State Street

State Street in Madison, Wisconsin is a hotspot for University of Wisconsin students and other locals. Since the 1970s, State Street has been an outdoor pedestrian mall running from the State Capitol to the University of Wisconsin - Madison's library mall. Today the area features an impressive selection of bars, restaurants, and shops while maintaining a small-town atmosphere. The street is also known for its jugglers, musicians, and other street performers. State Street is a fun place to find a small trinket or even make a big purchase. More than 200 specialty shops form the downtown Madison mall, and shopping is especially enjoyable in the summertime when vendors offer sidewalk sales. The special finds range from unique selections of books and clothing to local top-quality art supplies, brand-new bicycles, and hand-dipped chocolate treats. As for dining, State Street in Madison boasts sixty restaurants and, Wisconsin weather-permitting, twenty outdoor cafes. Cuisine ranges from traditional American fare of hamburgers and deli sandwiches to Greek, Vietnamese, and other international dishes. State Street also offers an impressive calendar of public events. For instance, a farmer's market occupies the street on weekends from May to November, and free concerts are provided on Wednesday evenings in the summertime. At Halloween time, visitors to Madison's State Street should prepare for Freakfest, a costume party of 100,000 or more partygoers from Wisconsin and other states. The crowds' mayhem in 2005 led to the city's current practice of blocking off certain Madison streets and charging admission to the event.