Let’s be honest: when you rank U.S. getaways, Wisconsin probably isn’t elbowing past Hawaii, New York, or “anywhere with palm trees.” But here’s the plot twist—I spent a few days bouncing between Madison, Wisconsin Dells and Milwaukee, and the state of Wisconsin quietly stole my stomach and my stress levels (in that order). I’ve been training for a full 42 km marathon, so I arrived craving two things: food with verve and wellness with receipts. Wisconsin delivered both, with a spicy surprise—Thai and Thai-adjacent flavours are having a moment here. Add world-class spa days, lake-sparkle vistas, and architecture that belongs on a movie poster, and you’ve got the most underrated long-weekend in the Midwest.
See also: From sunrise to Sphere: Your elevated guide to an epic weekend in Las Vegas
Madison: Lakeside vibes, southeast asian heat, and symphony on the lawn
We landed in Madison, scooped up a rental, and made a beeline for the University of Wisconsin’s Memorial Union Terrace—the city’s alfresco living room. Pelican-coloured chairs face Lake Mendota, snacks appear as if by magic, and time dissolves quicker than your willpower. It’s the perfect move after a flight: a slow walk down State Street, lake breeze, brain un-crumples.
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Dinner sealed my first “oh, Wisconsin is different” moment. Ahan—Lao at heart with clear family ties to the flavours of Thailand—does the kind of food that wakes your palate up and then hugs it. Think sticky rice you tear with your hands, chiles that sing instead of shout, herbs piled like confetti, and the sort of depth you only get when a kitchen understands heat, acid, and texture like old friends. I expected solid Midwestern comfort; I got Southeast Asian soul with local produce. Underrated? Understatement.
Next morning, we swapped spice for serenity at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a 16-acre wonderland with ponds, pruned pathways, and a tropical conservatory where the air feels like a spa diffuser. The showstopper is the Royal Thai Pavilion—a gleaming, gold-trimmed dose of Thai craftsmanship that transports you in about four steps. It’s a passport stamp without the jet lag, and a reminder that Madison’s culinary scene sits inside a broader, proudly international community.
Spa day, Ayurveda edition
KOSA Spa lives inside the restored Garver Feed Mill and whispers “exhale” the second you walk in. It leans into Ayurveda—think personalized treatments, herbals, and a rhythm that encourages you to slow down without getting sleepy. We cycled steam, hot stone sauna, and cold rain shower; sipped tea in a greenery-filled lounge; and did the grown-up thing of sitting quietly without doomscrolling. I walked out feeling like my nervous system had taken its shoes off. Want extra melt? Add targeted work for neck/shoulders, feet, or a blissed-out scalp ritual and you’ll float out convinced you live there now.
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Steak, strings, and the capitol glow
We went classic at Johnny Delmonico’s Steakhouse. Picture crisp service, martinis with gravitas, and a steak that makes you forget emails ever existed. The city also turns into a symphony hall – On summer Wednesdays, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra plays “Concerts on the Square,” and the whole town rolls out blankets around the Capitol. It’s one of those cinematic moments—golden dome, clink of picnic glasses, strings lifting into the night—that makes you consider moving.
Wisconsin Dells: An adults-only spa that actually feels adult
The next day we pointed the car toward Wisconsin Dells and checked into Sundara Inn & Spa, an adults-only retreat tucked inside a pine forest. If KOSA was a gentle reset, Sundara is the full factory restore: hydrotherapy pools that trade chatter for hush, steam rooms that banish deadlines, quiet zones where phones go into witness protection. You’re encouraged to do the “purifying bath ritual,” drifting between warm and cool, inside and out, until your joints stop narrating their complaints.
There’s structure if you want it—wellness classes, nature walks, the kind of mindfulness sessions that loosen jaw tension you didn’t realize you were clenching. Dinner at Nava, Sundara’s on-site restaurant, continues the theme: clean, beautiful plates that feel indulgent without sabotaging tomorrow’s run—exactly the post-ice-bath energy I’m chasing these days. If you’re the person who says “I can’t relax,” Sundara will prove you wrong and tuck you in anyway.
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Road snacks and market grazes
On the drive to Milwaukee, country roads rolled out like a screensaver. Milwaukee greeted us with the Public Market, which is half lunch, half treasure hunt. Vendors stack up everything from hot sandwiches to global bites, and the upstairs Palm Garden is perfect for people-watching while you debate “second lunch.” The city’s food scene is endlessly curious—heritage recipes rubbing elbows with contemporary takes—and it shows on every counter.
The case for wisconsin (and where Thai fits in)
Here’s the thesis, now that my fork and my cortisol have both calmed down: Wisconsin isn’t trying to be trendy. It’s doing its own thing—thoughtful, local-forward food; genuine wellness; a neighbourhoods-and-lakes sense of community—and it just so happens that “its own thing” dovetails beautifully with what many travellers actually want right now. And yes, the Thai thread matters. From Ahan’s Southeast Asian pulse to the Royal Thai Pavilion—and the wider presence of Southeast Asian communities in the region—you can sense a Midwest that’s more global (and more delicious) than stereotypes suggest. You come for the cheese curds and supper clubs; you stay for the nam prik, lemongrass, and jasmine rice moments tucked between them.
Tips for copying this trip (steal these liberally)
- Start in Madison and give yourself a lakeside landing: UW Memorial Union Terrace is a must.
- Book KOSA in advance, then build a slow afternoon around the sauna/steam/tea circuit.
- Swap—or add—Johnny Delmonico’s for a classic steakhouse night; it balances the spicy cravings nicely.
- Time your visit for Concerts on the Square (summer); bring a blanket and snacks and pretend you live there.
- Spend a night (or two) at Sundara if you can; go electronics-light and embrace the hydrotherapy ritual.
- On the way to Milwaukee, stretch your legs (and cheese intake) at a creamery; Sassy Cow’s grilled cheese is a ringer.
- In Milwaukee, graze at the Public Market and then wander to the lakefront museum; your camera will riot.
- For Thai cravings beyond what we hit, ask locals—Wisconsin has a deeper Southeast Asian bench than you’d expect.
Who should go
Couples who want spa serenity without the “shh” vibe. Solo travellers chasing a reset with real food. Friends who run by morning and toast by night. Anyone who enjoys discovering a place that isn’t already on every list but absolutely should be. Wisconsin is the friend who under-promises and then introduces you to their cool international cousin who cooks better than anyone.
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Final lap
I arrived with marathon legs and modest expectations; I left plotting my return with a suitcase that smelled faintly of eucalyptus and chile. Wisconsin won’t scream for your attention—it doesn’t need to. It’ll let a Thai pavilion glow in the afternoon sun, a Lao kitchen do its magic, a spa peel your stress off one layer at a time, and a lake flash silver while an orchestra tunes up. Underrated? Not for long. Pack an appetite, a swimsuit, and your favourite comfy shoes. The Badger State is ready to surprise you, one bite and one breath at a time.
Feature image by Mike Norris
