Guidebook for Madison
Food Scene
I love coffee and setting up a computer to work at Colectivo! They have great pastries--the Sunshine bun is butter and sugar in a croissant dough--wonderful. And at their water station they offer carbonated in addition to "still," a nice touch.
21 paikallista suosittelee
Colectivo Coffee - Monroe St.
2530 Monroe StI love coffee and setting up a computer to work at Colectivo! They have great pastries--the Sunshine bun is butter and sugar in a croissant dough--wonderful. And at their water station they offer carbonated in addition to "still," a nice touch.
Luigi's has become a favorite place to catch supper with a friend. Great pizza--don't miss the bada bing--white sauce, bacon, fontina, grilled asparagus, caramelized onions, and herb-roasted mushrooms. One of the booths has a curtain to make it your own private space if you're lucky enough to snag it. Kid-friendly as well with an inexpensive kids' menu.
Luigi's Pizza
515 S Midvale BlvdLuigi's has become a favorite place to catch supper with a friend. Great pizza--don't miss the bada bing--white sauce, bacon, fontina, grilled asparagus, caramelized onions, and herb-roasted mushrooms. One of the booths has a curtain to make it your own private space if you're lucky enough to snag it. Kid-friendly as well with an inexpensive kids' menu.
La Brioche is a favorite breakfast and lunch spot for quiet and elegant dining. Put your cell phone and computer away; they are not welcomed here. Heavy drapes and elegant table service make me imagine this is what it would be like to experience an English Tea. Nice place to bring your mom :)
15 paikallista suosittelee
La Brioche True Food
2862 University AveLa Brioche is a favorite breakfast and lunch spot for quiet and elegant dining. Put your cell phone and computer away; they are not welcomed here. Heavy drapes and elegant table service make me imagine this is what it would be like to experience an English Tea. Nice place to bring your mom :)
Good beer and a nice variety in the menu with generous portions make the Great Dane a good choice for hungry travelers. On weekday nights you may see groups of jersey shirted ultimate frisbee players as "The Dane" sponsors the Madison league of +2,000 players and rewards them with pitchers after games.
16 paikallista suosittelee
Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. - Hilldale
357 Price PlGood beer and a nice variety in the menu with generous portions make the Great Dane a good choice for hungry travelers. On weekday nights you may see groups of jersey shirted ultimate frisbee players as "The Dane" sponsors the Madison league of +2,000 players and rewards them with pitchers after games.
Delicious Thai food close by with a very nice atmosphere.
11 paikallista suosittelee
Sa-Bai Thong Thai Cuisine
2840 University AveDelicious Thai food close by with a very nice atmosphere.
Mickie on Monroe Street, just in the shadow of Camp Randall stadium, is a favorite for students. My girls had breakfast there every Tuesday morning for the year they lived nearby. Portions are huge, the price is right, and it certainly has the feel of a '50s diner, with the original sign boards with 50s prices on the walls.
23 paikallista suosittelee
Mickies Dairy Bar
1511 Monroe StMickie on Monroe Street, just in the shadow of Camp Randall stadium, is a favorite for students. My girls had breakfast there every Tuesday morning for the year they lived nearby. Portions are huge, the price is right, and it certainly has the feel of a '50s diner, with the original sign boards with 50s prices on the walls.
Lovely restaurant on Madison's west side. Nice for a special dinner or celebration. Excellent food--Mediterranean inspired and great steaks and lamb.
Otto's Restaurant & Bar
6405 Mineral Point RdLovely restaurant on Madison's west side. Nice for a special dinner or celebration. Excellent food--Mediterranean inspired and great steaks and lamb.
Hilldale Farmers' Market is open on Wednesday mornings and Saturdays from late spring into the fall. Not as large or interesting as the market on the square, but close and easy to access and wonderful for picking up fresh flowers and fruits and vegetables along with an increasing number of stalls with hand made items and locally prepared foods.
Hilldale Farmers' Market
702 N Midvale BlvdHilldale Farmers' Market is open on Wednesday mornings and Saturdays from late spring into the fall. Not as large or interesting as the market on the square, but close and easy to access and wonderful for picking up fresh flowers and fruits and vegetables along with an increasing number of stalls with hand made items and locally prepared foods.
Wonderful market not to be missed on Saturdays throughout the summer into late October. Set out in the morning and get your coffee and fresh cinnamon roll to enjoy as you sample cheeses and enjoy the bounty of Wisconsin. Great for people-watching. If you're early enough, you can see local restaurateurs with their wagons picking out produce for the day.
93 paikallista suosittelee
Dane County Farmers Market
3241 Martin Luther King Jr BlvdWonderful market not to be missed on Saturdays throughout the summer into late October. Set out in the morning and get your coffee and fresh cinnamon roll to enjoy as you sample cheeses and enjoy the bounty of Wisconsin. Great for people-watching. If you're early enough, you can see local restaurateurs with their wagons picking out produce for the day.
Our favorite pizza place! Order for delivery or take-out. Favorites of ours include the Fetalicious, Thai Pie, Mediterranean, and just of last night, a new favorite, The Hawaii Pie-o.
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. - Madison West
5003 University AveOur favorite pizza place! Order for delivery or take-out. Favorites of ours include the Fetalicious, Thai Pie, Mediterranean, and just of last night, a new favorite, The Hawaii Pie-o.
