Indoors Activities for Chilly Days
When cold weather strikes, head to one of these Middleton indoor spaces for some fun and entertainment — all while staying warm.
There are so many ways to enjoy Middleton in every season, even when cold weather strikes and the outdoors seem less appealing. From a laid-back afternoon at a local coffee shop to entrainment options for the whole family, here are a few indoor places in Middleton to head to this winter.
Take a new class
Winter is a great time to stay indoors and pick up a new hobby, and in Middleton, plenty of places can help you get started. Whether looking to get creative with a new art project or advance your skills in the kitchen, check out these Middleton businesses offering classes.
Miggy’s Bakes hosts a variety of themed cake-decorating classes that teach bakers at all levels new cake-piping techniques. Attendees receive a cake made by Miggy’s Bakes to decorate and bring home. View upcoming classes here.
Grape Water Wine Bar hosts various events, from rope art-making classes to tarot card readings. See what events are happening soon here.
Rock Paper Scissors Studio is a dreamy crafting space for children, with a variety of classes and workshops available, as well as special kids camps for no-school days. Check out upcoming art classes here.
Dongzhu Pottery Studio is filled with wet clay and potting wheels and offers a series of classes open to anyone, from beginners to those looking to advance their wheel-throwing skills. View a complete list of upcoming courses here.
The Middleton Parks and Recreation Department and the Middleton Public Library often host various public events for adults and children, from arts and crafts classes to creative writing workshops to mindful yoga practices.
Explore the world of mustard
Learn about the spicy history of one of the world’s most beloved condiments at the National Mustard Museum. Be wowed at the nearly 6,000 varieties on display and more than 200 bottles or jars for sale in the upstairs gift shop, many mustard varieties are available for taste-testing at the sampling bar.
Get active indoors
When cold weather strikes, getting active outdoors can seem less tempting. However, in Middleton, we have you covered with multiple indoor spots to get your sports on even during the winter months.
- Ice Skating is available indoors at Bob Suter’s Capitol Ice Arena, open skate times can be found here.
- Hitters SportsPlex’s pickleball courts are available seven days a week and open to the public. Hitters also offers tennis and baseball lessons, as well as court and batting cage times for club members.
- KEVA Sports Center is home to premier indoor recreation facilities, including state-of-the-art turf fields and courts for volleyball and basketball. Adult leagues and youth programs are available all year long. An annual membership of $35 is required for all players to participate in KEVA Sports Center leagues, classes and camps.
- Middleton Sport Bowl is a great place to bring the whole family for a few fun-filled hours of bowling. Middleton Sport Bowl is home to 10 bowling lanes and a multi-level sports bar.
- Sharpen your golf skills even during the winter months at X-Golf, where you’ll find state-of-the-art golf simulators with world-renowned courses.
Shop boutiques and name brands
Explore the unique, local shops downtown, or head to the Greenway Station retail center for big names and great bargains. Even though you’ll be outside when going in and out of stores, everything is located close by.
Cozy up at a coffee shop
This winter, visit a coffee shop and curl up and finish that book you’ve been holding onto, or meet up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Here are a few of our comfiest Middleton coffee spots:
- Grace Coffee Co. is located on the corner of Parmenter Street and Hubbard Avenue downtown and offers an excellent ambiance featuring bright murals, modern furniture, a full espresso and coffee bar and a variety of breakfast and lunch items.
- Barriques is another great full coffee and espresso bar in downtown. It’s located in Cayuga Square and is filled with cozy seating options and a fireplace to keep you warm. Barriques also offer a variety of bakery and lunch items, as well as wine.
- Prairie Café & Bakery is located on the northeast side of town and offers stunning architecture modeled after Frank Lloyd Wright’s signature prairie and organic styles. Enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch with a side of Collectivo coffee by the pump or a specialty drink.
Play indoors
PlayN Wisconsin is known for being a retailer of outdoor play equipment, but they also offer an on-site, indoor play facility where kids and parents can test equipment before purchasing. All ages are welcome to play from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Playground
Fill up on baked goods
Middleton is home to bakeries that are filled with baked goods that are made fresh daily.
- Miggy’s Bakes welcomes guests into its vibrant, pink bakery that hosts a display case full of uniquely flavored and decorated cookies, cookie cups, cakes, brownies, and bars. The storefront offers a seating area for customers to sit and enjoy their treats. Note: Miggy’s Bakes is closed on winter break until Jan. 17.
- Clasen’s European Bakery offers pure joy with its more than 100 varieties of German-style treats available fresh each day. Choose to bring home some of the bakery’s all-natural European bread, cakes, pastries, cookies or confections — or a mix of it all.
- Hubbard Avenue Diner has a bakery counter full of homemade pies (by the slice or pan), brownies, cookies and cakes.
Enjoy an adult beverage
If looking for a locally brewed (and award-winning) beer or hard cider, Middleton has its own German-style brewery and locally sourced hard cidery. There is also a cozy and casual wine bar open in evenings.
- Capital Brewery‘s Bier Stube is open to patrons who enjoy award-winning German lagers, as well as hard seltzers and specialty brews. And make sure to add the Brewery’s annual outdoor beer festival, Bockfest, to your calendar, happening on Feb. 24, 2024.
- Hidden Cave Cidery offers a variety of uniquely flavored hard ciders, all of which are made with Wisconsin apples. The cidery’s tasting room is a fun place to hang out and often hosts live music performances.
- Wine and more wine, that’s what you’ll find at the Grape Water Wine Bar downtown. It’s a great spot to meet with friends and gather in one of the wine bar’s cozy nooks. Pro tip, check out their pizza and charcuterie.
Modified January 10, 2024