Visiting Madison
What To See/Do:
Madison is the state’s capital city, with a population of 208,000. It offers natural beauty, stimulating cultural offerings, outdoor recreation, distinctive restaurants, unique shops and vibrant nightlife. The city is situated between five lakes in the Yahara River Watershed, with much of downtown on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona. As the www.travelwisconsin.com website promises, "Capital and captivating, Madison blends big city culture with small town charm.”
The city center is dominated by the State Capitol, modeled after the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Its stunning rotunda is always open to visitors whenever the building is open and free tours occur daily on the hour 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except noon). Saturday mornings, from early spring to late fall, area farmers transform the Capitol Square into the open-air Dane County Farmer’s Market, the largest producer-only market in the United States. There's everything from twenty different varieties of bean sprouts to freshly made summer sausage.
Surrounding the square are several museums that offer interesting cultural opportunities. If you have younger ones with you, the Madison Children’s Museum, one-block off the northern end of the square is a fantastic place for kids to explore (they have live chickens on the roof!). For history buffs, there are two museums on the western end of the square: the Wisconsin Historical Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Two blocks southeast of the Capitol is the Monona Terrace and Convention Center, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which offers fantastic views of Lake Monona from its rooftop. The terrace is free to poke around, with guided tours (for a small fee) offered daily at 1 p.m.
West of Capitol Square running from the Capitol to the UW-Madison campus is State Street, the heart of Madison’s commercial district, which is alive with shops, pubs, restaurants and a vibrant street culture. The pedestrian-friendly street is open only to bikes, buses, taxis, and delivery vehicles – no private vehicles. Two blocks down State Street from the Capitol is the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, where our conference will convene on Saturday.
On the UW campus, there are a number of great opportunities to check out. For outdoorsy types, there are lovely walks along the Lakeshore Nature Preserve (which leads to Picnic Point, where our Wednesday night cookout will be), as well as canoe rentals available from Outdoor Rentals at the Memorial Union. Memorial Union offers a large outdoor beer garden-like terrace on the southern shore of Lake Mendota and the indoor Rathskellar, modeled after a traditional German pub (beer is served on campus).
For history buffs, the Wisconsin Historical Society has a few exhibits (including a desk designed by John Muir) and a beautiful reading room that is open to the public. For art lovers, the Chazen Museum of Art recently doubled in size, with the opening of its eastern wing, and is free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday (check website for specific hours). The new Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery has some fascinating technological displays to check out, as well as lovely indoor gardens, fountains, and Fibonacci chimes to soothe your nerves while you enjoy some coffee at Aldo’s Café.
Farther from the walkable area of downtown are a great number of parks and natural areas to enjoy. Especially recommended are the lakefront parks: Tenney Park, James Madison Park, and Vilas Park. This last one contains the Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison’s free public zoo, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year. In addition, the free 1200-acre UW Arboretum offers hiking trails, woods, marshes, restored prairies (this is where Aldo Leopold helped found the discipline of Restoration Ecology), and more and is a draw for top-notch bird-watching. Additionally, Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers 16 acres of outdoor gardens and an indoor tropical conservatory, open daily for a small fee (but free on Wednesdays and Saturdays).
For other ideas of things to see/do, check out The Isthmus, Madison’s main weekly independent newspaper.
How to Get Around:
Bikes: Madison is a bike-friendly town, with extensive bike trails and bike routes. A map of city bike routes is available here. Budget Bicycle Center and UW-Madison collaborate to maintain a fleet of free loaner "Red Bikes."
Reasonably-priced bike rentals near downtown include:
Buses: By American standards, Madison has an excellent public transportation system. A map of bus routes and a trip planner are available here: http://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/.
