Carson & Kimberly's Guidebook
Outdoor fun
Great for young children! Shallow, roped-off water for swimming, trucks and sand toys and a playground.
Bernie's Beach Park
901 Gilson StGreat for young children! Shallow, roped-off water for swimming, trucks and sand toys and a playground.
If you have your dog here, this is a must-go! Lots of trails to give your dog the exercise he or she needs.
Prairie Moraine Dog Park
6679 Wesner LnIf you have your dog here, this is a must-go! Lots of trails to give your dog the exercise he or she needs.
A smaller lake with less traffic, you can throw a frisbee around in the nearby park or rent water sports equipment (paddleboards, paddleboats, etc) and get right on the water. Good for fishing too.
9 locals recommend
Lake Wingra
A smaller lake with less traffic, you can throw a frisbee around in the nearby park or rent water sports equipment (paddleboards, paddleboats, etc) and get right on the water. Good for fishing too.
Scenic hikes and ancient burial grounds make for a fun morning or afternoon activity.
55 locals recommend
Picnic Point
2000 University Bay DrScenic hikes and ancient burial grounds make for a fun morning or afternoon activity.
A favorite local space for children, there's lots of interactive exhibits and natural trails to enjoy outside of the center.
6 locals recommend
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
330 Femrite DrA favorite local space for children, there's lots of interactive exhibits and natural trails to enjoy outside of the center.
Food scene
There are tons of eating out options, both inside and outside the Union. Enjoy a brat and a beer (or ice cream) while sitting outside on the terrace overlooking Lake Mendota. Check the Union website for events - there is usually live music on weekend nights!
122 locals recommend
Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon StThere are tons of eating out options, both inside and outside the Union. Enjoy a brat and a beer (or ice cream) while sitting outside on the terrace overlooking Lake Mendota. Check the Union website for events - there is usually live music on weekend nights!
In all our travels and places we've lived, we have never found a better Farmers' Market. Make sure to get some fresh cheese curds! Runs spring through fall weekends outside on the Capitol Square, and in colder months it's located inside the Monona Terrace.
93 locals recommend
Dane County Farmers Market
3241 Martin Luther King Jr BlvdIn all our travels and places we've lived, we have never found a better Farmers' Market. Make sure to get some fresh cheese curds! Runs spring through fall weekends outside on the Capitol Square, and in colder months it's located inside the Monona Terrace.
Lots of fun flavors created by students. You can watch ice cream being made there too!
13 locals recommend
Babcock Hall Dairy Store
1605 Linden DrLots of fun flavors created by students. You can watch ice cream being made there too!
Owned by one of Carson's childhood friends, this is a fun, festive yet laidback craft brewery in the Atwood neighborhood known for beers that are brewed one barrel at a time (as the name suggests!).
29 locals recommend
One Barrel Brewing Company
2001 Atwood AveOwned by one of Carson's childhood friends, this is a fun, festive yet laidback craft brewery in the Atwood neighborhood known for beers that are brewed one barrel at a time (as the name suggests!).
You can't come to Wisconsin and not enjoy our signature drink, an Old Fashioned! We drink ours with brandy, and it's a perfect cocktail in hot or cold weather. The fare at this restaurant is great also.
86 locals recommend
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney StYou can't come to Wisconsin and not enjoy our signature drink, an Old Fashioned! We drink ours with brandy, and it's a perfect cocktail in hot or cold weather. The fare at this restaurant is great also.
Neighborhoods
Enjoy an array of restaurants with diverse cuisine, and a mixture of locally-owned shops and national chain stores. One end of State Street is the UW Campus' Library Mall, which often has food trucks, and the other is the beautiful Wisconsin Capitol Building (with even more shops and restaurants around the capitol square!)
111 locals recommend
State Street
State StreetEnjoy an array of restaurants with diverse cuisine, and a mixture of locally-owned shops and national chain stores. One end of State Street is the UW Campus' Library Mall, which often has food trucks, and the other is the beautiful Wisconsin Capitol Building (with even more shops and restaurants around the capitol square!)
Lots of specialty shops, cozy coffee shops and fun restaurants! Close to Lake Wingra & Henry Vilas Zoo.
12 locals recommend
Monroe Street
Monroe StreetLots of specialty shops, cozy coffee shops and fun restaurants! Close to Lake Wingra & Henry Vilas Zoo.