Three Days in the Big Ten - Madison, Wisconsin

The Ducks are heading to Madison this November to pair up against the Wisconsin Badgers for their first match-up since the 2020 Rose Bowl. So pack your favorite “sweater weather” clothes, practice your Schlemiels and Schlimazels, and be prepared for that famous Midwestern hospitality to keep you warm as we cheer on the Ducks to another victory!
 

Madison is one of my favorite state capitols, known for its walkability, bike trails, and beautiful scenery along Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. And if you like lakes, Madison is an easy drive from both Chicago and Milwaukee, where you can take in the beauty of my favorite of all the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan. Madison is a city friendly to the Green and Yellow, but beware, these “cheeseheads” cheer hard for the Pack, and not the Quack.
 

Getting Around

Dane County Regional Airport is only a short 10-minute drive from downtown Madison. There are also plenty of bus options for getting around town.

If you’re up for a bigger sightseeing trip, I suggest renting a car while you’re in Madison and taking a day to visit Milwaukee and the shores of Lake Michigan a little over an hour’s drive away. Or if breweries are more your speed, the New Glarus Brewing Company, home of the famous Spotted Cow, is a 40-minute drive south of the city.
 

Key Stops

• Capitol building: The hub for nearly all downtown streets, the state Capitol building sits at the center of Madison, Wisconsin. The building is open to the public from 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on weekends. Free tours are offered daily. 
  
   
• State Street: After your tour of the capitol, bundle up and take a stroll down state street, a pedestrian mall that runs from Capitol Square all the way to the University of Wisconsin–Madison Campus. Stop by the Overture Center for the Arts, grab a bite at State Street Brats, and pick up your souvenir at one of the many lovely boutiques along the way.
  
   
• Memorial Union Terrace: Once you make your way to the UW campus, head over to the Memorial Union Terrace for some of the most beautiful lake views in all of Madison.
  
   
• Babcock Dairy Store: What trip to Wisconsin would be complete without a visit to one of the nation’s first dairies? Be sure to try the orange custard chocolate chip ice cream, my personal favorite.

Midwest Speak

The Midwest is known for their friendly people who enjoy chatting with visitors to their cities, and you’re likely to encounter a number of never heard before words and phrases. Here are a few quirky gems of the local Wisconsinite vernacular: 
 

Ope: Polite noise made by Midwesterners to react to someone in your way. Often accompanied with “lemme just squeeze past ya there.”
 

Brat: Bratwurst. The a is pronounced with an “ah” sound.
 

Kringle: The state pastry of Wisconsin. Kringle is a delicious, giant, oval pastry ring usually filled with fruits and nuts and topped with a sweet, white icing. Give it a try if you get a chance!
 

Tyme Machine: ATM. You might still see a handful of these old TYME Machines around Madison. TYME stands for “Take Your Money Everywhere,” and they were the early versions of ATMs in Wisconsin. Tyme Machine and ATM machine are phrases used interchangeably. 
 

No, yeah: Yeah. (It’s hard for Midwesterners to commit. They’re worried they might offend.) 
 

Yeah, no: No. (See above.)
 

Bubbler: Wisconsinite word for a drinking fountain. Just go with it and grab a drink from the bubbler.

 

Duck Fan Travel Itinerary:

The UOAA offers a 3-day tour to Madison for those looking for a little extra spirit on their trip to watch the Ducks take on the Badgers. Allow us to take care of your travel details and provide you with the custom Ducks Fan travel experience. You take care of your flight and game tickets, let us take care of the rest.
 

For those who would like to create your own experience, here’s a little outline for what a weekend in Madison could look like for you:
 

Friday
7:00 p.m. Friday Fish Fry
When I think of Fridays in Wisconsin, I think of the local Friday Fish Fry. All around the state, Wisconsinites head to their local supper club, dive bar, church basement, VFW hall, or even the bowling alley for this weekly dinner event. For a more upscale Fish Fry experience, I recommend heading to Kavanaugh’s Esquire Club and ordering the Lake Perch special. Friday nights are busy at Kavanaugh’s, so plan to spend some time sipping a Brandy Old Fashioned at the bar while you wait. Local Fact: Wisconsin consumes 50% of the world’s brandy. 
 

Saturday
11:00 a.m. Brunch
Take it easy in the morning and treat yourself to a leisurely brunch at one of Madison’s charming diners. My favorite spots are the Monty’s Blue Plate Diner for a 50’s-style diner experience and Basset Street Brunch Club for their homemade donuts.

3 hours before game time–Mighty Oregon Tailgate!
Complete the fan tour experience and attend the official Mighty Oregon Tailgate. Registration will open later this summer, so stay tuned to your email for details. For those on the official Duck Fan Travel tour package, roundtrip gameday transportation will be provided.
 

Kickoff–University of Oregon vs. University of Wisconsin
Bundle up and settle into your seats as we cheer on the Ducks to another victory! Be prepared to sing “Build Me Up Buttercup” during a second or third quarter break and to “Jump Around” with the Wisconsin fans between the third and fourth quarter. 
 

Post-kickoff–State Street
Ride that post-win warmth and take a leisurely stroll up State Street and enjoy the Capitol Views at night before heading back to your hotel. If you are looking for a bite to eat, head to the Edgewater Hotel for a delicious dinner with lakeside views at The Boathouse (reservations are recommended for gamedays).

Sunday 
9:30 am Brunch 
Grab a bite to eat before heading to the airport. Mickey’s Tavern opens at 9:00 a.m. and is a wonderful spot for a low-key brunch after a long weekend of travel and fun. The Green Bay Packers kick off against the Chicago Bears at 10:00 a.m., so feel free to show your Green and Yellow pride all weekend long. 

See you in November, Duck Fans! And just like Laverne and Shirley, I hope your three Days in the Big Ten helped make all your dreams come true and created those lasting memories in the home of brats, cheese, and badgers. 
 

Go Ducks!