Madison has some great things to explore:
Chazen Museum of Art: 750 University Ave. This large museum located on the UW-Madison campus has a collection that comprises over 20,000 artworks. I particularly enjoyed the European and American twentieth-century paintings and modernist sculpture. The museum is free and is located in two connected buildings. There are also temporary exhibitions in addition to the permanent collection.
In addition to the museum, the University has dance performances, music performances and theater productions throughout the year.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art/MMOCA: At 227 N. State St., this small museum is part of the Overture Center for the Arts, that is worth the visit. You should check out their current exhibitions. In addition, they have a small rooftop restaurant overlooking its outdoor sculpture garden.
Overture Center for the Arts: This is the city’s main performance venue featuring theater, classical concerts and more.
State Street: This major street connects the UW-Madison campus to the State Capitol. Here you will find a pedestrian mall with shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, museums and other cultural destinations. Make sure to walk throught the Capital as the rotunda is spectacular.
Dane County Farmers’ Market: The market bills itself as the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country. Held on all sides of Capitol Square, the market, started in 1972, is huge. You can find local fruits, produce, breads, cheeses and more. It is open from mid-April to early November. Before going, I did learn that you have to walk counter-clockwise around the square to avoid the ire of the locals. This is one of the highlights that you should not miss.
