Behold the Best of the Badger State as You Explore These 10 Hidden Gems in Madison, Wisconsin + 5 Restaurants
Madison, Wisconsin is well-known as a bustling college town with its fair share of renowned spots. But travelers looking for adventure can explore a different side of the city by setting out to find its many hidden gems.
Whether you’re looking for a restaurant only locals know about, a one-of-a-kind museum, an escape into nature, or a simple place to relax, Madison’s hidden gems have plenty to offer — but make no mistake, they’re anything but ordinary.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Located about 20 minutes from Madison in Middleton, Wisconsin, the Pheasant Branch Conservancy is a natural paradise that’s home to effigy mounds, hiking and biking trails, and freshwater springs.
The springs are a true hidden gem, offering a glimpse of millions of gallons of water pouring into Pheasant Branch Creek and on toward Lake Mendota.
National Mustard Museum
You read that right, a whole museum dedicated to mustard. This Middleton museum holds the world’s largest collection of mustard, offering a chance to see a fascinating array of mustard memorabilia including 6,000 jars, bottles, and tins from dozens of countries.
Mustard fanatics can also buy many varieties of mustard to enjoy at home after their visit.
UW Geology Museum
The great state of Wisconsin has a rich history which can fully appreciated at this museum in Weeks Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus.
Visitors can marvel at unique rock and mineral collections, stand under a massive mastodon’s tusks, or see wondrous fossil invertebrates of jellyfish, and other sea creatures.
Period Garden Park
Tucked away in downtown Madison at the corner of Gorham and Pinckney streets, this Victorian-era neighborhood garden pops with color from its many beautiful gardens.
Dutiful volunteers plant thousands of perennials and flowering bulbs and maintain the park, where visitors can sit under a shady tree or find a bench to sit and enjoy the scenery.
UW Arboretum
The Arboretum at the University of Wisconsin is a scenic place, maintaining miles of beautiful trails through wetlands, woodlands, and savannas. But it also holds a secret — the so-called “Lost City” of Madison.”
Deep within the arboretum are the remains of Lake Forest — a planned housing development from the early 1900s — which brave travelers can trek to see sidewalks and some concrete foundations.
Allen Centennial Garden
This public botanical garden is a beautiful living laboratory that invites visitors to explore beautiful scenery. Visitors of all ages can enjoy the site of annuals, perennials, succulents, vegetable plants, and even a koi pond that’s an absolutely perfect day trip destination on a sunny day.
Make to catch a glimpse of the Agricultural Dean House, a Queen Anne-style home so famous it’s on the National Register of Historic Places.
Native American Mounds
Madison and the surrounding area are home to scores of ancient Native American effigy mounds.
An easy place to find them is the UW campus where the number and variety of earthen mounds is likely greater than anywhere in the world.
Together with the arboretum, there are more than three dozen protected effigy and burial mounds on campus that offer a look into an important aspect of Native American culture.
Evjue Rooftop Garden
Housed within the 68,000-square-foot Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace, this rooftop garden offers an incredible look at native and low-maintenance plants, scenic views of Madison, and a chance to grab a bite (seasonally) at the Lake Vista Cafe. On a perfect sunny day, the views can’t be beat.
Gates of Heaven Synagogue
Constructed in 1863, the historic Gates of Heaven Synagogue is the fourth oldest US synagogue and has been a fixture in James Madison Park since 1971. While it’s a popular wedding venue, it offers incredible birds-eye views of the Period Gardens and the city.
Tours are available for curious visitors to see the synagogue’s intricate details inside.
Henry Vilas Park Zoo
Families won’t want to miss a trip to this beloved zoo — one of the nation’s only admission-free zoos. Guests can enjoy hundreds of animals, including big cats, primates, and a new Wisconsin Heritage exhibit featuring two American badgers.
Youngsters can enjoy the Children’s Zoo — which includes family-friendly exhibits — and a carousel and rides aboard the zoo’s electric train.
RELATED: Visit more of the best zoos in the Midwest.
5 Hidden Gem Restaurants in Madison
Jet Room Restaurant
The hidden gem here is a one-of-a-kind experience known as the $100 Burger. This 30-minute flight over Madison has no age or height restrictions and is based on a 500-pound gross weight of passengers — so as many as three people can fly at once.
When you’re done, try breakfast and lunch favorites inside the former main terminal of the Madison Airport.
Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery
With such an inviting name, it’s hard to leave Daisy Cafe without a smile on your face. With a cozy atmosphere that features local art inside and outside of the shop, hungry guests can enjoy tasty made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch options.
Be sure to order a cupcake (or two) for later — there are a least a dozen options to choose from.
Stalzy’s Deli
Sometimes nothing beats a towering, mouthwatering sandwich and Stalzy’s has options for every appetite. Choose from classic sammys and burgers, or try one of their signature creations like the stacked Reuben or the Judy Judy Judy, a tasty twist on the grilled cheese with three cheese, coleslaw, and tomato on rye.
Mickey’s Tavern
With good food and live music galore, a trip to Mickey’s makes you feel like you’ve stepped right into your favorite dive bar.
Enjoy classic pub grub fare and cocktails for dinner or stop in for delectable brunch options. Any way you slice it, it’s a winning combination.
Sweet Home Wisconsin
With Happy Hour, a sizeable list of yummy cocktails, and plenty of comfort food favorites, Sweet Home Wisconsin has something for everybody — just make sure you start with a basket of golden brown cheese curds for the table.
This eatery offers Badger State favorites with a Chicago twist, so keep an eye out for offerings like Chess Records Chicken, Abe Froman’s Polish Sausage, and the Vegan ‘B.B. King’ Burger, as you peruse the many tasty hot dogs, sausage, burger, and sandwich options.
Wisk Away to See Hidden Gems in Madison
Whether you’re a Madison native looking to gain a fresh perspective on your hometown or an adventurous traveler seeking to unearth hidden gems in the Midwest, Madison has plenty to offer.
These hidden gems are not only unique, but they fly under the radar to offer a special kind of experience that seems hand-picked for anyone who visits them.