With five miles of singletrack trails with a short jump line and skills section, the Middleton Bike Park offers something fun for seasoned mountain bikers and beginners alike. These mountain biking trails are designed to provide a longer ride with less extreme jumps. If bikers want to take on more ground, the Middleton Bike Park trails connect with Blackhawk Ski Club mountain bike trails (mountain bike pass required).

The Middleton Bike Park can be accessed by car at 4351 Schwartz Rd off Hwy 14 and by bike via the South Fork Trail. Nearly 70 parking spots are available at the Middleton Bike Park, owned and operated by the City of Middleton. The parking lot is adjacent to Middleton’s cross-country ski trails.

The bike park trails run mostly through wooded areas with occasional dips into the prairie and over boardwalks. The jump line gives riders an exhilarating chance to launch their bikes off the ground and enjoy some air time. A new paved pump track is scheduled to open in late 2023.

The Middleton Bike Park was built in 2010 by the local bike club Capital Off Road Pathfinders (CORP), with the help of nationally renowned designers Mike Riter and Ben Blitch. Volunteers continue to make improvements to the trails and provide trail conditions here.

Any mountain bike is suitable for the trails at Middleton Bike Park, but Capital Off Road Pathfinder (CORP) says a small hardtail works best for the jumps and the pump track. If you need gear or a tune-up (or even a whole new bike) before heading to the bike park, stop by Wheel & Sprocket in Middleton, where you’ll find friendly staff and a full-service bike shop and service department.

Bring your mountain bike to Middleton and experience one of southern Wisconsin’s best mountain biking areas. 

Find more Middleton bike trails here.

With Pheasant Branch Conservancy to the north, Pleasant View Golf Course to the west, Lake Mendota to the east, and sharing its southwestern borders with the city of Madison, Middleton has something to offer every traveler while also providing nearly 70 dining and 55 shopping opportunities and more than 1,150 hotel rooms, as well as the area’s largest convention center hotel.

Click here to view all our parks and trails and here to view Middleton’s newest map of trails!

In summer 2020, Middleton partnered with the cities of Fitchburg, Madison, Sun Prairie and Verona to create Explore Outdoor Madison — an interactive one-stop shop to see the best the area has to offer in outdoor experiences.

Click here to explore Middleton’s Pheasant Branch Conservancy and to see all the outdoor spaces in the Middleton/Madison area!

Here are Middleton’s outdoor locations:

• Pheasant Branch Conservancy
• Pleasant View Golf Course
• Firefighters Memorial Park
• Harvey John & Lucille Taylor Memorial Park
• Firemen’s Park Trail
• Lake Mendota: Marshall Boats
• Lake Street Boat Launch
• Lakeview Park (photo shown above)
• Middleton Community Dog Park
• Middleton Bike Park
• Orchid Heights Park
• Penni Klein Park
• Quarry Skate Park
• Walter Bauman Aquatic Center

• Looking for a fall road ride with some company? Regular group rides depart Capital Brewery. The rides take place weekday evenings and include options for riders of all abilities. The rides range from 5 to 25 miles.
• Seeking thrills? Some of the best off-road riding around can be found at the Middleton Bike Park. You’ll find some fantastic, challenging riding, including a pump track, jump line and a single-track loop, all surrounded by beautiful trees.
• Taking the kids along? Riders of all ages will appreciate Middleton’s smooth paved paths. The terrain is gentle and the trailside fall scenery is unforgettable.
• Looking for scenic views and fall leaves? Pheasant Branch Conservancy has many bike-friendly paths. Click here for several map options.
• Does a good ride for you involve coffee? Riders who like to navigate town by bike will find a lot to love about Middleton, including warm fall lattes from Barriques and Hubbard Avenue Diner (all downtown), or Prairie Cafe & Bakery, Starbucks and Scooter’s Coffee. Off street trails are located throughout the city.

