What to do and see in Madison, Wisconsin (WI): The Best Boat Tours & Water Sports

August 13, 2021 Leonardo Torrence

The sprawling University of Wisconsin sets the tone for this college town of cafes, bookstores, brewpubs, numerous restaurants (more per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.) and a good share of cultural and historical attractions. Stunning glacial waterways make the City of Lakes one of the more picturesque state capitals in the country. More than 250 parks offer residents and tourists plenty of recreational areas to choose from. If you visit the campus, be sure to try the famous Babcock Ice Cream at Memorial Union or Babcock Hall, before or after a visit to the Elvehjem Museum of Art's collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities. And to really get into the college spirit, head over to State Street's eclectic range of ethnic restaurants. Be sure to try the mouth-watering bratwurst sandwich on a homemade bun at State Street Brats, a student favorite. At the end of State Street, the white granite, Roman Renaissance-style Capitol dominates the skyline and offers an observation platform for views of the city and lakes.
Restaurants in Madison

1. Madison Log Rolling

Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

Madison Log Rolling

Improve balance, agility, leg strength coordination, and endurance while celebrating Wisconsin Lumberjack heritage with this fun and unique sport! At Madison Log Rolling we focus on a fun environment for children (and adults!) to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. Many roll just for fun, others become competitors who are now featured on ESPN! We offer class drop-in options and private lessons for our out of town visitors.

2. Wingra Boats

Excellent
89%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 38 reviews

Wingra Boats

Up-North Beauty in downtown Madison. Surrounded by nature this quiet lake is a mecca for paddling and the perfect place for the whole family to SUP, kayak, canoe, row, or paddle boat. Fish, paddle and play! Wingra Lake is a motor-free lake that is surrounded by the UW Arboretum. Wingra Boats makes getting out on the water with friends, family or by yourself easy and fun.

3. Pontoon Porch

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Pontoon Porch

Pontoon Porch is a floating two-level boat with a screened in porch and enough space for up to 30 passengers. A cross between a houseboat and a pontoon boat, a ride on the Pontoon Porch allows guests to experience Lake Monona in a brand new way.

4. Brittingham Boats

Excellent
95%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 44 reviews

Brittingham Boats

Downtown’s premier paddle destination. Seasonal walk-in rentals of Stand Up Paddle Boards, Kayaks, Canoes, Paddleboats and Rowboats. Special events including group paddles and Full Moon Paddles make it a Madison must!

5. The Madison Angling Experience

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

The Madison Angling Experience

The Madison Angling Experience is your best resource for all things fishing in the Madison, WI area! With a year-round, multispecies guide service, articles, fishing reports, videos, and radio fishing report, Madison Angling is always keeping you on the action! Whether you are a novice angler who just wants to catch fish and have fun or a seasoned angler looking to sharpen your skills, The Madison Angling Guide Service is for you! Guide Noah Humfeld specializes in the Madison Chain of lakes chasing everything from giant muskies, walleyes, bass, and even panfish.

6. Paddle Pub

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 44 reviews

Paddle Pub

Paddle Pub offers two hour pedal powered tours on Lake Menona right next to downtown Madison! Bring your beer, wine and cider and get ready to have fun on the water.

7. Marshall Boats

Excellent
82%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Marshall Boats

Marshall Boats offers rentals of canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and pontoon boats. We do every thing we can to make your day on the lake a wonderful experience. We also have a great café, so stop by and go for a paddle or enjoy and ice cream cone.

8. Badger Pontoon Charters

Excellent
0%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
33%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 3 reviews

Badger Pontoon Charters

Spend a day on our spacious 14 Passenger Pontoon boat cruising or splashing around Lake Mendota. We include a licensed Captain to drive the boat so you can just enjoy yourself with your friends & family. We can pick up your group at any public boat launch or private dock on Lake Mendota. We offer 4 or 8 Hour trips & moonlight pub crawls. We can customize a trip for your company outing.

9. Rutabaga Outdoor Programs

Excellent
50%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
50%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 2 reviews

Rutabaga Outdoor Programs

Whether you're new to paddling or a seasoned veteran, Rutabaga Outdoor Programs can help you improve the quality and enjoyment of your paddling experiences. For over 30 years we've taught thousands of children and adults the skills to enjoy canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddling (SUP). We invite you to discover our wide range of classes for all ages and abilities. We hope you'll join us for some on-water fun and learning this season!

10. MadCity Flyboards

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

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