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City Cast Madison

When the ice of winter thaws and flowers start to bloom, Madisonians know the best season is just around the corner — farmers' market season.

While most folks are well aware of the Dane County Farmers' Market held on the Capitol Square, there are plenty of markets for those who prefer to stay out of downtown.

Here's a map of some of Madison's many spring and summer markets. Please note this is not an exhaustive list, if you have a market to add, send us an email at 

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.

Wisconsin is full of scenic routes for hikers, bicyclists, and motorists to take in the state’s beauty. In fact, there are 

124 state-designated official Rustic Roads

 spanning 750 miles through 61 counties that make for beautiful adventures during all of Wisconsin’s seasons.

Here are some standout routes you can take to see the sights of autumn. Don’t forget your binoculars!

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum has more than 17 miles of trails conveniently located on the west side of town. This trip is great for anyone who wants to take in the sights without worrying about filling up the tank.

The Arboretum hosts many free classes and hikes that are perfect opportunities for families and groups.

 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI 53711

Parfrey’s Glen is Wisconsin’s first State Natural Area and one of the most-visited natural areas in the state. Located roughly four miles east of Devil’s Lake State Park, the glen is home to a variety of threatened plants and insects, and at its uppermost part, it reaches a depth of nearly 100 feet.

Visitors are allowed to hike the stream up to the pool below the waterfall but are not allowed beyond the falls. Also, pets aren’t allowed.

The Wisconsin Great River Road is a 250-mile journey along the Mississippi River that’s part of a national scenic route that travels through 10 other states and stretches 3,000 miles. This is a great trip for anyone looking for a longer getaway.

 that has incredible views of where the Wisconsin River meets the Mississippi.

Highway 33 is one of Wisconsin’s  "Coast to Coast" routes, stretching from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. With plenty of state parks, bike trails, and local attractions, this route makes for a great weekend getaway.

The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive stretches 115 miles through six Wisconsin counties. There are numerous places to picnic, hike, camp, and bike along the way.

For even more hidden gems, check out this 

Where to See Wisconsin’s Fall Colors

Urban Almanac

If you’ve paid any attention to local news in recent years — and since you’re reading this newsletter, I’d say those odds are pretty high — you’ve likely encountered the term “Vision Zero” on several occasions.

data-informed strategy with the lofty goal

 of eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries that occur on city streets by 2035. Vision Zero was 

 in the 1990s and quickly proved successful across Europe. These days, there are 

 with their own Vision Zero projects, including Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. Madison is the 

 launched in 2020 and has been the driving force behind many transportation-related changes like speed limit reductions and street re-designs. Have you noticed the speed limits dropping to 25 mph on a number of Madison streets? That’s because the city believes that lowering the speed limit will save lives. The project is led by a steering team whose members come from the mayor’s office, Madison Police Department, Public Health, Metro Transit, and 

Some Vision Zero construction-related projects around town include the 

More than just traffic adjustments, Vision Zero relies on community engagement for success. The city has 

 since the project’s launch, with more to come.

Vision Zero relies heavily on data for its success — so, what do the numbers say?

We’re still a ways from meeting Vision Zero’s ambitious but admiral goal. So far, its results have 

. In its first year, total crashes decreased significantly but since then have plateaued.

According to the city, 44 people died in crashes on Madison streets between 2015 and 2019, and hundreds more were injured. In 2020, there were 15 

, 17 in 2021, and 14 in 2022. The estimated economic loss to the city from crashes totaled more than $103 million in 2021.

You can dig into the full action plan here

Vision Zero, Explained

Madison, Explained

Madison is a city that loves art. From big names like the 

 to the corner coffee shops, there’s art all around us on the isthmus.

This year, there’s a new arts celebration in town. The first annual 

The event is put on by Emerson Eken Arts, a neighborhood arts association whose mission is to support the local arts community. Planning for the event started last year when organizers were looking for a way to better connect artists with their neighbors.

More than 50 artists will showcase their work at dozens of locations throughout the east side neighborhoods.

Most of the artists are local to the area and will display their work in homes and driveways. Several area businesses are also playing the role of galleries for the day, including Eli’s Art Supplies, The Bubbling Teapot, Dexter’s Pub, Megan’s Custom Framing, and more.

Attendees can expect to see all kinds of art — from pottery and sculptures to photo prints and paintings, homemade cards, stained glass, and much more.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Here’s a 

Madison’s Newest Art Walk is Here

Neighborhood Guides

The air is crisp, trees are changing colors, and pumpkin spice lattes are on the menu — it’s officially fall on Saturday. And while there are plenty of things to enjoy about this time of year, the season also brings an unwelcome guest to our lakes and streams: phosphorus.

According to the city, fall accounts for 

As rain soaks the leaves that have drifted from their branches onto yards, sidewalks, and streets, it dissolves the phosphorus in them and carries it into our waterways. You can think of the leaves as tea bags brewing phosphorus as it steeps.

Too much phosphorus can lead to murky waters, toxic algae growth, and depletion of oxygen in water, which results in the death of aquatic animals.

