First impression is great!! There are a number of options do you want to buy a pass for today do…read moreyou want to buy a membership, there's a bunch of birthday party rooms. You can decide what is best for you. We planned on stopping in to play for an hour and got lost in nearly 3 hours of unlimited play. I did not get pictures of every area this place is huge. My average size nine-year-old couldn't get the slide for the harness to go through certain areas of the ropes course. Maybe some of it needs to be oiled or greased. We were able to try laser tag, skywriter coaster, ropes course, climbing hill, battle beam, warrior course, drop zone, tubes playground, Apex trampolines, wipeout,and run way tumble track.

Food takes a while but not super long…read more Fun Recommend the nachos are pretty nice

Exciting , great atmosphere, adult beverages fun mini golf. Went with wife and kids had a great…read moretime.

Took my 3 year old here and he LOVED it! I personally preferred the course outside on the right…read moreside and didn't really care for the indoor one, but still all fun. Restaurant was good. My kiddo ate most of his burger and chips! Bathrooms clean. Ice cream place was yummy!

Came here for a private group and we had a great time! You start in what looks like a candy store…read moreand then you're in charge of finding the way to the main room. The staff was super friendly and helpful as well. We did the murder room which has various riddles, clues in hidden places, and puzzles. The level was easy but I think we could have done a harder level. We also had a larger group of 11, but we didn't feel crowded in there. We completed with 25 minutes to spare! The phone speaker in the room was a little hard to hear. Some physical exercise is needed for one of the clues. Won't give anything else away, but we had a good time and I'm glad I got to experience Escape in Time again years later.

I came here for my bachelorette and it was such a blast, we did the Haunted Mansion. And not to…read moregive anything away, but will confirm that it was scary and a really great time. We got out in 35 minutes as a group of 10, would definitely go here again. The staff was super friendly and they got into character really well, I appreciated the theatrics

They have all the paddle options but best of all they also have sup yoga!…read more How does this even work? They have buoys with carabiners where you clip the end of your paddle to so you don't drift off. The instructor and staff helps you get clipped in. And then from there the instructor guides you through a yoga session in water, sun, wind elements.

Brittingham Boats has been one of my favorite summer traditions for years. I drive from the…read moreMilwaukee area at least once every summer specifically to kayak here, and I've always loved the whole experience. They offer kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and pedal boats, plus a beach for swimming. There's a cute little snack shop with really yummy grilled cheese sandwiches and beverages, T-shirts for sale, and a deck with tables and chairs, plus chaise lounges where you can relax in the sun. They also offer special events like burgers on the bay, where you kayak out to a pontoon boat where they're grilling burgers and other special event events throughout the summer. One of the things that makes this spot so special is the location. Brittingham Boats sits on Lake Monona, just west of John Nolen Drive, with largest section of Lake Monona and the Monona Terrace on the other side of the drive. In a normal summer, one of my favorite paddles is heading east, under the railroad bridge and John Nolen Drive, and out onto Lake Monona. From there, you can paddle along the shoreline and hang out near Monona Terrace, enjoying the views, watching the other kayakers and boaters, and even spotting plenty of open-water swimmers--many of whom I imagine are training for IRONMAN Wisconsin, held right here every September. There are also several different routes available depending on how far you want to explore, including paddles that can take you toward Lake Mendota and Lake Wingra, as well as routes in the direction of Olbrich Botanical Gardens and other scenic areas around Madison. **A note for summer 2026:** construction along John Nolen Drive appears to have interrupted that usual route, and I don't believe you can currently paddle through to Lake Monona. When I got there last Friday the weather turned and I didn't go out but from the looks of the construction going on, you can't get under John Nolan Drive Here's why I was especially disappointed when I visited last Friday, for the first time this year. Unfortunately, the property looked tired and neglected. It felt as though it had been opened for the season but hadn't received cleaning-just opened the doors--areas needed sweeping, weeds and landscaping needed trimming, cobwebs needed removing, and several things could really benefit from cleaning, fresh paint and general maintenance. The bathrooms were especially disappointing. They were very rundown and so wet that I honestly didn't want to touch anything. I'm sharing this because I really DO love this place and want to continue coming back. Brittingham Boats has so much going for it--the location, the activities and the atmosphere are wonderful. I just hope some time, attention and investment can be put into cleaning up and refreshing the place. A little TLC would go a very long way toward bringing back the charming place I've enjoyed making a special trip to visit every summer.

