West Madison - Madison, WI Area Guide

Madison started to grow into the thriving, cultural center of Wisconsin with the transfer of the state government from Belmont in 1836. The Camp Randall Civil War training facility and the historic University of Wisconsin-Madison attracted diverse settlers into the area throughout the 19th century. Over time, the city annexed surrounding areas to support continual growth.

Wisconsin's rural spirit promotes historic museums and naturalist art scenes throughout the Outer Downtown Madison area. The world-famous National Mustard Museum in Middleton introduces visitors to more than 5,676 mustards from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. Free admission and a comprehensive mustard gift shop keep this museum packed year-round.

On the last Saturday in June, Madison proudly hosts the pinnacle of pyrotechnic art at the annual Rhythm and Booms fireworks spectacular. Watch from Warner Park or Lake Mendota for approximately 35 loaded minutes of fireworks and music amid a day-long carnival.

A combination of concept kitchens and locally owned neighborhood restaurants has helped transform Madison into one of the top foodie hubs in the United States. From the historic Williamson Street to South Gammon Road, Americana classics and innovative culinary creations serve even the most particular restaurant enthusiasts. Coming from an interesting history that includes a community-collective effort of wholesale meat production and a spot on Bon Appetit magazine's top 50 best new restaurants in the country, Forequarter on East Johnson Street provides a comfortable atmosphere for affordable classics with innovative twists. The dinner and late-night menu changes a bit every week, but you can always expect high-end results. Some local favorites include the oven-roasted meatballs with bell and carmen peppers and the hanger steak with parsnip puree. Lazy Jane's Cafe and Bakery on Williamson Street has remained a Madison staple and go-to breakfast joint since 2002. Although limited seating and a traditional atmosphere can produce a waiting line that extends outside the restaurant on weekends, the wait at this cozy and humble restaurant is worth it. Leather couches and chairs and plenty of children's toys abound, while rustic dining tables provide an at-home experience. Try the renowned blueberry pancakes, bacon and cheddar scones or a frittata with broccoli and cheese. Madison's nightlife extends far beyond the downtown area, and you can expect vivid crowds and a nightlife scene suitable for all ages. When you want to sit back and enjoy the finer things in life, Eno Vino Wine Bar & Bistro on Junction Road delivers a romantic and sophisticated atmosphere ideal for wine enthusiasts. Stop by on Wednesdays for weekly wine and tapas tasting sessions, or join the private Wine Locker Club for a personalized wine locker. If you are looking for a sports-filled evening, head to the Pitcher's Pub. Serving up great bar food such as inferno wings, Reuben sandwiches and French dip, you can wash it all down with swampwater or a more familiar alcoholic beverage, including a $2 Miller Lite, while catching a game. Don't forget to play a game of pool before you go.

The Madison Beltline follows Outer Downtown Madison's city limits and connects drivers with I-90 to the east as well as the outlying suburbs of Fitchburg, McFarland and Oregon. Take Mineral Point Road or University Avenue to cross the city without encountering the traffic jams on the Beltline during peak hours. You can often find free public parking on most city streets, but pay attention to parking time limits or snow plow designations in the winter.

Travel by car remains necessary for quick and convenient work commutes, especially during the winter months. When the roads are clear of ice and snow, most residents prefer to get around on bike. The Southwest Commuter Path cuts through the heart of Madison, connecting the West Side to Lake Monona with a scenic, bicycle and pedestrian-only walkway. Wide streets and a comprehensive network of bike lanes allow for safe travel around the city.

Pedestrians can conduct some daily errands by foot. Make sure to call ahead when you need a taxi, as hailing one from the curb can be difficult outside the downtown area, or try ride sharing services from Uber.

Madison Metro transit services the greater Madison area, and with most buses converging on the North, South, East and West transfer points, organizing a complex trip throughout Madison and outlying suburbs remains quite simple. Feel free to grab a copy of the Madison Ride Guide on participating buses for complete bus routes and schedules. All Metro buses feature bike racks on the front that are free to use.

With miles of scenic countryside surrounding a culture based around lakes and environmental conservation, Outer Downtown Madison introduces you to Wisconsin's natural splendor. Neighborhood parks cater to visitors of all ages, and you can enjoy walkable proximity to wooded hiking paths and kid-friendly playground equipment throughout the greater Madison area. As long as you get a dog park permit from the city, you can enjoy eight off-leash dog parks within Madison, and most city parks allow leashed dogs.

A connection of lakes, rivers and lock systems form a water-based, four-lake passage from Lake Kegonsa to Lake Mendota, but you do need lock permits and boat registration when enjoying these lakes. From water skiing and swimming to fishing, these lakes are central to the city's recreational and active atmosphere. Test your swimming skills in mid-August for the annual Madison Open Water Swim, which includes 1.2 and 2.4 mile swims in front of the iconic Monona Terrace on Lake Monona.

On Madison's West Side, you can find Elver Park as a year-round, go-to park for city residents. The park includes miles of cross-country trails, an ice rink and even a sledding hill in the winter, as well as a comprehensive disc golf course for the summer. Using these trails for cross-country skiing does requires a small fee, but sledding and skating remain free to the public. Residents on the East Side can enjoy these same amenities at Warner Park.

Life in Outer Downtown Madison carries a fairly average cost of living, where you can enjoy both luxurious and frugal sides of life. A typical one-bedroom apartment costs slightly less than city averages at $750 a month. For more economical housing, look towards the nearby suburbs of Middleton or Monona.

The base fare to the city center costs about $2.00, which includes a one-time transfer. Gas prices typically sit at 6 percent lower than the national average. You should expect to pay about $4 for a pint of beer at local pubs.

From West Towne Mall to East Towne Mall, the two largest shopping malls in the city, you can discover an endless array of boutique and high-end shopping centers. Speciality stores line both Monroe Street and Williamson Street, while the Hilldale Shopping Center offers local convenience for residents who don't want to travel to edges of the city for the larger shopping malls.

Orange Tree Imports on Monroe Street introduces local residents to Scandinavian home decor and lifestyle through kitchenware, glassware and candies. Jewelry and decorative pieces come from local artisans, while eccentric specialty products from abroad serve to give your home an original flavor. Turn your living space into a showcase for Polish pottery and confetti bowls, or present your Wisconsin pride with Bucky Badger matryoshka dolls and Wisconsin-shaped cutting boards.

Along Midvale Boulevard in the Hilldale Shopping Center, DB Infusion Chocolates stands as the chocolate-lover's oasis, and nowhere else in Madison can you find such a comprehensive assortment of artisan chocolates. Master chocolatiers use the highest quality and freshest ingredients available to produce exquisite mix of aroma, texture and taste. Satisfy your chocolate obsession with a 27-piece box full of cashew caramel and honey lavender chocolates, or give the chocolate lover in your life a choice between seven infusion chocolate bars.

Outer Downtown Madison residents have several options when stocking up on kitchen staples as well as organic fruits and vegetables. On the West and East Side, Woodman's Foods and Hy-Vee provide a comprehensive fare of affordable staples. The Dane County Farmer's Market continually draws both residents and visitors from throughout Wisconsin every Wednesday and Saturday year-round. Throughout the warmer summer months, you can discover approximately 300 vendors serving everything from meats and cheeses to flowers and specialty items, making this farmer's market the largest producer-only market in the United States.