To combat the problem, the city cleans leaves from the streets before storms and offers yard waste collection in the fall. Clearing streets of leaves can reduce harmful phosphorus concentrations in stormwater by 

, according to a joint study from the City of Madison and U.S. Geological Survey. And 

Rake leaves from the street before it rains. Dane County residents can 

 that will remind you when rain is on the way and it’s time to take action.

. Using a mulching lawn mower to grind up leaves that fall on your lawn will return nutrients to the soil, providing a source of organic fertilizer to your lawn. It’s a win-win!

. Yard waste includes items like leaves, weeds, grass and garden trimmings, pumpkins, and pine cones. It’s different from brush, which is typically woody material cut from a tree. The city prefers you use compostable leaf bags to collect yard waste.

Yard waste pickup dates are now available for 2023. You can find yours by 

How Leaf-Free Streets Lead to Cleaner Lakes

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

Nothing pairs better with a beer at a Madison bar than pull-tabs, the small cardboard game pieces ubiquitous across the state. We asked freelance author and journalist Tea Krulos to help us uncover the bizarre backstory of this unofficial — 

Feed a dollar into a machine and out comes a Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap — that’s the full government name. Pull on the tabs to reveal a collection of slot-machine-like icons that could win you up to $250. Krulos says the most he’s won is $2.

“The story is really convoluted and strange, and kind of a rabbit hole,” says Krulos, who recently wrote about pull-tabs for Milwaukee Magazine and says he’s still unsure if he fully understands it.

The game was invented in 1955 by Walter Bohrer, who was in the business of providing bars with coin-operated machines like jukeboxes and pinball — it was his “retirement hobby business.”

The sale of gambling devices is illegal in Wisconsin, so how are pull-tabs allowed? 

, a gambling piece is legal if it is attached to an item of value in addition to a potential prize — like the fries you got with McDonald’s Monopoly game. Walter Bohrer remembered that when he was a child, delivered milk bottles had a tab underneath the cap that you could pull and potentially win a free dairy product. This gave him an idea.

Fellow 90s kids will remember Pogs, decorated 

circular cardboard pieces that you could collect

  — and collect, I did. Enter the Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap, a collectible item that just so happens to come with the opportunity to win some money.

This might be my favorite instance of utilizing nostalgia to exploit a loophole.

You can click (not pull) the button below to hear more about pull-tabs.

Why Madison Bars Have Pull-tab Machines

WTF are Pull-Tabs?

Here's where you can shop local across the isthmus

Where to Find Madison Farmers' Markets

Tips and tricks by Madison locals, for locals.

Madison Life Hacks

Every city has its own set of unwritten rules and insider information that can only be learned through time, trial, and error.

But thankfully, you don’t have to search far and wide or wait years to learn Madison’s secrets because you have us.

tips and tricks for living on the isthmus

 we’ve put together after (many) years spent in this crazy and special place we call home.

 but beer can be sold up until midnight. With that said, counties and municipalities can implement their own laws and restrictions on alcohol sales. In Madison, 

But if you find yourself in need of a six-pack and it’s after 9 p.m., 

 on Sherman Ave. The liquor store is technically part of the Village of Maple Bluff, which doesn’t have any ordinances restricting alcohol sale times beyond Wisconsin state law. This means you can get beer there until the store closes at midnight. You’ll pay a little extra though!

If you’re planning a big getaway, odds are, you’ll be flying out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Rather than taking a flight over the state border, City Cast Madison Producer Dylan Brogan recommends taking the bus.

, which can save you money and lighten your carbon footprint.

When buying concert tickets to shows at The Sylvee, High Noon Saloon, Majestic Theatre, or Orpheum Theater you can avoid the added online service fees by buying directly from the in-person box office. The one drawback is that 

Listener Dan F. also noted for concerts and other events at The Sylvee, parking is free and open to the public after 6 p.m. in the Madison Gas & Electric lot.

If you’re looking for peace and quiet at the grocery store, the best time to go is during sporting events. Whether the Badgers are playing at Camp Randall or the Packers have a game in Green Bay, you can expect empty aisles and short checkout lines.

City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin also recommends taking advantage of Woodman’s 24-hour schedule. Who says you can’t make a grocery run at 10 p.m.?

 on things we wish someone told us about living in Madison.

More hacks here 🎧 

✨ How to Live Your Best Madison Life

 for babies. But when it comes to supplying breast milk while out and about, new parents may not always have access to the facilities they need to properly care for their babies.

 in any public or private location where the parent and child are otherwise authorized to be. Wisconsin is also one of 31 states that exempts breastfeeding from public indecency laws.

Madison has made strides to support breastfeeding parents

 by providing spaces for breastfeeding in city buildings. The University of Wisconsin-Madison also has 

These spaces are not always clearly marked or advertised. However, Public Health Madison and Dane County has created a detailed map of places to pump across the isthmus.

Below you'll find the location of these lactation spaces and descriptions of what to expect from each space.

Click here to open the map in another window.

This article has been updated to include facts about Wisconsin's breastfeeding laws.

Here's a map of places to pump across the isthmus.

Where to Find Public Lactation Spaces in Madison

Madison and its local government can feel like it has its own language, especially if you are new to the city.

