Timeline
15:32
Grab a coffee and a pastry at Michelangelo's Coffee House. It is a comfy spot near the Capitol grounds where you can warm up before heading out.
16:17
Walk to the Wisconsin State Capitol. Spend the next half hour wandering the grounds. The building faces roughly west, so the low sun will cast long shadows and warm light across the facade and the surrounding statues like Forward and Hans Christian Heg.
16:47
Stand on the Capitol steps or grounds for the sunset. The sun sets toward the WSW, offering a clear view of the light fading behind the dome. This is the peak moment of the experience.
17:17
End the evening with a burger at Dotty Dumpling's Dowry. It is one of the best burgers in Madison, and the lively atmosphere is a perfect way to unwind after the cold.
Local tip
The walk from the Capitol to Dotty Dumpling's is short, but the streets get cold quickly after sunset in January. Keep your coat on.
Check before you go
- Michelangelo's Coffee House is open until 20:00 on weekdays and 20:00 on Saturdays.
- Dotty Dumpling's Dowry is open until 23:00 on weekdays and 01:00 on weekends.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Madison (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).