairy State, after all. But with so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Thankfully, nearly 200 of you chimed in to give the scoop on Madison’s best ice cream. Let’s dish.

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company was founded in 1962. After more than 60 years in business, the company now has 

 meant to raise money for Madison organizations fighting for social and racial equity. The page exploded in popularity, often selling out quickly. The brand opened a brick-and-mortar location in March 2022 on University Ave.

 Cherry Styles, Movie Theatre Trash Can, Chocolate Buttermilk. 

 You can get a flight of flavors for the days when you just can’t decide.

Located in the SASY neighborhood, the Atwood Scoop has been serving up nationally-awarded ice cream and smoothies since 2013.

The combination ice cream shop and cafe is a fairly recent addition to downtown’s food scene. Aside from ice cream and other sweet treats, the shop also offers breakfast and lunch items.

Fig & Honey, Blueberry Honey Lavender, Chocolate Hazelnut.

Calliope Ice Cream was born in the basement of the Weary Traveler Freehouse in 2011. In 2019, the brand opened its first shop at Garver Feed Mill where it serves its seven original flavors and a rotating batch of flavors.

Mexican Hot Chocolate, Brandy Old Fashioned, Hot Peanut Butter.

Babcock Dairy is the official ice cream producer for UW-Madison and its standard recipe hasn’t changed since 1951.

We can’t talk about ice cream without also mentioning its creamy cousin, custard. For those wondering, the difference between the two comes down to one ingredient: egg yolks. Ice cream is made with milk, cream, and sweetener. While frozen custard contains the same ingredients, plus egg yolks. You can find the sweet treat at 

The results are in for Madison's best ice cream!

🍦 Madison's Best Ice Cream

For a city of its size, Madison’s live music scene is nothing to scoff at. The city plays host to countless shows featuring big-name acts and local artists all year round in part because of the many venues scattered throughout town.

From the small, DIY spaces to the stadiums that hold thousands of people, here’s where Madisonians like to see shows.

The basics: The 5,000-person venue is also the home of Forward Madison FC.

What makes it special: “It’s perfect for summer nights.” — Vicki L.

The basics: The Wisconsin Union Directorate’s music committee books all of the shows for the Terrace (and Der Rathskeller and The Sett).

What makes it special: “When the band, weather, and crowd are right, it's magical.” — JohnMark F.

What makes it special: “Exceedingly comfortable grass.” — Oren M.

The basics: The space was originally built as the Eastwood Theater in 1929, but was renamed and converted into a live performance venue in 1987.

What makes it special: “I like it because you get a seat. The sight lines are good and the sound is good. It's not too large, but fits a good crowd.” — Larry J.

The basics: The 600-person-capacity Majestic first opened its doors in 1906, making it Wisconsin’s oldest theater.

What makes it special: “It's the perfect size and makes the shows feel so much more intimate.” — Kara R.

The basics: The east-side bar might get cramped but it knows how to put on a show.

What makes it special: “The people and the vibe are real and you can see good local acts.” — Bianca M.

The basics: The SASY neighborhood venue keeps a busy schedule. The Bur Oak also hosts open mic nights and sign language trivia.

What makes it special: “It’s local and based in the community not corporate. Killer mix of local & touring acts.” — Patrick Z.

The basics: The Langdon Street co-op houses students and non-students alike.

What makes it special: “ It’s a DIY venue which makes it awesome, plus the building is beautiful and well decorated.” — Megan B.

There are too many amazing places for one list! Here are a few more spots worthy of your attention: 

It’s a hot one today and it’s going to get even hotter this week. 

🎸 Madison's Best Concert Venues

In Madison — and Wisconsin, if we’re being honest — you’re never more than a stone's throw away from a basket of cheese curds. But which curds stand out from the crowd? Here’s what you had to say.

 is the place to go. What makes them so good? The batter and the sauce are what keep visitors and locals coming back for more.

Not all curds are created equally, and that’s a good thing! These options stand out from the pack because of their unique twists.

We’ve all had cheese curds made from cow’s milk but have you ever tried goat cheese curds? Check them out next time you’re at the 

 for a fun and delicious spin on the classic.

 might be known for its array of Asian cuisine but their tempura-battered cheese curds are a must-try.

 doesn’t technically have cheese curds on its menu but it does have cheese puppies. These bad boys are the love child of hush puppies and cheese curds and yes, they’re delicious.

 food cart lives up to its name by offering some of the gooiest curds in town. Even if curds and homemade sauces aren’t your thing, at least stop by the cart to say hello to the 

If you’re looking for good-old fashioned squeaky cheese curds (AKA not fried) check out 