Madison

Understand

Madison is a fairly large city in south central Wisconsin. One of only two cities in North America on an isthmus (the other is Seattle), Madison is defined by its five lakes: Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa. Through a combination of factors, including the state capital and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the city has more to offer than might be expected from a metropolitan area of about 500,000. Madison has many excellent restaurants, an active theater community, a great music scene, and good shopping. Madison is also minutes away from a beautiful rural countryside featuring larger fields and a more scenic and hilly terrain, depending on which direction one travels outside of the city. National groups and magazines rank Madison highly for being a very bike-friendly city, a great place to raise a family, having a healthy and fit population, and an overall high quality of life. Madison is a melting pot of the Midwest. You'll find professionals, students, families, hippies, musicians and everything in between. It has a vibrant nightlife scene with lots of live music and pubs. It shares many qualities of other well-known college towns like Berkeley and Austin—a creative and educated population—but retains a small-town feel.

Visitor information 1 Madison Welcome Center, 21 N Park St, ☏ +1 608-262-4636. M-F 9AM-4:30PM. 2 Downtown Visitor Center, 452 State St, ☏ +1 608-255-1008, [email protected]. January–May 11AM-2PM.

Climate

Madison's weather is typical of the Midwest: warm and humid in summer, often very cold in winter, and temperate spring and fall conditions. Summer heat indices average around 85 °F (29 °C) during the day and 64 °F (18 °C) at night. Heat waves can bring high humidity and heat and send heat indices upwards to 97 °F (36 °C) or higher, and not go below 74 °F (23 °C) at night.

Getting there

By plane 1 Dane County Regional Airport (MSN IATA). Northeast of downtown Madison, 15 minutes to the Capitol and the university by car or taxi. There are daily flights to nearby hubs including Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Denver. Nonstop service is also offered to cities like Atlanta, Newark, New York City, and Washington, D.C..

By car I-39/I-90/I-94 runs along the eastern edge of Madison. Just over an hour to get to Milwaukee on I-94. 2 hr 15 min to get to Chicago O'Hare Airport on I-90. Downtown Chicago is 30-45 minutes further, depending on traffic. Four hours on the combined I-90/I-94 will take you to Minneapolis/Saint Paul.

By bus

VanGalder Bus. From Chicago O'Hare Airport to the University of Wisconsin campus; the stop is on Langdon Street just west of Lake Street, across from the Pyle Center. Tickets are $30.50 for a one-way trip and they can be bought from the bus drivers for exact change, or with credit cards, check or cash at the Memorial Union Travel Center. (updated Jul 2019) From Milwaukee the Badger Bus; ☏ +1-877-292-8259; runs multiple trips per day between Madison and Milwaukee. Has multiple stops, including downtown, in both cities; makes stops at Mitchell Int'l. Airport in Milwaukee. Will also stop at Johnson Creek on demand (tickets must be purchased in advance online). Megabus. Low-cost bus company that offers service to Madison from Chicago (several times daily), Milwaukee (4 times daily), and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (4 times daily). Fares can be as little as $1 each way if ordered far enough in advance. Megabus serves two stops in Madison, one on Langdon Street just west of Lake Street, across from the Pyle Center on the University of Wisconsin campus, and another at the bus shelter at the Dutch Mill Park & Ride, located on the northeast side of the US Route 12/18 and US Route 51 intersection. The stop at the Memorial Union is more centrally located, and a much better stop to get off at if you'll be staying in central Madison without a car. Also, none of the services to Milwaukee nor the daytime services to Minneapolis-Saint Paul stop at Dutch Mill. Greyhound. Service from Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

By rail Via Columbus, Amtrak travels east to Milwaukee and Chicago and west to Minneapolis on the Empire Builder route. Columbus is a 30-minute drive north of Madison. Amtrak also connects to Madison from Chicago via Thruway bus, operated by VanGalder.

Getting around

By bus You can get around much of Madison on the Metro bus system ($2 single trip, $5 day ticket). Coverage becomes spotty and travel times extensive as you get further away from the isthmus, so a car is practically a necessity for regular travel outside the city center.

