• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
April 16, 2009

Vacationing in Madison, WI

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

Ah, Madison.  Honestly, before I met my husband, I didn’t know much about Madison, or Wisconsin, except that it was known for its cheese and farms, and if I thought about it that much it was never.

But some years ago, I met the love of my life, my “cowboy” I used to call him when I found out where he was from, and not too long after that once we found out we were pregnant with another child, we kissed New York City buh-bye and left, never imagining we would ever return. Turns out though, that my man was not a “cowboy” at all, never even lived on a farm or milked a cow.  But, such were the images in my mind.

Life in Madison, WI was (is) in so many ways, and certainly in comparison to New York City, comfortable.  There’s a lot of open spaces, no noise, no crowds.  People tend to say, and this is how her husband convinced her to move there, that Madison is a diverse city.  But Mama would argue that this statement is in great part made because of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus, and by people who have never been to New York City. It does however have a strong artist community, and like New York, a its share of hippies, intellectuals, and such.  What Mama liked most about a lot of the people she met and became friends with there is their overall down-to-earth-ness.  The realness that can be found in most people.  She misses a lot of the friends they have there and know that people like that will be hard to come by in the big city.

It is also a beautiful town and I was very excited when we purchased our modest 3 bedroom ranch, white picket fence included.  We had two babies in Madison, (if I had to have another baby-which I will not-but if I did, I would go there to deliver for sure) and we got a dog, and had jobs that were never too challenging and allowed for us both to put family first.img_42262

img_42274

But the lack of diversity, and a wonderful professional opportunity for my husband brought this biracial family back to the NYC we swore we would never return to, not because we didn’t love it, but because we thought it impossible to raise a family here.  This of course, has proven to be a misconception.

In visiting Madison however, I felt the sense of peace that made me fall in love with the place in the first place. From the minute we entered the airport, everything seemed to slow down.  People were friendlier, more laid back, things from getting the luggage to getting the rental to driving to our destination was just so, so easy.

We took advantage of a slow rainy day and decided to stop at a few of our favorite places during our stay. One of these is Monty’s Blue Plate. I love their bakery selections, and if not ordering their “Special Scramble” which changes from day to day, I order the Breakfast Burrito, which is what I did during this visit.  Monty’s is one of the many local eateries developed by Food Fight Group, a local organization which has helped aspiring restauranteurs to establish eateries in the area. Other favorites in Madison under the Food Fight umbrella are Texas Tub’s, and El Dorado Grill.

The waitress at Monty’s recognized us (after not seeing us for an entire year!) and even said she had wondered what had happened to us (how sweet)!  We bumped into our former landlord, whom we had rented from when we had first arrived to Madison, and who adored us. No one cared that the kids were especially animated on that morning, nor that they kept going to people’s table to say hi.  It’s just that kind of place.

img_4238

img_4236

img_4237

img_4239

Across the street from Monty’s is the popular Barrymore Theater, which always has some band or performer best recognized by my husband.

img_4232

The Capitol is a great building, offering tours and its surrounding grounds serving as host to the weekly (every Saturday morning) farmer’s market, which I always loved to take advantage of.  If you ever visit Madison, I encourage you to tour the Capitol building, and climb to the top.  It is truly a beautiful structure. The nearby State Street is a popular place to eat, drink and just hang out.  A lot of cute shops there too.

img_4245

img_4244

My oldest likes to say that when he goes to college he would like to go to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Only time will tell, and he has much to see and learn, but there is no argument that it is an impressive and beautiful campus.  My husband, who attended University of Wisconsin-Greenbay, often laments not having gone to this school instead.  Its buildings and grounds are a great source of pride for Madison, as they should be.  The school spends millions a year maintaining and building, to the point that things that weren’t there a year ago are standing tall, and new ground is being broken for new structures.

img_4247

img_4250

img_4251

img_4252

The outdoor of their Student Union, better known as The Union, is a fabulous lake front locale where both students and locals alike frequent for drinks (beer), grilled goods, and entertainment from local bands.  On sunny, warm days the family and I would frequent this location and have ice cream while the babies slept in their strollers.  Although the day of this picture was cold and grey, on a sunny day, this spot is beautiful and a great hang out.

img_4249

img_4255

img_4253

img_4254

A structure that was completed shortly before our departure is the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA).  This beautiful building, designed by architect Renzo Piano (who also designed the recently opened New York Times Headquarters in NYC), hosts rooftop jazz parties, though the fees can a bit much for Madison.  A great place to visit will be the soon to arrive, newly developed Children’s Museum.  The one they already had was a bit old and in need of TLC.  It was great news for us to hear that they were finally getting a bigger, newer museum for the kiddos!

img_4259

It’s a shame I didn’t take more pictures of the many lakes found in Madison.  It is definitely one of the things that make it such a pretty town.  I also wasn’t able to get pictures of Monona Terrace, Madison’s gorgeous conference center.  A great spot for family concerts and events all year round, and a wonderful waterfront spot for weddings.

