State Street

From Campus to Capitol
Madison, WI

A vital main street that is the meeting place and social center of Madison.

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Why It Works

This street is a connector between the University of Wisconsin campus and the Madison Capitol. It is vital and vibrant with traffic controls that make it pedestrian friendly. Madison discourages cars on campus. The Farmer’s Market surrounds the Capitol at the end of the street.

What Makes State Street a Great Place?

It is accessible for all modes of transit: heavy pedestrian and bike use, trolley, bus and auto traffic. Very pedestrian friendly.

Since this is a streetscape, the seating is limited. The area feels safe, but has the sense of a student atmosphere.

This street always has a lot of pedestrian traffic. It is closed down for street fairs and other events.

This street is the meeting place and social center of the campus, including all ages and ethnic groups.

History & Background

I went to graduate school at UW in the late 70's and have been back only several times, but continue to use this as an example of a wonderful "college" town main street that connects to the larger community and invites the community in. The shops and restaurants transition from student-oriented to more community-oriented as one approaches the Capitol.

Contact Info:

Greater State Street Business Association

User Comments:

05/12/03 misha oh said:: State Street is not the same as it was in the 70's, heck, it's not the same as it was in the early 90's. The street has undergone a shift towards mega-chain stores (cough, Gap, cough) and homogenized restaurants (Chipotle McBurrito, anyone?) rather than local merchants and "real" ethnic foods. The farmers market is still there, but most of that fare can be had at local food co-ops and speciality shops. Otherwise it's a haven for drunk frat boys & sorority girls (Paul's Club) or college atheletes (KK) or snotty out-of-town students (the Towers). Utopia, it isn't any longer, sorry.
07/07/04 Ken Keeley said:: It remains to be seen how State Street responds to the Overture Center and the redesign and renovation of its streetscape. The life imparted by the funky shops and ethnic restaurants could very well be sacrificed to upscale redevelopment, and I hope the City can provide some measure of protection against that. It's too late to re-think the Overture Center, sadly out of scale and out of context with the surrounding commercial district. Perhaps State Street's loss will be offset by rejuvenating other commercial districts at the periphery of the isthmus, but losing the character of the street will deal a blow to Madison's quality of life.
06/19/08 Laurel Wedel said:: I graduated from Madison a few years back and still hold a place for State Street in my heart. Continuing my education at other mid-western universities, I have come across other very walkable college main streets, but I still feel that State Street in Madison contains some of that vintage feel. It still remains a "place" for both students and the community. Yes, at night it does become a bit rowdy, but adding the surrounding destinations to State Street, I believe that it is still a special space. Every time that I am back, despite recent constructions, rain or shine or sleet or snow, there are people out walking or biking on State Street. The restaurants are still unique, even if they are chains, such as Noodles or Cold Stone, they have an atmosphere that is like none other, because it is State Street, and it is Madison.