Coming to Madison this summer (Shorewood, Monona: construction, university, live)

[DaBux]

Work is sending me to a seminar at the university for two weeks in June, what are some things that I should check out while visiting your city? Thanks for any info.

[smartypants431]

Definitely the farmer's market on Saturday mornings, around capital square. Take a stroll on lakeshore path around Lake Mendota, Monona Terrace on Lake Monona has some cool architecture (it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), I haven't been but my friends tell me the Vilas Zoo is decent (and free I believe), State St. has lots of good restaurants and bars (try some Ian's macaroni and cheese pizza, sounds gross but it's fabulous) -it's also fun to laugh at all the drunk people walking around down there at night. At Memorial Union, you can enjoy a great lake view, good ice cream, a pitcher of beer, and a lot of times they have free live music. Ella's Deli is not on campus, but it is definitely a fun and interesting place to eat. You can even take a spin on their carousel. The rest of Madison is basically just your average city, but that's just my take. I know a lot more about the campus area as I am a student.

[Megan1967]

For good restaurants check out this site:
Food Fight, Inc. | Restaurant Group | Madison, Wisconsin

[uwisguy]

Originally Posted by smartypants431

Monona Terrace on Lake Monona has some cool architecture (it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright)

Close but not quite. FLW had many designs for a similar building, but the Monona Terrace that was finally built was inspired by FLW but designed by another architect from FLW's Taliesin studios. The Unitarian Meeting House, however, was designed by FLW and is located on the border of Madison and Shorewood Hills, on University Bay Drive (across from the UW Hospitals/Children's Hospital).

The Vilas Zoo is still free.

While you're on the Capital Square, check out the Capitol Dome Observation Deck (it should be open by then) for some spectacular views of the surrounding area. The UW Geology Museum---located in Weeks' Hall, also is a worthwhile stop, and also is free.

The UW Carillon Tower on Bascom Hill has weekly (free) concerts, Sundays from 3-4PM. During that time, the tower is open for the public to look around and watch the musician playing it. You can climb all the way up to the bells (more great views of the surrounding lakes and landscape), but beware it does get a little loud.

Watch out for construction though, there's plenty around the campus (and Madison) right now.

[Bo]

Be careful. My work sent me to Madison for a week of training and I ended up moving there 2 years later. The place may have that effect on you.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by DaBux

Work is sending me to a seminar at the university for two weeks in June, what are some things that I should check out while visiting your city? Thanks for any info.

If you're into beer... stop by the Great Dane for some of the best house-brewed beer in the Midwest. A Saturday afternoon in Capital Brewery's biergarten with a good book or magazine is also a quality use of time IMO. Maybe you can catch a band there on a Friday or Saturday evening, perhaps even an oompa band if you're lucky.

If not, chances are there will be a concert on Saturday night at the UW Union terrace, which overlooks Lake Mendota.

Take a drive and check out the impossibly cute Swiss-Chalet-dotted town of New Glarus. Some good scenery along the way. And again, if you're into beer, do a tour of the New Glarus Brewery, one of the most respected breweries in the country among beer afionados (seriously -- people make pilgrimages from hundreds of miles around just to visit the brewery).

Take a drive to Mount Horeb and visit the mustard museum. Afterward, stop by for a pint at the Grumpy Troll brewpub.

Stroll State Street in the early evening before it turns into Party Mania and bop into some of the unique indie shops.

Take a drive through the Sauk Prairie area for some of the best scenery in the Midwest. Stop by the Wollersheim Winery while you're there and pick up some of their wonderful wines -- perhaps their Port, or their Riesling... or River Gold which is a fine dessert wine.

Spend the weekend in Chicago.

[country pride]

I was about to suggest the same, spend a weekend in Chicago. Check out kayaking, its always fun. Take a walk down the Blvd there and check out some of the cool shops.