Downtown Madison
Downtown Madison
4.5
About
This seven-block bustling thoroughfare, which runs between Capitol Square and the University of Wisconsin, buzzes with activity day and night. Offering lake access, amazing views, several museums and theaters, more than 140 restaurants including a diverse array of coffeehouses, ethnic restaurants, and award winning chefs, as well as more than 80 unique shops including bookstores, art galleries and specialty shops.
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The area
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Restaurants
517 within 3 miles
Attractions
250 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
889 reviews
Excellent
459
Very good
293
Average
97
Poor
27
Terrible
13
Mark H
Fond du Lac, WI4,428 contributions
Aug 2021
I've been to Madison a zillion times for work and pleasure and I've never gotten around the visiting this well-known and popular place on State Street just a few blocks from the Capitol.
We grabbed a table outside and while were we there the city's annual naked bike ride passed by.
I ordered the $15 "tourist special" which includes a pint of Spotted Cow beer, a brat on a bun accompanied by a side of batter-fried cheese curds. For those under 21 or non-drinkers you can substitute a soft drink for $2 less.
The brat was excellent. Most brats are pork and this was a beef and pork blend that had a moderately spicy flavor. I find most traditional brats a bit tasteless.
A great place to take in some local culture.
We grabbed a table outside and while were we there the city's annual naked bike ride passed by.
I ordered the $15 "tourist special" which includes a pint of Spotted Cow beer, a brat on a bun accompanied by a side of batter-fried cheese curds. For those under 21 or non-drinkers you can substitute a soft drink for $2 less.
The brat was excellent. Most brats are pork and this was a beef and pork blend that had a moderately spicy flavor. I find most traditional brats a bit tasteless.
A great place to take in some local culture.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne H
Woodstock, IL96 contributions
Jan 2020
We often walk State Street from the Capitol to the UW Union. In between, there are lots of in shops where you can browse, cafes where you can grab a hot tea for sustenance, and plenty of interesting restaurants if you get hungry. After you get to the Union, go out onto the terrace and have a beer in the summer. In the winter, you can see the folks ice fishing, but you’ll have to get your beer inside!
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard H
Brookfield, WI5 contributions
May 2021
Hard to visit these days, given that so many businesses have folded or reduced their hours. The boarded-up store fronts are an unfortunate reminder of troubled times. But this time was better than the last, and we hope for better days ahead.
Written May 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
crutt13
Pottstown, PA648 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
I'm torn on my rating of 3 vs 4, but this was comparable to most other big cities I've been to. It was clean, had a lot of national stores (many I can find anywhere) and some local and was pretty well maintained. The traffic wasn't too bad.
Most people did their thing and I only heard a few groups of people arguing, one of which almost resulted in a fight.
It's worth walking around the city for the experience. If you're a college kid and or into the bar seen this would be a good place to go.
Most people did their thing and I only heard a few groups of people arguing, one of which almost resulted in a fight.
It's worth walking around the city for the experience. If you're a college kid and or into the bar seen this would be a good place to go.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James E
1 contribution
May 2021
Super disappointed to see what State street has become. Went there when i was younger and took my family back this weekend. Super sketchy boarded up buildings, homeless people everywhere. Very sad that this place has turned into a dump.
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim T
Austin, TX1,172 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The hub of downtown, State Street has got it going on. Stroll from one end (the University) to the other (the Capitol) and enjoy everything in between. Shopping, bars, restaurants, theaters, street music, you name it they've got it. Sunny day or cold and rainy or anything in between there is plenty to experience.
Written December 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeffBreedlove
Atlanta, GA4,509 contributions
Jun 2019
We were here just a short time but we enjoyed our walk in the area around the Capitol. We noticed and visited some of the nice stores and restaurants. Parking was easy. We even enjoyed playing a bit of corn hole on a set which was set up out side some stores.
We are not experts - but the area around the Capitol - in daylight - was very nice.
We are not experts - but the area around the Capitol - in daylight - was very nice.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna K
Waukesha, WI443 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
It’s so fun to return to Madison and walk here as we did yesterday. As I expected, there were some new, cute shops to browse and buy a couple things. No cars are allowed on State coupled with the university students, it’s just a great place.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wendilew
Middle of midwest13 contributions
The shops are overpriced and monotonous. Several of them even sell the exact same items (with just different names to the stores). The street also holds many overpriced and overhyped coffeehouses and restaurants. If you're a tourist or a college student, head down to State Street. If not, save yourself the parking headaches (and charges) and head out to the suburbs. Seek out the shops that lie outside this little trap. State Street, like so many other things today, relies on its reputation as being a "must-see" location of Madison. This is why retail space on the street is ridiculously overpriced.
On a totally different note, if you happen to be one of those "freaks" who still thinks it should be up to a business as to whether or not to be a smoking establishment, you won't fare well anywhere in Madison due to the city-wide smoking ban that helped to murder countless local establishments. I'm a non-smoker, and even I can see how ridiculous this is. So now, should you head down to State Street you can pay for: 1)High rent for retailers 2)Jacked up prices to make up for the loss of smoking customers 3)A lot of useless stuff that you can find cheaper elsewhere in the city (or, better yet, online). If you want to take a nice walk, go to the Arboretum or one of the bike paths. Get up early on Saturday in the summer and visit the farmer's market on the square. State Street is an overrated waste of time.
Another "draw" of State Street has been the halloween "Freakfest". Well, if you'd like to pay in the neighborhood of $20 to be able to gain access to a snow-fenced public street, then this is the place for you! You can thank the few morons who decided a few years ago that rioting and destroying businesses would add to the festivities.
I have lived and worked in Madison for almost 15 years, so I feel pretty confident in my posted opinion.
On a totally different note, if you happen to be one of those "freaks" who still thinks it should be up to a business as to whether or not to be a smoking establishment, you won't fare well anywhere in Madison due to the city-wide smoking ban that helped to murder countless local establishments. I'm a non-smoker, and even I can see how ridiculous this is. So now, should you head down to State Street you can pay for: 1)High rent for retailers 2)Jacked up prices to make up for the loss of smoking customers 3)A lot of useless stuff that you can find cheaper elsewhere in the city (or, better yet, online). If you want to take a nice walk, go to the Arboretum or one of the bike paths. Get up early on Saturday in the summer and visit the farmer's market on the square. State Street is an overrated waste of time.
Another "draw" of State Street has been the halloween "Freakfest". Well, if you'd like to pay in the neighborhood of $20 to be able to gain access to a snow-fenced public street, then this is the place for you! You can thank the few morons who decided a few years ago that rioting and destroying businesses would add to the festivities.
I have lived and worked in Madison for almost 15 years, so I feel pretty confident in my posted opinion.
Written January 14, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fearless37139
10 contributions
This street should serve as a model for cities trying to reinvigorate a downtown area. The only vehicle traffic allowed on the street is mass transit and delivery vehicles, thus it is a thoroughly pedestrian area.
The shops and restaurants are almost all one of a kind and provide a great backdrop to people watch. At night, this is the place to be.
The shops and restaurants are almost all one of a kind and provide a great backdrop to people watch. At night, this is the place to be.
Written January 21, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi what is the walking time from Capital to the Union Terrace on Lake. Thanks
Written June 1, 2017
About 15 to 20 minutes. Worth it. May find places to check in between? We liked eating outside at the terrace there.
Written June 2, 2017
yes, a lot of them do, except the fish, snakes, and other legless varieties. if you're asking if you see people walking animals (dogs, etc.) on state street, then yes, but on leashes (the animals that is).
Written July 10, 2017
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