Rock climbing is a fantastic way to move your body, use new muscles, and have a ton of fun. When it…read morecomes to indoor climbing in Madison, Boulders Climbing Gym is my absolute favorite! This downtown location is exclusively bouldering (lower climbs without ropes), and it challenges both my mind and body as I figure out how to successfully reach the top! If your new to climbing, ask the front desk about how to get started! The only downside to this gym is that it can be a bit pricey, varying based on what kind of membership you pick. In total though, it tends to be the same as what you might pay for a nice yoga studio. Definitely a lot pricier than, say, Planet Fitness. Lastly, this space is very welcoming! If you are part of the LGBTQ community, they have special Queer Climbing events at the start of each month! These events are discounted and a great way to meet other climbers.

It's very small and smelly because the entire gym is matted and confined, but when there's 20+…read morepeople in it climbing and sweating with their rockclimbing shoes and the place is poorly ventilated and not cooled, it makes sense. Very weird atmosphere...it's more like a social club for college students; most of the climbers just gather around in small groups in front of the routes and talk predominately more than they climb. They mostly just perch down in front of the walls and talk and maybe climb a route once every half-hour. This is a little unfortunate because it's a very small place and they do have places for people to sit and talk and tables outside the area of the climbing, but no one uses them. It would be really nice to sense a change in their business model and see them market to rock climbers and get more energy going in the place with a stronger rock-climbing culture instead of ethnic-culturally centered and queer society, but I guess that's probably the majority of the people who pay for memberships so maybe they don't have a choice.

I think my last review was 9 years ago, when I came with some of my adult family. Fast forward to…read morebringing a three-year-old this month and it was the same lovely experience with even more fun activities. My kiddo and her friends were in awe of the animals, most were out and about. The encloses are large and you're able to get (safely) close to the animals for fantastic views. It's hard to believe the zoo is free, so definitely worth it to spend a tiny bit more to go on the little train and carousel with whoever you're going with for thr cause! Lots of shaded benches for taking a break and really detailed information at each enclosure about not just that type of animal in general, but the ones loving there. There are plenty of areas for photo opps. Very up-to-date bathrooms with a ton of stalls/sinks to keep the lines little to none. If you've got kids and need a second for them to get the wiggles out in a fenced area, there is a giant 3-story jungle gym to enjoy. Not huge but reasonable amount of parking. We'll keep coming back, such am amazing day!

One of approximately 43 zoos and aquariums that don't charge admission in the U.S., the Henry Vilas…read moreZoo is part of the bigger Vilas Park in Madison, WI, and was a great quick stop for my wife and daughter (during her toddler years) when growing up in Madison. The park land was gifted in 1904 by Sen. William Vilas, naming the park for his son. One of the conditions of the grant was to maintain public access to the park without admission charges. The zoo opened in 1911, with the City of Madison getting ownership in 1937. In 1983, the ownership was gradually handed over to Dane County. There was a non-profit fund raising arm for the zoo (Henry Vilas Zoological Society), but that relationship ceased in 2019 with a dispute with no distinct replacement. Thus, operational costs are borne by the county government for now (with a small endowment). An important ongoing goal is to maintain accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for operational excellence. It was a hot weekday, so the zoo was pretty empty (of both visitors and animals), and none of the snack/food areas were open. The American Flamingo exhibit was a colorful stop, and the Aviary building was a good place to observe parrots and bats, along with aquariums.

Rented a pontoon boat last weekend for five passengers. Team was great. I received my reminder…read moreemail that week. It was very clear about location and what I needed to to. I received a call the morning of the rental and they wanted to make sure I had the information needed. The team showed up as scheduled. Got the boat in the water and helped us through instruction. Met us at the dock after we texted them. Everything was terrific.

