The Isthmus - Madison, WI

Madison is the buzzing hub of Wisconsin. The state’s capital, Madison is alive with culture, green spaces, and unique dining experiences, with The Isthmus at the very heart of the city. Nestled between Lake Monona and Mendota, The Isthmus is home to so much of what the area has to offer. And perched in the middle is the beautiful State Capitol Building, which is open to visitors for tours daily. Just outside the doors, The Capitol Square plays host to so many events throughout the year. But summer on the Isthmus is really something special. In addition to the amazing day-to-day experiences, don’t miss the weekly seasonal events such as the Dane County Farmers’ Market and Concerts on the Square, or annual events such as The Art Fair on the Square and the Taste of Madison.

Besides the Capitol Building, many other government buildings are located right downtown, and boast some beautiful architecture, including the newly renovated Madison Municipal Building and The State Office Building. While most of these buildings are not usually open to the public, the sights make for a great walking tour of the area.

Looking for some culture? You’ve come to the right place! The Isthmus is home to The Overture Center of the Arts, The Orpheum Theater, Majestic Theatre, Breese Stevens Field and The Sylvee all of which offer cutting-edge art and theater, and big name musical acts. Are museums more your scene? The award-winning Madison Children’s Museum, Wisconsin Historical Museum, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Wisconsin Veterans Museum and Chazen Museum of Art are all located within a few block radius of the Capitol Square.

The Isthmus is home to so many locally owned restaurants, taverns, brewpubs and shops. Take a stroll down State Street and grab a bite to eat while doing a bit of people watching. Or grab a drink and enjoy awesome views of Lake Monona on top of the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Monona Terrace, or Lake Mendota while sitting outside on the Terrace at Memorial Union.

There may be no better way to experience what Madison is all about than to attend one of its many festivals! While there are festivals all over this great city, the ones on the Isthmus are definitely not to be missed! These include:

• Madison Craft Beer Week
• Madison Night Markets
• Marquette Waterfront Festival
• Shake the Lake
• La Fete de Marquette
• Maxwell Street Days
• Atwood Fest
• Great Taste of the Midwest
• Yum Yum Fest
• Orton Park Fest
• Willy Street Fair

The historic downtown borders the beautiful and bustling University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, and eclectic residential neighborhoods. Take time to take it all in. Check out the gorgeous parks, bike paths, fishing spots and blue lakes. Don’t own your own gear? No problem! There are plenty of places to rent canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, and B-cycle Stations throughout the area to rent e-bikes! There’s so much beauty in Wisconsin. And Madison’s Isthmus is the perfect place to sample all of it.