
View from a pier

Lots of people having fun

Note the colorful chairs

Looking down to Lake Mendota from Union Terrace
Union Terrace
This summer we spent some time in Wisconsin, first in Madison for a conference (and some extra days) and then in Spring Green, mainly to visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Talliesin.
It was my first visit to both cities and it was fun exploring and getting to know new places.
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, has the University of Wisconsin-Madison, so it is a very dynamic city with a huge variety of eating places and things to do. It grew up on a spit of land between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona and then spread all around the lakes. The Capitol is on a slight rise in the center of the spit and dominates that part of the city (more later). The city is also well known for buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright. But, another dominant part of the city is the university campus.

We enjoyed a glass of wine

There are also a few big chairs, which people like to sit on for photos
Something that really impressed us is how accessible and welcoming to the general public some parts of campus are. Of particular note is the Memorial Union Terrace, next to the Alumni Park on the edge of campus close to State Street, which leads to the Capitol. It’s university property but open to the public, and the public sure does flock here.
The Terrace overlooks Lake Mendota and is a sprawling place on many levels. Signature circular metal tables and chairs, with sun-burst design in many bright colors, are dotted around and on a summer evening are really busy. So, it’s hard to find a table.
Old people, young students, families with children, people with dogs stroll around or sit and enjoy the lake view with a drink and snack. You can buy beer, wine, pizza, brats, icecream from different stalls outside on the terrace or from places inside the food court. Some kids feed the hopeful ducks on the lake, and many people hire some sort of water craft to take a spin out on the lake.
As the sun goes down, more people come and sit on the edge of the lake and a music group is likely to begin playing on the stage set up on the edge. If the weather is good, the sunset view is wonderful.
It’s bustling, lively and noisy but has a great vibe and each time we went there we were impressed again that the university permits such a place—because the U of I certainly doesn’t, and we suspect wouldn’t.