Cross-County Ski Trails

• The CXC Outdoor Recreation and Sports Center (CXC Center) near Pleasant View Golf Course is a great place to get out and take in the scenery via cross-country skis. Trails are groomed for both cross-country skiing and diagonal striding; and, with an artificial snow maker, trails are open throughout winter. Cross-Country ski gear can be rented here. Facilities are open Dec. 1, 2023 through March 14, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Use of the cross-country ski trail system requires the purchase of a trail pass (December-March only), which can be done online or at the CXC office. City of Middleton residents receive a 50 percent discount by purchasing tickets at City Hall or online. Only cross-country skiing is allowed on the cross-country ski trail system. View or download a printable cross-country ski map here. Mountain biking can also be done on the trails at CXC Center and is free.
• Blackhawk Ski Area is a private club with classic and skate trails, ski jumps, downhill runs, and snowmaking. West of Madison, 10118 and 10222 Blackhawk Road, Middleton.
• In the winter, more thank five miles of Governor Nelson State Park’s trails are tracked for diagonal skiers and groomed for skate skiers. Most of the trails are easy to moderate in difficulty, and some have hills with challenging turns; view specific routes here.

Snowshoeing

• The 549-acre Pheasant Branch Conservancy welcomes snowshoeing on all trails. Even in winter, the wildlife here is abundant and the variety of terrain makes for a great hike. In order to protect the conservancy’s revitalized prairie landscape, snowshoeing is not allowed off trails and cross-country skiing is prohibited.
• Governor Nelson State Park has a 2.4-mile loop trail that ventures through restored prairies in the northern portion of the park. This is a multi-use trail, also open to skiers.

Ice Skating

Several of Middleton’s community parks have ice skating facilities:

• Parkside Heights Park (3300 Northbrook Drive), City of Middleton maintained ice rink, open weather dependent
• Meadows Park (6415 South Avenue), City of Middleton maintained ice rink, open weather dependent
• Stricker Pond (7605 Voss Parkway), neighborhood maintained, use at your own risk
• Tiedeman Pond (1500 N Gammon Road), neighborhood maintained, use at your own risk
• Middleton Hills Pond (6867 Frank Lloyd Wright Avenue), neighborhood maintained, use at your own risk
• Esser Pond (corner of John Q Hammons Drive and Deming Way), neighborhood maintained, use at your own risk

Additionally, there are open skate times at Bob Suter’s Capitol Ice Arena, home to the Madison Capitols as well as Madison Capitols AAA Youth program, Middleton Cardinals High School hockey team and the Middleton Wings youth program. The ice arena has two full sheets of ice, eight public locker rooms and six public bathrooms. Specific open skate times can be found here. The entrance fee for open skating is $10 and skates can be rented for $5.

What is Pheasant Branch Conservancy?

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is a 549-acre protected natural area in Middleton that’s home to an open-water marsh, springs, prairies, meadows, lowland forest and wooded hills. The conservancy’s wetlands and several springs — as well as Pheasant Branch Creek — provide fresh water for Lake Mendota. It’s also home to a wide variety of animals, including deer, sandhill cranes, songbirds and frogs.

Where is it?

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is located on the northern edge of Middleton, off County Highway M (Century Avenue). Parking is available at two smaller lots along Pheasant Branch Drive on the west side of the conservancy or in the larger lot at Orchid Heights Park, which has easy access to Pheasant Branch’s trail system.

Another alternative is to park in the lot on Branch Street and Century Avenue and take the Pheasant Branch Trail into the conservancy.

When is Pheasant Branch Conservancy open?

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

What can you do there?

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is home to several miles of multi-use and hiking trails, including a 3.3-mile main loop that circles the majority of the property. The multi-use trails feature a mix of paved and unpaved segments and are popular among bikers, who can connect to the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Trail and Middleton’s other great biking options for a longer ride.

Walk up Frederick’s Hill on the northern edge of the conservancy to reach an observation platform that overlooks the marsh and several Native American effigy mounds. Near the southeastern end of the hill, you’ll find another observation platform that offers a view of Frederick Springs, one of two large sets of springs at the property—every day, these springs send more than 2.6 million gallons of freshwater into the marsh and Lake Mendota.

