Downtown Madison

When you think about Madison, one iconic landmark usually come to mind: the State Capitol building.  From the grid system the entire city is built on whose streets and avenues (named after the signers of the US constitution) flow in concentric rings around the building, to the city ordinance which states no structure within a one mile radius of the capitol building can be taller than the base of the columns supporting its dome, seemingly everything in Downtown Madison revolves around the capitol building’s orbit.

As the seat of the state government as well as the state’s flagship public university, the University of Wisconsin – Madison, downtown has evolved over the years to cater to a wide range of people who are affiliated with both of these institutions.  The capitol square – the four roads immediately boxing in the capitol building – are home to many government agencies and lobbying firms, as well as host to such events as the weekly Madison Farmer’s Market, as well as the always popular Concerts on the Square summer concert series.

Thanks to Madison’s proximity to Epic (a medical software company with 13,000 employees whose headquarters are a few miles to the southwest in Verona, WI), a growing collection of tech-related businesses have also began to populate the downtown neighborhoods.

Today, the downtown area continues to offer a selection of dining, shopping, and entertainment options that attract visitors from all over the state.  Many of the most popular establishments are clustered along State Street, the pedestrian-friendly road which spans 7 blocks from the west wing of the capitol building all the way to the beginning of the UW-Madison campus.  Whether you’re in the mood for a fine dining experience or just looking to watch the Badgers at the diviest of dive bars, State Street and the Capitol Square will have your needs covered.