Are you taking a spring break trip to Cancun, Mexico? Let's get real. Finances to pay for such a trip might be out of this semester's budget, which leaves you stuck in Madison. You can still enjoy your spring break, despite not traveling. Plenty of activities here in town rival the generic tropics vacation. Whether you're bound to Madison because of employment obligations, inadequate vacation preparations or lack of money, the mid-month block on your March calendar doesn't have to remain empty.
Madison offers unique entertainment to folks of all ages and interests. For comic entertainment, Comedy Sportz hosts a two-hour improvisational competition of the creative and quick-witted. Two teams challenge one another to games of humor based on subjects chosen by the audience. Comedy Sportz is located at 449 State St. and is open on Friday and Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m.
If sophistication is what you seek, wine and dine yourself at the Blue Velvet cocktail lounge. The Blue Velvet Lounge, found at 430 W. Gilman, takes you to another world with its cool, suave atmosphere of an upscale New York bar. The drinks are posh, the staff is personable and the flavor is rich. The lounge is open Monday through Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Looking to get your groove on? The Inferno NightClub is exotic, and as the name suggests, a blazing mist of pulsating beats and hot bodies.
\If you're into dance music, it's a good place to go,"" UW-Madison senior Eric Finnin explains.
The Inferno features themes each night of the week, with special guest DJs and cover charge discounts for appropriate attire. Themes during break are, Wednesday, March 19: Musichall Reggae smooth jams, Thursday: Energy, the latest in club culture and dance beats, Friday: Broken, music to inspire the shattering of monotony, with a cover charge waver if dressed in office clothing and Saturday: Chrome, aggressive electro and hard-core techno club music. Cover charge is $3, but students get in for free with an ID. Energy is open from 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Patrons must be 21 or older and it is located at 1718 Commercial Ave.
If your child-like instincts are telling you to play, Madison's Ultra Zone offers a battleground, in the form of a large square maze-like arena bathed in black light, for a high-tech version of capture the flag known as recreational laser tag. The Ultra Zone is located at 680 Grand Canyon Dr. After a quick briefing you're let loose for 25 minutes. Play one game for $6.50 or all night for $15. Open Monday through Thursday 12 to 10 p.m., Friday 2 to 12 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
With good weather predicted during break, enjoy the nice weather outside. Madison's Hiestand Park's rolling hills and grandfather trees are home to an 18-hole frisbee golf course. Bring your own frisbee and a few friends; it's free to the public. Find Hiestand Park by traveling south on Highway 51 and turning onto Milwaukee Street.
If you still feel like you're missing out from the tropical vacation experience, Madison hands us her beautiful Olbrich Botanical Gardens, one of the state's largest attractions.
""It's very relaxing, a place to chill,"" UW-Madison sophomore Janette Wagner describes, and couldn't have said it better.
The gardens relax the mind with the beauty of the year-round indoor tropical flora and fauna and scattered benches throughout the park to sit and relax the feet. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, located along Lake Mendota on 3330 Atwood Avenue.
And lastly we must not forget the shopping. Oh, yes, a vacation is not a vacation without a nostalgic token to take home. One of Madison's little known consignment shops is the Pink Poodle. This upscale resale shop sells items such as collectibles, jewelry, vintage and modern fashion, and other various antique furnishings. The Pink Poodle is located at 5918 Odana Rd.