Birdwatching and wildlife viewing are also popular activities in the conservancy.

When’s the best time of year to visit Pheasant Branch Conservancy?

It all depends on what you want to do. Hiking and biking are great options in spring, summer and fall. Birdwatching opportunities — Pheasant Branch is a fabulous place to see cranes, herons, hawks and songbirds—are abundant during the spring and fall migrations, and summer is a perfect time for a sunset hike. In winter, Pheasant Branch is home to a designated snowshoeing trail.

***Temporary trail closure along the Conservancy’s west side due to bald eagle nest. Please respect the closure and explore alternative routes. Eagles are sensitive to human and canine presence and may abandon the nest if disturbed. (Updated: 12/13/2024)

Middleton has something to offer everyone.

With that in mind, use the following to choose your own Middleton adventure! Here are three OUTDOOR itineraries to mix and match with SHOP-DINE-RELAX options to create your own PERFECT DAY IN MIDDLETON! Hint: There are enough options here to fill a long weekend, if not a week!

A Perfect Day in Middleton — OUTDOORS

HIKING, BIKING, SIGHTSEEING, BIRD WATCHING AT PHEASANT BRANCH CONSERVANCY

MORNING: Fuel up with a cinnamon bun or breakfast skillet from Prairie Café and Bakery, or grab something from Scooter’s drive-through on your way to Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

PHEASANT BRANCH: Hop in the car for a very short drive to any of the access points of Pheasant Branch Conservancy — 549 acres of beautiful, protected conservancy land. All Middleton parks and conservancy lands are free — no permits are required. For a relatively short but beautiful hike, we suggest beginning with parking by the historical marker at 4865 Pheasant Branch Road and hiking up to Frederick’s Hill with beautiful views of the area, including a Native American effigy mound and the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Another easy access point is Orchid Heights Park (3960 Valley Ridge Road), which has public restrooms, seating, tables, grills, and a scenic 3.5-mile loop through the Conservancy. It’s the perfect place to have a picnic! You can pick up supplies at the Metro Market or Willy Street Co-op grocery on your way to the park.

On the south side of the conservancy is a beautiful bridge that is often photographed along the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Trail.

Bird watching: Are you a birder? Pheasant Branch Conservancy is home to more than 200 different species of birds.

Bike trails: Looking for a bike trail in Middleton? There are trails throughout the conservancy and on the west side of town at 4351 Schwartz Road. Check out more here. See and download a map here.

Looking for a smaller park? Playground equipment? Dog parks? Click here.

FOOD TIME: When it’s time to break for lunch or dinner, there are so many options on the northeast side of Middleton. Choose from breakfast food at C’s Restaurant & Bakery, submarine sandwiches, salads and premade meals at Gino’s Italian Deli, burger and fries at Craftsman Table & Tap, fish fry at Mid Town Pub, Indian food at Amber Indian Cuisine, modern “like” supper club food from the historic 1847 at the Stamm House and Mexican food from Pasqual’s Cantina, Camino Real Mexican restaurant or Taqueria Jalisco. Then, stop into Miggy’s Bakes for delicious baked goods that are almost too cute to eat. Make sure to check out business hours before choosing where to dine, some restaurants are only open for lunch or dinner.

PLEASANT VIEW GOLF COURSE

MORNING: Enjoy breakfast at the Goat Hill Grill at the golf course, or grab a fantastic diner breakfast at Hubbard Avenue Diner or an Albanian-American breakfast spread at Sofra Family Bistro — both in downtown Middleton, about seven minutes from the course.

PLEASANT VIEW GOLF COURSE:  Maybe living your best day includes a combo of outdoors and sport, in that case, Pleasant View Golf Course on the west side of Middleton is the perfect answer. Enjoy 27 holes of well-maintained championship golf, a nine-hole scenic par 3 course and an outstanding practice range. The course was awarded gold in Madison Magazine’s Best of Golf Courses for 2018-2020 and 2022, and silver in 2021 and 2023.

