Tailgating in Madison- Suggestions? Who’s All Going?
September 30th, 2021 at 6:17 AM ^
Sorry ...created this post while still in bed with no content. Packing up the car in a few and headed to Madison for the first time. Part of a group of 10 that will have all day Friday and Saturday night to explore and debauch. Suggestions on tailgating spots, parks, bars ,restaurants, activities etc. would be much appreciated. Go Blue!
note: mostly an older crowd ( freshman QB’s is how I like to note age - we have Moorhead, Franklin, Leach,Threet, and Robinson)
September 30th, 2021 at 6:33 AM ^
Regent Street is one giant party on game day. https://goo.gl/maps/MTaPQ8ZoFeVdALJi8
Lots of tailgating happens in this lot, though it may have controlled access:
https://goo.gl/maps/7v9ZZxzmL6Syz5h66
Oh, and if you’re going to walk around (and not tailgate), I highly recommend taking a city bus into the fray and then walking around.
September 30th, 2021 at 7:43 AM ^
If you’re going to the Fray, I’d suggest taking a Cable Car.
September 30th, 2021 at 8:11 AM ^
Friday's forecast looks unbelievably nice for October 1. Great weather for exploring the town and general debauchery.
As a local resident, I would offer my services as a local guide. But I unfortunately have work obligations during the day and a personally important high school football game to attend in the evening!
You can't go wrong walking the State Street circuit between the UW campus and the state capitol building. No matter how you spend your day, I highly recommend grabbing a table and a few pitchers of beer at the Memorial Union on the shores of Lake Mendota to watch the sun set. It should be a lively scene. The Memorial Union is an absolute gem due to its ambience. Serving beer also helps.
I will be attending the game on Saturday. I drove to Ann Arbor last week to watch the Rutgers game. This will be my first back-to-back live game attendance since my undergrad days in the early 90's. I'm not sure my body can handle it.
September 30th, 2021 at 2:24 PM ^
Where ya been boy? About time ya started gassin up again! Have FUN!!! GO BLUE!
September 30th, 2021 at 9:57 AM ^
Live in southern Wisconsin so driving up Saturday morning. My niece's boyfriend is a student and we are tailgating with the kids outside Camp Randall.
3rd time going to a game in Madison and hopefully a better result than 2017 and 2019. Madison is an awesome city and everyone should have a great time.
Go Blue!
September 30th, 2021 at 10:05 AM ^
My daughter is a U-M alumna and now a graduate student in Mad-town. My bride, my son (a senior at U-M) and I are all going to spend the weekend and take in the Fifth Quarter in its natural habitat.
We are thinking about visiting the Badger Bash at Union South before the game, but are not 100% sure yet. She lives over near the Hilldale mall, and we're staying right there too. Debating driving or taking the bus--sounds like the bus might be the way to go?
https://union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/special-events/badgerbash/
September 30th, 2021 at 10:10 AM ^
Taking a bus from the Hilldale area is a great option. So many bus routes are available near Hilldale. Most west-side Madison bus routes converge in the Hilldale area before proceeding to the Isthmus/campus region.
September 30th, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
I used to live near Hilldale (and before that fairly close to Union South) and I'd strongly recommend the bus. Traffic is a pain in the ass on football Saturdays and it's worse if you're driving through the Isthmus, and parking will be an enormous headache.
Walking is a possibility as well, depending on how comfortable you are with that and how close your daughter actually is to Hilldale. It's only about 2 miles from Hilldale to Camp Randall; I admit I think of that as a pleasant walk (particularly on a nice fall day) but I realize not everyone agrees.
September 30th, 2021 at 10:43 AM ^
She's on N. Segoe right across the street. I'd *love* the walk, but I'm not sure the rest of the family agrees with me. Of course, I suppose they could take the bus and I'd meet 'em there...
It might also depend on when/whether the rain starts.
September 30th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
We were on the east side of Midvale so we were a little closer to campus than your daughter is, so that's a little further.
Although a compromise would be to walk there if it's not raining and take the bus back.
September 30th, 2021 at 10:07 AM ^
I'll be there. Taking the whole family. Camp Randall puts on a great show. People are great!
A W at WI would be nice!
