Memorial Union Terrace: This treasure of Madison is a large patio with open air seating next on the shores of beautiful Lake Mendota. It is a favorite place for many Madisonians to gather and socialize. Friday nights in the summer typically feature live music as well. Click here for more info
Wisconsin State Capital: Walk up State Street from the Pyle Center, past many local shops and restaurants, to the Wisconsin State Capital, which is open to the public and beautiful when lit up at night.
Concerts on the Square (July 9): The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra will hold a free outdoor concert on the grounds around the State Capital, which is part of a weekly series. The July 9 event is called “American Song,” with Soprano Angel Brown, featuring works by Gershwin, Bernstein, and John Carter. Click here for more info
Concerts on the Rooftop (July 10) will feature The Eddie Butts Band (pop/funk/top-40) playing on the top of the Monona Terrace. This free event is a good opportunity for dancing or just listening to music with a great view of Lake Monona and the Capital. It is a nice 1 mile from the Pyle Center – walk straight up State Street to the Capital, and then down to Monona Terrace. It is free, but you need to get tickets online ahead of time for entry.
Live Music at the Terrace (July 10): Annie and the Oakies (bluegrass) perform live at the Terrace on July 10. The concert is free if you want to listen from the Terrace; however for something special, you can rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard for $16 to listen to the band while floating on Lake Mendota – but you must reserve your watercraft here
Live Music at the Terrace (July 11): There will be more great, free music at the Terrace on Friday:
4-6 PM, Behind the Beat with Josh Harty (Americana)
7-10 PM, PHUN (a Phish Tribute band)
Fete de Marquette (July 10-13) is an iconic, free outdoor music event with multiple stages, vendors, and artisans that is a popular Madison summer tradition. It is rooted in Bastille day with an eclectic mix of diverse cultural influences. It’s located in McPike Park, which is a 2 mile walk (or quick uber drive) from the Pyle Center.
Art Fair on the Square (July 12, 13): By good fortune, Madison’s annual Art Fair will happen on July 12 and 13, located on the square around the Wisconsin State Capital. This is a great opportunity for those who wish to stay and extra day (or two) in Madison. Click here for more info
Food: There will be many food options within walking distance of the Pyle Center.
- There are many casual places to eat in the nearby Memorial Union, which has wonderful outdoor seating on the Union Terrace.
- Food trucks will be located near the Pyle Center during the lunch hour.
- Many casual restaurants, serving anything from healthy salads to burgers to food from different parts of the world can be found on State Street.
- More formal restaurants also abound, many of them located near the Wisconsin State Capital.
- A good nearby grocery store is the Fresh Madison Market on the corner of Lake Street and University.
Walking/Running: Madison has many places to run or go for a long walk – two great options are:
- Take the path along Lake Mendota from the Union Terrace out to Picnic Point, a beautiful nature preserve occupying a peninsula on Lake Mendota’s south shore. It’s about 2 miles to get to Picnic Point – but you can also drive to a parking lot there or take a bus. Click here for more info
- You can get to a lot of places in Madison – on foot or on your bike – by taking Madison’s excellent bike paths. Madison also has an urban e-bike share program.
Museums: There are many museums near the Pyle Center, including the Chazen Museum of Art, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and the UW Geology Museum, which all have free admission.