Hi everyone!  Lopsidedfrock and I are making a short-notice trip to Milwaukee and Madison, WI this weekend through the beginning of next week.  We're staying with friends in Chicago, then spending a day in each city Monday and Tuesday.  I was just wondering if anyone had advice on neighborhoods to see, specific restaurants or shops to check out, etc.  Neither of us have ever been there, so we're counting on some good urbanist advice  :-D

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I don't know much about Wisconsin (I've been but not an expert on the joint).  For Milwaukee: Brady Street, Third Ward, and, North Avenue @ Farwell are all must-see areas.  I'm also partial to the Historic Mitchell Street area south of downtown.  Madison: Just walk around.

I don't know much about Wisconsin (I've been but not an expert on the joint).  For Milwaukee: Brady Street, Third Ward, and, North Avenue @ Farwell are all must-see areas.  I'm also partial to the Historic Mitchell Street area south of downtown.  Madison: Just walk around.

 

Thanks for the tips!  From some casual internet research on Milwaukee, I was planning on focusing on the area from Marquette to the Lake, and from just north to just south of downtown.  Not sure how walkable that's going to be, but I guess I'll find out :-P  As far as Madison goes, I guess I'll just start downtown and wander around from there.

Milwaukee has some VERY walkable parts and some not so walkable parts.  Marquette is a nice campus, but there's not much to see between there and the Milwaukee river.  The Third Ward is where you'll fine the chic restaurants and nice boutiques.  You must stop inside the Milwaukee Art Museum just to see the architecture.  It's free to visit the lobby.  Walking along the lakefront between downtown and North Ave is great.  The neighborhoods on top of the bluff just North of downtown are also very walkable and fun.  Best Architecture is near the Northpoint Water Tower at North and Downer Aves.  Hotspots to visit are definitely Brady St, North and Farwell, and the Lower East Side (South of Brady St and North of Downtown).  If you want a great view, go to Reservoir Park where North Ave curves right around 1st st.  If you have time, head down to Bayview.  South Kinnickkinnick Ave is fun. 

 

Let me know if you've got more specific questions.  I spent many years there. 

I live in Madison and get out and about. Can give you all sorts of restaurant and Madison attraction ideas.

 

In Madison, I'd definitely hit the downtown square where the capitol is located. Graze and Old Fashioned would be 2 of the restaurants on the square I would recommend. Graze is more of the gastropub scene and Old Fashioned is very Wisconsin and a hit with locals and tourists alike.

 

Near downtown East is more bohemian and is very walkable.  Almost has a Tremont like feel with the architecture. One of the best restaurants I have ever experienced is called The Pig in a Fur Coat - great gastropub and the food was great. It's releatively new and has a cool vibe about it. Defnitely a place for foodies. Dinner for 2 will be $75-$100 if you drink.

 

The near west side is where UW is located. Specifically check out State street. It's Madison's answer to Columbus' High Street, but it's more dense actually.

 

There is good middle eastern restaurant  on State st. - Husnu's.

 

If you are  a beer person, there is New Glarus brewery just outside of town in New Glarus itself is kind of a cute town - it's Swedish.

 

There are a lot of cool neighborhoods I can recommend if you like touring neighborhoods.

 

Hope this helps.