Looking for something to do this winter? Why not try 20 things? And why not do them in Madison, Wisconsin, where frozen fun meets cozy memories and there's never a dull moment.
Of course, you can't do all these things in one day. Make your adventures last by booking an overnight stay in the capital city. Find all our hotels and places to stay.
1. Enjoy frozen festivals
Four of the greater Madison area's hottest (OK, maybe coldest?) fests happen back-to-back-to-back each winter.
Winter Carnival is a time-honored tradition hosted by the Wisconsin Union featuring hot chocolate, snowshoeing and the iconic sinking Lady Liberty display on Lake Mendota. All that and more is free for everyone.
Frozen Assets is a free festival (and 5k on a frozen lake!) hosted by Clean Lakes Alliance featuring family-friendly activities on Lake Mendota right in front of The Edgewater. Enjoy activities including walking on (frozen) water while kites color the winter sky.
Self-Discovery Weekend in Monona gives you the opportunity to learn something new and unplug from your everyday hustle. The weekend's lineup of workshops and activities span from winter hikes to art classes to wellness courses and more.
Bockfest is an annual event in Middleton celebrating the release of Capital Brewery's platinum award-winning Blonde Doppelbock and Maibock. Enjoy live music, beer, food from local vendors and more traditions at the 29th annual festival!
Find festival dates and more details here.
2. Get out on the frozen lakes
It's easy. It's fun. It's a great way to make the best of the cold temps. Madison's five lakes are a year-round playground. You can step right on the lakes from anywhere and walk, dance, sip coffee, ice fish or take in all the beauty of Madison.
Keep safety in mind while traversing the frozen lakes. The lakes are typically frozen in early January but freeze date varies year to year. Generally, a minimum thickness of four or five inches is required for walking. Ice traction on your shoes can help to provide a bit of extra grip to prevent slips and falls.
3. Ice skate at The Edgewater
This 4,000-square-foot rink is a Madison favorite for friends, family and the occasional marriage proposal. The Edgewater ice rink is located right downtown with a beautiful view of Lake Mendota. The rink is open to the public but is best enjoyed in between relaxing in an Edgewater suite and treating yourself at the spa.
Pro tip: The Edgewater offers roller skating at the ice rink during the winter season if weather is not permittable for ice skating.
4. Tap into the craft beverage scene
What's on tap in Madison? A craft beverage scene where the people making the drinks are just as refreshing as the sips themselves. Hop on to the Madison On Tap Craft Beverage Trail to earn prizes, get discounts and taste what Madison is all about. And remember, please enjoy responsibly.
Celebrating Dry January (or beyond) this year? Our craft beverage makers and spirited establishments make some of the best mocktail and NA beverages you'll ever find.
5. Have a meal where dinner is also the show
Get a front-row seat to one of the best meals of your life at DelecTable. The menu is always hand-selected by a lineup of elite chefs, complimented by a drink menu and live entertainment that stands heads and shoulders above the rest.
Learn to cook alongside chefs who have helped put Madison's culinary scene on the map at The Deliciouser, where themed events and quality ingredients take center stage.
Head to Frostwood Farms Kitchen in Middleton for an innovative dining experience centered on coming together with others to meet, cook and eat. Enjoy private conversational experiences with the kitchen's Executive Chef, participate in team-building events that give back to the community or sign up for a cooking class.
6. Dine in a dome
Cozy up inside a tiny winter wonderland while enjoying a great meal, a glass of wine or a cheese board. Dining in a dome is a great way to gather with friends for a special occasion, a festive date night or lunch with your besties. Find all of this year's winter dome dining.
7. Feel the beat of live music
There's no shortage of live music venues in Madison ready to make you get on your feet. Enjoy the classics with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, be dazzled by Broadway shows and other nationally-touring companies, or enjoy one of countless other performances at the Overture Center for the Arts. Find some of today's most popular acts at The Sylvee, The Majestic and The Orpheum. Or catch your next up-and-coming favorite at The Barrymore and High Noon Saloon.
