CogSci 2018: Madison
July 25 – July 28th, 2018
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Visiting Madison
Where to eat/drink?
Note: Madison Restaurant Week is July 22 through July 27. It might be difficult to get a reservation at participating restaurants. More information here
The conference venue is close to the capitol square in Madison, and there are many reasonably close options for lunch, dinner, or a drink. Below are a handful suggestions, but you can find more bars, cafés and restaurant nearby on sites such as yelp.
In general, there are many good pubs and restaurants around the capitol square. If you want to wander a bit farther from the conference center, wander along Williamson Street – it’s hard to go wrong with almost any restaurant, café, or shop you find.
For a list of some recommended locations near the conference center, along with their location, have a look at this google google map.
Things to do:
For local events and things going on in Madison, the Isthmus is a useful resource: https://isthmus.com/all-events.
Wisconsin State Capitol: Free tours offered daily
Located in the heart of Madison and designated as a National Historic Landmark. The building and observation deck are open to the public during the day.
Dane County Farmers Market:
Rated the largest producer-only farmers market in the country. Join in on the fun, 6:15 am- 1:45 pm Saturday on capitol square.
Memorial Union Terrace:
Located on the shore of Lake Mendota, the terrace is a great place to enjoy live music, food and drinks while looking out on one of the best views in Madison.
Explore the local lakes
The center of Madison is immediately adjacent to three lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra). All three have great options for spending time on the lake, including kayaking, sailing, and small beaches. See here for some locations and boat renting options: http://www.cityofmadison.com/visit-play/lakes
Free parks, botanical garden, and zoo
The city of Madison has parks and nature areas located throughout the city. Three fun locations to visit with free entry are the UW Arboretum, the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, and the Henry Vilas Zoo.
UW-Madison Arboretum:
Over 1, 200 acres and over 20 miles of trails designated for hiking a
nd biking. The trails feature gardens and various ecological communities.
Visit Picnic Point for great, quiet views of the lake and grilling out. You can reserve fire circles along the lake for free. Free firewood is also provided on location.
Free Museums
The Chazen Art Museum and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art are both free and located close to the center of Madison on UW campus. Both are beautiful buildings in their own right with frequently rotating exhibitions. Insider tip: Keep an eye out for the rooftop cinema program on Friday nights at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
Chazen Museum of Art:
Associated with UW-Madison and highlights work from ancient to present day. 750 University Ave
Things to do Near Madison
Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin:
Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Wisconsin home, Taliesin, is located ~1 hour drive from Madison in Spring Green and offers daily tours.
American Players Theater – Theater in the Wisconsin woods:
For a one-of-a-kind open-air theater experience, see the American Players Theater perform classical and contemporary theater in nearby Spring Green, WI.
New Glarus Brewery:
A Wisconsin classic beer, this quaint brewery is located on the outskirts of Madison in the near town New Glarus, WI. Check out their website, for more information.