Shorecrest - Middleton, WI Area Guide

A large fur-trading post owned by Michael St. Cyr brought an influx of settlers for the advantageous economic opportunities surrounding Lake Mendota — especially on the northwest shores near modern-day Shorecrest. The construction of the Middleton Station and the railroad in the 1850s prompted a population and development boom, and in 1963, Middleton officially became a city separate from Madison.

Shorecrest does not boast any museums, but a quick trip towards Hubbard Avenue exposes locals to the National Mustard Museum and the Middleton Area Historical Society. After a quick trip through Madison and Middleton history, the Mustard Museum remains a must see due to its collection of over 5,676 different mustards.

Speaking of mustard, the first Saturday in August presents the annual National Mustard Day. From free hot dogs to games and other entertainment, this acclaimed event draws over 6,000 mustard lovers every year.

As a suburban development community, Shorecrest does not have any of its own restaurants in the neighborhood. However, locals are never far from a diverse selection of high-class, fine-dining eateries and standard chain restaurants. A quick trip along Century Avenue towards downtown Middleton exposes locals to some of the most renowned restaurants and nightlife spots in the greater Madison area.

Captain Bill's has consistently received Madison accolades and was featured on The Food Network for its award-winning array of fresh seafood in a fun, waterfront atmosphere. Located on Century Harbor Road about 5 minutes away from Shorecrest, this family restaurant serves up massive helpings of fresh fish right from Lake Mendota along with shrimp, oysters and lobster. Locals highly recommend the clam chowder and crab cakes.

When looking to escape the usual by dining on some spicy international fare, Dhaba Indian Bistro remains the top restaurant in Middleton for some authentic Indian cuisine. Although Shorecrest locals have to travel to Greenway Boulevard, which should take 12 minutes by car, this restaurant proves worth the trip. If you don't want to travel, Dhaba Indian Bistro can deliver everything from Punjabi kabab and ginger naan bread to tandoor specialties right to your door. In addition to several different naan bread flavors, locals rave over the chicken tikka masala.

Every good neighborhood needs a go-to breakfast joint, and for Shorecrest residents, they only need to travel 4 minutes by car to reach C's Restaurant & Bakery on Allen Boulevard. This restaurant features breakfast, lunch and homemade desserts, such as warm apple pies or cinnamon rolls, but most visitors make frequent trips to C's for the small-town atmosphere where everyone knows your name. Start the day off right with some strawberry pancakes or French toast, or stop by during a lunch break for some hot sandwiches.

Much like the restaurant scene, Shorecrest locals often have to travel to University Avenue, Greenway Station or Allen Boulevard for some quality nightlife. While brewing up a wide selection of award-winning craft beers, Capital Brewery also endures as the ideal pit stop for a quick beer or two. This brewery allows tours four days a week, and visitors can always try out the seasonal supply of innovative beers. For more of a sports bar scene complete with signature cocktails and promotional beer taps, head to Craftsman Table & Tap on Frank Lloyd Wright Avenue.

Shorecrest residents love their cars and use them for pretty much everything. A lack of sidewalks and bike lanes on County Road Q means that travel by car is necessary when heading towards the countryside. County Road M often features spacious sidewalks for longer walks towards downtown Middleton, and Century Avenue connects locals with the Madison Beltline and provides convenient access to Madison and the outlying suburbs. Green living has promoted bicycling throughout the greater Madison and Middleton area, and although few bike lanes exist, motorists are quite respectful to bikers on the side of the road.

Shorecrest Drive stands as the ideal place to find free curbside parking. However, don't expect to hail a cab from the curb. Locals who need to travel via taxi should consider calling ahead or using their smartphones for ride sharing services such as Uber. The Madison Metro transit does not quite reach Shorecrest, but residents can jump on routes 70 and 72 along Century Avenue and South Ridge Way.

Shorecrest's attractive position on the threshold between the city and the countryside makes it ideal for outdoors enthusiasts. Neighborhood and county parks cater to visitors of all ages, while expansive state parks and miles of forests and marshlands characterize the countryside.

Orchid Heights Park is a 14-acre community park just west of Shorecrest, and locals can easily walk there in less than 10 minutes. The park is always free to use, and many residents come here for recreational activities and exercise. Grab a bat and a glove for baseball in the summer, or dress warm and bring a pair of skates for some winter wonderland fun. When giving the dog a walk, Shorecrest residents are only 2 miles away from the Middleton Dog Park — a well-cultivated array of trails and fenced-in areas for big and small dogs. Dog owners do need a permit to use this off-leash park.

Mendota County Park to the south of Shorecrest features five boat ramps for the water skiers and fishers in the area, and once on Lake Mendota, residents can take advantage of the connected string of lakes between Lake Mendota and Lake Kegonsa in Stoughton.

The 422-acre Governor Nelson State Park located east of Shorecrest on County M stands as the outdoors enthusiast's forested paradise. However, when Halloween rolls around, this park attracts thousands for the annual Halloween Bon Fire and Luminated Hike.

The Shorecrest neighborhood carries a fairly high cost of living — about 6 percent higher than Madison and Middleton averages. Newcomers to the area should expect a median one-bedroom rental rate of about $750 a month, but multi-bedroom homes suitable for families abound in the area.

The base fare of a one-way trip on the Madison Metro bus costs about $2, but when taking a car, locals can save a little by paying about 4 percent less than national averages for gas. Grabbing a pint of beer at the local pubs requires $4 to $5.

As a well-cultivated developmental area, Shorecrest residents need a car when hitting up the best shopping centers and boutique shops in the Middleton area. Most locals head to Greenway Station on Deming Way where they can browse through over 35 chain retailers and high-value clothing and accessories shops.

Shorecrest locals don't have to travel very far to find the Orchids Garden Center & Nursery, one of the largest and most comprehensive orchid growing greenhouses just north of Middleton. Including rare and unique orchid species along with stylish garden decor, this year-round greenhouse ensures that various plants are blooming just when visitors need them.

Never worry about running short on speciality mustards again by visiting The Mustard Museum Gift Shop. Admission is free for the museum, though most visitors come to browse among the thousands of eye-catching and innovative mustards from all over the world. Some of the award-winning mustards include the Rothschild Raspberry Honey Mustard, Beaver Chinese Mustard and even Brownwood Farms Saltherin' Wing Sauce. Also, the gourmet mustard gift sets make the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family.

Locals can stock up on affordable, standard foods and kitchen supplies at the nearby Copps supermarket, located on Century Avenue. The Abarrotes Yuremi Latin American grocery store keeps Shorecrest homes packed with international groceries and hard-to-find culinary delights. For organic fruits and vegetables as well as sustainable meats, locals can travel to the Downtown Middleton Farmers Market, which is open every Tuesday between May and October.