By car On-street parking in the center of Madison — the isthmus — tends to be scarce (and permits, issued annually, are required), but a number of parking garages are sprinkled throughout the area. Street parking further from the center is plentiful and free. A map of parking garages, rates, and parking regulations in the downtown area can be found at the City of Madison parking page. For most lots on the University of Wisconsin campus permits, issued annually only to university employees, are required. There are a few lots that offer public parking. Full details on parking lots, rates and regulations on the UW campus can be found here. The best advice for parking on the UW campus is to read signs at lot entrances and believe what they say (UW parking enforcement is highly vigilant and on duty 24 hours a day). If you are driving from one end of the city to another, the Beltline is a commonly used route. Football games can pose significant challenges to those traveling in the downtown area by car or bus. If you're traveling on a Saturday in the fall, it is always worth checking if and when the Badgers are playing a home game. Before and after home games, expect most streets near Camp Randall Stadium to be backed up, with traffic moving at a snail's pace. On-street parking in the area will likely be unavailable, and parking lots around campus will likely be filled to capacity unless you arrive early. Use extreme caution at intersections. Expect pedestrians to be drunk both before and after the game: it's not unusual to find people from college students to retirees stumbling to the game as early as 9AM. On the other hand, traffic during a football game is usually very light, and if you need to go somewhere downtown on game day, that's the time to do it.

By taxi Uber and Lyft are both available in Madison. There are also several cab companies and when downtown there is never a taxi far from sight. That said, taxis operate on an appointment-only basis, so be sure to call at least 15-20 minutes before you need a ride (allow for more time during busy periods or inclement weather). With most of the cab companies you can also make a reservation for a specific time by calling at least 24 hours in advance - this is highly advisable if you are going to take a cab to the airport.

By

See

Local flavor

1 The Memorial Union Terrace, 800 Langdon St, ☏ +1 608-265-3000. A lovely terrace which overlooks beautiful Lake Mendota. Be sure to sample Babcock Ice Cream, made locally at Babcock Dairy Hall, whose profits help fund the UW-Madison dairy program. The Memorial Union also features a wide variety of local and regional beers — perfect for sipping (Union membership or University affiliation required to buy alcoholic beverages, but one-day guest passes can be obtained) while listening to live music, or enjoying the view with friends. Boat rentals are also available for the more active crowd. 2 Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr, ☏ +1 608-261-4000, fax: +1 608-261-4049, [email protected]. Daily 8AM-5PM. From the roof of Monona Terrace, one can see views of downtown Madison, including the Capitol and a panoramic view of Lake Monona. There are weekly events during the summer, including Dane Dances, concerts on the rooftop, and free Tai Chi. State Street. The core of the city is State Street, which extends from the Capitol Building west to the UW campus. This is the center of activity in Madison and is a must-visit. You will find unique shops, restaurants, bars, sidewalk cafes, coffee houses, museums, and an array of street performers. State Street is well-known for its yearly Halloween celebration, called "Freakfest". Maxwell Street Days is held on State Street the third weekend of July each year. (updated Oct 2021) Monroe Street. Cute, colorful, and catering to near-west yuppies. Most of the businesses on Monroe are concentrated near Regent Street just past Camp Randall Stadium, and it includes unique curiosities such as a flatbread pizza shop, an oriental rug outlet, a Belgian restaurant, and a store that specializes in home brewing & winery materials. Midvale Neighborhood A handful of closely-connected neighborhoods off of Midvale Blvd on Madison's near- to middle-west side. Beautiful parks and some original Madison architecture. Check out Hilldale mall, which includes many small boutiques and local shops and restaurants. Hilldale is a more low-key alternative to State Street or Monroe Street for dinner out or shopping. Willy Street. The center of the free-spirited hippie neighborhoods of Madison's near east side. Williamson Street, affectionately referred to by locals as "Willy Street," is home to several co-ops, dive bars, and head shops. Some of the best restaurants in Madison are located past the Yahara River, where Williamson turns into Winnebago Street and intersects with Atwood. East Johnson Street This up-and-coming neighborh