FOOD: No need to even leave the course, you can enjoy The Goat Hill Grill, open for outdoor seating — weather permitting — and there is a full-service bar. The grill offers Wisconsin bar fare such as cheese curds, fried pickle spears, burgers, sandwiches, and more. The Grill also serves light breakfast options, like English muffins and bagels — and the heartier Hole-N-One breakfast, all before 11 a.m.

The golf course is minutes from Greenway Station — an outdoor shopping and dining center — offering multiple great food options. If looking for something quick, make a stop at Freska Mediterranean Grill, Cafe Zupa’s, Noodles & Company, and Jersey Mike’s. If you have time to spare, there are also multiple great dine-in options, from Dhaba Indian Bistro to Ancho & Agave, to Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Fuji Sushi & Hibachi and Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano.

There are multiple great dining options downtown, all of which are unique to Middleton. Downtown dining options include Longtable Beer Cafe, Taigu Chinese Restaurant, Taza Mediterranean Cafe, Villa Dolce, Sofra Family Bistro, The Village Green, Hubbard Avenue Diner, Takara 88 Japanese Restaurant, Compadres Mexican, Free House Pub, Fajitas, Tapas & Bar, Louisianne’s ETC., and just north of downtown off Parmenter Street, you will find Paul’s Neighborhood Bar & Restuarant, Trio Ramen, Jet’s Pizza and Pikkito. Don’t forget dessert from Clasen’s European Bakery or Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream.

ON THE WATER

MORNING:  There are so many fun breakfast options in Middleton from hometown diners and cafes like C’s Restaurant & Bakery, Prairie Café & Bakery, Hubbard Avenue Diner, Grace Coffee and Barriques. In a hurry? Hit up the drive-through at MOKA, Scooter’s or one of the two Starbucks locations (one in Greenway Station and one on the way to Marshall Park).

MARSHALL BOATS:  There are boat docks at Marshall Park to drop your own seafaring vessel, but if looking to rent something floatable to enjoy on Lake Mendota, stop by Marshall Boats, Board & Boat Rentals. Marshall Boats rents pontoons, kayaks, tandem kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes. They also offer a lakeside patio that can be enjoyed by any patron or reserved for parties of up to 50. Marshall Boats is open (summer hours) from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fall hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday (starting Sept. 5, 2023).

LUNCH: After a morning on the water, grab lunch and continue enjoying the outdoors with a picnic in one of Middleton’s parks. Pick up provisions at Metro Market or Willy Street Co-op, or grab a delicious meal to-go from ILike Sushi, Gino’s Italian Deli, Taqueria Jalisco, Amber Indian Cuisine, Jimmy Johns, and more.

DINNER: After a full day on the water, it’s essential to recharge. Middleton has more than 80 dining options and many have outdoor patios — like Craftsman Table & Tap, 1847 at the Stamm House, Longtable Beer Cafe, Free House Pub, Ancho & Agave, Trio Ramen, Tanner’s Bar & Grill, The Village Green and more. Middleton’s restaurant scene offers a world of flavors from Japanese to Mediterranean to Indian to Chinese to Mexican to Italian to Albanian-American to the flavors of New Orleans!

A Perfect Day in Middleton —
SHOP-DINE-RELAX

Shop-Dine-Relax in downtown Middleton and Greenway Station!

MORNING:  Ease into your day and enjoy a leisurely diner breakfast at Hubbard Avenue Diner, the café experience at Grace Coffee or Barriques, or an Albanian-American breakfast spread at Sofra Family Bistro — all in downtown Middleton.

RETAIL THERAPY: With more than 50 shops and boutiques, Middleton is the perfect place to shop the day away. Find well-known brands at Greenway Station’s outdoor shopping center, including World Market, DSW, HomeGoods, J. Jill, LOFT, Marshalls and more.

