Living in Madison

What does Madison have to offer?

Madison provides unlimited opportunities for students to explore, shop, dine, create, and have fun. For a full list of all the social activities available to students, we recommend visiting the Campus Life website, published by the University of Wisconsin, or the Visit Madison website, published by the Greater Madison Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. We’ve curated a few of the most popular activities below to give you a glimpse into the unique benefits that come with being a student in Madison, Wisconsin.

Farmer’s market

The Dane County Farmer’s Market consistently ranks on the top 10 list of farmer’s markets in the U.S. Hosted every Saturday morning from April through November, the farmer’s market includes the best produce and baked goods that Wisconsin has to offer. Be sure to try Stella’s Hot & Spicy Cheese Bread while you’re there, or try a breakfast slice at Ian’s Pizza. Hosted on the Capitol Square.

Art & Cinema

Two fantastic art museums are located within walking distance of Concord House: the Chazen Museum of Art, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA). The Chazen presents collections that range from ancient to modern, and offers free admission to all. MMoCA highlights four galleries with changing exhibitions featuring both established and emerging artists, and includes a rooftop sculpture garden.The UW campus is also home to two theaters: Cinematheque and the Marquee Theater at Union South. Cinematheque shows fine films meant to showcase the best in international cinema history. The Marquee shows modern, often independent, but sometimes mainstream, films. Both theaters boast free admission on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Go sports, go!

There’s nothing quite like attending your first Badger football game at Camp Randall stadium, located within walking distance of Concord House. Just a few blocks in the other direction is the Kohl Center, which hosts the Basketball and Hockey teams, as well as other events. The University also has several ice skating rinks, a bowling alley, and a rock climbing wall. There are a number of rec sports leagues for students not interested in varsity sports. And for runners of any skill level, the November Project is a great way to socialize twice a week while getting in some exercise.

Live music

The University campus is wedged between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, and each lake features a terrace that regularly hosts live musical performances as well as dances. The Lake Mendota Terrace, usually referred to simply as “the terrace,” features the best view in Madison and is only a few blocks away from Concord House. Pull up a chair and enjoy some award-winning Babcock ice cream as you listen to local and student bands. The Monona Terrace also features two more formalized concert series: Concerts on the Rooftop and Dane Dances. And during the summer, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra features a six-week concert series on Wednesdays known as Concerts on the Square.

The great outdoors

The UW Arboretum is only about a mile south of the campus, and features 1,200 acres of fields, pastures, and forest. And located just a couple miles east of campus, Madison is home to the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, an award-winning 16 acres of stunning landscapes with Midwest-hearty plants. The campus also overlaps with the city’s famous Lakeshore Path, culminating at Picnic Point, which is great for hiking, biking, or just sight-seeing. The Capital City Trail bike path also cuts right through the campus, as Madison is one of five U.S. cities rated at the platinum level for bike friendliness.

Spirituality

The UW Campus is home to multiple churches, campus ministries, and interfaith groups. Concord House is right next door to the Lutheran Campus Center, and just two blocks away from The Crossing. We regularly host Christian Science Organization meetings in the Concord House building. We also provide rides for anyone interested in attending Madison’s own Christian Science church. For more information, please visit the Church Times & Events page.