Guidebook for Madison

Samantha & Bruce
Samantha & Bruce
Guidebook for Madison

Essentials

One of Madison's major employers
10 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
UW Hospital and Clinics
600 Highland Ave
10 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
One of Madison's major employers
New hospital for children
American Family Children's Hospital
1675 Highland Ave
New hospital for children
Best grocery store for you and for the earth, but on the East side.
77 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Willy Street Co-op—East
1221 Williamson St
77 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Best grocery store for you and for the earth, but on the East side.
The best grocery store for you and the planet but nearer.
25 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Willy Street Co-op—West
6825 University Ave
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The best grocery store for you and the planet but nearer.
If you don't want to break the bank at the other organic grocery stores. It's pretty big!
19 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Metcalfe's Market
726 N Midvale Blvd
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If you don't want to break the bank at the other organic grocery stores. It's pretty big!
It's close-ish.
13 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Regent Market Co-Op
2136 Regent St
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It's close-ish.
Haircuts and for your relaxation and beauty needs!
RZ & Company
1804 Odana Rd
Haircuts and for your relaxation and beauty needs!
My favorite nail place. Call ahead.
NAILS 4U INC
3312 University Ave
My favorite nail place. Call ahead.
Klinke Cleaners
2875 University Ave
TJ's. Self explanatory.
45 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Trader Joe's
1810 Monroe St
45 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
TJ's. Self explanatory.
Butcher shop. Great!
The Conscious Carnivore
3236A University Ave
Butcher shop. Great!