8. Treat Yo' Self!
Enjoy a spa day complete with manicures, massages and mud baths at our area’s premiere spas—KOSA Spa at Garver Feed Mill, The Edgewater Spa in downtown Madison and Sundara Inn & Spa, just a short drive away in the Wisconsin Dells. Or check out Saunaday in downtown Madison or Tuli Suana & Plunge in Paoli for a serene and peaceful sauna experience.
What about a portable sauna? Kindled Community Sauna offers a mobile, wood-fire sauna + cold plunge experience that you can find at pop-up events through the Madison area or reserve for private sessions and events.
9. Dive into history and culture
Discover the marvels of the world around us through artifacts, art and play. Let your imagination guide you through cultural gems like the Chazen Museum of Art and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Walk through time at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Learn and have fun doing it at the Madison Children's Museum and taste your way through Wisconsin culture at the National Mustard Museum.
10. Start your day the best way
Brunch: always a good idea. And Madison has some of the most iconic brunch spots around. Whether you're looking for sweet or savory, boozy or family-friendly, we have it going on. Check out which restaurants are part of Madison's Iconic Eats Experience for the chance to earn points and win prizes while enjoying your favorite brunch spots!
11. Speed down the sledding hills
The City of Madison boasts 10 sledding hills, including the largest in the city at Elver Park, where you can cozy up with concessions in the warming house. Find more winter activities that kids will love here.
12. Get Your Game On
Experience all the nostalgia of playing classic arcade games but add a social drink with friends to the mix at I/O Arcade Bar on Willy Street, Double Tap Beercade in downtown Madison or head down East Washington Avenue to check out Aftershock Classic Arcade.
If PC gaming is more your style, head to The Guild Gaming Lounge for high-end stations, tournaments and a full-service bar.
Take a spin on more than 1,000 slot machines at Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and enjoy tasty tidbits from the Hahnee Goottay restaurant.
For family-friendly activities, try out Thrill Factory on the east side or SpareTime on the west side. Both offer bowling lanes, arcade games, laser tag, escape rooms and food + drink options.
13. Snowshoe your way across Madison
Strapping on a pair of snowshoes and heading out onto a frozen lake or snowy trail is a great way to exercise and see some of Madison's most spectacular winter scenes. Rent snowshoes at the Wisconsin Union and find your route with help from our 15 places to snowshoe in Madison guide.
14. Stroll through Madison's largest indoor farmers' market
Fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted home items don't go away in the winter. The Dane County Farmers' Market's Late Winter Market at Garver Feed Mill is the perfect way to spend your Saturday morning and stock up on all the best goodies.
15. Catch a winter game
U-Rah-Rah Wisconsin! Visit the Kohl Center to cheer on the Badger Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Hockey and Women’s Hockey teams. And, root for Men’s Wrestling at the historic UW Field House or catch all the post-season action of the nationally-ranked Women's Volleyball team.
You can also root for the Madison Capitols Hockey team—the nation’s top amateur hockey players face off at the newly renovated Bob Suter’s Capitol Ice Arena, complete with a 300-person beer garden and expanded seating. Or head to Alliant Energy Center to cheer on Madison's pro volleyball team, LOVB Madison.
16. Tour the Wisconsin State Capitol
Madison's most iconic building hosts free tours nearly every day. Learn about the Capitol's story and the state's history while taking in stunning feats of architecture under one of the country's largest domes.
17. Enjoy a tropical paradise
The Bolz Conservatory at Olbrich Botanical Gardens is your cure to the winter blues. Walk through the warm, indoor pyramid that is home to more than 650 plants representing more than 80 families and more than 475 different species and cultivars.
18. Learn something new
Winter is a great time to pursue new passions. But you shouldn't have to learn alone. Madison is home to dozens of workshops, classes and creative outlets that let you take home a new skill (and maybe even a handmade item).
From pottery classes to paint and sips to gin-making workshops, our event calendar is the most up-to-date resource for pop-up classes and educational events.
19. Discover wonders underground
Maintaining a balmy 50 degrees year-round, Cave of the Mounds is a marvelous experience you don't want to miss. It's even been deemed a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.
20. Book a cozy bed and breakfast
Escape your day-to-day with a stay that will feel like you stepped into a storybook. Our cozy getaway recommendations provide modern amenities in settings that are historic, architecturally brilliant and one-of-a-kind.