Stroll through a very walkable downtown to find locally owned boutiques in downtown Middleton, including Chauette Fashion & Home, Cloth & Metal Boutique, Journeyman Co., The Regal Find, John/Christine Designs, Little Pop Color Shop, Diny’s Jewelers, Tradition Women’s Market and Tradition Children’s Market.

RELAX: Looking for a little self-care? Check out Happy Nails and Spa, Ideal Image, Renu Massage Energy and Bodywork, Elements Massage, ANiU Salon & Spa, Massage Envy, Blue October Spa, Studio 262 Salon, and more.

ADULT BEVERAGES: Wisconsin isn’t shy at embracing good food and good drinks. Enjoy a beer at World of Beer, and drinks on the outdoor patios of Longtable Beer Cafe, Craftsman Table & Tap, Free House Pub, and Mid Town Pub. And of course, you cannot visit Middleton without enjoying Capital Brewery & Bier Garten in downtown Middleton. This German-style brewery is located in a historic building and is walkable from multiple restaurants and shops downtown.  Want to relax with a glass of wine in a cozy wine bar or on an outdoor café? Grape Water Wine Bar is the answer! And head to Hidden Cave Cidery for fresh, high-quality, unique hard cider.

ACTIVITIES:  I’m Board! Family Games and Fun — has a vast selection of games for the whole family.

ART LOVERS: Pick up or just appreciate local and regional art, jewelry and gifts at Gary’s Art & Frame Shop, John/Christine Designs, The Regal Find, Cloth & Metal Boutique, Diny’s Jewelers and St. John the Baptist Art Gallery.

The Middleton Public Art Trail is an easy guide to 14 public art installations, from sculpture to stained glass to painted murals. Some of the stops are walkable downtown, while others require transportation to visit. We suggest picking up a delicious coffee or specialty drink from one of our many cafés — Grace Coffee, Barriques, Scooter’s, Starbucks, Hubbard Avenue Diner — and enjoying the trail!

HISTORY LOVERS: Take a leisurely stroll through Middleton’s history with the help of the Middleton Area Historical Society’s free, guided Historic Downtown Middleton Stroll & Tell or a self-guided Historical Walking Tour. You can also jump in the car and visit the stops on the Middleton Landmark Tour.

LUNCH & DINNER: With more than 80 options for dining—the sky is the limit. Check out Middleton’s restaurants here!

DON’T FORGET

NATIONAL MUSTARD MUSEUM: You cannot come to Middleton and not check out the National Mustard Museum — home to 6,000 mustards, a free museum and a quirky shop. Come and enjoy the free museum while finding the perfect souvenirs to take home to friends or enjoy for yourself.

SWEET TREATS: Sometimes after a long day filled with fun, we all feel like a little sweet reward. Find ice cream at Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Cold Stone Creamery and Culver’s. You can pick up multiple gelato flavors and an assortment of Italian desserts at Villa Dolce. Looking for cakes, candies, truffles and bakery items that would put grandma to shame? Clasen’s European Bakery will surprise and delight. And, head on over to Miggy’s Bakes for the ultimate sweet satisfaction; choose from a case full of unique-flavored cookies, cookie cups, brownies and bars, and, on Saturdays and Sundays, you can treat yourself to cinnamon rolls right out of the oven.

LODGING: Choose from one of NINE hotel properties which are all just minutes from everything mentioned in these lists! Click here to see all nine properties.

ANNUAL EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO: 

Art Walk Middleton is May 18, 2024, and is a free event featuring the works of dozens of fine artists in a variety of media.

Greenway Station Farmers Market is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday, May 4 – Oct. 5, 2023; find homemade and homegrown jams, baked goods, veggies, flowers, honey, Maple syrup, cheese curds, and so much more.

Experience the largest pre-OSH fly-in bash, Rock the Ramp, each July at Capital Flight.

National Mustard Day is Aug. 3, 2024, at the National Mustard Museum. It’s a day of music, fun activities and of course, lots of mustard!

Enjoy an auto show like no other at Capital Flight Cruise-In. This event is a fundraiser for Cars Curing Kids and takes place each August.