I did get a chance to drive by one of the kid’s favorite spots before calling it a day and going home to warm up: Olbrich Gardens, the town’s botanical gardens.  Had it been a more beautiful day I would’ve taken pictures, it truly is a nice garden, small in size, but with a peaceful garden, which has no admittance fee (the indoor exhibits, including the rain forest do share a fee).

img_4229

img_4228

There are many other areas outside of Madison that are great, fun vacationing spots, like Wisconsin Dells, best known for their insanely huge water parks, and Door County, best known for their great B&B’s and camping grounds…or the gorgeous Washington Island.

The boys had a lot of fun revisiting Madison, and it is pretty accurate to say it is our second home.  We love it there.

[subscribe2]

 

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
4 Comments
  • Quiskaeya
    April 17, 2009

    NYCMama, I'm not gonna lie to you. Madison sounds like the kind of place I'd LOVE to move to. I visited a place in WI called Greenwood (I believe – if my memory serves me well). Very ritzy area in the mountains, but very beautiful and slow paced. Horseback riding, canoeing, farming etc. That's the kind of living mostly done there.

    I can understand how the lack of diversity is a turn-off, though. Especially, if as a family you stick out like a sore thumb and people make that apparent.

    Reply
  • Living it up in Austin, TX Family Style | NYCity Mama
    July 16, 2010

    […] reminds me of Madison, WI in that it is college town. It is larger than Madison and of course warmer, but the vibe seemed […]

    Reply
  • ilinap
    November 12, 2010

    Reading this makes me miss Madison. We LOVED living there (minus the winter). Heading back to Wisconsin to see family in December. I'll have to pack my buffet pants because those Midwesterners really know how to lay out a spread!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      ilinap
      November 12, 2010

      Aw Ilina–I love Madison. And totally smart move in packing the huge pants…smarter would be a moo moo, but I get it's cold now over there! lol! Have fun darling!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Airplane with kids
Next Post
A Lazy Afternoon on the Upper East Side

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe54 Post(s)
  • North America318 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! @travisjcain will be painting MARK YOUR CALENDAR! @travisjcain will be painting a beautiful new mural at Elmira’s Mural Fest this year (weather permitting on Saturday, if not on a less rainy day)! Last year he painted this board which was recently on display still at @communityartselmira. 

Hopefully we have a sunny day and you can come out to support Travis and all the muralists that day! See you there!

#elmirany #painter #artist #communityarts
Sometimes it’s like I never left. #newyork Sometimes it’s like I never left. 

#newyork
SHOUT OUT to our oldest, @davidacain_, who carries SHOUT OUT to our oldest, @davidacain_, who carries with him the entrepreneurial spirit he’s inherited from his parents. 

While successfully working in supply chain management for a global corporation based in NYC, he continues to manage and operate his own product, @getcalma, a comforting heated eye mask that is currently on the Amazon top seller list for two years in a row and has a growing consumer following! 

We are so incredibly proud of David and his growing success as an entrepreneur and in his career, and know the future will continue to be bright for him!

To learn more about Calma and make a purchase, visit his website at GetCalma.com. 

#proudmomma #getcalma #entreprenuer #smallbusiness
The time has come to move on from my role as a bar The time has come to move on from my role as a barista at @the_garage_at_rye and towards my next adventure. 

I started this journey with a curiosity for a craft I admired and wanted to learn more about. It turned into a job. Then a serious passion. And now here I am, launching Café Cómodo (KOH-moh-doh), which means “Comfortable/cozy” in Spanish, a pop-up café serving espresso and seasonal drinks at local farmers markets and private events! (@cafecomodony)

Starting yet another business was never my intent…and yet, I fell further in love with the craft, the industry, and the culture.

I owe so much of what I have learned to @seschieber, who took me under her wings and taught me so much (and still does) and who embraced my nerdiness and eagerness with patience and kindness….and in the process became one of my dearest friends. Working alongside her has felt like winning the golden ticket. She further instilled in me a respect for the craft, the industry, and a commitment to always strive for a quality product, even in a world of Dunkins and Starbucks. 

Grateful for @abbdawes, @hannahmariee93, and Amanda who tolerated my clumsiness at the start while I fumbled my way through the register and the various drink recipes!

I wasn’t sure where this journey would lead, and as I look back at these clips I realize how much I have changed in the process. It’s not always a place that impacts you, but rather the people in it.

I will miss the regulars I’ve gotten to know whose names and drink orders I memorized and who I looked forward to serving. 

I’m so grateful for everything I learned, beyond just making coffee, because I know it will help me to further grow as a leader, an entrepreneur, and a team member wherever I go and in everything I do next.

I won’t miss the dark morning wake ups and long drives before sunrise though! 

I’m proudest of myself for wanting to develop a new skill and ✨DOING IT✨ even when it felt awkward, nerving, and impossible. I hope you will follow me on this next chapter and come say hi at the market (and hire me for your next event)!

Thank you to Charlie Hunter, owner of The Garage for this opportunity.

#coffee #cafe #popupcafe
Recently took a moment to slow down and enjoy the Recently took a moment to slow down and enjoy the sounds of this beautiful place I call home. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #upstateny
Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the way. 

@shellyk_025

#baristalife #barista #coffeeislife

Copyright © 2025 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice