Location: Madison
Top Things to do in Madison
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Things to do in Madison, Wisconsin (WI): The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
The sprawling University of Wisconsin sets the tone for this college town of cafes, bookstores, brewpubs, numerous restaurants (more per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.) and a good share of cultural and historical attractions. Stunning glacial waterways make the City of Lakes one of the more picturesque state capitals in the country. More than 250 parks offer residents and tourists plenty of recreational areas to choose from. If you visit the campus, be sure to try the famous Babcock Ice Cream at Memorial Union or Babcock Hall, before or after a visit to the Elvehjem Museum of Art's collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities. And to really get into the college spirit, head over to State Street's eclectic range of ethnic restaurants. Be sure to try the mouth-watering bratwurst sandwich on a homemade bun at State Street Brats, a student favorite. At the end of State Street, the white granite, Roman Renaissance-style Capitol dominates the skyline and offers an observation platform for views of the city and lakes.
Restaurants in Madison
1. Memorial Union Terrace
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 698 reviews
Reviewed By Rita21_12 - Madison, United States
You have the view of the lake and can spend a relaxing time with friends enjoying the wide choice of foods available and the famous Babcock ice-cream and a nice breeze if the weather is on your side the day you visit
2. Wisconsin Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Explore the Wisconsin Historical Society's collections, research your family history, teach and learn Wisconsin history, preserve historic properties.
3. LaBahn Arena
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By RetirementTime - Madison, United States
Was at the arena to watch my grandson's hockey team play. It was a comfortable temperature inside. The seats were a little narrow from front to back but OK.
4. Alumni Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
As a graduate of the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, I enjoy visiting other college campuses while traveling from coast to coast. Of course, no two are alike. Some are more beautiful than others. Some have historical features or architectural features that others lack. The University of Wisconsin at Madison has Alumni Park. I wish Illinois did. Located at 724 Langdon Street, between Lake Mendota and Langdon Street, between Red Gym and Memorial Union, the 34,000-square-foot space celebrates UW-Madison and its graduates. The idea for this park-like promenade, on this very spot, was included in the 1908 campus master plan. But the project wasn't completed until 2017. It is more than a garden, it is an art gallery, a museum, a storehouse for the memories and achievements that Wisconsin students have created in the 17 decades since UW's first class convened. Most of all, the park tells the story of what it means to be a Badger. There are more than 200 alumni names listed in Alumni Park and adjacent One Alumni Place, graduates who had an important impact in Wisconsin and around the world, Badgers who made contributions that were truly superlative or unique. The Badger Pride Wall, 80 feet in length, features whimsical renditions of UW icons. The park is covered with more than 7,800 trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers and perennial plants, also artful exhibits, lake views, green space, a granite water fountain, even a Bucky Badger statue. A thoroughly enjoyable way to spend an hour or two, even when the temperature is only 30 degrees. I wonder if anyone at the University of Illinois has thought of creating an Alumni Park on the space of grass and sidewalks known as the Quadrangle, in the very middle of the campus, next to the Illini Union.
5. State Street & Downtown Madison
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 871 reviews
This seven-block bustling thoroughfare, which runs between Capitol Square and the University of Wisconsin, buzzes with activity day and night. Offering lake access, amazing views, several museums and theaters, more than 140 restaurants including a diverse array of coffeehouses, ethnic restaurants, and award winning chefs, as well as more than 80 unique shops including bookstores, art galleries and specialty shops.
Reviewed By FrankWilcox - Grand Rapids, United States
If your looking for great vegetables and other items, this place was awesome, besides it had many Organic Vendors, the city itself was awesome as well , the small stores and restaurants were many and great
6. Capitol Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 646 reviews
Reviewed By 950charlesf - Newtown, United Kingdom
Attended the large farmers market on saturday which occurs for most of the year and which fills all sides of the square together with some great stores, very good variety of produce, friendly stallholders, lots of samples, its position at the top of the isthmus between the lakes gives the square a grandeur. Easy parking nearby as its weekend, visited the Capitol building after to complete the experience.