Food Scene

Carabou Coffee and Einstein Bagles. It's a chain, but it's right down the street at the bus stop.
Coffee & Bagels
2701 University Ave
Carabou Coffee and Einstein Bagles. It's a chain, but it's right down the street at the bus stop.
If you need your fix, otherwise go local!
22 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Starbucks
3515 University Ave
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If you need your fix, otherwise go local!
A local cuppa Joe and a brand new little cafe/restaurant that really does a kick-ass job! Best breakfast place near us.
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ancora Coffee Roasters
2871 University Ave
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
A local cuppa Joe and a brand new little cafe/restaurant that really does a kick-ass job! Best breakfast place near us.
Very cute French couple own this delicious bakery and lunch outfit (but in a strip mall).
La Baguette
7424 Mineral Point Rd
Very cute French couple own this delicious bakery and lunch outfit (but in a strip mall).
For breakfast, lunch or dinner. Some outdoor seating. No cell phones inside, has been feng shuied!
15 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
La Brioche True Food
2862 University Ave
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For breakfast, lunch or dinner. Some outdoor seating. No cell phones inside, has been feng shuied!
Do not pass this up. A Wisconsin MUST DO! Frozen custard all the way (or turtle sundae). Location on Monroe Street closed. There is one on the east side near Olbrich Botanical Gardens
17 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Michael's Frozen Custard
2531 Monroe St
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Do not pass this up. A Wisconsin MUST DO! Frozen custard all the way (or turtle sundae). Location on Monroe Street closed. There is one on the east side near Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Poke around the atrium, art, plants, water, restaurants!
Discovery Building
330 N Orchard St
Poke around the atrium, art, plants, water, restaurants!
Casual L'Etoile. Simply delish, award-winning chef. Gastro-pub.
56 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Graze
1 S Pinckney St
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Casual L'Etoile. Simply delish, award-winning chef. Gastro-pub.
Authentic Italian from the Veneto region. Our favorite! (Foodie alert!)
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Osteria Papavero
128 E Wilson St
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Authentic Italian from the Veneto region. Our favorite! (Foodie alert!)
Favorite for breakfast and lunch. Can be crowded! Chicago chefs branching out in Madison. Fresh, healthy, sunny, locally sourced food and drinks. Sardine is their dinner restaurant.
27 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Marigold Kitchen
118 S Pinckney St
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Favorite for breakfast and lunch. Can be crowded! Chicago chefs branching out in Madison. Fresh, healthy, sunny, locally sourced food and drinks. Sardine is their dinner restaurant.
Easy to get to, parking. Sister restaurant to Muramoto downtown.
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Muramoto Hilldale
546 N Midvale Blvd
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Easy to get to, parking. Sister restaurant to Muramoto downtown.
Better bagels than Einstein's, same style. Local business. Super cream cheese.
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Gotham Bagels
112 E Mifflin St
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Better bagels than Einstein's, same style. Local business. Super cream cheese.
Good Thai food. Walkable.
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Sa-Bai Thong Thai Cuisine
2840 University Ave
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Good Thai food. Walkable.
French Bistro style on Lake Monona. Marigold/Gates & Brovi chefs. Farm-to-table. Great for brunch!
46 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Sardine
617 Williamson St
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French Bistro style on Lake Monona. Marigold/Gates & Brovi chefs. Farm-to-table. Great for brunch!
Family friendly place to grab lunch but still has a farm-to-table philosophy. Has a bar and you can watch a game there, too. Marigold/Sardine chefs.
19 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Gates and Brovi
3502 Monroe St
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Family friendly place to grab lunch but still has a farm-to-table philosophy. Has a bar and you can watch a game there, too. Marigold/Sardine chefs.
Grab it and go or eat there. Local guys.
Curry in the Box - University Ave
2907 University Ave
Grab it and go or eat there. Local guys.
Big foodie place. Steak and frites off of bar menu $22. Lots of food, chef raises his own pigs. Our favorite brunch: veggie benedict and cinnamon rolls (with bits of bacon in them--a little indulgent?).
21 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Heritage Tavern
131 E Mifflin St
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Big foodie place. Steak and frites off of bar menu $22. Lots of food, chef raises his own pigs. Our favorite brunch: veggie benedict and cinnamon rolls (with bits of bacon in them--a little indulgent?).
Best pizza (not Italian style). Crust (amazing), cheese, then tomato sauce. Committed to local organic ingredients. Yum, in a word.
55 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Salvatore's Tomato Pies
912 E Johnson St
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Best pizza (not Italian style). Crust (amazing), cheese, then tomato sauce. Committed to local organic ingredients. Yum, in a word.
Skip Smokey's (tired and sad supper club) and go to Tornado instead. Hipster yet still steak house on the Square. Lots of food!
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Tornado Steak House
116 S Hamilton St
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Skip Smokey's (tired and sad supper club) and go to Tornado instead. Hipster yet still steak house on the Square. Lots of food!
A taste of Wisconsin! This is a great place to get oriented to local culture. Busy all the time. Owned by same people as Harvest Restaurant (next door).
86 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
The Old Fashioned
23 N Pinckney St
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A taste of Wisconsin! This is a great place to get oriented to local culture. Busy all the time. Owned by same people as Harvest Restaurant (next door).
OK, I have to include this because it's kind of a crowd pleaser. If you need to visit a brew pub, this could be the obvious choice.
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Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. - Hilldale
357 Price Pl
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OK, I have to include this because it's kind of a crowd pleaser. If you need to visit a brew pub, this could be the obvious choice.
A bit of a drive, but it's a charming stone house in Fitchburg that serves more up-scale Wisconsin dinner. Friday night fish fry in the barn.
13 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Quivey's Grove
6261 Nesbitt Rd
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A bit of a drive, but it's a charming stone house in Fitchburg that serves more up-scale Wisconsin dinner. Friday night fish fry in the barn.
Burger joint! On campus and busy but one of the best Friday night fish frys in town.
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry
317 North Frances Street
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Burger joint! On campus and busy but one of the best Friday night fish frys in town.
The fanciest and one of the best restaurants in town. Chef Tory Miller is a James Beard Award-winning chef. $$$$
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
L'Etoile
1 S Pinckney St
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The fanciest and one of the best restaurants in town. Chef Tory Miller is a James Beard Award-winning chef. $$$$
Oh yeah. On the East Side but DELISH!
29 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Batch Bakehouse
1402 Williamson St
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Oh yeah. On the East Side but DELISH!
Wonderful pastries and desserts. Gelato, too. On the East Side.
35 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Madison Sourdough
916 Williamson St
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Wonderful pastries and desserts. Gelato, too. On the East Side.
Delicious and creative vegetarian restaurant on the East side.
23 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Green Owl Cafe
1970 Atwood Ave
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Delicious and creative vegetarian restaurant on the East side.
Great hole in the wall on State Street. Super healthy, lots of Nepalese women cooking and really delicious. Also, cheap! Put your shoes on and go as you are.
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Himal Chuli Restaurant
318 State St
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Great hole in the wall on State Street. Super healthy, lots of Nepalese women cooking and really delicious. Also, cheap! Put your shoes on and go as you are.
Local food! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee. Dine in or to go (freezer meals, too). Just won a preservation award for their work on the building.
Pasture & Plenty
2433 University Ave
Local food! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee. Dine in or to go (freezer meals, too). Just won a preservation award for their work on the building.
You can walk to this. It's neighborhoody but upscale. Terrific mocktails!!
Cadre Restaurant
You can walk to this. It's neighborhoody but upscale. Terrific mocktails!!
New version of a Wisconsin classic supper club. Many consider this a special occasion restaurant. Great service.
The Harvey House
New version of a Wisconsin classic supper club. Many consider this a special occasion restaurant. Great service.
Same owner as Tornado Steak House. Love it. Best seafood in town. Local.
30 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Tempest Oyster Bar
120 E Wilson St
30 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Same owner as Tornado Steak House. Love it. Best seafood in town. Local.