September 30th, 2021 at 10:33 AM ^
Not going, but suggestion is just to barhop on state st between campus and the capitol building before (and after) the game! Traditional tailgating can be done at any stadium in the country, enjoy Madison for what it is, one of the better college towns in the country!
September 30th, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
I'll be there. Driving in from MN on Friday with the Sig Other who is a UW Grad. We are part of the "mature" crowd so we will be taking in the Farmer's Market in the morning near the capital and then walking over to Camp Randall. We'll stop at any bakery on the way that smells good enough.
First time going to Camp Randall so very excited for that experience. Really needing a Michigan win so I don't have to hear about it the whole way home.
September 30th, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^
I did the road trips in 2017 and 2019; I found that the easiest (and most fun) way to tailgate in Madison is to bar hop along Regent St (Jordans Big 10 Pub, Sconnies, Luckys). The parking lots of the bars become huge parties and are great fun. They’ll have food carts with brats, curds, BBQ, etc for you to eat as well. And you’re a close walk to the stadium as well.
September 30th, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^
I lived in Madison for four years right after graduating, it's a fantastic college town, quick run down of tailgating/bars/food:
For student tailgating - Mifflin Street, Regent St near Camp Randall
Student bars on State St - Kollege Klub, Mondays, State St Brats (great patio), Wandos, Chasers. Dotty's is great for a burger.
Bars on Regent St - All kind of standard sports bars but close to Camp Randall - Sconnie Bar, Red Zone, Luckies
Memorial Union Terrace - This is a great spot if you have time, the union is right on Lake Mendota and serves pitchers of beer, stop for one and the views.
The farther you get away from campus on State St and the closer you get to the Capitol building, the less student oriented the bars get. The Capitol itself is surrounded by a big square that has plenty of bar and restaurant. Couple of restaurants I recommend:
The Old Fashioned - the quintessential Wisconsin spot, but expect a big crowd.
The Tipsy Cow - great bar food and selection of beers.
Graze - great views of the capitol building and solid food
Graft and Heritage Tavern are also solid options for dinner.
Tornado Room, off the square, has a great late night menu with an awesome steak sandwich.
Fresco has a cool rooftop for drinks or dinner
Essen Haus is a solid German bar that typically has live music.
If you're staying the weekend, I'd recommend checking out Willy St, one of the other neighborhoods further from Campus - Pig in a fur coat (best food in the city IMO), Grampa's Pizza, Weary traveler, Ha Long Bay are all solid options.
For breakfast, Mickies dairy bar is the classic options, really solid greasy spoon food right by Camp Randall. Gotham bagels have the best bagels outside of NYC.
September 30th, 2021 at 3:26 PM ^
I will be there. I wasn't planning on doing anything before the game. I'm not sure about after, but I'll definitely be in the city the whole day.
September 30th, 2021 at 5:06 PM ^
Over the years I've been to Madison many times for games --- it was more fun in the nineties when M basically ran all over 'em; not so much fun in recent years though.
And yes, there was a time when, especially for a noon (EDT) start, munching a cold brat and guzzling a cold Leine's at 10 am was actually fun, but that ship has sailed. Likewise I have no use for the fans with their red t-shirts advocating sexual assault against the State of Michigan, and the shirts that proclaim "Ann Arbor" as a woman of easy virtue. I don't even recall that many obscene t-shirts in Columbus!
And also yes, it's a real thrill to sit in the Camp Randall upper deck during the "jump around," when you can feel the whole damn rickety structure vibrate.
All that said, IMO Smoky's is still about the best eatery in town. No reservations, you won't be seated until your whole party's there, but the steaks are excellent. I hope if any of you MGoBlogers eat there you'll be celebrating a Michigan win --- safe travels, and Go Blue!
October 1st, 2021 at 1:16 PM ^
You sound like a blast to party with.
September 30th, 2021 at 7:27 PM ^
My mom and I are leaving tomorrow.
September 30th, 2021 at 7:40 PM ^
I thought the title said "Targeting in Madison." Yep, expect it...
October 1st, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
Had tickets, got covid and now my brother in law who I’m not particularly fond of is going. Talk about a kick in the nads. Planned on taking my 15yr old son and doing some fishing next week. I haven’t been to camp Randal in 20 yrs and was really looking forward to it.