Memorial Day weekend is my favorite time of year because, to me, it signals the start of summer here in the Midwest. The weather usually cooperates, and pools and waterparks open for the season.
For those who aren’t sticking around town for backyard BBQs, Brat Fest or other local Memorial Day celebrations, here is a curated list of events, restaurants and activities within a two-hour drive of Madison, Wis. (updated for 2023).
Wisconsin Dells
Noah’s Ark opens for the season on Saturday. New this year is a four-person raft ride into vivid lights and dynamic sound called Chameleon. The park also is now cashless. Photo from Noah’s Ark website- A relatively new restaurant/outdoor music venue called The District is a fun place to hang out (I will have a review published soon). Enjoy a variety of food types, treats, drinks and live music while overlooking the river.
- The Wilderness finished renovating its Wild West waterpark in November, with new rides Warped Wagons and Twisted Trails. It also added a swim-up bar called YeeHaw’s Watering Hole.
- The new Elm Street Plaza downtown will have free live music every day during Memorial Day weekend.
- Timbavati Wildlife Park is a surprisingly big zoo and a fun place to feed animals. You can now schedule 20-min. meet-and-greets with a red panda or a sloth.
- Big Sky Drive-In Theatre is now open for the season (warning: it’s cash-only).
Lake Geneva area
Who’s up for a safari? A few miles southeast of Lake Geneva is Safari Lake Geneva, which allows you to get up close and personal with zebras, giraffes, camels and other animals. Photo from Safari Lake Geneva website- Magpie’s Den & Pen, which is less than two years old, will have a Summer Kickoff party Friday and Saturday.
- Earlier this month, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa announced the completion of the renovation of its guest rooms and suites. It will begin its weekly fireworks display on Sunday.
- The Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan will host its annual Pig Roast, complete with indoor and outdoor entertainment on Sunday. There’s also a new restaurant on site called 1878 on the Lake.
- The Burlington Jamboree takes place Friday through Monday and features a midway, a rock-n-circus and live music. On your way there, stop at Fred’s for “the world’s best burgers.”
Elsewhere
- If you want to go tubing, you can’t go wrong with Wisconsin Riverside Resort in Spring Green, S&B Tubing in Albany or Sandy Shores in Mauston. Warning: water levels are very high this year!
- For distilleries, visit Blaum Bros. Distilling in Galena, Ill., Driftless Glen in Baraboo or Minhas in Monroe.
- For breweries, I like Hillsboro Brewing. Co in Hillsboro, Tyranena in Lake Mills and Potosi Brewery in Potosi, which also houses the ABA National Brewery Museum (definitely worth checking out).
- Baileys Run Vineyard in New Glarus is a trendy place, and it will have live music on Memorial Day weekend.
Have a great weekend!
Tags: Lake Delton, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Dells