Drinks & Nightlife

Burger joint.
13 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Blue Moon Bar & Grill
2535 University Ave
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Burger joint.
Classic Wisconsin tavern, deer dioramas and all. Plaza burger with secret sauce and a tap beer.
The Plaza Tavern
319 N Henry St
Classic Wisconsin tavern, deer dioramas and all. Plaza burger with secret sauce and a tap beer.
Super cocktails all hand-crafted. Nice menu, farm-to-table.
28 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Merchant Madison
121 S Pinckney St
28 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Super cocktails all hand-crafted. Nice menu, farm-to-table.
Dancing! LGBTQ.
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Prism
924 Williamson St
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Dancing! LGBTQ.
My friends tell me this is "the" gay night club in Madison.
FIVE Nightclub
5 Applegate Ct
My friends tell me this is "the" gay night club in Madison.
Woof's a gay sports/leather bar downtown.
Woof's
114 King St
Woof's a gay sports/leather bar downtown.
Cafe, bar, bookstore! Next door is a new classic Italian restaurant, Fabiola's.
Leopold's Books Bar Caffè
Cafe, bar, bookstore! Next door is a new classic Italian restaurant, Fabiola's.

Arts & Culture

Great campus art museum with a brand-new building. Free!
73 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Chazen konstmuseum
800 University Ave
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Great campus art museum with a brand-new building. Free!
All things visual and performing art. Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society performs here in June!
83 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State St
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All things visual and performing art. Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society performs here in June!
Great little contemporary art museum with stuff for kids and it's free!
51 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
227 State St
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Great little contemporary art museum with stuff for kids and it's free!
Fun for kids. Lots of Wisconsin and regional history. On the Square.
21 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Wisconsin Historical Museum
30 N Carroll St
21 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Fun for kids. Lots of Wisconsin and regional history. On the Square.
Some of the best theater in Wisconsin. Lots of Shakespeare and other classics. One hour away in the woods.
67 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
American Players Theatre
5950 Golf Course Rd
67 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Some of the best theater in Wisconsin. Lots of Shakespeare and other classics. One hour away in the woods.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed. Practically across the street (cross University Ave. toward the hospital). Services on Sunday.
First Unitarian Meeting House of Madison
900 University Bay Dr
Frank Lloyd Wright designed. Practically across the street (cross University Ave. toward the hospital). Services on Sunday.

Entertainment & Activities

Terrific and comfortable movie theater. Except that it just changed to AMC 6 Dine-in. Not as good as Sundance used to be :(
25 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
AMC Madison 6
430 N Midvale Blvd
25 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Terrific and comfortable movie theater. Except that it just changed to AMC 6 Dine-in. Not as good as Sundance used to be :(
Award-winning museum with tons of local craftsmanship. A must-do with kids!
66 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Madison Children's Museum
100 N Hamilton St
66 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Award-winning museum with tons of local craftsmanship. A must-do with kids!
Great for young kids and rock hounds of all ages!
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
University of Wisconsin Geology Museum
1215 W Dayton St
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Great for young kids and rock hounds of all ages!
Pool!! Pretty new and pretty fun. Can be busy at times.
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Goodman Pool
325 W Olin Ave
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Pool!! Pretty new and pretty fun. Can be busy at times.
Great brewery if you like lambic-style ales. Super sweet little town, too. Eat at the Glarner Stube while you're there.
52 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
New Glarus Brewing Company
2400 WI-69
52 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Great brewery if you like lambic-style ales. Super sweet little town, too. Eat at the Glarner Stube while you're there.

Everything Else

Getting more upscale shopping. Closest nicest mall with Macy's, North Face, L'Occitaine, Anthropologie, Target, Morgan's Shoes, Porta Alba (great pizza!)
63 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Hilldale Shopping Center
726 N Midvale Blvd
63 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Getting more upscale shopping. Closest nicest mall with Macy's, North Face, L'Occitaine, Anthropologie, Target, Morgan's Shoes, Porta Alba (great pizza!)
Drop in meditation, Tuesdays, 7 - 8:30 PM. http://tergar.org/communities-and-practice-groups/find-a-center-or-group/madison/
The Crossing Meditation Practice
Drop in meditation, Tuesdays, 7 - 8:30 PM. http://tergar.org/communities-and-practice-groups/find-a-center-or-group/madison/

Parks & Nature

Walkable from Artist House. Pretty peninsula into Lake Mendota, good for a walk or jog. Tiny beach and several fire rings.
55 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Picnic Point
2000 University Bay Dr
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Walkable from Artist House. Pretty peninsula into Lake Mendota, good for a walk or jog. Tiny beach and several fire rings.
Actually, this is included because you can bike around the lake.
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Lake Monona
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Actually, this is included because you can bike around the lake.
Small lake at the edge of the Arboretum. In summer you can rent all kinds of boats and get a hot dog, too.
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Lake Wingra
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Small lake at the edge of the Arboretum. In summer you can rent all kinds of boats and get a hot dog, too.
Good for golf and XC skiing (rent skis there).
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Odana Hills Golf Course
4635 Odana Rd
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Good for golf and XC skiing (rent skis there).
UW nature preserve. Walk, bike, jog, paths in the woods, marshes, and through gardens. Lovely!
60 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway
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UW nature preserve. Walk, bike, jog, paths in the woods, marshes, and through gardens. Lovely!
Beautiful lake and hiking trails. About 45 minutes away.
120 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Devil's Lake State Park
S5975 Park Rd
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Beautiful lake and hiking trails. About 45 minutes away.