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Although nowadays you can find any type of food you want by simply visiting your local supermarket, there's something uniquely satisfying about getting them directly from those who grow them. Farmers markets are a growing business in the United States because more and more people want to get locally-grown, organic food. Here are the best places in and around Madison, Wisconsin, where you can get your food directly from the people who grow it. more Eastside Farmers' Market Arguably the finest weekday farmers' market in Madison, Eastside Farmers' Market is open every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., from April 24th to Oct. 30th. There's also a winter market, available between Nov. 6th and Dec. the 18th. From the moment it opened back in 2002 in Madison's Central Park, this farmers' market has been entirely run and managed by its own vendors and has delivered fresh food to the people on the east side of Madison. There's a wide variety of vendors and you can get anything from naturally grown and fed meat, to honey, cheese, mushrooms, and of course plenty of fruit and vegetables from local farms. There's even a bakery, selling naturally-leavened, long-fermented breads made out of locally grown ingredients. El Mercadito De Centro Right in the parking lot of the Centro Hispano, you will find this special farmers' market run by the local Latino community. It's a different experience compared to other farmers' markets, being similar to the mercaditos you usually find in Latin America. They're open every Sunday from June 13th to Sept. 29th. It's also an entertaining experience for the entire family, with live cooking demonstrations, dance and musical performances, as well as fun activities for children. They also show family movies in Spanish every month, with subtitles available. If you're looking to buy natural, locally grown food but also have a fun Sunday afternoon, this is the perfect setting. Dane County Farmers' Market Located on the Capitol Square, this is reportedly the largest producer-only farmers' market in the entire U.S.A. Open all year round, this is where you'll find a huge variety of fruit, vegetables, cheese, meats, and different specialty products from over 275 local vendors. Aside from its size, what makes this farmers' market special is that there's no reselling allowed, meaning that the person sitting behind the stand who's selling you the food is the same person who grew it. You'll get first-hand knowledge of the food you buy by asking questions about it directly to the person that's most qualified to answer them. It also creates a special connection between local growers and the Madison community. In these industrialized and globalized times, everyone needs certain things in their lives to keep them grounded and connect them with the local community. Farmers' markets do exactly that, connecting local producers to the people who enjoy the fruits of their labor. It's a win-win situation, where producers can get the reward for their hard labor throughout the year and the community can enjoy fresh, natural, and delicious foods. Image via Pixabay by bogitw. Used with permission via CC0 1.0 / cropped from original

Madison is a beautiful place to call home, thanks to its scenic views and community-oriented atmosphere. Even so, life in this Wisconsin city can get stressful at times, just like it can anywhere else. For times such as those, you should consider letting all your stress fade away during a nice spa day. In the city, you'll find quite a few different options for your spa day, with each of them offering a memorable experience that's sure to leave you feeling relaxed and satisfied. Check out these three feel-good places for a relaxing spa experience in Madison, and learn more about each location. more 1. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Open seven days a week to reservations and walk-ins alike, the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa just might be your go-to location for stress relief and relaxation. They offer massages, facials, and spa treatments that will have you looking and feeling your best. You can even find a couple's massage here, as well as a one-hour pumpkin facial special offer available for a limited time in the fall. When you step inside this spa, you'll notice the welcoming atmosphere right away. The entire experience is uniquely tailored to your individual needs. Your time starts with a medical questionnaire to ensure you stay safe, followed by a one-on-one consultation with a professional massage therapist. Once your needs have been established, your personalized spa experience will begin, and you're always free to make requests for alterations at any time. 2. Indulge Spa When you stop by Indulge Spa, you'll enter a world that's designed to nurture both your health and your beauty. While you can find common services like massage therapy and skin care here, Indulge Spa also offers body and nail treatments for that extra bit of relaxation. You can always be sure your treatment is up-to-date with all the latest trends. The atmosphere at Indulge Spa is designed to invigorate all your senses, give you a harmonizing experience, and to elevate the mental clarity so many often lack in their everyday lives. Treatments here are specially crafted for the individual to maximize both the mind and body benefit, leaving you feeling fresh and more beautiful than ever before. Balancing the mind and body is the mission at Indulge Spa, and they always deliver. 3. The Haven Spa Since 2003, The Haven Spa has been a comforting getaway from the hustle and bustle of Madison. With a focus on comfort and safety since its inception, this spa has proven itself to be an excellent choice for people looking for a relaxing experience — especially if it's their first time going to the spa. You'll find a variety of services here, including massage therapy, facials, and even waxing and eyelash extensions. The professional massage team has years of experience customizing their services to clients' unique needs. Using Phytoceane for facial services and other techniques that have been proven to be effective, you'll be well on your way to renewed health and well-being. If you're looking for a relaxing retreat in Madison, any of these spa experiences will help you purge the stress from your body and put you on the path to wellness. And if you need a reliable and relaxing way to get to the spa, come to visit us at Smart Motors Toyota, and we'll help you find the stylish and comfortable vehicle that fits you and your lifestyle. We proudly serve customers throughout the greater Madison area, including Middleton, Sun Prairie, and beyond. “ Massage 21 b/w” via Flickr by Kirsty Topping. Used with permission via CC BY-ND 2.0 / cropped from original

