Madison, WI Fall Football Trip

a word of caution...you cannot outdrink those people up there. do not attempt

If there’s anyone that can outdrink Louisiana people, it’s Wisconsin folks.

In general, Madison is a great city, but even better gameday experience.

Iowa is a good choice, but first things first: It is very difficult to get a hotel downtown on any football weekend, but compound a game weekend with Halloween (one of the busiest weekends of the year) and there isn't much left. You might find a couple rooms in the $400+/night range. Being several miles away wouldn't be ideal. If Iowa is your preferred weekend, I'd book now and prepare to pay up.

My preference on gameday weekends is to keep dinners casual. I'd think about getting dinner on Capitol Square or Willy Street. So, so many options on both (and I can dive into more), but my recommendations on the Square would be Settle Down Tavern or Tipsy Cow. You may have someone mention Old Fashioned for cheese curds, but get those at Tipsy Cow. On Willy Street, go with Weary Traveler or Grampa's Pizzeria. If you want to get something a little more put together (i.e. putting on a collar), The Harvey House is a good choice. Believe it opened last month, but it's behind the Kohl Center and built into an old train station.

If you'd like to go out for drinks after, The Robin Room is a good stop for a cocktail before making your way back to the Square. Around the Capitol tends to be an older, young professional crowd. As you walk down State Street towards campus, you'll notice the college bars. As a whole, downtown Madison is extremely walkable. Happy to provide more recommendations, but assuming you're on the older side, I'd check out Silver Dollar for a good dive, Plain Spoke for another cocktail bar experience, Young Blood for a brewery, and Coopers Tavern or Lucille for a more-extensive craft beer list. If you want to check out college bars, my go-to spots are Chasers (they're opening a second one tomorrow - my wife's college roommate's family owns it + Double U), KK (you'll see a lot of athletes and Greeks) and Double U. You may see an older crowd at Brats, but these will be the four rowdier bars.

If you are unfamiliar with Madison's geography, it is situated on an Isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Very different from a lot of cities out there. You must go to Memorial Union Terrace and grab a pitcher or two on the lake. Best setting for a beer in Madison... by far. No better memories for UW students and alumni.

On gameday, I'd recommend waking up early and walking the farmers market around the Square. Get Stella's spicy cheese bread.

Madison has a unique gameday/pregame experience. Camp Randall is located in the middle of a neighborhood (~25 minute walk from State Street) and surrounded by student houses + apartment complexes. Of course, there are smaller lots - the "traditional" tailgate is there for you to enjoy, but the fun is at Regent Street beer gardens (i.e. Jordan's Big Ten Pub and Lucky's) and student houses outside Camp Randall (i.e. Breese and Lathrop) that throw massive parties.

This has me pumped. I have one customer for sure that tailgates there. Asking another if they go. Might make this a Thurs-Sun trip.

I saw some hotel on the lake that said $700 for the weekend. On closer inspection it was $700/night. That's a little out of my price range.

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Your post just got me so excited for the Alabama game in a few years

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Looking forward to it! Home-and-home will be a phenomenal experience for both fan bases. Having LSU at Lambeau was a lot of fun, but really wish we got both sides together in Madison and Baton Rouge.

Here's a fun video to help get the juices flowing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTJA5alrisQ

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Give the Concourse (properly known as Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club) a peek. It's a good hotel and right near the Square.

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This one is available. $770/night/person hotel and airfare from Bham. Is this walkable for the game and all the restaurants and bars? Presumably safe to walk around down there? I have a buddy trying to get tickets, but can you get them outside the stadium?

Thanks.

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$770/night/person hotel and airfare from Bham.

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Assuming this includes both, I'd think this is fine for two people. Madison accommodations aren't cheap on football weekends and, honestly, often sold out.

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Is this walkable for the game and all the restaurants and bars? Presumably safe to walk around down there?

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Yes and yes. You are a half-block from State Street and Capitol Square. From the stadium and Regent Street beer gardens before the game, you're about a 30-minute walk, but make a couple pitstops along the way (i.e. walk Bascom Hill, stop at the Memorial Union Terrace, get a beer at Brats).

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Is this walkable for the game and all the restaurants and bars? Presumably safe to walk around down there?

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You can, but it does look like there are single-game tickets available for Iowa on UWBadgers.com. Odd to see these available... guessing some are unsure if they'll go because of COVID, etc.

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We went up there and put a hurting on them boys for the LSU game.

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i was there.
my brother & i attempted to compete.
we left injured and in awe of those people.

i have never in my life seen other humans who can drink beer like wisconsinites

Madison and Camp Randall is a great time, even if your team gets its arse kicked .

Great Dane Brewing has good beers and food
Farmers Market downtown Madison/Capitol Area
Sconnie Bar was fun near Camp Randall

I'm going again this year for UW/NW game in November.

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a word of caution...you cannot outdrink those people up there. do not attempt

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THIS CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED