Welcome to Madison!

Madison is a world-class research hub, a state capital, and a genuinely fun place to live. Tucked between two glacial lakes on a narrow isthmus, the city’s vibrant scene offers the energy and charm of a college town with the culture, food and art scene of a big city.

A university on the rise

UW-Madison’s profile keeps rising. Forbes named it a "New Ivy" in both 2024 and 2026 — selected for being one of 20 universities producing the most employer-valued graduates in the country. U.S. News has ranked UW higher four consecutive years, reaching 36th overall and 12th among public universities.

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The city

Madison consistently ranks among the top mid-sized cities to live in in the U.S. A few highlights are:

  • Food & Markets: Madison takes food seriously. The Dane County Farmers’ Market held on the Capitol square every Saturday is the largest producer-only farmer’s market in the United States drawing vendors and visitors from across the region. The dining scene backs it up: Madison’s has earned 30+ James Beard Award honors, including Best Chef: Midwest 2023.
  • Summer: Madison summers are legendary. The city hosts some of the Midwest’s best music festivals, including Concerts on the Square (free weekly classical concerts at the Capitol), Fête de Marquette, AtwoodFest and Orton Park Festival. Other events worth checking out are the Art Fair on the Square–hundreds of artists set up around the capitol exhibiting paintings, prints, ceramics, carved woods, jewelry and much more– and the Taste of Madison–two full days of music and dozens of local food and beverage vendors. The lakes come alive during summer with sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking and swimming.
  • Winter: Wisconsin winters are real, and Madison embraces them. Frozen lake Mendota becomes a hub for ice fishing, ice skating and ice sailing. Nearby Devil’s Head and Cascade Mountain offer downhill skiing and cross country ski trails wind through the city’s parks.
  • Year-round: Over 200 miles of trails connect the city, lakes and surrounding parks, making biking the best commute and a way of life in Madison. The Memorial Union Terrace draws crowds to the lakefront every season, while state street anchors the social scene with shops, restaurants, night markets and live music. For arts and culture, the Chazen Museum of Art and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art offer world-class rotating exhibitions, and are free to visit, and the Overture Center and the Orpheum Theater host Broadway touring productions, comedy and concerts.

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Keep up to date on whats going on around Madison with City Cast Madison daily newsletter and podcast, and The Isthmus, a weekly newspaper that provides news and information about events, theater, movies, music, restaurants and other activities in the Madison area.