Baskerville - Middleton, WI Area Guide

The land around Lake Mendota and Lake Monona belonged to the Algonquin tribes until the 1830s when white settlers began to arrive en masse. Baskerville grew quickly for its proximity to fresh water, good agricultural soil, lumber and local deposits of stone. In the 20th century, the area transformed from an agricultural village to the urban environment of today.

The Middleton Area Historical Society, home to the historic Rowley House and The Museum at the Depot, houses historic apparel, furniture and helps visitors gain a sense of the daily lives of earlier Americans. The free National Mustard Museum features more than 5,500 varieties of mustard seeds and sells gift boxes, award-winning mustards and other gourmet goods. Local, national and international artists have featured works at the Milward Farrell Fine Art Gallery.

Restaurants line the streets along County Road MS and U.S. Route 12. Choose from a selection of comfort food, famous clam chowder and Italian pasta and sandwiches. You can always find draft beer near Baskerville. Fill a pint at a local microbrewery, or choose from one of the many Madison area pubs for a fun and friendly night out on the town.

Mid Town Pub has cultivated an atmosphere that's perfect for luncheons during the day and late night revelries after sunset. Voted by Madison Magazine's Best of Madison as one of the best neighborhood taverns, Mid Town serves free pop corn, hot soup and hosts your special functions. Try the Normandy burger or the Wisco bratwurst for an authentic meal. Have the dry rub ribs on Wednesdays or the fish fry on Fridays. Visit the bar to mix and mingle after the sun goes down. Keep the evening exciting with a signature margarita or a round of shots for your friends.

For the best clam chowder in Madison, frequent Captain Bill's on Lake Mendota. Seafood lovers become hooked after the first bite. Start with crab cakes and order a heaping serving of coconut shrimp. Top off your meal with a baked apple crisp and a side of vanilla bean ice cream – or visit C's Restaurant & Bakery, which serves breakfast and lunch, but don't leave without a bagful of its signature baked goods. From the melt-in-your mouth cinnamon and pecan rolls, donuts and elephant ears to loads of assorted cookies, eclairs, muffins and scones, these goodies are hard to resist.

The Village Green is an old fashioned family-owned tavern that serves good food and refreshing drinks with a smile. Come in early for a roast pork sandwich or the classic corned beef Reuben. Come in late, and stay till midnight with cold drinks that keep you rosy. Another notable hangout to include on your list of places to go, the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company on South Midvale Boulevard rotates its wide variety of craft beers and features billiard tables and two patios.

The Baskerville neighborhood resides in one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in America. City thoroughfares have dedicated bike lanes, and miles of bike trails have been built for recreational riders and working commuters. County Roads M, Q, MS and U.S. Routes 12 and 14 all help Baskerville drivers get to where they need to be. While you can access highways easily, you may experience congestion at peak traveling times.

Madison's Metro Transit bus lines stop at several primary Baskerville intersections, providing students and other commuters an excellent way to reach their university and downtown destinations without dealing with the stresses of traffic. Taxis and Uber drivers travel the streets of Baskerville. Frequent users should keep the Union Cab Co-op, Madison Taxi or Green Cab in their contacts.

You'll find parking in Baskerville readily available on many city streets, and retailers provide parking for their patrons. A free park-and-ride is available at Parmenter Street and U.S. Route 12, also. Pedestrians can safely travel on paved sidewalks and feel confident on well-marked crosswalks.

You'll find hundreds of acres of parks and green spaces for residents and their pets to use in the Baskerville area. The Middleton Dog Park at County roads K and Q was created specifically for the leash-free recreation of local dogs. Annual use permits are available for $30; a daily pass can be purchased for $5. Mendota Park at Century Avenue and West Point Road feature a free playground, swimming area, activity fields and volleyball courts. Thirty campground units and five boat camping areas are also available. Camping and trail require fees payable to Dane County Parks apply.

The Middleton Recreation Department hosts a long list of seasonal activities for children and adults. Residents are encouraged to join an aquatics program or sports league or to take part in Celebration Art Studio classes. Privately operated PlayN Wisconsin and the Harbor Athletic Club & Wellness Studios also provide play and fitness options to the public.

National Mustard Day comes to Middleton on the first Saturday of every August. The National Mustard Museum celebrates it favorite seed with family fun for the region. Take part in free samples, free hot dogs, live music and games. The event raises money for local charities and provides residents a memorable day out at the end of every summer.

Living in Baskerville costs 5 percent more than the average cost of living for the city of Madison, but gasoline costs 3 percent less than the national average. A one-bedroom residence has a median rental rate of $720.

Traveling to downtown Madison via public transportation requires a $2 fare for the 30-minute bus ride. One-day bus passes cost $4. You can also make the 7-mile trip using dedicated bike lanes and paved trails for free.

Happy hour domestic pints of beer cost as little as $2, and a glass of beer during regular hours generally costs $4.

Middleton Springs shopping center at County Roads M and Q connects Baskerville residents with the goods they need. County Road MS provides many shopping opportunities as well.

Z.Bella Boutique specializes in apparel for curvy and full-bodied women sizes 12 and up. Mother and daughter Zoe and Marvel are ready to help you find age-appropriate fashion that accentuates your best assets. Visit the Cayuga Street location or shop online.

The enthusiastic staff at I'm Board! Games & Family Fun encourage you to unplug, interact with friends and family, and have a great time reconnecting around a board game. The locally-owned specialty store help you find the perfect game or puzzle and also hosts card game tournaments and other events open to the general public. Drop in at the University Avenue location for more details.

Roughly half a dozen grocery stores serve the surrounding community. Pick 'n Save, Willy Street Co-op, Green Earth and Brennan's Market sell staples, produce and cold storage foods. Bennan's Market specializes in wines, beers and Wisconsin cheeses, Green Earth sells a wide selection of herbs and the Willy Street Co-op allows customers to buy a membership for special savings and rewards. Residents also talk about Gino's Italian Deli for their gourmet oils, cheeses, and Italian meats.

Eugster's Farm Market brings you to the farm. The Eugster family opens its farm to the public daily between May and October, and they have something most farmers' markets can't brag about: a petting farm. Children can pet and feed a number of domesticated animals and have the opportunity to learn about milking and raising chicks from eggs. The market sells homemade jams, pickles, freshly baked goods, honey, produce, ice cream, novelty items and much more.