Chelsey

Director of Social Media Strategy |
designCraft Advertising
Freelance Writer | Isthmus / Madison Essentials Magazine
Madison, WI

I moved to Madison in October 2014, but my story begins near Green Bay, Wisconsin, where I grew up. I graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in journalism and have since lived/worked in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Las Vegas. When I rekindled my romance with my boyfriend who was living in Madison, I decided to make the move here. I had only been to Madison a few times before – to catch some Badger volleyball games when I was in high school and when I was very young for Midwest Horse Shows with my family. 

As soon as I moved here I knew this city was for me. It's unlike any other city in Wisconsin. There's a creative energy and passion for social justice in Madison that is vocal through it's inhabitants. Walking the isthmus near Lake Mendota or Lake Monona can be therapeutic. Biking the trails let's you explore the city from a new view. There's just so much to love! Portland is probably my second favorite city in the world, and Madison shares that love for entrepreneurism and craft beer and coffee and human rights and environmentalism and exploration and great coffee that I think Portland does. Madison means amazing nights with amazing people. Madison means SUPing on Monona Bay and breathing in life. Madison means a brighter future. Madison means home.

Favorite Restaurant: While Thai is my favorite type of food, my favorite spot to eat in Madison is Alchemy. Their Grilled Vegetable Coconut Curry is delish, and I'm obsessed with their BLFT.

Favorite Bar: Lately it's been the Ohio Tavern. They have a great beer selection in a cozy atmosphere, and it helps they have some of the best tacos in town. But on any given day, you could also find me at Karben4 or Barley Pop Tap and Shop.

Favorite Coffee Spot: I'm in love with coffee – the smell, the way it makes me feel ever so cozy and ready to take on the world. I'm all about supporting local coffee roasters. My favorite spots to do that are at Lakeside Street Coffee House, Ground Zero with a cup of their Atomic roast, Johnson Street Public House with a cup of Kin-Kin, True Coffee Roasters and anywhere that serves Just Coffee roasts. Did I say I love coffee?

Secret Madison Spot: If I want to have a good time and jam to some live (and a lot of the time local) music, I know I can do that at High Noon Saloon. I can go there and get lost in the music, discovering some new bands every time I go. They do such a great job of bringing in a wide variety of music, great beers, and sometimes they even have some Salvatore's Tomato Pies (yes, please). And their FRZN Fest is one of my favorite weekends of the year.