Do not rent from this company. Rented a "luxury" 14 person pontoon in July 2024, and it was junk…read more Please see the pictures: the boat was literally held together with packing tape in places, including the canopy which was flapping in the wind after we opened it. Additionally, the reverse gear did not work...the employee told us before departure that the reverse was " a little tricky, it doesn't always take." The reality was that the boat did not operate in reverse and we had to use manpower to avoid running into other boats when we attempted to dock/anchor. This was the most disturbing aspect of the rental because it was a safety risk, never mind the damaged and taped sections. We tried to discuss with Madison Jet Ski, but good luck reaching someone. There is no one to call, and slow or non-responsive to email. As a last resort, we attempted to find resolution with our credit card company, but were presented with legalese that we signed away any recourse in event of a complaint. Buyer beware, you have to sign off on everything BEFORE you take the boat out. Once you get on the water and discover any issues, you're stuck. My attempts at recourse began in July, and it is now mid-October. I will not waste any more of my valuable time dealing with this company, but it is my hope that sharing my experience will help others avoid the same fate. You can do better than Madison Jet Ski and your ~$700 with other firms on Lake Mendota or Monona.

Let me start by saying I have NEVER taken a barre class before and was actually pretty nervous…read moreabout it. That all went away as soon as I got there. The ladies at check in did everything they could to make me feel comfortable & confident: showing me around, helping me grab the stuff I would need for class, and answering all my questions. The class I went to was a classic barre class, so there was a focus on core, glute stuff, some upper body stuff, then more legs. The music was upbeat, as was our instructor, and that helped keep me going for the 50 minutes. I was surprised how challenging these little moves could be and as I type this my right butt cheek is feeling it. I was also surprised to not be dripping sweat by the end. Anytime I run or spin, it looks like I just got out of the shower, so this was a pleasant surprise. However, I still appreciated that the lights were dimmed during class. I am not great at doing things in time like leg lifty things, so I appreciated being able to retreat to the shadows. At the end, a really friendly stranger (who clearly knew what she was doing because I noticed & envied her on-time leg lifts/lack of shaking legs) came up and said she'd only been there a few months but it gets easier. She also said that none of the classes she's been to have been the same, so it stays challenging/interesting. Overall, positive experience! I would especially recommend it if you were interested in starting barre classes, but didn't know where to start.

Barrecode is one of my favorite studios to go to in the Madison area. I love how there are so many…read moredifferent classes from HITT, Total Body Conditioning (TBC), Brawl, Classic Barre, and Barre Restore. With such variety, no two classes you take during the week are the same which keeps all the classes interesting and engaging! Studio and all the equipment is always clean, the barre room is really large, and there's always hair ties, dry shampoo, etc. if you need it. All the instructors are really friendly. Also the classes vary in time so you are are daring enough to do a double, they will be 2 different types of classes. During the class, the instructor is guiding you the whole time and coming around to check on form, which was extremely helpful for me when I first started doing barre. A lot of the positions aren't regularly done so form is important to get your best workout in. Even after class, I always appreciate the community Barrecode fosters through their social media, sending the message of encouragement and support to everyone no matter where they are in their fitness journey and taking these goals beyond their health to their everyday lives.

This pool is everything. Especially on a hot day in Madison!…read more This Sunday we went here on a whim for the first time. It was so nice! So much space for all people. There's areas for lap swimming/more adult centric activities, and kiddo friendly sections. And it has a slide!!!! No need to wait for hours at a water park to go down a slide. This slide gives you the thrill you seek, with no wait. Less the kiddos also waiting for their turn! The chairs are ready great quality for a public pool. They aren't the most comfortable thing in the world, but they are sturdy and do the job. Water was clean. I saw one hairball in the drain, which was a little gross, but for a public pool I felt safe. I didn't venture into the bathrooms this time so can't speak to those. My partner went to see the snack station and said there were plenty of affordable options should you get hungry. You are allowed to bring in food and drink, but there is a designated area to eat them. I saw a full season for residents is $85 and a daily was $6 (at time of writing this review). It's worth checking out for how reasonable it is. I'll definitely be back again!

We love Goodman pool. There are concessions back now - Ice cream, chips and candy plus sodas and…read morewater. Big community pool with two fun slides and two diving boards. Lifeguards do a great job. Tons of deck chairs plus lawn to sit on. Zero depth pool for the little ones. Super family friendly. Diverse attendees unlike pretty much every other pool in Madison. All inclusive swim and dive team and morning swim lessons too. We love it here!