Thanks to all who helped me find summer housing in NYC.for my one daughter. Here's the 2nd plea. I may be accompanying a 2nd daughter in Aug. to the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Anyone familiar with this area? Can you recommend reasonable,simple, clean safe hotel for us? For a few days close to the University while we get her settled into her living situation. I have never been to Madison so if you have recs on this and maybe things of interest to see while there or good restaurants I'd love to hear from you. Have time since I won't be going for several months. Thank you. Barb Cabot

Our son is a grad student at U Wisconsin, and we visited him there several years ago. I'm going to check my files and see where we stayed, as it was nice and within easy walk to campus. I almost think it was a chain such as Howard Johnson's. If you are going to be arriving when all the students are moving in, you may find it difficult to book a room in the area, as there may be a lot of other parents such as you who are staying over.

I'll also ask our son for restaurant recommendations to pass on to you. I do remember he took us to one of those German Rathskeller type places, where people get up and polka to live music on the weekends. there are a lot of nice restaurants (of varying costs and ethnicities) on the street leading from the campus to the state house, and we ate at several of those.

In terms of attractions, the University has a very nice arboretum where you can wander around, and the University itself is right on the lake so it's very nice just hanging out on the terrace at the student union building. Madison also has one of the country's largest farmer's markets, which is held in the streets surrounding the Capitol building - easy walk from campus. I believe it's every Saturday.

I'll post more ideas as they come to me.

Thank you Pemquid. This is very helpful. The more I read about Madison the more excited I get. My daughter will be returning to the U.S. after a years stay in Sardinia teaching and researching. She's looking forward to this new adventure. My younger daughter will be spending the fall semester in Ireland at the Univ. of Cork. I just read your profile and see you've been to Ireland as well as Slovakia. That's a place I've heard wonderful things about. So many places to visit. Thank you for your info on Madison. Sounds very promising.

Madison is a great place to visit, as well as attend school. There is indeed a vibrant restaurant scene, though because I haven't been there for a couple of years, I hesitate to recommend anyplace specific. Things change and evolve. I do recommend the Great Dane brewery and restaurant, near the capitol. Great beer and food. Yes, there is the German beer/sausage places which are beloved in Wisconsin- the most well known is Essen Haus. There are also sophisticated "foodie" places, and lots of fresh artisanal food. The best event is the Saturday morning farm market which surrounds the capitol area. I think I heard that it is the biggest in the nation, and is surely one of the best. More than fresh produce, with fabulous artisal cheese. It is a very entertaining scene, and we hope you can participate in that. A so-so hotel with a really great location is on the corner of the capitol square - its a Best Western.
And then there are the lakes....kayaking, and more.
Have fun - You should enjoy your experiences there.
Linda

Linda, all of this sounds very appealing. German beer and sausage...mmm and the open market is exciting to think about. Your tips are very appreciated. Thank you so much. Barb Cabot

I forgot to add this- A nice excursion from Madison is to the Frank Lloyd Wright studio and house near Spring Green. This isn't far west of Madison. It's a nice daytrip from there.
Linda

I remembered where we stayed when we were in Madison; it was well-priced and conveniently located near the campus and an easy walk to the state capitol area where we visited the farmer's market (supposedly the best farmer's market in the U.S.). Howard Johnson's-Double Tree And it was indeed Essen Haus that we went to where people were doing the polka and having a grand old time.

There's a nice state park within a reasonable drive of Madison (maybe 1 hour?), where there's a swimming beach and decent easy hiking. Our son took us there, in part to show us where he'd recently competed in the Devil's Lake triathlon (it was a sprint triathlon, but still mighty grueling). It's Devil's Lake State Park, and is near (or in?) Baraboo, which is also home to the Ringling Circus Museum. Speaking of triathlons, there's a well-known Iron Man Triathlon that takes place in Madison that attracts competitors from all over the country and internationally.

If your daughter likes sporty outdoor activities, the University has a lot of clubs. Our son joined the sailing club as he wanted to learn to sail; they have their own fleet of large and small boats moored right by the student union. I believe membership may be free for students if they donate a minimum amount of volunteer time. There's also clubs for skiing, and I think maybe camping and horseback riding.

Wow Pemquid...more great info...thanks so much! Barb Cabot

Hi Barb: Madison resident checking in! The Doubletree is a great bet for a hotel. The Hilton is located on Capital Square and the Concourse Hotel is located just off the Square and one block off of State Street (which connects the Capital to the Campus). All are great lodging choices, in the "hotel" category. I can recommend lots of restaurants, but will offer up a few. Sardine (a mid-priced lovely space with a great view overlooking Lake Monona); The Old Fashioned, a casual take on the Wisconsin supper club (located on the Square); Tornado Room for steak, Marigold Kitchen for breakfast, lunch, or brunch...

You'll have a great first visit of many! I also agree with the suggestion to go visit Taliesin. Also, don't forget to wander around Capital Square on Saturday mornings...the Dane County farmer's market is quite the event.

Hee. I'm also interested in Madison as the U is on my own son's list.

Amy, it's really a great small city...even after this terrible winter. (I'm from Northern CA and my husband hides all the sharp objects in February.) Wonderful restaurants, outings, 5 lakes, etc. Also B&Bs if that's what you want...

Great school too, and I'm not an alum (hubby is--mechanical engineering '83)

Martha G. Thank you for you input. It's reassuring. Anyone out there familiar with graduate student housing? My daughter has several emails to current grads in the Italian dept. but curious if anyone has first hand experience with on campus housing and preferences of location. I'm looking forward to my first visit. Great suggestions for hotels and restaurants etc. Barb Cabot

I would second the advice of those who say to get your reservations as soon as possible if you are planning to be in Madison the week that classes start. Also second the recommendations for the farmers market around the Square, Marigold Kitchen for breakfast or lunch, and a visit to Taliesen in Spring Green. While in Spring Green, you might also attend a show at American Players Theater. It's an outdoor theater with a professional repertory company doing classic plays - always some Shakespeare, and other plays. You can eat a picnic on their grounds before the show, either your own or ordered from them in advance (BYOB). A fun experience. We go back to Madison and to shows at APT for a weekend every year (full disclosure - our neice is stage manager at APT). Website is www.playinthewoods.org.
We both went to grad school at Wisconsin but this was many years ago, so can't claim to be current on the housing situation. It would probably be helpful to check with the University grad housing office just to see what info they can offer. At least in days of yore they had listings and advice. A grad dorm can be useful for a starting semester until one gets to know people well enough to share an apartment with them. It would be good to have something lined up very soon; the best opportunities go first, as you would expect.

Madison is a delightful city; we certainly enjoyed it and continue to do so, and hope that you and your daughter will, too.

Thank you B and J NE, lots of really helpful tips. So nice to hear about all the positives.
I'm anxious to get to know Madison first hand. Will definitely check out the "Play in the Woods" website. Barb Cabot