Where to Eat:
Madison is a foodie town! The options in all price ranges are astounding for a town its size and Madison is obsessed with local food/sustainable food options. In addition to the restaurant options below, Madison has a large culture of street carts offering everything from Indonesian to Peruvian to WI café food. These are located in the Library Mall just one block east of where our conference will meet in the mornings. Below is a list (borrowed from the ASEH Conference website) that includes restaurant options by neighborhood elsewhere in Madison:
Capitol Square Area
Africa / Middle East / South Asia
Africa / Middle East / South Asia
East Side (Willy Street and Atwood Neighborhoods)
Asian
What To See/Do:
Madison is the state’s capital city, with a population of 208,000. It offers natural beauty, stimulating cultural offerings, outdoor recreation, distinctive restaurants, unique shops and vibrant nightlife. The city is situated between five lakes in the Yahara River Watershed, with much of downtown on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona. As the www.travelwisconsin.com website promises, "Capital and captivating, Madison blends big city culture with small town charm.”
The city center is dominated by the State Capitol, modeled after the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Its stunning rotunda is always open to visitors whenever the building is open and free tours occur daily on the hour 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except noon). Saturday mornings, from early spring to late fall, area farmers transform the Capitol Square into the open-air Dane County Farmer’s Market, the largest producer-only market in the United States. There's everything from twenty different varieties of bean sprouts to freshly made summer sausage.
Surrounding the square are several museums that offer interesting cultural opportunities. If you have younger ones with you, the Madison Children’s Museum, one-block off the northern end of the square is a fantastic place for kids to explore (they have live chickens on the roof!). For history buffs, there are two museums on the western end of the square: the Wisconsin Historical Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Two blocks southeast of the Capitol is the Monona Terrace and Convention Center, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which offers fantastic views of Lake Monona from its rooftop. The terrace is free to poke around, with guided tours (for a small fee) offered daily at 1 p.m.
West of Capitol Square running from the Capitol to the UW-Madison campus is State Street, the heart of Madison’s commercial district, which is alive with shops, pubs, restaurants and a vibrant street culture. The pedestrian-friendly street is open only to bikes, buses, taxis, and delivery vehicles – no private vehicles. Two blocks down State Street from the Capitol is the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, where our conference will convene on Saturday.
On the UW campus, there are a number of great opportunities to check out. For outdoorsy types, there are lovely walks along the Lakeshore Nature Preserve (which leads to Picnic Point, where our Wednesday night cookout will be), as well as canoe rentals available from Outdoor Rentals at the Memorial Union. Memorial Union offers a large outdoor beer garden-like terrace on the southern shore of Lake Mendota and the indoor Rathskellar, modeled after a traditional German pub (beer is served on campus).
For history buffs, the Wisconsin Historical Society has a few exhibits (including a desk designed by John Muir) and a beautiful reading room that is open to the public. For art lovers, the Chazen Museum of Art recently doubled in size, with the opening of its eastern wing, and is free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday (check website for specific hours). The new Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery has some fascinating technological displays to check out, as well as lovely indoor gardens, fountains, and Fibonacci chimes to soothe your nerves while you enjoy some coffee at Aldo’s Café.
Farther from the walkable area of downtown are a great number of parks and natural areas to enjoy. Especially recommended are the lakefront parks: Tenney Park, James Madison Park, and Vilas Park. This last one contains the Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison’s free public zoo, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year. In addition, the free 1200-acre UW Arboretum offers hiking trails, woods, marshes, restored prairies (this is where Aldo Leopold helped found the discipline of Restoration Ecology), and more and is a draw for top-notch bird-watching. Additionally, Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers 16 acres of outdoor gardens and an indoor tropical conservatory, open daily for a small fee (but free on Wednesdays and Saturdays).
For other ideas of things to see/do, check out The Isthmus, Madison’s main weekly independent newspaper.
How to Get Around:
Bikes: Madison is a bike-friendly town, with extensive bike trails and bike routes. A map of city bike routes is available here. Budget Bicycle Center and UW-Madison collaborate to maintain a fleet of free loaner "Red Bikes."
Reasonably-priced bike rentals near downtown include:
- Machinery Row Bicycles, 601 Williamson St., 442-5974. 1/4 mile from Monona Terrace. Bicycles: $20/day or $60/week. Tandems: $50/day or $150/week. Inline Skates: $10/day or $30/week.
- Yellow Jersey Bicycles, 419 State St., 257-4737. Bicycles: $18/day or $55/week. They'll drop the bike off for you if they have time.
