
Who’s Ready to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday?
Here’s our annual list of the 4th of July fireworks celebrations in the Madison, Wis., and Wisconsin Dells areas.

Here’s our annual list of the 4th of July fireworks celebrations in the Madison, Wis., and Wisconsin Dells areas.

It’s my favorite time of year: Memorial Day weekend! I consider it the de facto start of summer. If you’re like me, you can’t wait for warmer temperatures, (hopefully) less rain and hanging out poolside.
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 2026).
The Lucky Leprechaun sports a festive St. Patrick’s Day atmosphere that’s worth visiting year-round. While the bones of the restaurant still feel like the Applebee’s that it replaced in Wisconsin Dells, I applaud the owners for going all-in on the Irish decor.