Isthmus Summertimes
Courtesy Monona Terrace
Seven Madison summer freebies
You can make the most of every day of a Madison summer (and you need to, because winters are long) — because you don’t have to shell out the big bucks to have fun. Here are seven of our favorite freebies. (From among many!)
Jun 7, 2025
Appleton Beer Factory
Up in the Valley
That stretch of I-41 is more than a big on-ramp to Lambeau Field. The Fox Cities are a worthy weekend destination in and of themselves.
May 23, 2019
Overture, curtain, lights
Not just frothy fun! From classics to new works, Madison’s summer theater has an absorbing and challenging slate of plays.
May 23, 2019
Ryan Wisniewski
The reformation of a scofflaw
Favorite summer activities from childhood die hard. With any luck you can transform them into slightly more acceptable forms of recreation.
May 23, 2019
Jane Burns
Cars ’n curds
Wisconsin has many cheesemaking centers, and those keen for a daytrip can head out in any direction. But consider a cheesy trip to the Driftless, which pairs hills with havarti.
May 23, 2019
Carolyn Fath Ashby
Year of the shirsey
It’s always a good time to visit the Duck Pond. But some nights are better than others if you’re adding to your collection of Mallards memorabilia.
May 23, 2019
Best of Summertimes
Nine fine spaces hidden in Madison
There's no better time than summer to explore Madison's lesser-known locations.
The hidden gems of Madison-area public parks
The Madison area boasts a wide variety of public parklands with features as varied as its people.
Down by the water
You can (with some persistence and planning) paddle down the Yahara River to the Rock to the Mississippi, and proceed all the way downstream to New Orleans.
Biking out of Madison without fighting traffic
The best local bicycling depends on good escape routes that provide short and swift access to Dane County's extensive network of scenic two-lane town and rural roads.
Wet hot Madison summer
The Madison area has plenty of ways to beat the summer heat. Isthmus has a rundown on public pools, splash parks and beaches.
