State Street in Madison

A One-of-a-Kind Experience

© Kelly Whitt

Jul 8, 2007

State Street, Kelly Whitt

From unique stores and restaurants to the great Halloween party, State Street always provides a unique visit.

State Street in Madison stretches from the Capitol to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Approximately six blocks long, this stretch of road is closed to regular traffic. But watch your step, because it is still a busy bus route, along with delivery trucks parking in front of stores.

Directions: Access to State Street can be tricky. It is located on the isthmus where the roads are narrow and crowded with lots of one-way streets. One option is to come in on John Nolen Drive from the Beltline, turning away from Lake Monona onto Broom Street until you reach Mifflin. Take a right and find a large parking structure on your left. Another option is to approach from campus. Take West Johnson Street east until you reach Lake Street. On Lake Street make a left and travel about two blocks until you find a parking structure on your right. Parking in Madison is sparse and there can be a wait outside parking structures during busy periods.

State Street is a great place for people watching. In the course of one visit, you'd be hard pressed not to spot at least one tie-dye t-shirt, one colorful mohawk, a group of skateboarders, and a homeless street performer playing an instrument for spare change. State Street has always been popular with college students because of its location adjacent to the campus. War protestors rioted here in the 70s against the Vietnam War. There is always an interesting mix of people strolling along State Street.

To help you in your visit, the city has hired Information Ambassadors. People in bright green golf shirts at information booths direct you to hot spots or let you in on the events of the day.

The west end of State Street ends at Lake Street with the University Book Store, Memorial Library, and Library Mall steps in front of you. The east end of State Street ends at the Capitol.

Along it are stores that have been in business for decades and some that are relatively new. The following is a list of businesses found on State Street Mall. The list is a partial list of the places that would be of interest to tourists. Broken down into blocks, the 100 block starts at the Capitol and the 600 block is closest to campus. Places in bold are the most popular attractions.

100 Block of State Street

This area is close to the office buildings surrounding the Capitol and therefore caters more to the business men and women looking for a quick lunch. The Children's Museum is also located right by the Capitol with the Wisconsin Historical Museum diagonally across in front of the Capitol.

200 Block of State Street

300 Block of State Street

400 Block of State Street

500 Block of State Street

600 Block of State Street


The copyright of the article State Street in Madison in Wisconsin Travel is owned by Kelly Whitt. Permission to republish State Street in Madison must be granted by the author in writing.


State Street, Kelly Whitt
Triangle Market, Kelly Whitt
Orpheum, Kelly Whitt
The Capitol, Kelly Whitt
Art on the Overture, Kelly Whitt


Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo

Print Article Print Article
Email Article Email Article
View All Articles View All Articles
Suite101: NE U.S. Travel articles How to subscribe to feeds