This dictionary of key terms, local projects, and phrases like “hairball intersection” will get you familiarized with Madison’s lexicon.

📚Rather than writing a giant alphabetical list, we've separated terms into categories.

 of Madison’s City Council are called alders. These individuals are elected every two years and represent a different district in the city. Find your alder 

: The City Council, also known as the Common Council, is Madison’s elected legislative body. It’s 

 who each represent a different district in the city and serve two-year terms.

: Madison’s mayor is the chief executive officer of the city and serves a four-year term. The mayor supervises and appoints city officers and heads of departments.

: Madison’s capital budget funds major projects like constructing new facilities, maintaining roads and parks, and buying major equipment.

: Madison’s operating budget funds the day-to-day needs — employees, materials, and supplies — required to keep the city running.

 that help guide legislation in the city. Boards and commissions have some independent power to make decisions on behalf of the city while committees are generally limited to making recommendations or reports to the mayor or City Council.

: This committee is responsible for reviewing all alcohol license applications, addressing violations, and developing policies related to alcohol.

: This committee makes recommendations on changes to the city’s budget and other issues with fiscal implications. The Finance Committee makes and submits a proposed budget to City Council on or before Nov. 15 of each year.

This commission is responsible for designating and maintaining landmarks and historic districts in Madison that represent the city’s cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history.

: The Plan Commission’s responsibilities include making a master plan for the physical development of the city, and reviewing decisions regarding sale or lease of land, rezoning requests, and land annexations. The commission makes the final decision on land divisions, conditional use requests, and appeals for certain Urban Design Commission decisions.

This board is independent from the Madison Police Department, responsible for hiring and overseeing the 

 and works with the monitor’s office and the community to make recommendations on issues like police discipline and use of force.

: This commission makes decisions on issues affecting transit (like bus fares and route changes), parking, pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles, and strategies to maximize travel choices.

This commission is generally charged with assuring the “highest quality” of design for all public and private projects in Madison and the general appearance of buildings, structures, landscaping, and open areas. Commissioners review planned developments, residential building complexes, and public projects.

: Madison's Central Business Improvement District (BID) is a type of taxing assessment district that gets funding from an additional tax on businesses. Its funds support programs like the Madison Night Market and public enhancements like holiday lights and planters. The district includes State Street from Park Street to the Capitol Square, and the Capitol Square area.

Madison’s Community Alternative Response Emergency Services (CARES) program is a mobile crisis response unit that responds to community behavioral health emergencies that don’t require an armed police response.

: Downtown Madison, Inc. is a nonprofit advocacy and member-based organization that works to support downtown Madison.

: This acronym stands for Madison Metropolitan School District, which is the city’s public school system. (Sharing the same letters, this acronym can also refer to the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District.)

: Madison School & Community Recreation provides enrichment activities like after-school programming, sports, and adult art classes to the Madison students and broader community.

Short for Madison Ultimate Frisbee Association, this group offers four leagues throughout the year.

: Short for "request for proposal" and "request for bid." These are initial steps in a project that formally announces the project and outlines what is needed from a responding contractor.

: Short for tax incremental district, a TID is a geographic area within a municipality, like the city of Madison, created for development or rehabilitation.

: Tax Incremental Financing (TIF), is a public financing tool that cities can use to encourage development opportunities and expand the future tax base. For example, TIF funding supported the 

: Transit-oriented development is centered around public transit, designed with pedestrians in mind, is compact, and typically includes a mix of housing, retail, and other amenities. Madison is encouraging this type of development along the future bus rapid transit (BRT) line through the use of a TOD overlay zoning district.

: Transportation Demand Management is a policy that encourages strategies like public transit, carpooling, bicycling, walking, and telecommuting to reduce vehicle trips and promote alternatives to single occupant vehicles.

: W-O-R-T (89.9 FM) is Madison’s listener-sponsored community radio station that offers music, news, talk shows, and public affairs programming. The radio station broadcasts from 118 S. Bedford St. (you can’t miss the mural of musical instruments on the side of the building) and covers a 50-mile radius.

: W-S-U-M (91.7 FM) is the University of Wisconsin–Madison student-run community radio station.

: The new transit system has been years in the making. Compared to Madison's current transportation system, BRT will travel in dedicated lanes with fewer stops but more frequent service.

: Madison’s Capital Improvement Plan outlines funding for the upcoming year and future investments over the following five years.

Madison Life Hacks

Where to Find Madison Farmers' Markets

Madison Life Hacks

✨ How to Live Your Best Madison Life

Where to Find Public Lactation Spaces in Madison

The Ultimate Madison Dictionary

💉 How to Prevent a Fatal Drug Encounter

📚 How To Use Your Library Card to Its Fullest Potential

♻️ How To Be a Better Recycler This Moving Season (and Always)

How to Walk, Bike, and Drive in Madison This Winter

Tips to Keep Your Home Winter Ready

The latest in Madison

It’s Apple Picking Season

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

Where to See Wisconsin’s Fall Colors

Vision Zero, Explained

Madison’s Newest Art Walk is Here

How Leaf-Free Streets Lead to Cleaner Lakes

Madison's Best Bike Trips

WTF are Pull-Tabs?