Do

1 Overture Center, 501 State St, ☏ +1 608-258-4177. This venue is home to Madison's most prominent performing arts organizations, including the Madison Ballet, Opera, Symphony, Repertory Theater, and Children's Theater. The facilities also include the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and galleries housing work by local visual artists. The building is gorgeous — the rooftop garden is particularly impressive — and well worth a stop as you meander down State street. Private tours are available. Token Creek Chamber Music Festival. An annual festival held every August featuring great classical music in an intimate, rural setting. Great Taste of the Midwest, 1156 Olin-Turville Ct. This beer festival, put on by the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild, is one of the biggest in the nation, with over one hundred brewpubs and microbreweries in attendance, and over 5,000 guests. The number of tickets is limited, and the popularity of this event means that they typically sell out within days. Concerts on the Square. This very popular weekly summer concert series by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra is held on the grounds of the State Capitol. Attendees sit on the lawn around the building, and most people bring a blanket to spread on the ground and picnic foods to eat. Free. 2 Mifflin Street Block Party. A massive student-run block party held on the first Saturday of every May. Several blocks of West Mifflin Street are cordoned off for drinking, music, and food in what is one of the largest public gatherings in the country. Keep an eye out for overzealous policemen — read the #Stay safe section for more information. Free. Taste of Madison, Capitol Square. Held Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Showcases many local restaurants, in addition to beverage stands and 3 entertainment stages. Participating restaurants sell a vast variety of unique and traditional dishes in small portions that cost $4-6. No admission fee. 3 Dane County Farmer's Market. Runs year-round, outdoors from April to November, indoors from November to April. Outdoor market located on Capitol Square on Saturdays, on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd on Wednesdays. Indoor market held at Monona Terrace before Christmas/New Year's Day, at Madison Senior Center after the holidays. The largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country. All items are produced locally by the vendor running the stand. No admission fee. Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon. Held the Sunday following Labor Day Weekend. Start/finish area located downtown at Monona Terrace and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Swimming in Lake

Buy

1 East Towne Mall, ☏ +1 608-244-1387. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. A standard shopping mall on the east side of Madison, not far from I-39/I-90/I-94. 2 West Towne Mall, ☏ +1 608-833-6330. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. A standard shopping mall on the west side of Madison. 3 Madcity Music Exchange, 2023 Atwood Ave, ☏ +1 608-251-8558. M-F 11AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. An independent music store featuring a very large selection of new and used vinyl records. A diverse selection of new and used CDs are also on hand for a healthy sized non-vinyl inventory. 4 Hilldale Mall, 702 N Midvale Blvd (Right off University and Midvale). M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Lots of independent stores, Morgan's Shoes, Playthings, Fair Indigo, etc. Also has some bigger more well known stores; Macy's, Anthropology, The North Face, Bath and Body Works. Has a grocery store, and also one of Robert Redford's Sundance Cinemas. Many restaurants, sit-down or to-go. Also nail and hair salons are present. Very nice, upper-scale mall. 5 WILLY Tech Shop (Madison's Original MacShop), 804 Williamson St, ☏ +1 608-270-4444. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Madison’s independent, locally-owned, full-service technology resource offering sales, service & training. Features a great selection of tech products including their own unique "ECO shop" of green tech products, local artists products, used Macs, iPods & more. Very warm and welcoming as the tech shop where everybody knows your name. Be sure to "say hi" to their very popular store mascot "iFish" when visiting.

Eat

Madison is said to have the highest number of restaurants per capita in the entire United States. The sheer diversity of and intense competition among Madison's restaurants is enough to put any city of similar size to shame (as well as many larger cities!), making Madison one of the best cities in the country to be a foodie. Take your time to make a selection; you could spend years in Madison without seeing half of what the restaurant scene has to offer. As Madison is in Wisconsin, don't miss the frozen custard, with local chain Michael's being a firm favorite among locals for this sweet treat.

Budget Food carts, Library Mall (at the end of State St, away from the Capitol). Look out for food carts, some of Madison's best sources for a quick bite, clustered at the end of State Street near Memorial Library and on/near Capitol Square. 1 Nam's Noodles, 1336 Regent St, ☏ +1 608-287-0475. Excellent Chinese food close to the university. Their "Nam's Fried Rice" is outstanding. Sit-down or take-out, no delivery. 2 Ian's Pizza, 319 N Frances St, ☏ +1 608-257-0597. And 115 State St. Campus favorite with a gourmet twist. Excellent New York-sized pizza by the slice, featuring old standards like pepperoni and new variations like mac and cheese (don't knock it until you've tried it — it's the top seller!), Black Bean Feta Avocado and Steak 'n' Fries. Daily and monthly specials served by the most charming staff in town. 3 Mediterranean Cafe, 625 State St, ☏ +1 608-251-8510. This narrow room is a Madison gem and a favorite with the university crowd. Great Middle Eastern food, such as shawerma (similar to gyros) and felafel (fried chickpeas). Almost always busy, but it moves fast. Paul's Pel'meni, 414 W Gilman St, ☏ +1 608-467-3234. Delicious traditional Russian dumplings just off of State Street, within walking distance of UW-Madison campus and the Capitol. Filled with beef, or potato, or get a mix. Try it with "The Works" (curry powder, chili sauce, butter, sour cream, cilantro) for a fun twist. (updated Dec 2023)

