Madison, despite being a summer vacation destination for thousands of Wisconsinites, loses a substantial portion of its population in the summer as students flee the city back to their hometowns. But, the small isthmus sitting between two glassy lakes has plenty to offer for the lucky students who choose to stay.
University of Wisconsin-Madison sophomore Timmy Beck will stay in Madison this summer to work as a supervisor for Student Desk Services. Outside of his work commitment, he plans to try recently-opened restaurants and find new study spots to return to during the fall semester.
This is the first time Beck will spend his entire summer in Madison, but he said he enjoyed the first few weeks he spent here last summer, especially the “beautiful weather’’ and the less crowded farmers' markets. Beck said he appreciated the campus itself during the summer, especially the scenery.
“Our campus is gorgeous during the summer, even if there aren’t always a lot of people,” Beck said. “Walking down the Lakeshore Path and walking up Bascom Hill, as much as I hate it, looks beautiful.”
Ava Patrow, another UW-Madison sophomore, is spending her second summer in Madison while working as an administrative assistant for Residential Operations desk services at UW-Madison. Like Beck, she said she plans to spend the summer exploring new restaurants, especially anywhere that serves ice cream.
With many of her friends also staying in Madison, Patrow said she expects to spend much of the summer going out to eat, relaxing at Memorial Union and enjoying the lakes.
“I plan on going tanning and jumping off the dock,’’ Patrow said. “I can’t wait to do a lot of water activities like the mega paddleboard that can fit me and my friends at Memorial Union.’’
While some students, like Patrow and Beck, already have ideas for how they want to spend their summer, there are plenty of opportunities for those staying in Madison with no set plans.
Wisconsin Union events
The Wisconsin Union provides students with a variety of events and activities to keep them busy during the summer. Between outdoor activities, arts, film and music, the Union has something for everyone.
David Elsmo, director of Outdoor UW, encouraged students to check out their new page, Thrive Outside, made with help from the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, where students can explore a map of outdoor campus spaces where they can relax and reset.
Students looking to try a new outdoor activity this summer also have access to the many equipment rental options supported by Outdoor UW. “It gets people interested, to come in and rent a paddle board, a canoe, a kayak, you name it,” Elsmo said. “You can also rent sleeping bags, tents, so if you want to go out camping for the first time, you don’t have to make the big dive yourself.’’
Elsmo also emphasized Outdoor UW’s Outdoor Explorer Series, which is offered at a low cost. “We generally keep it at a buck, so people show up,’’ he said. The program offers everything from car camping, mountain biking, cooking and campfires to advanced wilderness first-aid and first-responder courses. Students can even take part in sailing, scuba and fly fishing without ever leaving campus.
Candie Waterloo, director of Wheelhouse Studios, said the studio’s summer programming kicks off in early June. Wheelhouse offers Terrace Art Zone, a free drop-in art event for students and community members on the Terrace every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5-8 p.m.
“We provide all of the materials for the different projects…there is a new project every week,’’ Waterloo said. “We’ve got a lot of different mobilities and modalities of art-making all summer long, even using tooling foil and molding clay.’’
Wheelhouse Studios also offers paid art classes beginning the first week of June, with opportunities to try out ceramics, stained glass and even jewelry. “So we’ve got lots of different ways to engage with us, both free and paid,’’ Waterloo said.
This summer, Waterloo is most excited for the upcoming collaboration between the Wheelhouse and Allen Centennial Gardens, a continued partnership that leads summer classes for students and community members during the summer, both on-site and off-site.
“I am really excited. We will be introducing a couple of culinary classes, and they’re going to be our partners for one of the Terrace Art Zones where we will be making pressed flower sun catchers,’’ Waterloo said. “We love the gardens, and we are happy they want to work with us.’’
For students looking to fill out their Letterboxd diaries this summer, WUD Film Advisor Robin Schmoldt highlighted opportunities at Lakeside Cinema. The Film Committee creates a free outdoor movie experience every Monday at 9 p.m on the Terrace. The Lakeside Cinema series runs from June 1-Aug. 24.
“When it comes to film, every night is a lovely one because you can’t beat hanging out to watch a movie as the sun is setting over the lake. There is just a vibe to it that can not be beat,’’ Schmoldt said.
WUD Music Advisor Sean Michael Dargan said students can look forward to music shows this summer.
“The students book up to six fabulous music shows. We have two or three shows every week. It is very fun and well-attended,’’ he said.
Dargan said there is an open mic night every Wednesday on the Terrace, and WUD also offers a Behind the Beat show featuring jazz artists, band performances and singer-songwriters on Fridays at 4 p.m. at the Rath.
Dargan’s personal favorite event of the summer is a collaboration they do with Hooffers and Outdoor UW called Lakefront Live. “99% of the time the bands are set up on the Terrace facing the Memorial Union building, but on this one show during the summer, occasionally twice, we turn the band and face the water,’’ Dargan said.
Outdoor UW and Hoofers offer watercraft rentals during the event. “They make it very affordable and create a little lagoon right in front of the stage so people can paddle board, paddle up, kayak and use their canoes and sailboats as the band plays to the water,’’ Dargan said.
Beyond campus
For students looking to explore beyond the iconic Terrace, the World’s Largest Brat Fest is a great option for students, and is one of Madison’s most popular summer traditions. The festival has been held every Memorial Day weekend since 1983. This year, it will take place at the Alliant Energy Center.
The festival features free admission, free parking and free live music. Students and patrons can expect a weekend full of food and entertainment from local vendors. Brat Fest gives students a chance to socialize with locals in Madison, all while enjoying brats.
If you’re looking for summer apparel on sale, Maxwell Street Days is one of downtown’s biggest shopping events of the year. The event itself offers discounts on clothing, jewelry, gifts, books, artwork and more from local shops and businesses. On Street Days, State Street is closed to bike and bus traffic, allowing pedestrians to enjoy a lively outdoor experience full of food, cafe dining, shopping and even live music.
For students looking to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Monona Community Festival is the perfect option. This two-day event runs from July 2-4 at Winnequah Park in Monona, featuring live music, classic American food and group activities including Drag Bingo, Trivia, a carnival, face painting and rock climbing.
At this festival this year, there’s also a new two-day art fair showcasing work from local artists. The festival will wrap up with a fireworks show at 9:20 p.m.
Whether students decide to spend their summer in Madison trying new restaurants, attending outdoor Union events or exploring beyond campus, there is plenty to do for those who choose to stay.
