I will be coming to Madison November 5 - 8 to watch my alma mater, THE Rutgers University, likely get pummeled by the Badgers. We intend to have a fantastic time, nonetheless. So, Madison Dopers, I ask thee, what should we not miss while in town?
The game time on Saturday hasn’t been announced yet. We arrive Thursday morning and leave Sunday afternoon. Give me your best insider info to enjoy our trip!
The Memorial Union, on campus. Early November is likely to be too cold to enjoy the Union Terrace, and the view of Lake Mendota (and they will likely have put the outdoor chairs into storage by then), but it’s still a quaint place, and you should get a drink at Der Rathskeller there.
Thanks. The weather seems to have a wide range of possibilities at that time of year.
There are some nice museums on Campus. The Chazen Art Museum and the Geology Museum.
Try a supper club. The Best Supper Clubs in the Madison Area - City Cast Madison
Oh, and while at the Union, try some Babcock Hall ice cream. Made by the University.
The State Capitol building itself is worth a visit, that can be incorporated into a easy walking tour that takes in the campus area by the Memorial Union and State Street. You’ll miss the good fall colors but a walk along the Lakeshore Path from the Union into campus along Lake Mendota is another highlight, especially if the weather is mild that weekend.
Bring ear plugs to games, don’t get tinnitus.
Awesome, thanks!
Related to this: definitely stay at the game through to the end. You will want to experience:
For certain. It might be in the 60s and gorgeous; it might snow.
Looking forward to it either way!
And while there, if you are a person who consumes alcohol and you have never had one before, you must have a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. It is not like the traditional version (a Chicago invention originally). It’s its own thing. It’s made with brandy. It usually has muddled oranges and cherries. It has 7-Up. It frequently has a splash of sour mix.
Done well, it’s a thing of beauty. But don’t go in expecting a traditional Old Fashioned (which is also a thing of beauty).
I am a whiskey guy and love a traditional Old Fashioned. Thanks for the heads up. I will give it a try.
Wisconsin is in love with brandy. AIUI, the state has the highest per-capita consumption of brandy i the U.S., and maybe in the world.
(And I am writing this from a hotel room in Green Bay, the town where I grew up. 
)
I was born in Neenah. Spent the first 2.5 years or so of my life in Omro, and then was raised in Sister Bay.
Brandy was the first hard alcohol I ever tasted.
Goddamned Cold ----> Unbearably Cold!
Dress warm, Drink! Have Fun!