Support Us Button Widget

What city is Madison, WI’s doppelgänger?

248826690_626297662086582_4467186733931961404_n

We might be biased, but we think we’re the best city | Photo by @photosbyzaman

Table of Contents

We all know most celebrities don’t do their own stunts — they have doppelgänger stunt doubles who stand in for them. And the same goes for a lot of city locations where movies take place.

So, what if Madison needed a “stand-in?” What would be our doppelgänger city?

Maybe a place with a similar landscape (with water + plentiful hiking opportunities within an hour) or one with downtown streets that resemble ours. Which city has a similarly vibrant arts scene, or is also home to the flagship state university? (though nobody can beat UW-Madison, of course.) Maybe they’re also surrounded by lakes that are a major attraction for floaters + boaters?

We have a few ideas…

  • Seattle, WA | Madison + Seattle are both situated on an isthmus — in fact, they’re the only two cities in the continental US. Both cities also feature a large outdoor farmer’s market + encourage eating locally. But the Dane County Farmers’ Market is the largest producer’s market in the country — just saying.
  • Austin, TX | We like to think of Austin as our big sister — similar, but with a few more people, live music scenes, and art. A similar capitol skyline doesn’t hurt our argument. After all, everything’s bigger in Texas.
  • Ann Arbor, MI | Home to the University of Michigan, A-squared — as the locals call it — bears a similar resemblance to the integrated college campus + city life of Madison. Also in the Midwest, a similar climate gives residents all four seasons to enjoy. No need to get rid of your winter coat.
  • Eugene, OR | Opening, welcoming + friendly — all adjectives used to describe both Madison + Eugene. The West Coast city also boasts plenty of biking + hiking trails, as well as kayaking opportunities. And, it’s the second-largest city in the state — sound familiar?

… but we want to know what you think.

What cities – from all around the world – do you think are most like Madison? Which would be our doppelgänger?

Poll

More from 608today
Mad City and Wisconsin will be well represented on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics — these are some Olympians to watch.
Grab your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 10 farmers markets around Madison.
A turn of phrase here, a recognizable Madison nod there — these craft beers found around Mad City take local pride seriously.
From Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26, 2024, we’re shining a spotlight on the vibrant drink scene in Madison; check out our map of local drink deals.
Explore these dog-friendly places in Madison — from places to eat, drink, shop, exercise, swim, and stay the night with your four-legged friends.
Volunteer with Healthy Food For All at local farmers’ markets.
If you’re trying to get more involved in the community, here’s where you can start.
Sponsored
Huxley Yards is set to open in 2026.
The Wisconsin DNR is urging boaters to be safe over the holiday.