Mid-range 4 Mickies Dairy Bar, 1511 Monroe St, ☏ +1 608-256-9476. A classic diner close to the University, and right across from the football stadium. It has among the best shakes in town. If you think you can eat a lot, try the scrambler. It is cash only and is always packed full of people on game day. 5 Greenbush Bakery, 1402 Regent St, ☏ +1 608-257-1151. Excellent doughnuts, which just happen to be kosher. Must try the cream filled doughnuts, and the apple fritters are literally big enough to feed the whole family. 6 Madison Sourdough Bread Com

Drink & nightlife

Bars, brewpubs, and burgers Madison is well known for upholding the Wisconsin "supper club" tradition, offering a variety of German-inspired establishments that serve top-notch American food during the day, convert into bars late at night, and give you an absolutely unrivaled selection of beer regardless of whether it's 10AM or 1AM.

1 The Old Fashioned, 23 N Pinckney St, ☏ +1 608-310-4545. Right on the Square, with a great view of the Capitol, it serves supper club fare with a slightly upscale bent in a warm, lively atmosphere. From deep-fried cheese curds to artisanal cheese plates, from pickled eggs to Nueske's bacon and natural-casing bratwurst, this is the perfect place to go before a performance nearby. Busy, but well worth it. The Old Fashioned also has one of the largest beer menus you will ever see. Do not miss the fried cheese curds - they are widely regarded as the best in town. They also have a great Saturday brunch. 2 The Essen Haus, 514 E Wilson St, ☏ +1 608-255-4674. Great beer, great atmosphere — and the perfect example of the thriving German culture in Madison. With live Oompah music nightly, you'll be drinking all of your beer from a boot from now on! Great Dane Brew Pub (3 locations). A very large selection of hand-crafted microbrews and excellent food, including fresh-baked pretzels and several vegetarian selections; each location has similar menus with subtle tweaks and different atmospheres. 3 Great Dane Brew Pub, 123 E Doty St (Downtown). (updated Apr 2022) 4 Great Dane Brew Pub, 357 Price Pl (next to Hilldale Mall on the near-west side). (updated Apr 2022) 5 Great Dane Brew Pub, 2980 Cahill Main (near the intersection of Fish Hatchery and County PD in Fitchburg). (updated Apr 2022) 6 Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, 317 N Frances St, ☏ +1 608-285-5290. M-W 11AM-11PM, Th-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su noon-10PM. If you're looking for a good burger in Madison, this is the place to be. Dotty's serves one of the best burgers in Madison, if not the very best. $8-15. 7 Village Bar, 3801 Mineral Point Rd. Across the street from the Glenway Golf Course. This friendly neighborhood bar dates back over 65 years when Westmorland was a village outside the City of Madison. The fried summer sausage sandwiches are great. 8 The Weary Traveler, 1201 Williamson St, ☏ +1 608-442-6207. A decent local bar/restaurant consistently packed with friendly locals from the Willy St Neighborhood. The service can be a bit slow, but the food is great. Don't forget to try their specialty: the Bad Breath Burger. 9 The Esquire Club, 1025 N Sherman Ave, ☏ +1 608-249-0193. Anothe

