Guidebook for Madison
Food Scene
Moka
5227 University AveFriendly and nearby
Chocolaterian Cafe
6637 University AveNearby chocolate shop
Pasqual's Hilldale
670 N Midvale BlvdLocal Tex-Mex
Sardine
617 Williamson StUpscale french cuisine with oyster bar
Muramoto Hilldale
546 N Midvale BlvdUpscale Sushi Restaurant
Pizza by the slice -- cheap, fast and popular with students. Traditional flavors, and goofy stuff like "Mac & Cheese" or "Eggs & tater tots". There's one on the Capitol end of State St as well.
Ian's Pizza by the Slice
319 N Frances StPizza by the slice -- cheap, fast and popular with students. Traditional flavors, and goofy stuff like "Mac & Cheese" or "Eggs & tater tots". There's one on the Capitol end of State St as well.
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry
317 North Frances StreetSpecialty Burgers
Ask for the Mystery Special (always good, but half-price if you wait until they serve to find out the mystery).
13 locals recommend
Short Stack Eatery
301 W Johnson StAsk for the Mystery Special (always good, but half-price if you wait until they serve to find out the mystery).
Popular breakfast joint, right up the hill on University Ave.
12 locals recommend
Original Pancake House
5518 University AvePopular breakfast joint, right up the hill on University Ave.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. - Hilldale
357 Price Plpub and grill with in house brewery
Classic Wisconsin food (brats, cheese curds, fish fridays) and dozens of beers
86 locals recommend
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney StClassic Wisconsin food (brats, cheese curds, fish fridays) and dozens of beers
Oakcrest Tavern
5371 Old Middleton RdNearby, cozy townie bar
Parks & Nature
Nice trails, better in the summer-fall
31 locals recommend
University of Wisconsin Madison Arboretum Visitor Center
2880 Longenecker DrNice trails, better in the summer-fall
Outdoor garden when there's no snow, with indoor tropic greenhouse year-round.
138 locals recommend
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood AveOutdoor garden when there's no snow, with indoor tropic greenhouse year-round.
Popular public park with picturesque bridges and ice skating in the winter
11 locals recommend
Tenney Park
402 N Thornton AvePopular public park with picturesque bridges and ice skating in the winter
Sightseeing
Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall Ave28-acre public zoo with free admission
Aka Willy Street -- a quirky, bohemian area with lots of local shops
16 locals recommend
Williamson Street
Williamson StreetAka Willy Street -- a quirky, bohemian area with lots of local shops
Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic masterpiece overlooking Lake Monona
58 locals recommend
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
1 John Nolen DrFrank Lloyd Wright’s iconic masterpiece overlooking Lake Monona
Madison's most famous street, connecting the Campus and the Capitol. Lots of shops and dining.
111 locals recommend
State Street
State StreetMadison's most famous street, connecting the Campus and the Capitol. Lots of shops and dining.
Entertainment & Activities
Camp Randall Stadium University of Wisconsin
1440 Monroe StBadger Football
The Kohl Center
601 West Dayton StreetBadger Hockey and Basketball
Popular historic student hangout hub with activities, live music, dining and events happening constantly.
122 locals recommend
Memorial Union Terrace
800 Langdon StPopular historic student hangout hub with activities, live music, dining and events happening constantly.
Modern spinoff of the Memorial Union with activities daily, across the street from Camp Randall. Great place to study, bowl, listen to music or grab a bite.
10 locals recommend
Union South
1308 W Dayton StModern spinoff of the Memorial Union with activities daily, across the street from Camp Randall. Great place to study, bowl, listen to music or grab a bite.
Prides itself on being an artsy theater, but they'll show regular films too.
25 locals recommend
AMC Madison 6
430 N Midvale BlvdPrides itself on being an artsy theater, but they'll show regular films too.
Essentials
Metcalfe's Market
726 N Midvale BlvdLocal Grocery
Shopping
Target
6321 McKee Rd