Why You Should Stay in Madison, WI, After Graduation
Is Madison a great college town? Yes. But the city has so much more to offer beyond the usual college experiences.
Madison, Wisconsin, has a bit of a reputation as a party town for college kids — after all, it has been named the country’s Greatest College Town by ESPN, Sports Illustrated and USA Today. But while Wisconsin’s capital certainly has a fun, youthful energy, that’s not all Madison has to offer.
A vibrant town with an eclectic mix of folks, this is a place that embraces the outdoors and leans into its location — Madison is on an isthmus between two lakes. Maybe the best thing about Madison is how well the city serves its different populations. Sure, there are stellar late-night eats on State Street and many spots to grab a cheap beer, but there are also James Beard-nominated restaurants and swanky cocktail spots for the post-grad population.
UW-Madison students tend to stay in a small area near campus, but there’s so much more to see, experience and enjoy in Madison. Year after year, Madison scores a spot on our annual list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live, and we wanted to highlight some of our favorite things to do around town that feel a little more grown-up.
In This Article
Amazing Food
In college, students grab a slice at Ian’s. Post-college? Head to L’Etoile, an up-scale, farm-to-table spot serving French-inspired fare.
The food scene in Madison is one of the most delicious (and underrated) in the country. You could eat your way around the world just strolling down State Street, and the city definitely has cheap eats covered, from fantastic food trucks in front of the library to pizza at Ian’s.
But once you’re off campus and earning a real paycheck, some higher-end dining options are not to be missed. The list of James Beard-nominated spots in town is growing, and they’re just the tip of the great-eating iceberg. L’Etoile, Graze, A Pig in a Fur Coat, Heritage Tavern, Muramoto and more tempt you to take advantage of the fresh, local ingredients at your fingertips that are being made into some of the best, most interesting dishes in the country.
And hey, if you’re still hungry afterward, there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a late-night slice.
Outdoor Activities
When you were on campus, getting outside meant Bascom Hill or the UW Arboretum. Post-college? Check out the dozens of State Parks, forests and recreation areas within 50 miles of the city.
From the more well-known Devil’s Lake and Governor Dodge State Parks to less-visited but still amazing Lake Kegonsa State Park and New Glarus Woods, there are simply a ton of amazing natural resources within a short drive of the city. Expand the radius to just 100 miles, and it doubles the amount of state natural spaces that can be reached from Madison — all in less than two hours. Add in Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, plus Lake Michigan, Lake Geneva and a whole plethora of smaller lakes and the Lower Wisconsin River Parkway, and the amount of things that can be done outdoors is pretty much endless.
Additionally, Madison is one of the country’s most bike-friendly cities, with more than 240 miles of bikeways supporting an active outdoor community. Camp, hike, bike, canoe, kayak, rock climb, fish, swim and enjoy all the abundant and beautiful natural resources surrounding you.
The Theater Scene
Trade general admission crowds at UW-Madison’s Mitchell Theatre for more refined theater.
Madison has no shortage of amazing performing arts companies and venues, and by the end of college, you’ve probably even been to the Overture Center or Orpheum for a time or two. Once you’ve leveled up, consider heading to the renowned American Players Theater near Spring Green or checking out one of the incredible independent theater companies in town. Madison’s quirky and off-beat vibe translates into a wonderful arts scene, and sticking only to State Street will mean you miss out on a lot.
Great Jobs
As an undergrad, work meant an hourly job with flexible hours around your class schedule. Post-graduation, take advantage of Madison’s great job market.
There’s no shortage of fantastic job opportunities in and around the Madison area. Epic and American Family Insurance are two of the biggest employers, but there are quite a few industries in town looking for an infusion of new graduates and brilliant minds. From UW Hospitals to Meriter and Dean Healthcare, the medical industry is a significant employer in the area, as is insurance. Great Lakes Higher Ed. Corp. continues to expand and add top talent. There’s always a need for smart, creative folks at the more than two dozen breweries, wineries and distilleries in the area.
The bottom line? There are a lot of options for quality employment in the Madison region once you have your degree — it’s a great place to begin and grow your career.
Local Produce
While in school, shopping fresh and local meant a quick trip to the Square for a handful of fruits and vegetables. Post-college, expand your horizons to more locally-owned shops for some of the freshest, highest-quality groceries to stock your shelves.
You’ll still go to the Dane County Farmer’s Market — it is the largest producer-only market in the country, after all — but you’ll walk away with a lot more food (hey, non-student budget!) and add in trips to Willy Street Co-Op and Capitol Centre Market. And while I’ll never turn down a slice of Stella’s cheese bread, you can also diversify by visiting Madison Sourdough and Bloom Bake Shop for some of the best baked goods you can find anywhere, in any state. Madison is close to all kinds of fresh ingredients. It’s not easy to take advantage of that while stuck on campus, but you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t join a CSA and find a local farmer for fresh eggs, meat and more once you’ve graduated.
Better Beer
Once you’ve upgraded your checking account, there’s no excuse to drink cheap, generic-brand beer anymore. You can tap into Madison’s amazing beer scene for just a few more dollars.
We’ve all been there as college students. No one is judging you for drinking what’s cheap and abundantly available. But once you graduate, it’s time to take advantage of Madison’s world-class brewery scene. Plus, this is Wisconsin, so even a pricey beer is still totally reasonable and with all the breweries in town and throughout the state, you’re bound to find one that floats your boat.
The Great Dane is a great way to ease yourself into trying new things and discover whether you love malty mouthfuls or are a hophead. From there, check out the numerous tap rooms or one of the great beer bars with rotating tap lists that will boggle your mind. Young Blood Beer Company is a newbie on the scene, but this microbrewery specializes in IPAs, Saisons, and Lagers with a modern twist. A couple of our other local favorites? One Barrel Brewing and Working Draft Beer Company.
If you’re willing to venture out of town, less than 30 miles outside of downtown is another notable spot, New Glarus Brewing Company, home to the award-winning Spotted Cow, a must-try on every beer connoisseur’s list. What sets this brewery apart is that its highly-coveted concoctions can only be purchased in the state of Wisconsin.
Beautiful Surroundings
The UW campus is spectacular and walkable, but once you’ve got a car and some space away from campus, don’t be afraid to explore.
Check out the must-see murals in Janesville, stroll the streets of the historical and revamped downtown Main Street in nearby Baraboo, find some art to decorate your new place among the artist’s colonies in Spring Green and Mineral Point or hit the road for a cheese road trip that’ll swing down and around to Monroe and take you to more award-winning producers than you can count all within an hour or two.