Good Neighbor Festival is Aug. 23-25, 2024, and is a community celebration open to all.

Strollin’ Middleton Jazz Festival is Sept. 6-7, 2024, and is free and open to all.

Haunted Hustle is Oct. 21, 2023, is a quirky walk/run through Middleton.

See Stone Horse Green come alive for the winter holiday season with Light The Green from 5-7 p.m. on November 25.

The City of Middleton Parks and Recreation Department hosts a Candy Cane Hunt that is filled with lots of holiday cheer.

Bockfest at Capital Brewery & Bier Garten every February is a winter outdoor festival with live music.

QUICK HITS:

Click here for a full list of events happening in Middleton

Click here to view or order our current visitor guide

Click here to sign up for our free tourism newsletter (twice a month/unsubscribe at any time)

Biking

Get out and ride in Middleton. Middleton is home to an outstanding system of paved and unpaved trails, including the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Trail. See more trails here.

Birdwatching

Middleton—classified as a Bird City Wisconsin—offers some fantastic places to observe some of your feathered friends. Pheasant Branch Conservancy, a 549-acre protected natural area on the northeast side of Middleton, provides great habitat for migrating songbirds, wading birds and waterfowl. In fact, more than 150 species of birds have been observed at Pheasant Branch throughout the years!

Hiking

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is also a good place to take a walk, whether you’re exploring the trails or hiking to the top of Frederick’s Hill for a panoramic view. Don’t forget to check out the Native American mounds you’ll see atop the hill. The conservancy’s main walking loop, which includes a mix of paved and natural trails, is 3.3 miles and takes visitors through mixed woodlands and restored prairies.

Esser Pond

Just a stone’s throw away from the Fairfield Inn & Suites Madison West/Middleton and the Hilton Garden Inn Madison West/Middleton is a beautiful little getaway spot known as Esser Pond. This kettle pond is connected to the Pheasant Branch Watershed and is surrounded by a restored prairie wetland and paved walking trail. Catch your breath after an exciting day by spending a little quiet time on the wildlife viewing platform. Cap off your walk with a pint of award-winning beer at Capital Brewery, just northeast of Esser Pond. To get to the brewery, follow the trail along Terrace Avenue, under the beltline and head north on N. High Point Road.

South Fork Trail

Not far from Esser Pond and just steps outside the Residence Inn Madison West/Middleton is the mid-point entrance to the South Fork Trail. This is a great spot for an outdoor workout, thanks to five ENERGI® stations located along the trail. The stations are free to use and combine functional fitness and body-weight training for an invigorating workout. Each has an illustrated sign, but users can also download a smartphone app for video instructions from a virtual trainer. The South Fork Trail is paved and ADA-accessible with benches, restrooms and fountains along the way.

Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Trail

If you’re staying at the Country Inn and Suites by Carlson, Madison West or the Courtyard Madison West/Middleton, you’ll have easy access to the gorgeous Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Trail. It follows a lush, wooded creek for just over a mile before leading you into the heart of the stunning jewel of Middleton, the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Quiet and bustling with nature, it’s a great place to recharge your batteries, right in the middle of the city.

Downtown

For a different kind of stroll, check out the Staybridge Suites Middleton/Madison West. This hotel is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Middleton, and near a restaurants, stores and nightlife.

To learn more about Middleton’s award-winning trail system, click here.

• Road bikers: regular group rides depart Capital Brewery. The rides take place weekday evenings and include options for riders of all abilities. The rides range from 5 to 25 miles.
• Mountain bikers: some of the best off-road riding around can be found at the Middleton Bike Park. You’ll find some fantastic, challenging riding, including a pump track, jump line and a single-track loop.
• Family bikers: riders of all ages will appreciate Middleton’s paved paths. The terrain is gentle and the trailside nature sights are unforgettable.
• Urban explorers: riders who like to navigate town by bike will find a lot to love about Middleton. Off street trails are located throughout the city.For more information, click here.