Exciting Street in Madison

If you are visiting Madison, Wisconsin, one of the main attractions everyone will suggest you visit is State Street. Part social destination and part pedestrian mall, this street extends from the Capitol to the University of Wisconsin - Madison. In 1974 the street was closed to vehicular traffic and the sidewalks were widened. Buses are still permitted to operate on the street, as well as emergency vehicles and bikes. The street is home to a variety of dining, nightlife, and retail shops. There are street performers up and down the sidewalks, and it is this feeling of entertainment and community that draws people to State Street. Visitors will also point out there are a number of homeless, vagrants, and panhandlers on the street, brought to the area by the plethora of foot traffic.

State Street is home to the Overture Center for the Arts, the Memorial Library Mall, and the Children's Museum. No discussion concerning State Street is complete without mention of the annual Halloween celebration. Understanding that the bars and clubs throughout Madison poured drunken, costumed partiers into the streets of the state capital, organizers took control of the situation and decided to bring everyone together for a Halloween event on State Street. People come from areas outside of Madison to parade up and down the street in their costumes. Crowds have grown to over 100,000 people and usually last longer than just Halloween evening. There have been instances of rioting, and the cost to the city bothers a lot of Madison residents. There has been suggestion of cancelling the event, but this has yet to occur. Understanding the celebration is at risk, party-goers have behaved better in recent years. The University has played a role in reducing the risk by not permitting guests in the residence halls during Halloween weekend. This cuts down on a lot of the malicious behavior, which is often perpetrated by those who live outside of Wisconsin. The city has also begun charging an admission fee to the event, and ending the event at midnight. The party was officially given the name Freakfest in 2006 and has become a sort of music festival with nationally famous acts performing during the event.

In a city known for its variety of dining choices, State Street is packed with an eclectic range or restaurants. Along the pedestrian walkway are Japanese, Italian, Greek, Vietnamese, and Mediterranean choices. You can also grab a burger or a brat, or enjoy a cup of coffee while watching people walk by. There are over 60 restaurants on State Street providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, and midnight snacks.

Enjoying recreation on State Street is easy and there are galleries, museums, comedy clubs, cigar bars, and theaters available for entertainment. Ample parking is available nearby and public transportation makes it easy to leave your car behind in this green city and still reach your destination safely. There are more than 200 shops on State Street, so you can pass your time browsing, enjoying a beverage, and having a relaxing meal, all in one place. If you are headed to Madison, be sure to check out State Street.