Amherst - Middleton, WI

Ho-Chunk and Algonquin tribes frequented the area before the arrival of European settlers in the early 19th century. The Amherst neighborhood and Middleton's growth coincided with the arrival of the railroad running from the Mississippi River to Madison, and the first businesses grew around the Middleton Depot. Since then, Amherst has continually provided peaceful housing to the growing populations of Middleton and Madison.

Remnants of the area's past abound near Amherst, such as the 1850s blacksmith shop on Branch Street or the prominent Stamm House on Century Avenue. Simple walks expose you to these historical sites, but to really explore the past, head to the Middleton Historical Museum on Hubbard Avenue.

While there, make sure to also check out the acclaimed National Mustard Museum, which showcases the odd and beautiful mustard-based arts scene composed of 5,676 mustards from all 50 states, mustard-based film adaptations, and the Great Wall of Mustard.

Amherst's suburban identity has encouraged the growth of popular chain restaurants and quick eateries along Century Avenue and Allen Boulevard. However, Middleton's reputation for sophisticated tastes and innovative concept kitchens has produced several culinary gems near Amherst.

Travel five minutes down Allen Boulevard to the University Avenue intersection, and you will find Imperial Garden, a Chinese-food restaurant voted "Best of Madison" for 27 consecutive years. Among elegant artwork and oriental design, this acclaimed restaurant introduces visitors to a hearty fare of fragrant shrimp, sweet and sour chicken and sautéed pork loin. For arguably the best duck around served in three courses, grab a friend and order the Peking duck one day in advance.

Captain Bill's is another award-winning restaurant located near the Amherst neighborhood. Voted “Best Seafood Restaurant” in the Best of Madison poll and featured on The Food Network, this waterfront restaurant on Lake Mendota provides mounds of shrimp, oysters and fresh fish dishes within a fun-filled, sea-worthy atmosphere. Locals rave about the clam chowder and crab cakes, while the Friday night fish fry attracts visitors from all over Wisconsin.

After some award-winning coconut shrimp or moo-shu pork, Amherst locals often hit up the high-energy bars and trendy lounges in the area for some after-dinner entertainment. Stir up some fun without leaving the Amherst neighborhood at the Bristled Boar Saloon & Grill, where you can find live bands and pool tables in a cabin-like setting. A live blues jam on Tuesday nights and team trivia on Wednesday nights augment the daily drink specials at this saloon.

Further south on Branch Street, the Club Tavern is always jumping with local and national musical acts. Seeing some bands requires a cover charge, but once you're in you can enjoy affordable drinks in a classic, rustic atmosphere.

Suburban-style housing defines the Amherst neighborhood, which also means that locals tend to use their cars for everyday activities. You can accomplish some errands by foot, with spacious streets and cultivated green space encouraging pleasant strolls.

Century Avenue to the north allows convenient access to U.S. Route 12, also known as the Beltline Highway. The Beltline wraps around Madison and serves as the quickest route when traveling to any point within the city. Allen Boulevard to the east of Amherst follows the Lake Mendota shoreline and connects with University Avenue, heading for the heart of downtown Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. You can often find abundant curbside parking in the neighborhood, but pay attention to snow regulations in the winter to avoid having your car towed.

Madison Metro Transit provides comprehensive service to Amherst, and with Route 70 and 72 stopping on Century Avenue, Allen Boulevard and Branch Street, you are always within walking distance of a Metro stop. All Madison buses all feature bike racks.

Speaking of bicycles, Amherst and Middleton provide a cyclist's paradise. Wide and spacious streets combined with minimal traffic along neighborhood roads ensure safe bicycling. Tight bike lines on Allen Boulevard make trips daunting, especially during peak traffic hours. You can use the Uber ride sharing service on your smartphone to organize longer trips, or you can book a share ride or direct trip with Green Cab of Madison.

With one-quarter of Middleton's area devoted to 22 parks and 25 conservation areas totalling 1,100 acres, Amherst residents are never far from outdoor recreation. Lake Mendota also encourages virtually endless water-based activity, from fishing on the shore to water skiing or wind sailing.

Neighborhood parks cater to visitors of all ages. The Lakeview Community Park just south of Amherst provides a wonderland for local children with its free, outdoor aquatic splash park. When winter rolls around, the park's scenic pond freezes over, making it ideal for ice skating. Parisi Park serves the athletes in the area with its baseball diamond, basketball court and playground.

Dogs are allowed in all Middleton parks, but they must remain on a leash. If you take Century Avenue eastwards and then County Q to the north, you can find the 146-acre Middleton Dog Exercise Area. You do need a permit for this park.

The Pheasant Branch Conservatory to the north of Amherst introduces residents to 550 acres of natural habitats and walking paths in the Pheasant Branch Watershed. Be on the lookout for annual bird watching events and the Conservancy Days at the park. Entrance is free, but you can support local environmental education and restoration efforts by becoming a member.

The cost of living in Amherst is quite a bit higher than the Wisconsin average, but you can expect to pay less for common staples than in neighboring Madison. Significant housing renovations mostly contribute to this higher cost of living. Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs around $780 a month.

Getting around via public transportation costs $2, which includes a single-use transfer. Gas prices typically settle around 6 percent lower than national averages. A pint of beer at nearby pubs costs around $4 to $5.

From antiques to gourmet foods, Middleton hosts all manner of shops and boutiques, and Amherst residents are never too far from a luxurious shopping experience. For all your shopping needs, head over to the 51-acre Greenway Station outdoor mall and lifestyle center. This expansive shopping mall offers covered walkways connecting various high-value boutiques and convenient chain shops, including Jos A. Bank and Marshalls.

The Middleton area hosts much more than convenient department stores and high-value clothing shops. Serving the needs of enthusiastic coin collectors since 2002, Civitas Galleries carries an extensive selection of ancient, medieval and world coins. This buy-and-sell coin collector's paradise stands as one of the premier dealers in collector coins of the world, and you can find everything from shipwrecked gold to Biblical coins.

Middleton Cycle on University Avenue caters to the area's bicyclists, and whether you need parts for your bike or fitness equipment to train for an upcoming race, this massive bike superstore contains it all. This store is an authorized dealer of Trek, Schwinn and GT bicycles, and when you need service on your bike, Middleton Cycle offers free, no-obligation estimates.

Amherst residents have several options when stocking up on groceries as well as organic fruits and vegetables. Pick 'n Save on Century Avenue provides the largest selection of common kitchen staples, while the Willy Street Co-op West encourages healthy eating through farm-fresh, seasonal foods along with eco-friendly cleaning supplies and household goods. If you're looking for butcher-quality meats, head to UW Provision to discover a meat-lover's paradise packed with USDA Choice Beef ribeye steaks, fresh jumbo chicken wings and much more.