- Williamson Bicycle Works, the 3729 East Washington store rents bikes: (608) 244-2453
- Budget Bicycle Center, 930 Regent St., 251-1663.
Buses: By American standards, Madison has an excellent public transportation system. A map of bus routes and a trip planner are available here: http://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/.
Where to Eat:
Madison is a foodie town! The options in all price ranges are astounding for a town its size and Madison is obsessed with local food/sustainable food options. In addition to the restaurant options below, Madison has a large culture of street carts offering everything from Indonesian to Peruvian to WI café food. These are located in the Library Mall just one block east of where our conference will meet in the mornings. Below is a list (borrowed from the ASEH Conference website) that includes restaurant options by neighborhood elsewhere in Madison:
Capitol Square Area
Africa / Middle East / South Asia
- Casbah 119 E. Main St. , 608-255-2272 Description: Steps off the Capitol square offering traditional Middle-Eastern cuisine. You can even try a hookah (but only outside due to Madison's smoking ban). Prices: $6 to $34
- Restaurant Muramoto 106 King St., 608-260-2680 Modern variations on Japanese cuisine. Creative rolls, excellent sake. Just east of the Capitol Square. Prices: $8 to $12
- Ancora Coffee 112 King St. , 608-255-0285 Excellent small-batch roasted coffee and nice pastry selection, close to the Terrace, free wifi.
- Barriques Coffee Trader 127 W. Washington Ave., 608-268-6264 Coffee, wine, bakery one block southwest of the Capitol.
- Marigold Kitchen 118 S. Pinckney St. 608-661-5559 : Popular breakfast and lunch spot on the Capitol Square. Prices: $5 to $10
- Natt Spil 211 King St. Too hip to bother with a sign, but it's right around the corner from the Great Dane Brew Pub. Late-night sandwich and pizza spot with a lively, eclectic crowd -- and often a good DJ spinning retro music. Prices: $6 to $10
- Cocoliquot 225 King St., 608-255-2626 Lots of small dishes. Prices: $4 to $20:
- Sardine 617 Williamson St., (close to Monona Terrace) 608 441-1600 French Bistro in a great setting. Serves late. Prices $12-$22
- Osteria Papavero 128 E. Wilson St. (608) 255-8376 Locally-sourced, homemade Italian fare, full bar, wines, espresso, grappa. Great wine list. Reasonable prices, excellent food, tiny space, no reservations accepted.
- Peppino's Restaurant 111 S. Hamilton St. (off square), 608-251-9500 Description: Old-school Italian just south of the Capitol Square. Prices: $13 to $26
- Tutto Pasta Cucina Italiana 107 King St., 608-250-9000 Description: Very large menu and close to the Terrace; quality of the food and service remarkably variable. Prices: $6 to $12
- Brocach Irish Pub 7 W. Main St. 608-255-2015 Description: Not a truly authentic Irish Pub, but they must have spent millions to make it look like one. Lots of space; fireplaces; nooks and crannies. Good potato leek soup and Irish soda bread west of Galway. The fish and chips are well-prepared. Prices: $8 to $18
- Flatiron Tavern 102 King St., 608-287-1455 Description: Locally-sourced, often organic soups, salads, sandwiches -- Prices: $7 to $15
- Great Dane 123 E. Doty St. , 608-284-0000 Description: Classic brew pup, Huge (and very good) beer selection; lots of pool tables and an outdoor courtyard. Decent, well-priced food, some local sources. Great gathering place. Prices: $7 to $16
- *The Old Fashioned 23 N. Pinkney St, 608-310-4545. Local products are the soul of the menu, giving Wisconsin cuisine its due. Good food, very loud, well-priced ($5 to $15).
