Trip to Wisky
Hey everyone, this is my first post, so hopefully it's on topic enough. I'm headed to Madison in November for the game against the Badgers. I've already bought the tix (not in hand yet though). Any advice for the trip? How are the fans? How is the stadium? On what may be an OT - What are some have to hits on the bar scene in Madison, I've heard alot of good things about that part of Madison.
Thanks & Go Blue
September 8th, 2009 at 6:40 PM ^
The fans were really accommodating during my visit in '07. I traveled with a large contingent of housemates and a group of friends who were Wisconsin grads. We got razzed a bit, but overall, everyone was cool with visiting fans.
Be aware it is one of the campuses where you have to buy a red cup to drink at their house parties if you stop near the stadium.
As far as the bars, I probably visited 12-15 bars near Broom St and University over my 5-6 times in Madison. Most were your run of the mill college bars.
September 8th, 2009 at 7:02 PM ^
I'd go to State Street for the bars. State Street Brats is good, the Nitty Gritty can be fun, but most places are just like formerlyanonymous said.
The fans there will call you an asshole, but its all in good fun (for the most part, unless you get some of the dick head drunks). The stadium is great and has an unbelievable atmosphere.
Enjoy the game, maybe I'll see you there.
September 8th, 2009 at 7:56 PM ^
The overall stadium should be fine, but in the student section there are no guarantees. My friend got pushed into an usher and got arrested for it in 2005. I also had a kid come like 15 rows down and push my friend after they scored. I like the atmosphere a lot (they have a mix of band and speakers) and fans outside the student section are typically into the game a lot.
As far as bars, just walk to state st and hit up most bars and you'll be fine.
September 8th, 2009 at 7:58 PM ^
I also forgot to tell you that you should go grab a great burger at either Dotty Dumplings, or The Nitty Gritty before the game. There is a great breakfast place that "Taste of the Town" went to, but I can't think of its name for the life of me (Mickey's Diner possibly??). Its directly across the street from Camp Randall and just off of Breeze Terrace.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:57 PM ^
It's on Monroe Street between Breese Terrace and Regent, basically right across the street from Camp Randall.
Wih the disclaimer that I'm old and don't live there any more, my favorite bar in Madison used to be the Great Dane, which is just off the Square (AKA the Capitol Square) on E. Doty. They're a brewpub and the beer is good. It's a healthy walk to Camp Randall, though. Dotty Dumpling's Dowry used to have the best hamburgers in town when they were on Regent, but that was one or two locations ago. State Street has plenty of pretty ordinary college bars.
September 8th, 2009 at 8:02 PM ^
I had a blast at the Wisco game in '07. I think we stuck around State Street and a few streets off State for bars but didn't really have much of an idea where we were going and made out ok. Can't wait to go back for the hockey game this February.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:08 PM ^
I am a college student and am hoping to get to the game. I TOTALLY agree about the student section. I am not sure I will wear my Michigan gear for all to see, because the chants become nasty and many people are drunk and will harass you. I have to say I was less worried last year when I was in the student section of the OHIO STATE game, but that game was out of hand early.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:23 PM ^
also the nastiness is not limited to UW students. I've had middle-age women cursing at me (w/o provocation) in Camp Randall.
I've attended the last six Michigan FB roadtrips to Madison, and fan behavior there has gotten worse over time. They and Iowa seem to be pursuing "the gold standard": OSU.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:04 PM ^
However, many of them won't be sober, and drinking does bring out the worst in many of us. General assholery in Madison may be on the rise. For instance, the annual Halloween parties on State Street ended in riots for a number of years this decade.
September 8th, 2009 at 9:32 PM ^
This is my first post too.
I will be making the trip to Wisky and Iowa! Cant wait.
September 9th, 2009 at 11:06 AM ^
everything from hot sorority girls to middle aged farm hags, you will have a great time. The stadium is lively and loud. The drinking is plentiful around the stadium. No real tailgating - everything is the parking lots of bars, but it is a fun atmosphere. You will most likely park in a parking ramp and then walk to the stadium past all of the bars.
You will not be in physical danger like in Columbus, and most of it will be verbal assaults by drunks - drunk sorority chicks, drunk farm hags, drunk truck drivers in Packer jackets, lots of hunting orange that time of year. You will be surprised by how much Wisconsin fans HATE michigan and consider us a rival. While we never really give wisconsin a second thought except when one of their players are trying to break the leg of one of our players after the play is over. They are obsessed with Michigan.
After the game, things will calm down a bit in terms of verbal assaults, and you can get on with downing brats and beer. You will hit the parking lots of bars and continue to drink and drink and drink.
I have never had a bad time up there, and it is one of the great road trips for an M fan.