City Cast Madison logo
Advertisement image

The Best Ways to Beat The Heat

Posted on June 24, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Ava Wojnowski

Ava Wojnowski

The terrace at Memorial Union is a common place for people to grab a bite or listen to live music. (Ava Wojnowski / City Cast Madison)

The terrace at Memorial Union is a common place for people to grab a bite or listen to live music. (Ava Wojnowski / City Cast Madison)


In classic Wisconsin fashion, we have gone from cold spring mornings right to sweltering humidity. I curated a list of places for you folks to cool off and take a break from the balmy weather. These are some of my favorite ways to beat the heat in Madison.

💦 Cool Off With a Splash

For the ultimate break from the heat, take a dip in the Goodman Pool. A great place for the whole family to take a break from the heat.

From kayaks to the eight-person stand-up paddleboard, there are plenty of rentals one can get from Outdoor UW. Set sail on Lake Mendota for the perfect way to avoid the heat!

🍹 Cool Off With a Drink

With huge windows, this spot allows for natural light with the luxury of air conditioning. Enjoy a margarita, or my personal favorite, their yerba juice.

Classics are classic for a reason — grab a pitcher at the terrace while enjoying the views of Lake Mendota.

What is a better way to cool off than a cold beer? Olbrich Biergarten is on Madison’s lake loop, and is a great spot where you can get a beer and play cards with your friends.

🍦 Cool Off With a Sweet Treat

Bike or drive to this wonderful ice cream spot located on Lake Monona. Featuring Babcock Hall Ice Cream, there are plenty of flavors to choose from and enjoy on their patio.

Located on King Street, this ice cream shop has a variety of quirky flavors that are sure to not only cool you off, but also satisfy your sweet tooth. My go to is fig & honey!

What are some ways you like to beat the heat?

Stay Cool Madison 😎
see more:things to do

Share article

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.
Advertisement image

Madison Life Hacks

See All
Madison Life HacksDecember 29, 2025

How to Responsibly Dispose of Holiday Waste

From torn up wrapping paper to that wilting Christmas tree dropping pine needles all over your rug, here are some tips for recycling and...

A trash can with a christmas tree next to it sits outside
Madison Life HacksDecember 3, 2025

Tips For Having a Healthy Holiday Season in 2025

How to stay healthy during the 2025 holiday season in Wisconsin.

Holiday food can be healthy and fun too. (mixetto / Getty)
Madison Life HacksNovember 19, 2025

Tips to Keep Your Home Winter Ready

Here’s what to do in the case of an emergency and tips for conserving energy and costs this winter.

Credit: Pexels
Madison Life HacksAugust 20, 2025

These Life Hacks Will Help You Make the Most of Madison

Whether you're a newcomer to Madison or a lifelong resident, you should know these local tips and tricks, from where to find a clean publ...

People walking down a tree-line street with a white dome in the background.
Madison Life HacksDecember 26, 2024

How To Responsibly Dispose of Holiday Waste in Madison

When the holiday season rolls around, gifts and trash can pile up. From torn up wrapping paper to that wilting Christmas tree dropping pi...

A garbage can and a discarded Christmas tree against a white wall.
Madison Life HacksDecember 18, 2024

Safely Share Wisconsin’s Roads with Wildlife This Winter

Driving during the winter season’s extreme weather conditions is already dangerous. This time of year can be especially tricky for avoidi...

A diamond yellow sign with a picture of a deer.
Madison Life HacksDecember 4, 2024

Tips for Winter Driving in Madison

Whether you’re new to winter in Madison, or you’ve been putting snow chains on your tires all your life, everyone could benefit from a re...

A snowy tire on the road
Madison Life HacksMay 20, 2024

How to Make Your Own Air Purifier

You can have clean, purified air without breaking the bank. Here’s how you can make an air purifier at home with just a few simple items.

Washington Post health reporter Lena Sun shows the steps in making a do-it-yourself box fan air filter, also known as the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, on December 21, 2022 in Washington, DC.

The latest in Madison

Madison's BestOctober 5

Where To Get Scared in Madison for Spooky Season

Looking for a scare this October in Madison? From horror movies to haunted forests and eerie ghost tours, here is your ultimate guide to...

A poster for "Jeckyll & Hyde" - a ballet dancer in black leaps in front of a foggy, London background.
Food & DrinkOctober 1

The Best Fall Drinks To Try in Madison

Looking for the perfect pumpkin spice or autumnal drink? Here is your guide to the best coffee shops and bars serving special fall bevera...

A group of multi-colored cocktails sit on a wooden bar.
Madison's BestOctober 1

What To Do in Madison in October 2026

Plan your perfect October 2026 in Madison! Check out the 25th Wisconsin Book Festival, cheer on the Badgers, tour haunted spots, and find...

City Cast Madison’s Hayley Sperling, Bianca Martin, Rob Thomas, and Jade Iseri-Ramos stand in front of a wooden arch-shaped bookcase that is holding books that will be featured at the Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration.
Neighborhood GuidesSeptember 29

Browse the Imagination Center, Madison’s Newest Library

Explore Madison's new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park—the city's first public library in 26 years. Take a virtual tour of this vibran...

The outside of the Imagination Center. A blue tiled buildiing with a sign that read "Library."
Madison, ExplainedSeptember 28

What To Know About The Proposed BECI Transmission Line

The 190-mile BECI high-voltage transmission line aims to secure Wisconsin’s grid, but locals and the Dane County Board are demanding dela...

Two large electric towers stand next to a white house.
Food & DrinkSeptember 24

The Best New Restaurants in Madison

This month’s list of the area’s best new restaurants includes a new outpost for a wildly popular local pizza chain, a new sushi spot near...

People eating at booths in a restaurant with a glassed-in kitchen at the rear.
Madison's BestSeptember 23

‘Park People’ Will Satirize Madison’s Protest Culture

Madison filmmaker Corey Holl launches a crowdfunding campaign for his new political satire, "The Park People." Explore the proof-of-conce...

Two production staff members on the left hold equipment and a microphone for two actors sitting on a park bench being filmed.
Madison, ExplainedSeptember 22

Know the Constitutional Amendments On Your Fall Ballot

Wisconsin's Nov. 3 election features key governor and legislative races—plus three Republican-backed constitutional amendments. Learn wha...

Multiple red, white, and blue "I Voted" stickers are scattered on a white table.