State Street & Downtown Madison
State Street & 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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Restaurants
512 within 3 miles
Attractions
214 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
888 reviews
Excellent
459
Very good
292
Average
97
Poor
27
Terrible
13
Jim T
Austin, TX1,161 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 5 December 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.
Shawn S
Madison Lake, MN38 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We got there around 6 at night and no place to park close and had to walk 8 blocks. The area has some homeless people on the street begging for money and some laying around the corners. Had small children with us so not the best for them.
Written 6 August 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.
Laura P
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This is a lovely quaint town with lots of shops and restaurants. There’s plenty to do. And the drives around town are nice.
Written 30 July 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.
MrsPsPicks
Butler, PA464 contributions
Jun 2023
We walked around after dinner our first night in town and enjoyed window shopping to get an idea of what to return to do the next day. The night life looks like lots of fun for young adults, and the ease of getting around by walking or by biking is attractive for all.
Written 21 June 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.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,761 contributions
Dec 2022
There are so many things to do in Madison, Wisconsin, that don't have to do with a Saturday afternoon football game at Camp Randall Stadium. Start with a stroll along State Street, a pedestrian mall near the Wisconsin State Capitol that was founded in 1974 and is host to a variety of shops, bars, restaurants, museums and art galleries, not to mention street singers, jugglers, dancers and other street musicians and performers that have turned the venue into one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. Today, the limited-access two-lane road with extra-wide sidewalks extends from the west corner of land comprising the State Capitol, at the corners of Carroll and Mifflin Streets, on the southwestern edge of the Madison Isthmus, westward to Lake Street, which adjoins the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus at Memorial Library Mall. Among the noted structures along the way are the Overture Center for the Arts, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Spend a morning and/or afternoon exploring such shops as Badger Market, Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Triangle Market, University Book Store, Fjallraven Sporting Goods, Target, Paul's Book Store, Goodman's Jewelers, Fontana Sports Specialties, The Brow Boutique, Maduro Cigar Bar, Ragstock, Singlestitch and Soha Diamond Company. To take a break for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, consider Heritage Tavern, Harvest, D'Vino, L'etoile, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Short Stack Eatery, Marigold Kitchen, Red Rock Saloon, BelAir Cantina, Cento, Graze and Parthenon Gyros. But be alert for city buses, police cars, bicycles and delivery vehicles.
Written 16 January 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.
cj_alderman
Prior Lake, MN104 contributions
Aug 2022
We decided to take an afternoon of our girls getaway trip to explore all of the shops, restaurants, and businesses in the area. We enjoyed getting some steps in and seeing all kinds of options for shopping.
Written 3 January 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.
John T
Minneapolis, MN442 contributions
Oct 2022
The parking situation here is less to be desired and the way the streets flow is confusing. I gave three stars for that. The shops are fun here and so much to do...... if you find parking
Written 8 October 2022
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.
Malcolm
Jerusalem, Israel1,301 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Very nice walk around the capitol which is the center of the city. Very nice buildings. Worth a self walking tour around down town wih nice options for spending money.
Written 27 August 2022
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.
Diana
Uetikon am See, Switzerland11 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
This place is deteriorating. Fast paced decline. I am so sad to see such state. I do not think there is way back to respectability for this place.
Written 22 June 2022
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.
Carrie W
Duluth, MN53 contributions
Apr 2022
A great place for a stoll. Many restaurants and interesting shops. Things get a little sketchy as you approach the campus, but in a fun wish-I-were-still-in-college sort of way.
Written 2 May 2022
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.
Linda G
1 contribution
Hi what is the walking time from Capital to the Union Terrace on Lake. Thanks
TravelArtGolf
Lafayette, IN1,442 contributions
About 15 to 20 minutes. Worth it. May find places to check in between? We liked eating outside at the terrace there.
Lukas M
Neenah, WI
walking animals?
interceptpubs
Columbus, IN1,024 contributions
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).
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Claim your listingSTATE STREET & DOWNTOWN MADISON: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about State Street & Downtown Madison
- Hotels near State Street & Downtown Madison:
- (0.07 mi) Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
- (0.14 mi) Best Western Premier Park Hotel
- (0.22 mi) Hyatt Place Madison
- (0.28 mi) Mansion Hill Inn
- (0.23 mi) AC Hotel by Marriott Madison Downtown
- Restaurants near State Street & Downtown Madison:
- (0.02 mi) Rare Steakhouse
- (0.03 mi) The Coopers Tavern
- (0.04 mi) Ian's Pizza on State
- (0.07 mi) Cento
- (0.11 mi) Fromagination
- Attractions near State Street & Downtown Madison:
- (0.00 mi) Dane County Farmers' Market
- (0.01 mi) Wisconsin Historical Museum
- (0.02 mi) Wisconsin Veterans Museum
- (0.12 mi) Overture Center for the Arts
- (0.06 mi) Ivory Room Piano Bar