If you booked the Doubletree downtown try the Nitty Gritty on Frances Street for a great burger or Dottie Dumplings Dowry. You can easily walk to the Capitol, UW, State Street, etc. from the Doubletree.

Babcock ice cream is the best and available at the Memorial Union.

Two more days!

I appreciate all the help you guys gave me. This is going to be such a fun trip, discovering all these new places.

We thought we would drive up to Baraboo too. Any diner/greasy hamburger/brewpub place there you can recommend?

thanks again, all!

If you go North on Hwy 12 past Baraboo into the Dells (it's not too far), you could try Moosejaw Pizza & Brewpub.

http://www.dellsmoosejaw.com/index3.htm

Our kids like it. It's more family-oriented than your average brewpub.

This weekend is the Fall Art Tour in Baraboo & Spring Green.

http://www.fallarttour.com/

The local artists open their studios and exhibit at their homes. If you have time & interest, it's a wonderful experience.

While you're near Spring Green, try lunch at the General Store. It's an eclectic general store downtown with great soup & sandwiches.

Even if you're not interested in art, the fall art tour site gives a good list of local restaurants in Baraboo & Spring Green.

I like the Little Village Cafe in Baraboo.

Hilton Monona Terrace if you can get a reservation. Next choice: Concourse. Both downtown near State Street, Farmers Market, Art museum, short walk to Student Union on the beautiful UW campus. The Hilton has a great restaurant on premises, but there are so many places within walking distance downtown: Nadia's, L'Etoile and Harvest for fine dining. Numerous lower priced ethnic restaurants near State Street. Sardine is a short drive away. If you like great Italian food, Lombardino's on the west side.

PS: we toured the "House on the Rock" a few years back and it sure was not what I recalled in my youth. Worth a look if you are in the area but we spent perhaps a couple hours there at most. It was disappointing. Madison is so much more worth the time.

Thanks, all. Thinking of visiting Madison this coming summer. Very helpful information.

You resurrected a five year old thread--you may want to make sure the information is still accurate.

Yes, this is an old post. While a few of the restaurants may have closed and some new ones opened, there is a whole lot of information that remains the same.

If you are staying downtown, I would second the above recommendation for the Hilton or the Concourse.

Don't miss the farmers market on the Square and the UW Memorial Union Terrace. The Union is undergoing some remodeling but supposedly the terrace will not be impacted.

My favorite event of the year (and one of the biggest) is the Art Fair on the Square. At the same time there is a partner show right next to it. Hundreds of artists, food carts, music and great people watching. If your dates are open you may want to consider it. This year it will be held July 13 and 14.

If you have specific places you want information about, I will be glad to help out as best I can.