Guidebook for Madison
Food Scene
Among the top 3 coffeehouses in the city! They've taken coffee into the realm of Rembrandt & Renoir!
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Johnson Public House
908 E Johnson StAmong the top 3 coffeehouses in the city! They've taken coffee into the realm of Rembrandt & Renoir!
Another artisanal eatery in eastside Madison's archipelago of quirk, quality & locavority....
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Forequarter
Another artisanal eatery in eastside Madison's archipelago of quirk, quality & locavority....
Sujeo
10 N Livingston StPremium.
Everything Else
A Rockhound's paradise! Gems, fossils, geo-jewelry--Burnies is a major attraction that draws people from all over!
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Burnie's Rock Shop
901 E Johnson StA Rockhound's paradise! Gems, fossils, geo-jewelry--Burnies is a major attraction that draws people from all over!
Shopping
This is high-end hippie luthierie at its east side best! Harps, mandolins, classical & folk guitars--Spruce Tree is yet another of Madison's artisanal crown jewels.
Spruce Tree Music & Repair
851 E Johnson StThis is high-end hippie luthierie at its east side best! Harps, mandolins, classical & folk guitars--Spruce Tree is yet another of Madison's artisanal crown jewels.
Parks & Nature
Spectacular views of the Madison skyline from the jetty. The parade of boats, kayaks, canoes through the locks can be entertaining!
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Tenney Park Locks
1500 Sherman AveSpectacular views of the Madison skyline from the jetty. The parade of boats, kayaks, canoes through the locks can be entertaining!
Tenney has everything--ice skating in winter, beach in summer, tennis courts, playground, picklenic areas, too, BooBoo!
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Tenney Park Rink
402 N Thornton AveTenney has everything--ice skating in winter, beach in summer, tennis courts, playground, picklenic areas, too, BooBoo!
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Tucked away, secret lakefront park. Perfect for viewing sunsets, the Madison skyline, and the more rural north shore of Lake Mendota. Typically very few people go here. It sits behind a church, and so might be mistaken for a part of the church property--but it is a public park. Nice place for a relaxing picnic!
Giddings Park
429 Castle PlTucked away, secret lakefront park. Perfect for viewing sunsets, the Madison skyline, and the more rural north shore of Lake Mendota. Typically very few people go here. It sits behind a church, and so might be mistaken for a part of the church property--but it is a public park. Nice place for a relaxing picnic!
Essentials
This isn't the absolute closest grocery store, but it is the best. Focusing on organics, the vegetables are babied, coddled and cared for in a way that means always super fresh. It is also the beating heart of the spirit of Madison's east side!
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Willy Street Co-op—East
1221 Williamson StThis isn't the absolute closest grocery store, but it is the best. Focusing on organics, the vegetables are babied, coddled and cared for in a way that means always super fresh. It is also the beating heart of the spirit of Madison's east side!
Getting Around
Madison B-Cycle Station - N. Thornton @ Tenney Park
402 N Thornton AveMadison's corporate bike share.
Great place for all things bike. They have reasonably priced used bikes that have been upgraded nicely for safety and utility. This is the beating heart of all things bike in Bikie Madison!
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Revolution Cycles
2330 Atwood AveGreat place for all things bike. They have reasonably priced used bikes that have been upgraded nicely for safety and utility. This is the beating heart of all things bike in Bikie Madison!
We don't own a car, but rent one once in a while. The team here is great, always aiming to please! I'd suggest reserving online first. Then just make sure to have a real credit card to complete the transaction (no debits/pre-paid).
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car
1864 E Washington AveWe don't own a car, but rent one once in a while. The team here is great, always aiming to please! I'd suggest reserving online first. Then just make sure to have a real credit card to complete the transaction (no debits/pre-paid).
Drinks & Nightlife
This is live music at the most human scale. A classic old railroad tavern, still has its authentic old-time feel. Great FREE live music Friday & Saturday nights (sometimes other nights, too). A wide variety of styles from folk to thrashing punk. This is a very relaxed (if sometimes crowded!), non-pretentious place. It's classic eastside in that all ages are welcome--they never sneer at my group consisting of 40-65 year olds! Fantastic food. Maybe Madison's best outdoor seating area (unfortunately, lots of smokers out there...).
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Mickey's Tavern
1524 Williamson StThis is live music at the most human scale. A classic old railroad tavern, still has its authentic old-time feel. Great FREE live music Friday & Saturday nights (sometimes other nights, too). A wide variety of styles from folk to thrashing punk. This is a very relaxed (if sometimes crowded!), non-pretentious place. It's classic eastside in that all ages are welcome--they never sneer at my group consisting of 40-65 year olds! Fantastic food. Maybe Madison's best outdoor seating area (unfortunately, lots of smokers out there...).