October Girls Trip to Madison, WI

[iloveyoga]

Hi, I am going with three girlfriends to Madison, WI in early October, we are all in our mid 60's. This board has shared some great ideas with me in the past and I am looking for any restaurant, sight seeing or other suggestions. We are staying in an Air BnB near the campus. Thank you!

 

[marinauser]

If you are renting or will have a car, I would make the 40 mile trip to Spring Green to see Frank LLoyd Wright's Taliesin home. House on the Rock is also very near there.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

Lombardino's is outstanding.
Welcome to Lombardino's! - Lombardinos (en-US)

Poking around inside the Capitol building is worthwhile.

 

[erkevin]

I haven't been back on campus in ages, may I join you?

 

[Koolau]

If you are renting or will have a car, I would make the 40 mile trip to Spring Green to see Frank LLoyd Wright's Taliesin home. House on the Rock is also very near there.

Agreed. Both are worth the drive.

If you're into such things, New Glarus WI is an interesting side trip in the area. They call it "America's Little Switzerland" as the people who settled it brought their culture from Switzerland. Check it out on google if you like historical stuff.

 

[Trailwalker]

We like Lombardino's also, but there are many good restaurants in Madison around the Square, depending on what you like. On Saturday morning, the Farmer's Market will still be going on around the Capital Square. It's one of the biggest and longest running in the country. It's great for people watching and sampling. There are so many things to do in Madison. I recommend you take a look at the Isthmus Calendar now and a week before arriving. On Friday night, The Edgewater Hotel has a great Fish Fry and live music on the terrace above Lake Mendota. Olbrich Gardens across from Lake Monona is worth a stop. Vilas Park has one of the nation's largest free zoos. The university campus is beautiful. We've spent many hours on the Memorial Union Terrace, which also overlooks Lake Mendota and has frequent live music. The University has its own calendar of events.

 

[DrRoy]

We enjoyed visiting the statehouse.
.

 

[Ronstar]

Brace yourself. That campus parties hard.

 

[turbo89]

There’s non shortage of restaurants on State Street and it’s a good spot to just take a walk.

I haven’t been there since before COVID, but loved “Samba Brazilian Grill” (albeit a bit pricey… and you should go “very hungry”). Also - the lemon ricotta pancakes at basset street brunch club are fantastic! My wife and I loved them so much we went back twice during our long weekend stay.

 

[Koolau]

Brace yourself. That campus parties hard.

Yeah, always the biggest party school in the Big 10. IIRC they served beer in the Union Bldg.

 

[iloveyoga]

Thank you for all the wonderful ideas, we are getting excited!

 

[sparky08]

You must do the Dane County Farmers Market on Saturday morning. (Walk counter clockwise). The leaves should just be changing.

Walk down State Street from the Capital to the University and sit by the lake at the Union. Have the Orange Chocolate Chip custard at the Babcock Dairy,

 

[CardsFan]

Agreed. Both are worth the drive.

If you're into such things, New Glarus WI is an interesting side trip in the area. They call it "America's Little Switzerland" as the people who settled it brought their culture from Switzerland. Check it out on google if you like historical stuff.

We have friends that do an art show in Madison every year. They always go to New Glarus Brewery and bring back some Spotted Cow and Totally Naked (its a beer, get your mind out of the gutter )

 

[iloveyoga]

Thank you for all the great ideas. The weather looks great in Madison and we are getting excited for a fall girls trip to celebrate turning 65.

 

[Slotracer]

Take the tour at Epic in Verona. The place is incredible. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cn...al-campus-a-world-away-from-wall-street-.html
Epic | ...With the patient at the heart

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

L'Etoile is one of the best restaurants in town. We like Cento and Sardine for brunch. Turkish Kitchen on Monroe St is a dining experience.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Isthmus is a monthy newspaper that is a handy way to keep up on events around town. Here's their calendar of events.

Isthmus : Madison, Wisconsin : Events

 

[iloveyoga]

Take the tour at Epic in Verona. The place is incredible. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cn...al-campus-a-world-away-from-wall-street-.html
Epic | ...With the patient at the heart

Wow, that looks amazing.

 

[Slotracer]

Wow, that looks amazing.

It's certainly something different. The tour is self-guided so you can go at your own pace, and it's broken into sections so you can do more or less depending on your interest and time. It is a good amount of walking, all (or almost all) indoors.

 

[iloveyoga]

Lombardino's is outstanding.
Welcome to Lombardino's! - Lombardinos (en-US)

Poking around inside the Capitol building is worthwhile.

We had a great time at the Capitol and even got in on an excellent tour. Thanks!

 

[iloveyoga]

I haven't been back on campus in ages, may I join you?

Our airBNB is right across the street from campus. Having a great time, thanks

 

[iloveyoga]

We enjoyed visiting the statehouse.
.
View attachment 52134

What a beautiful building and grounds, we enjoyed it very much.

 

[iloveyoga]

There’s non shortage of restaurants on State Street and it’s a good spot to just take a walk.

I haven’t been there since before COVID, but loved “Samba Brazilian Grill” (albeit a bit pricey… and you should go “very hungry”). Also - the lemon ricotta pancakes at basset street brunch club are fantastic! My wife and I loved them so much we went back twice during our long weekend stay.

We had the pancakes yesterday, big enough to share and delicious.

 

[iloveyoga]

We have friends that do an art show in Madison every year. They always go to New Glarus Brewery and bring back some Spotted Cow and Totally Naked (its a beer, get your mind out of the gutter )

I'm not sure if we will make it to the brewery, but I did have the Spotted Cow and I really liked it. We are going to run out of time.