Sleep

Downtown/Campus 1 Best Western Premier Park Hotel, 22 S Carroll St, ☏ +1 608-285-8000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The only hotel on Capitol Square. Pool, free valet parking, free wi-fi, free airport and campus shuttle. 2 Best Western InnTowner and the Highland Club. Located on the near west side of the UW campus in a quiet neighborhood, next to the UW/VA Hospitals and just a short drive from State Street. Free wireless high-speed Internet and shuttle. Its concierge-level floor, the Highland Club won Best Western's "Best of the Best" design award for its renovation. 3 Concourse Hotel, 1 W Dayton St, toll-free: +1-800-356-8293. Larger, nicer hotel one block from the Capitol Square and one block from the Overture Center for the Performing Arts. 4 Graduate Madison, 601 Langdon St, ☏ +1 608-257-4391, [email protected]. 5 Doubletree Madison, 525 W Johnson St, ☏ +1 608-251-5511. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Formerly the Howard Johnson, this smaller hotel is very close to the University (one block from the Kohl Center) and not too far from the Capitol. Free wireless Internet access. 6 Edgewater Hotel, 1001 Wisconsin Pl, ☏ +1 608-535-8200. Luxury hotel on Lake Mendota at the beginning of Langdon Street, this hotel is about eight blocks from the university. Be sure to sit out on the pier during the summer. 7 Hilton Madison, 9 E Wilson St, ☏ +1 608-255-5100. Complementing Madison's historic charm, this 14-story, 236-room hotel is named the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center headquarters. Two blocks from the State Capitol on the shores of Lake Monona, the hotel has some of the city's best views. Indoors, an elegant parlor and lobby set the tone for a first-class stay. Take advantage of a state-of-the-art fitness center and indoor pool overlooking the lake. Or retreat to the 14th-private Executive Club Floor for panoramic cityscapes. 8 Sheraton Madison, 706 John Nolen Dr, ☏ +1 608-251-2300. On John Nolen Drive and within walking distance of the Alliant Energy Exposition Center, with 237 rooms and suites. Shuttle service is available to and from the Dane County Airport. Ample complimentary parking for guests. The Heartland Grill and Prairie Cafe serve throughout the day, with Harvest Lounge open every evening.

Suburbs 9 Baymont Inn & Suites Madison West, 8102 Excelsior Dr, ☏ +1 608-831-7711. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. In the growing west side business district. Free high speed internet, breakfast. Kids stay free and will enjoy the huge indoor pool, whirlpool and game room. 10 Comfort Suites Madison West Hotel, 1253 John

Go next

6 Cedar Grove Cheese, E5904 Mill Rd, Plain, ☏ +1 608-546-5284. A fun dairy about 30 miles (50 km) west of Madison. One of the oldest dairies in the area, they make excellent cheese and purify their own water using a living machine. (updated Apr 2022) 7 Devil's Lake, S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo. The most popular of Wisconsin's state parks, Devil's Lake is about an hour northwest of Madison, south of Baraboo. It includes miles of hiking trails, some of them on bluffs of moraine overlooking the lake, created 10,000 years ago by the leading edge of the Wisconsin glacier. The park has two pleasant beaches, and you can hike, bike, boat, swim, climb, hunt, or fish. Gets crowded in the summer. (updated Apr 2022) 8 Dr. Evermore's Forevertron, Prairie Du Sac, ☏ +1 608-219-7830. An impressive junkyard sculpture garden, about 20 miles (30 km) north of town. Fantastical animals, futuristic devices and creepy bugs all made out of rusting scrap metal. (updated Apr 2022) 9 Mustard Museum, 7477 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton (Just outside of Madison), ☏ +1 608-831-2222, toll-free: +1-800-438-6878. Daily 10AM-5PM. They sell over 800 varieties of mustard, all of which you can sample, and have more than 4,100 varieties on display. (updated Apr 2022) 10 New Glarus Brewing Company, 2400 State Hwy 69, New Glarus, ☏ +1 608-527-5850. An excellent brewery only 45 minutes from Madison in the very quaint Swiss town of New Glarus. (updated Apr 2022) Prairie du Sac hosts the annual Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw every Labor Day Weekend. Spring Green is home to a pair of architectural wonders: the House on the Rock, one of the weirdest museums you'll ever see, and Taliesin, the family home and architectural school founded by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It's about 45 minutes west of Madison. Stoughton is famous for its Syttende Mai festival commemorating the Norwegian Constitution Day on May 17. Also home to Victorian Holiday in December the Stoughton Fair in July. 11 Ten Chimneys, S43 W31575 Depot Road, Genesee Depot (60 miles / 100 km east of Madison in Genesee Depot), ☏ +1 262-968-4110. Tours May through mid-Nov: Tu-Sa, rain or shine. Ten Chimneys is the estate lovingly created by Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Guests enjoy an excellent barrier-free, docent-led tour of the National Historic Landmark. (updated Apr 2022) 12 Circus World Museum, 550 Water St, Baraboo, ☏ +1 608-356-8341, toll-free: +1-866-693-1500, fax: +1-608-356-1800. The Circus World Museum is a fantastic look back at the history of the circus. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College