Halloween is getting closer and closer, and the city of Madison, Wisconsin, is more than prepared for this exciting holiday. As a kid, Halloween plans were easy to come up with. All you did was go trick-or-treating, but as someone older, you have a lot of options for how you want to spend that spooky night. Here's a look at some of the best Halloween happenings in and around Madison. Screamin' Acres If you're a fan of haunted houses, Screamin' Acres might be exactly what you've been looking for. There are five distinct attractions here that are sure to fill you with thrills and chills. The Slaughter Haus is the most brutal experience, as you navigate the shop of a deranged butcher. Crawl Space puts you in some tight situations that may leave more claustrophobic visitors running the other way. For a more visual experience, The Last Resort puts you in contact with some of the most interesting — and most twisted — personalities around. Meanwhile, the Side Effects experience offers a 3-D journey that will show you a new definition of weird. Finally, for one night only, the Screamin' Acres experience can be enjoyed with just a simple flashlight to light your way during their Blackout event on Nov. 3. more Freak Fest Nothing offers an experience quite like a music festival, and Freak Fest manages to blend the best parts of Halloween and music together in one spectacular event. For six hours, you can enjoy over 15 artists, both local and national, playing across three different stages until about 1:30 in the morning. You'll find this music festival happening on State Street on Saturday, Oct. 27. State Street has become particularly popular due to the numerous bars and restaurants located there, but ever since the festival's inception in 2006, State Street has taken extra safety precautions for Halloween night. With plenty of security and a prohibition on weapons, you can enjoy the music worry-free. Chamber of Horrors The Chamber of Horrors at Thunder Ridge Mansion has been a staple of the Wisconsin haunted house scene for 11 years, and this is its final season. You can be sure these scare experts are going out with a bang, so don't miss out on anything this Fall River attraction can offer. While there will be plenty of scares, you can also take pleasure in knowing that this entire attraction is benefiting the local Fall River Chamber of Commerce, which helps local commercial and civic interests. Experiencing this haunted house is best when you don't know what to expect. Just know that the Chamber of Horrors has been voted to be the best haunted attraction in southwestern Wisconsin more than once. Are you brave enough to venture through this house of agony and madness to face the undead that await? You can embark on your journey every Friday and Saturday in October. The Halloween season offers unique attractions you won't find any other time of year in and around Madison, Wisconsin. Whether you're looking to be scared at a haunted house or just dance the night away at a music festival, this city has more than enough to make your Halloween the best one yet.   “ The Halloween Spirit” via Flickr by JD Hancock. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original

Farm-to-table dining is a trending food experience that uses only the freshest ingredients to create a delicious meal. The thriving local farming industry in Madison, Wisconsin, makes this a great place to try some of the best farm-to-table dining experiences. 1. Graze Graze has successfully created a unique dining experience that pairs the high culinary expectations of New York City-inspired meals with the fresh ingredients that can only be found in a small farming town. Graze is also community-focused, aiming to provide Madison locals with a comfortable and welcoming spot to gather and enjoy good food together. Because of this, many of the menu items are family-style, allowing you to try multiple flavors and share with your neighbors. Be sure to try the Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs, the Pork Buns, or the Beet and Walnut Burger. Graze is also willing to incorporate any dietary restrictions or preferences. more 2. Old Feed Mill Old Feed Mill is just a short drive outside of Madison and offers diners a unique country-inspired menu that is sure to remind you of your favorite home-cooked meals. Most of the ingredients are sourced from local farmers and the bread is baked daily on the premises. Just a few of the must-try items on the menu include a Tender Pot Roast, Cider Roasted Chicken, and Chicken Pot Pie. Make sure you save room for dessert. The Old Feed Mill bread pudding is made with fresh honey wheat bread, topped with raisins, walnuts, and a rich warm caramel sauce. 3. Merchant Madison Merchant Madison has a simple goal: to provide the locals of Madison with fresh ingredients, simple cooking, and American-inspired craft cocktails. This casual farm-to-table restaurant works directly with local Madison farmers to create a menu that is simple, yet delectable. You are also able to buy any of the liquor, wine, and beer displayed on their drinks menu at their liquor store and enjoy it at home. Their new American menu includes items like the Pan Seared Mahi-Mahi and Steak Frites. Come by on Tuesday nights for Cheap Date Night. For just $40, diners can order two entrees, a full bottle of wine, and a dessert to share. On Saturdays, Merchant Madison serves farmer's market-fresh brunch until 3 p.m. 4. Harvest Harvest is a lovely American-Italian restaurant that also collects all of its ingredients from local farmers. They have won many awards, including a top award for Wisconsin farm-to-table restaurants. The menu is constantly changing in order to offer ingredients and dishes that are fresh and in season. Just a few of the items that you will find on the menu include the Pan Seared Scallops and the Vegetarian Seared Artichoke. Dessert is a must at Harvest, and it includes delectable items such as Orange Chiffon Cake or Carandale Farm Persimmon Ice Cream. Harvest is only open for dinner, opening at 5:30 p.m. until close every day of the week and they are closed on all major holidays. Experience some of the best farm-to-table restaurants in Madison, WI. With fresh ingredients and constantly changing menus, each of these restaurants is sure to provide you with a memorable dining experience. “ Farm to Table TERRA – Presented by snow peak. “ via Flickr by mujitra. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original