- Blue Marlin 101 N. Hamilton St. , 608-255-2255 Description: seafood-focused menu, on the Capitol square. Small outside terrace: $10 to $50
- Cafe Continental 108 King St., 608-251-4880 Description: Casual atmosphere; a bit noisy. Excellent food and wine. Prices: $5 to $35
- Capitol Chophouse 9 E. Wilson St., 608-255-0165 Description: Expensive steakhouse at the Hilton Hotel next to the Monona Terrace. $8 to $37
- *Fresco 227 State St, Madison, WI 53703 New, sleek restaurant on top floor of Overture Center. Well priced, very good food. 608-663-7374
- *Harvest 21 N. Pinckney St. (on Capitol square), 608-255-6075 Description: Locally-sourced, "slow-food" offerings. Try the pan-roasted sturgeon if offered. Prices: $18 to $28
- *L'Etoile 25 N. Pinckney St. On capitol square, 608-251-0500 Description: Long considered by many to be Madison's finest dining experience, but has recently undergone an ownership (and executive chef) change. Well-known for its focus on locally raised produce. Very expensive. Prices: $25 to $40
- Ocean Grill 117 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (Very close to Monona Terrace), 608-285-2582 Description: Upscale seafood-focused menu, right off the Capitol Square (a more trendy alternative to Blue Marlin though the food is not as good). Prices: $5 to $30
- *Tornado Club 116 S. Hamilton St. (close to Monona Terrace), 608-256-3570 The best steaks in Madison. Traditional steak-house menu, excellent seafood, locally-sourced. Great bar. Prices: $17 to $42 (the least expensive of the fancy places).
Africa / Middle East / South Asia
- Buraka 543 State St., 608-255-3646 Description: Madison’s one Ethiopian option. Decent options and also popular for its cart on the Library Mall on campus. Prices $6 to $12
- Chautara 334 State St. , 608-251-3626 Very well-regarded Nepalese dining; many vegetarian options. Prices: $6 to $24
- Himal Chuli 318 State St., 608-251-9225 Description: Another very well-regarded Nepalese restaurant (just 3 doors down from Chautara...only in Madison or Nepal, I guess). Dining space is very limited and the restaurant closes early. Prices: $7 to $13
- Mediterranean Café 625 State St., 608-251-8510 Description: Only open for lunch, this very popular choice serves great food FAST for takeout and eat-in in the crowded dining room. Prices: $5 to $10
- Husnu's 547 State St. 608-256-0900 Description: Turkish and Italian dining very close to campus on State Street. Prices: $5 to $13
- Kabul Restaurant 541 State St. 608-256-6322 Description: Very popular Afghan restaurant; good food and very close to campus on State Street. Prices: $5 to $11
- Takara 315 State St. , 608-268-0188 Description: Excellent hibachi table show, but the real star is the sushi. Highlights include the "Naruto roll" -- spicy tuna, avocado and tempura flakes wrapped inside a paper made of thinly sliced cucumber. Prices: $2 to $17
- Vientiane Palace 151 W. Gorham St., 608-255-2848 Description: Hot hot hot! Order anything over 3 stars and you need to sign a waiver! Very good noodle dishes. Prices: $8 to $13
- Wasabi Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar 449 State St., 608-255-5020 Description: Lots and lots of sushi rolls. Very good quality. Prices: $3 to $18
- Sunroom Cafe & Gallery 638 State St. , 608-255-1555 Description: Salads, soups, sandwiches -- nicely done. Prices: $4 to $13
- Kennedy Manor Dining Room & Bar 1 Langdon St., 608-256-5556 classic continental cuisine in a very "olde worlde" dining room. Prices: $9 to $28
- Le Chardonnay 320 W. Johnson St. 608-268-0372 French bistro cuisine just off State Street. Prices: $14 to $29
- Nadia's 508 State St. 608-257-1740: French haute cuisine overlooking State Street. Very well regarded -- and prices to match. Prices: $17 to $26
- Casa de Lara 341 State St. , 608-251-7200 Description: Very popular Mexican restaurant in the heart of State Street. Prices: $5 to $15
- La Samba Brazilian churrasco--expensive but excellent bar and steaks. But for $19, they do have a great deal on salads and appetizers; good for vegetarians.