Great ice cream made right here at the University. Favorite flavors of ours are the Mocha Macchiato, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Blue Moon, and the fruity sorbets. Parking is tricky--only at the metered spots right outside Babcock Hall. But, if you have time left on your meter or came on foot or bike, great to take your ice cream and walk through the Allen Centennial Gardens nearby. Great cheese available at the store as well.
13 paikallista suosittelee
Babcock Hall Dairy Store
1605 Linden DrGreat ice cream made right here at the University. Favorite flavors of ours are the Mocha Macchiato, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Blue Moon, and the fruity sorbets. Parking is tricky--only at the metered spots right outside Babcock Hall. But, if you have time left on your meter or came on foot or bike, great to take your ice cream and walk through the Allen Centennial Gardens nearby. Great cheese available at the store as well.
Essentials
Metcalfe's, or Sentry as it was known for years, is a lovely grocery store on the north end of Hilldale Mall. Classical music is playing and the store features local and high end food choices. I've heard it referred to as "the gateway drug to Whole Foods." That may be, but the service is exceptional and they are the only grocery I've found that carries Babcock Hall ice cream--worth the price for a splurge--though you can save a few dollars by getting to the Babcock Hall dairy store on campus and purchasing it there.
19 paikallista suosittelee
Metcalfe's Market
726 N Midvale BlvdMetcalfe's, or Sentry as it was known for years, is a lovely grocery store on the north end of Hilldale Mall. Classical music is playing and the store features local and high end food choices. I've heard it referred to as "the gateway drug to Whole Foods." That may be, but the service is exceptional and they are the only grocery I've found that carries Babcock Hall ice cream--worth the price for a splurge--though you can save a few dollars by getting to the Babcock Hall dairy store on campus and purchasing it there.
Metro Market (previously Pic ‘n Save) is my main destination for groceries in Madison. It is close, has mostly what I need, and the prices are better than Metcalfe's though not as good as Woodman's. Nothing special, but a good standard grocery store.
27 paikallista suosittelee
Pick 'n Save
3650 University AveMetro Market (previously Pic ‘n Save) is my main destination for groceries in Madison. It is close, has mostly what I need, and the prices are better than Metcalfe's though not as good as Woodman's. Nothing special, but a good standard grocery store.
Walkable from the house, so a great little hike with the dog to run in for some special item. Great cheeses and a good produce section. I also like their floral selection with local offerings.
30 paikallista suosittelee
Whole Foods Market
4710 University AveWalkable from the house, so a great little hike with the dog to run in for some special item. Great cheeses and a good produce section. I also like their floral selection with local offerings.
This is the go-to for big shopping days. Great variety, low prices, lots of ethnic choices.
14 paikallista suosittelee
Woodman's Food Market
725 S Gammon RdThis is the go-to for big shopping days. Great variety, low prices, lots of ethnic choices.
Parks & Nature
Right in my backyard! Beautiful wooded city park. Hike the trails through the abandoned quarry past the plot of restored prairie. At the south end of the park is an overlook popular for viewing sunsets and looking over the west side of Madison.
12 paikallista suosittelee
Hoyt Park
Right in my backyard! Beautiful wooded city park. Hike the trails through the abandoned quarry past the plot of restored prairie. At the south end of the park is an overlook popular for viewing sunsets and looking over the west side of Madison.
Picnic Point is a spit of land into Lake Mendota. Lovely short hike to the end gives good views of the Capitol and downtown and across the lake. Good for birding, gentle hiking, and picnicking.
55 paikallista suosittelee
Picnic Point
2000 University Bay DrPicnic Point is a spit of land into Lake Mendota. Lovely short hike to the end gives good views of the Capitol and downtown and across the lake. Good for birding, gentle hiking, and picnicking.
A lovely on-campus garden great for a leisurely walk and photo ops.
15 paikallista suosittelee
Allen Centennial Gardens
620 Babcock DrA lovely on-campus garden great for a leisurely walk and photo ops.
Shopping
Only a mile away, Hilldale Mall has a great mix of clothing stores, great shoe stores, and restaurants. A University Bookstore branch is in the mall (better for UW memorabilia than for books.)
63 paikallista suosittelee
Hilldale Shopping Center
726 N Midvale BlvdOnly a mile away, Hilldale Mall has a great mix of clothing stores, great shoe stores, and restaurants. A University Bookstore branch is in the mall (better for UW memorabilia than for books.)
Arts & Culture
A free art museum on campus with extensive collections.
73 paikallista suosittelee
Chazenin taidemuseo
800 University AveA free art museum on campus with extensive collections.
Entertainment & Activities
Sitting on the Memorial Union Terrace overlooking the lake in the shadow of the Memorial Union is the place of choice for many students and alum. Beer, Babcock Hall ice cream, brats, burgers, and many other choices make this a great place to grab lunch or dinner and sit and enjoy the sunset over the lake. The iconic chairs--green, yellow, and orange, are a shout-out to Wisconsin's seasons and agricultural heritage: ‘with names like John Deere green, Allis Chalmers orange, and corn harvest yellow.’
122 paikallista suosittelee
Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon StSitting on the Memorial Union Terrace overlooking the lake in the shadow of the Memorial Union is the place of choice for many students and alum. Beer, Babcock Hall ice cream, brats, burgers, and many other choices make this a great place to grab lunch or dinner and sit and enjoy the sunset over the lake. The iconic chairs--green, yellow, and orange, are a shout-out to Wisconsin's seasons and agricultural heritage: ‘with names like John Deere green, Allis Chalmers orange, and corn harvest yellow.’