Are you an undergrad or grad student looking for fun activities to do this summer at the University of WI!? I’m sharing the ultimate UW Madison bucket list with tons of affordable and fun things to do in Madison in the summer.
Summers in Madison are the best! There is always something going on here. From festivals to concerts, fireworks and outdoor adventures, Madison is such a fun city.
I’ve lived here for 5 years now and it never gets old. There’s always new restaurants to try, places to explore and activities to do. One of the best things about living here is that almost everything is within walking distance. You don’t need a car to go downtown or to a lake. Everything is so close, so you won’t have to travel far if you’re looking for something fun.
Keep reading for the Ultimate UW Madison Bucket List: 20 things to do in Madison WI in summer!
Henry Vilas Zoo
The Henry Vilas Zoo is open daily from 9:30am-5:00pm. The best part? It’s completely FREE! It’s about a 15-20 minute walk from campus, located just down the street from Camp Randall!
Concerts on the square
An outdoor concert series put on by the WI Chamber Orchestra each summer in Madison. It typically runs every Wednesday night at 7pm starting late June through July.
Grab some friends, a blanket, drinks, and enjoy some music on capital square!
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
The outdoor gardens are free and display tons of plants, flowers and landscapes for you to view. Each summer Olbrich Gardens hosts a summer concert series on the Great Lawn as well for anyone to attend!
UW Arboretum
With over 17 miles of trails and three different garden collections to walk through, the UW Arboretum is a must-see when you’re in Madison! Free garden tours are available Spring, Summer, and Fall!
Day trip to Devil’s Lake
Approximately 50 minutes away from UW Madison, Devil’s Lake State Park is located in Baraboo, WI. It’s one of WI’s most popular parks, it’s absolutely beautiful. Plan to spend an entire day hiking, swimming, biking and exploring the beautiful outdoors.
Walk or run the Capital City trail
Beautiful, 17 mile paved trail great for walking, running or biking! The views of Madison and Lake Monona are breathtaking.
Stand-Up Paddle Board or Kayak on Lake Mendota
Rentals are only $12 per hour for students or WI Union members. Super affordable and lots of fun to get out on the water! Rent stand up paddle boards, kayaks or canoes.
Take a Terrace Yoga Class
Seeing the sunrise at the Terrace, is just as good as the sunset! Every Saturday and Sunday in the summer the Terrace offers yoga classes for $7. You won’t want to miss it!
Bike ride on one of the many trails
One of the best things about living in Madison is all the trails! Madison is a very active city, so you’ll see lots of bikers everywhere you look. Grab your bike or one of the electric BCycles, and hit the trails!
Paddle Boat on Lake Monona
Spend a summer afternoon paddle boating on Lake Monona. Rentals are very affordable and you’ll have the best time!
Try some new Restaurants
There are tons of restaurant options in Madison, but if you’re looking for a few recommendations, here are a few of our favorites.
*Fresco panoramic views of the city from the third floor of the Museum of Contemporary art. There’s an outdoor lounge and seating in the Sculpture Garden.
*Graze – Our favorite restaurant in Madison. Perfect place for a date night with your significant other! The views are amazing and the food is even better. Highly recommend getting two orders of fries, they’re so good!
*Eno Vino wine bar and bistro. I love coming here with friends to enjoy appetizers and wine. The views of the capital are incredible!
*DLUX brunch, burgers, and cocktails. Casual atmosphere, great for a date night out or hanging with friends!
*Camp Trippalindee – a summer camp/WI cottage-inspired restaurant on the rooftop of the Graduate Hotel.
Go to James Madison Park for a beach day
Grab your swimsuit, a beach towel and a volleyball and head to James Madison Park! It’s always a good time.
Go to the Farmer’s Market
The farmer’s market on the square is always one of my favorite Saturday morning activities. Pick up some flowers and produce and casually stroll the market, before heading to brunch with your friends.
Vitense Mini-Golf
This is the number one ranked mini-golf course in the state of Wisconsin! There are two outdoor 18-hole courses (Wisconsin Course and the California Course) and one indoor Madison Landmark Course. So fun to do with a group of friends!
Play tennis!
There’s tons of tennis courts around Madison, so grab a few friends to play a doubles match! When you’re done, head to the Terrace to watch the sunset and share a pitcher.
Devil’s Lake Lavender Fields
A spa, café and farm stay open Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm. The lavender fields smell amazing (if you couldn’t already guess!)and there are so many photo opportunities! It’s only $10 per car and you get a free tour and lavender sugar cookies.
Eplegaarden Raspberry Picking
Mid August through the first frost Eplegaarden Farm has raspberry picking. It’s such a fun weekend activity! Eplegaarden also has apple and pumpkin picking in the Fall for visitors.
Go to a Terrace After Dark Movie
A few times a month from June to August, the Terrace hosts a movie night. Grab your group of friends, a blanket and some snacks and head to the Terrace!
Go to the Babcock Hall Dairy Store
Located on 1605 Linden Drive the Dairy Store produces ice cream, milk and cheese for UW Madison and the community to enjoy. There’s an observation deck where you can see the production lines and the machinery used, and there are 22 ice cream flavors to try! Babcock ice cream is the best!
Watch the sunset at the Terrace
One of the absolute best things to do in the summer is watching the sunset at the Terrace with a group of friends. Sit by the water, listen to music, drink a pitcher of beer and eat good food. There’s nothing better.
What are you most excited to do in Madison this summer? Let me know in the comments below!
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This post shared the Ultimate UW Madison Bucket List for summer!
