Madison, WI in October
 

Going to Madison, WI for a weeklong conference in mid-Oct. Anything (restaurants, sites) in particular I should be sure to get to? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

You will really love Madison. You could even see snow if late in October, but that would be rare. I just moved back a couple of years ago after living, working, and attending college in Madison for over 7 years. Definitely see the college campus, especially the area around where it joins with State Street and continue up to the top of Bascom Hill for a nice view. Take a drive along Observatory Drive, which runs along the edge of campus and overlooks Lake Mendota. Go to the Union Terrace. This would be a great place to spend an evening sitting outside and sipping a beer beside the lake. Visit the state capitol building which is right on the center of the Isthmus between the two main lakes. It is modelled after the U.S. capitol and has a very attractive dome. Just walk right through and you can exit on any of the four wings. See the Frank Lloyd Wright Convention Center, which sits on Lake Monona. It was just finished right after I left. State Street itself is a real must. This street only allows pedestrians, buses, and bikes down its fun length of shops and eclectic restaurants. Madison also has a small zoo at Vilas Park on Lake Wenga and the Elvejhem Art Museum on campus (University Avenue). <BR> <BR>As for restaurants you will be very happy there. There are Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Nepalese, African, Greek, Vietnamese, and everything in between. For steak try Smokys out on University Avenue about 2 miles from campus (often rated as one of the country's best). For Greek go to Parthenon on State Street (excellent gyros). For bratwurst, a real Wisconsin tradition, go to State Street Brats, near the campus end of State Street. For Chinese, try Imperial Gardens on University Avenue near the town of Middleton. For Pizza, go to Edwardos near West Towne Mall for terrific stuffed pizza or Paisans (at University Square right at campus) for excellent thin crust pizza (try the banana peppers). Pizza is a must in Madison!!! For a unique ambience, go to Dotty Dumplings Dowry which is just off of State Street (I can't remember the exact street name - just ask - it was one of my and my wife's favorite places); it is a place full of unusual items all over the walls and ceiling, usually with a variety of music playing, and tremendous award winning hamburgers - also excellent breaded cod sandwiches and chili. Of course beer is a big thing there, and you will find lots of microbreweries and bars. The streets around the Capitol Square and State Street are best for these. Great places to go with friends. <BR> <BR>For souvenir shopping, try University Book Store, which is just at end of State Street as you enter the campus grounds. Also the Cheddar Head shop, near the other end of State Street, which sells all kinds of t-shirts dealing with cheeseheads and of course cheese hats, ties, mugs, etc. Across the street from this store is a store selling cheese. There are also lots of used books and music stores on State Street. <BR> <BR>If you have time you may even want to go for a drive out to the east side of town in the direction of the airport. Not particularly historic or anything, but you will get a good view of neighborhoods on Johnson Street, parks (of which Madison has many ), the world headquarters of Oscar Mayer, and Madison's largest mall (East Towne). The other side of town, the west side, is where I used to live. It is newer but in most regards has the same stores and restaurants as the east side, including West Towne Mall (only slightly smaller than East Towne). <BR> <BR>If you have any other questions, E-Mail me. I am happy to help. I have been lots of places, but Madison will always be one of my favorites. The people there are very friendly too. <BR>

Thanks for the advice, Dan. With that rave review, I might even be able to convince my husband to come with me! :)

If you & your husband are even remotely interested in sports...check to see if Ohio State is in town for a football game. If they are, then mortgage your home, sell the kids, take out a loan with the mob--do ANYTHING you can to go to this game. <BR> I'm a native Californian who until 1992 had never been to that part of the country. I will never, ever forget at how the whole town shut down...how multi-generation families all went to Camp Randall Stadium atou 5-hours before the game for massive tailgate parties. In short, it was very special event for this very charming, very friendly college town.

Madison is a great city!! I agree with everything that was mentioned in the above posts. I will also recommend Dotty Dumpling's Dowry (off of State street--definitely do State Street for fun, off-beat people watching). Also, DO try to get to a UW football game and stay for the 5th quarter--the UW band puts on a FANTASTIC show for about 15 min. after the game. You can even get tickets from people outside of the stadium if you can't get tickets beforehand. Other restaurant recommendations: go to Jolly Bob's on Williamson St. It's a tiny little place specializing in Caribbean fare--if the weather is nice, sit in the beautiful outdoor patio/garden complete with torches, Caribbean music, tropical fish acquariums, and goldfish ponds. (the food's good too). I would also recommend The Opera House (near the Capital), Coyote Capers (on Williamson Street--neat atmosphere, take your husband to this one), the Atlas Deli on Monroe Street for fantastic soups and sandwiches, Husnus on State St. for wonderful Mediterranean food, etc. etc. etc. Have a great time. E-mail me for more info.

Madison's webpage is www.visitmadison.com

So would Madison be a good town to retire to? We lived in Chicago area a good many years only to be disappointed by a move to NC. Looking for a smallish friendly town with affordable housing and not too far a drive to major airport. Not too much traffic and some good amenities such as a thriving downtown, theater, a good library. Thanks for any ideas. How about outlying areas?

Dan's message was very complete and made me homesick for Madison! I grew up there and attended the UW, and have spent the last 10 years in Chicago (but I'm still a cheesehead at heart!) Definitely see a Badger game if there's one while you're there -- tickets can be had on any street corner. And WEAR RED!! As for retiring there, I'm just waiting for my change to go back, and my parents (approaching 70) are still there. The only caveat is that it has very high property taxes -- the cost of the privilege of living in the Mad City! (Re/outlying areas, my parents are in Middleton, to the West and North, and we all love it.) Enjoy!