Dearest cheeseheads, I'll be visiting Madison on the 23rd and 24th for the open house. This will be my first time in Madison (and the Midwest) and I want it to be a memorable trip. Please inform me of what I must do, eat, and experience while in Madison.
If any current or prospective students want to meet up after the open house, please send me a PM.
As a Madison transplant (came to WI from CO for undergrad), I feel very confident that I've picked up a few things.
Food:
(Disclaimer: None of these things are good for your health. You've been warned.)
1. A brat. State Street Brats is a good place to check it out
2. A pint of Spotted Cow. Any bar/restaurant in Madison worth it's salt will have it on tap.
3. Fried cheese curds. The Old Fashioned (a restaurant on the capitol square named after a very tasty beverage. Order an old fashioned sweet with brandy... mmm) has some pretty good ones but there are a bunch of places to try them out. Really I don't think I've had a bad one.
4. Ice cream from Babcock Dairy. It is actually very close to the vet school and you will never look at ice cream the same way again.
5. The Plaza Burger at The Plaza Bar. This is only if you like dive bars and if you haven't already had a heart attack from the other items on this menu. Don't even try to ask what is in the sauce. Just eat it. Then check out all of the famous people who have eaten a plaza burger and seen the light. If you really wanted to be crazy, you could get a Plaza burger with fried cheese curds and a pint of Spotted Cow. Now that is a Wisco meal.
6. If at some point you are drunk at 3 am, I would suggest Ian's pizza. There is nothing bad to eat there but there is much to be said for their Mac & Cheese pizza.
7. If at some point you are hungover, a definite possibility if you found yourself at Ian's at 3 am, these are my suggestions: The Blue Plate Diner, Hubbard Avenue Diner, Mickey's Dairy Bar (cheap but cash only! Also gets crowded fast so get there early), Sophie's Bakery, Indie Coffee (delicious waffles in a very cool coffee shop. Jason is the best barista!).
Places:
1. The Terrace - Part of one of the student unions, Memorial Union to be exact. It is right on the shore of Lake Mendota. You sit with friends and a pint of beer. Sometimes there is music, fireworks, or other events but there is *always* beer.
2. On that note, you should probably visit Memorial Union itself. The Rathskeller is pretty awesome. Union South is brand new and also pretty cool but if you can only visit one, visit Memorial Union.
3. The Capitol Square - A lot of great bars and restaurants, some even rival the culinary scene in Chicago.
4. Vilas Zoo - It's free and a lot of fun (they have badgers!
)
5. State Street - it is a pedestrian only (and city bus...) street with a bunch of cool stores and some great, unique restaurants (Husnu's, Mediterranean Cafe, Buraka). It starts near Memorial Union and ends on the Capitol Square.
If this were during the summer you could come to the Farmer's Market (rumored to be the best in the country) or Concerts on the Square (the city puts on live shows around the Capitol building for free - usually orchestras but the style of music varies). Sadly it is not the summer but I will tempt you with those ideas nonetheless!
I'm sure I'll think of more stuff and be kicking myself for leaving something out. I bet the other Madisonians can improve upon my list. Madison is a great city, I love it here!
P.S. I'll be at the open house too so if you want a partner in crime, let me know!
P.P.S. I promise I am not 500 lbs from eating all of this delicious food. I spread it out over 6.5 years... kind of...