As part of this year’s 40 Under 40 presentation, which appears in the March edition of In Business magazine, we asked members of the 2017 class to identify some of their favorite Greater Madison “must-dos.” By must-do, we mean the Madison area events, activities, or places they just have to attend, take part in, or visit each year. Their responses illustrate the vibrancy of life here.
Some simply listed their favorites in a matter-of-fact way, others felt the need to elaborate just a bit, and some went just a bit outside of Dane County. We invite you to sample what they have sampled and perhaps find a new must-do of your own. And don’t forget to register to mingle with them during our next IB Intros event on Wednesday, March 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Madison Club, 5 E. Wilson St.
Here, then, are their favorite ways to enjoy Greater Madison.
Christian Albouras, Summit Credit Union
Hanging out and spending time on the Square and State Street. I love the energy, the activities, and my top three Madison steakhouses are in the area — Rare Steakhouse, Johnny Delmonico’s (I once got to meet former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder while I was there), and the Tornado Room — plus the coffee shops, the nightlife, and most noteworthy for me, the stunning views of our State Capitol that this area of our beautiful city has to offer.
Matt Apter, Cresa Madison
On a sunny, 30-degree winter day, walk across a frozen Lake Mendota.
Craig Bartlett, Red Card Media, Isthmus Publishing
Any outdoor rock concert. Making sure you get to a Live On King Street show or a Breese Stevens event has to be on any live entertainment lover’s to-do list.
Bjorn Berg, TASC (Total Administrative Services Corp.)
Memorial Union. Enjoy some microbrews! UW–Madison is one of the only universities in the nation that offers a brewmaster program and actually has its own label of beer!
Matt Breunig, J.H. Findorff and Son Inc.
Canoe the Crawfish River from Lake Mills to Jefferson. A little outside the Madison area, but a great way to spend a Saturday.
Rebecca Brown, Creative Business Interiors
Indulging in cheese curds and Old Fashioneds at the Old Fashioned.
Kamal Calloway, Exact Sciences Corp.
Graze restaurant.
Sarah Condella, Exact Sciences Corp.
See a show at the Overture Center for the Arts — beautiful theaters and awesome shows, and the lineup caters to all ages. We like the Kids in the Rotunda program on Saturday mornings for a free, family activity.
Jordan Corning, Husch Blackwell LLP
Breakfast at Mickie’s Dairy Bar.
Marci Dubler, M3 Insurance
Taste of Madison.
Maureen Easton, Foley & Lardner LLP
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on Lakes Mendota and Monona.
Gayle Goers (formerly Viney), Dane County Humane Society
The Madison Ironman race, an incredible daylong race with a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile marathon. This is my favorite event every year, and I’m in awe of the athletes who compete in the race every year. The training, endurance, determination, support, and athleticism are so impressive and inspiring. I love cheering everyone on the entire day! It’s definitely something to spectate and Madison’s course is one of the most spectator-friendly courses in the country.”
JJ Giese, Thysse Printing Service
Quivey’s Grove Beer Fest.
Ben Halfen
Take in the annual Isthmus Paddle and Portage.
Justin Hart, Capitol Bank
Enjoy a “boot” and polka at Essen Haus.
Alison Helland, Murphy Desmond S.C.
Annual Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County Gala.
Katie Hensel, Tri 4 Schools
A fall trip to the Arboretum’s Longenecker gardens. I got engaged here in late October when the colors were at their peak and it was truly a surreal experience. We try to go back every year.
Wendy Horton, UW Health at The American Center
Watching the Mad City Ski Team.
Derek Johnson, Edgewood College
Attend the annual Madison Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States, a great day to build community and explore African American culture and history.
Jocelyn Kerl, National Cooperative Rxâ¨â¨
Enjoying Babcock dairy plant ice cream at the Memorial Union Terrace.
(Continued)
Angela Kowieski, Organic Beauty LLC
The food at Las Islas del Mar. Best traditional Mexican seafood dishes in Madison. And their Ruso Blanco cocktail (White Russian) is the best in town!
Nick Lombardino, Atlas Providers LLC; Farwell Project Advisors LLC
The gyro sandwich at Plaka Taverna.
Kristin Kupres, Kennedy Communications LTD
Madison Mallards games.
Paul Manchester, State Bank of Cross Plains
I love to golf and Madison has some fantastic golf courses. My favorite is University Ridge and I would list that as a must-do if you were a golfer.
Ryan Mauer, Full Compass Systems
Middleton’s Pheasant Branch Conservancy (great spot for a run).
Michael C. Morey, Oakbrook Corp.
A fall visit to Enchanted Valley Acres.
Adam Nonn, Nonn’s Kitchen Bath & Flooring
Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market on the Square with two favorites — Stella’s Bakery cheese bread and Hook’s cheese curds.
Christina Podoll, SARA Investment Real Estate
Concerts on the Square.
Ashley Quinto Powell, Bendyworks
1 Million Cups.
Dr. Nestor Rodriguez, Carbon World Health
Attend mixed martial arts fights at Monona Terrace.
Leah Roe, healthfinch Inc.
Early morning, stand-up paddleboarding during the summer at Wingra Boats. I like to have “intentional mornings,” and this is one of my favorite things to do in the summer to start out my day!
Spencer Schumacher, Spencer Real Estate Group
Hike the Ice Age Trail.
Courtney Lynn Searles, Johnson Financial Group (Johnson Bank)
Art Fair On and Off the Square. Every year I look forward to locating a unique piece of art, enjoying the local cuisine and music, and of course people-watching.
Elyse L. Smithback, Oregon Community Bank
The Berbee Derby Thanksgiving 10K run.
Jesse Sondel, Sondel Family Veterinary Clinic
Badger hockey games.
Amber Swenor, Strategic Partners Marketing
Attend the annual Madison Area Music Association Awards show, a fantastically displayed show featuring many Madison area artists, put together by a group of volunteers who work year-round to pull it off.
QuHarrison Terry, Redox
The plate of the day at Graft on Carroll Street.
Sarah Weber-Hurley, Healthgrades Operating Co. Inc.
Traditional supper club experience at Toby’s Supper Club (Old Fashioned included).
Dan Weiss, LBW Wealth Management
Hike Devil’s Lake.
Heather Wentler, Fractal, Madison SOUP, Doyenne Groupâ¨â¨
Forward Fest.
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