CrossFit Games

Five Outdoor Activities to do in Madison During the CrossFit Games

July 24, 2022 by
Photo Credit: Visit Madison
Enjoying Morning Chalk Up? Access additional exclusive interviews, analyses, and stories with an Rx membership.

A core tenet of CrossFit is “using your fitness” in everyday life, and the week of the CrossFit Games is no different. With an abundance of ways to get a sweat at and around the venue (more on that soon), there’s also plenty of opportunities to get outside, stay active and soak in the Madison sunshine.

1. Bicycle the city

As the unofficial bike capital of the Midwest, there’s over 75-miles of off-road bike paths for exploring in Madison. You could rent a bike or hop on a Madison BCycle (electric bike) as your workout for the day, or pedal to the Games from your hotel to skip the parking chaos.

Pro tip: State Street, in the heart of downtown, is a great place to bicycle— no cars allowed!

2. Embrace the lakes

Fun fact: Madison is one of only two cities in the United States on an isthmus (between two bodies of water), with Seattle, WA being the other. Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards and power boats are all available for rent to take a spin on one of the city’s five lakes. To reserve a rental ahead of time, visit madisonboats.com.

3. Stroll through the Farmer’s Market

Located just outside the Wisconsin capitol building is a local favorite: “Shout out to the Saturday morning farmers’ market on the Capitol Square — it’s the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the U.S.,” said Rob Gard, Director of Communications, Destination Madison and Madison Area Sports Commission. The perfect place to grab treats, fresh produce and gifts, the market famously flows counterclockwise and is open 6:15am-1:45pm on Saturdays only. Address: 2 E. Main St. Madison, WI 53703.

And, if you decide you take a peek inside the 100+ year-old iconic heart of the city, go for it! The capitol building is free to walk through and public drop-in tours are available.

4. Go for a hike

With an average outdoor temperature of 78°F – 82°F, it’s the perfect time to soak in some vitamin D, get your steps in and see the city from a different view. Grab your pals and pick a trail; the City of Madison has a list of the best hikes to enjoy!

5. Get on the green

For traditional golf lovers, there are four city courses: Glenway Golf Course (9-holes), Monona Golf Course (9-holes), Odana Hills (18-holes) and Yahara Hills (36-holes). With clubs available for rent at each location, pack light and go take some swings!

As for disc golf enthusiasts (looking at you, Brian Friend), there are a handful of courses available: Elver Park (Madison’s largest), Hiestand Park, Token Creek County Park and Lake Farm County Park — all of which are 10-15 minutes away from the Games venue.

When you’re looking for a break from competition, there’s plenty of opportunities to embrace the fresh air and use your fitness. For more ideas and links to local attractions, go to visitmadison.com. See you outside!

Get the Newsletter

For a daily digest of all things CrossFit. Community, Competitions, Athletes, Tips, Recipes, Deals and more.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.