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Walking Tours
Campus: Download the UW Guide app on your mobile device to take a self-guided campus tour. The tour is 1.7 miles roundtrip, and takes about 30 minutes with 20 minutes of audio. For a campus tour with no walking, hop on the free Route 80 Metro Transit bus which circulates the entire campus regularly.
Lakeshore Nature Preserve: This quiet nature walk follows the Lake Mendota shoreline, through the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, to the iconic Picnic Point. The walk is 2.7 miles and 59 minutes one way, though you can stop at any point and turn around. You can walk back, or hop on the free Route 80 Metro Transit bus which circulates the entire campus regularly.
State Street: This city walk passes by local shops, cafes, and several spots to sit and watch the people go by. Start at Library Mall, the “bottom” of State Street, where everyday food trucks supply the campus with delicious, local lunch options. The walk is 0.7 miles and 17 minutes one way, and it ends at the State Capitol where you can connect to the following additional activities or simply turn around and walk back.
Tour the State Capitol Building
Tour the state capitol building. Free guided tours lasting about 45 minutes are offered multiple times every day. No time for a tour? The building is open to the public starting at 8 a.m. and you can wander around at your leisure. It is a 14-minute walk from the DoubleTree to the capitol. Google Maps Walking Route.
Enjoy the Local Cuisine
Dine like a Top Chef. Season 21 of Top Chef explored Wisconsin’s culinary scene. Visit one of the filming locations in Madison, or sample other award-winning restaurants in the downtown area.
Explore the farmers market. The Dane County Farmers’ Market is the largest, producer-only farmers market in the country. It’s open year round, and Saturday, November 9 is the last outdoor market before it moves indoors for the winter. It is open 6:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. and is located on the Capitol Square. It is a 14-minute walk from the Hampton Inn to the market. Tip: Follow the crowd and move around the Capitol counter clockwise. Google Maps Walking Route.