- Los Gemelos 244 W. Gilman St., 608-467-6999 Description: Newest Mexican restaurant, cheaper than Casa de Lara and huge portions. Noisy diner-like dining area. Prices: $6 to $12
- Ian’s Pizza 100 State St. and 319 N. Frances St., 608-257-9248 Description: This is what democracy tastes like (supplied 1000s of pizzas purchased by supporters from all over the world during the protests in Madison last year). Great local pizzeria serving very large slices topped with everything from mac n’cheese to potato wedges. Cheap and filling.
- Nitty Gritty Restaurant and Bar 223 N. Frances St. , 608-251-2521 Description: Famous for the "Gritty Burger" (it's better than it sounds) and for free stuff on your birthday. Near the Kohl Center. Prices: $6 to $9
- Plaza Tavern & Grill 319 N. Henry St., 608-255-6592 Description: The "plaza burger" (with its "plaza sauce") is justifiably famous. Prices: $2 to $5
- State Street Brats 603 State St. 608-255-5544 Description: Unless you're a vegetarian, you cannot escape Madison without having a brat. Probably the best place to get a brat and beer is right outside of the Pyle Center -- at the Memorial Union terrace on the lake. But that's because of the view. In terms of brat gastronomy, you can't beat State Street Brats (especially the "red" brats. Very collegiate -- UW-Madison-style. The kinda place where if you can eat the 4 pound burger, they'll give it to you for free. Prices: $3 to $6
East Side (Willy Street and Atwood Neighborhoods)
Asian
- Bahn Thai 944 Williamson St., 608-256-0202 Description: Good Thai; Lao Laan Xiang is better. Prices: $6 to $13
- Bandung 600 Williamson St., 608-255-6910 Description: Indonesian cuisine (featuring Rijsttafel) in the lively Willy Street area. But if you have had it before you may want to skip it here. Prices: $7 to $15
- Lao Laan Xang 1146 Williamson St., 608-280-0104 Description: Fantastic Lao-Thai cuisine. There are two locations; the one closer to the Capitol fills up quickly and doesn't take reservations. Anything with sticky rice is fantastic. The squash curry alone is worth the trip. Prices: $9 to $11
- Bon Appetit Cafe 805 Williamson St., 608-283-4266 Description: Mediterranean-oriented restaurant. Excellent value. Prices: $5 to $20
- Lazy Jane's Cafe 1358 Williamson St., 608-257-5263 Description: Breakfast and lunch. Locally sourced, often organic. Best breakfast pastries in the area (especially scones) Prices: $3 to $8
- Avenue Bar 1128 E. Washington Ave. , 608-257-6877 Description: Wisconsin supper club featuring a traditional fish boil nightly. Prices: $5 to $28
- Fyfe's Corner Bistro 1344 E. Washington Ave, 608-251-8700 Description: Supper club atmosphere; excellent steaks. Prices: $7 to $25
- Old Sugar Distillery 931 E. Main Street, Description: Newest pub making its own liquor, colorful bar area in the distillery area
- Weary Traveler 1201 Williamson St., 608-442-6207 Description: Very flavorful and creative menu; locally sourced; stays open late, but service can sometimes be slow. Vegetarian friendly. Prices: $4 to $12
- Jolly Bob's Jerk Joint 1210 Williamson St., 608-251-3902 Description: Very popular (and quite excellent) Jamaican food and drinks. If the weather's nice, the outside courtyard with the koi pond is lovely. The nut-crusted catfish and coconut shrimp are perfect every time. Informal. Prices: $10 to $16
- Willy Street Co-op 1221 Williamson St., Open 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily Description: The hub of Madison’s east side hippier/foodie culture. Lots of organic, local, and bulk items (non co-op member owners pay a 5% surcharge, but honors reciprocal memberships from many other co-ops). Has a prepared deli counter, salad bar, juice and coffee bar, and sushi take-out section.
- Eldorado Grill 744 Williamson St., 608-280-9378 Description: Best Tex-Mex on Willy Street. Prices: $8 to $20
- Roman Candle Pizza 1054 Williamson St., 608-252-2000 Description: Great pizza on the pricier side. Especially recommended is the Algo Malo pizza (beets and arugula with blue cheese and walnuts). Committed to using local ingredients where possible.