Five Things to Avoid at University of Wisconsin Madison

Few experiences compare to the ones you will have at the University of Wisconsin Madison. The campus is beautiful and holds an amazing central location in the city. The beer is of a wide variety, the food is delicious, and there is always something going on somewhere! Needless to say, it was no small feat to compile a list of things to avoid during your stay at UW Madison. But truth be told, such matters do exist, and there are in fact certain activities and places you may want to shy away from.

1.) Driving

There are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to driving in Madison. During the winter months, where the temperature won’t climb over 0 degrees for weeks, the snowfall can build up quickly and intensely. When this happens, it is strongly advised not to drive around the city! For example, if you park on the street, snow plows will plow right past your car and create a winter wonderland igloo embodying the entirety of your vehicle.

But if you do end up needing to snag that street parking, be sure to always have a shovel handy; you will need some way to dig your car out of the snowy abyss! Truthfully, any time of year can be an ‘iffy’ parking situation for Madison. Because it is like any other bustling city, parking spots are always few and far between. Avoid driving around the Kohl Center area when there are any conventions or games. The Kohl Center is an integral part of your UW Madison experience: it is the place where you watch basketball and hockey games, but most importantly where you’ll receive your degree.

Not to mention the arena is used for various conventions, school or city related. Located in Downtown Madison, events at the Kohl Center cause one big traffic jam in the city, mainly because all of the streets in that area are one-ways, so you end up going in circles! And thus on those days avoid driving! The public transportation systems, Metro Transit or Transportation Services for the UW, run often and are reliable, making your parking nightmares a mere memory.

2.) Avoid NOT Attending FreakFest/State Street Halloween

FreakFest is a multi-staged festival held on State Street. It is all a part of the Halloween experience at the UW Madison. Attending at least one FreakFest during your time there is highly recommended. It is a day jam-packed with great out-of-state and local bands and DJs, yummy street fair foods and lots of liquid libations. On Halloween day there is also a costume party that rolls down State Street, conveniently called State Street Halloween.

People come from out of town and out of state to put on their latex vampire cat woman suits and chug beer funnels as they cartwheel down State Street in unadulterated Halloween bliss. The costume party first started in the 1970s but reached its apex in the 1980s, when State Street would be flooded with over 100,000 people. Since then there has been better crowd control and security, which has made the parade and festival safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

3.) The Malls

The three major malls in Madison are West Towne Mall, East Towne Mall, and Hilldale. Don’t go to any of them. The malls in Madison are like many malls across the country, they are littered with high school kids and high-volume traffic. There are plenty of local and privately owned ‘mom and pop’ shops to explore around the city rather than settle for the mall. Unless it’s Christmas, then we understand. Parking is usually a problem, and bumping into rushed people for any period of time isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. In short, avoid the malls if at all possible.

4.) Legislation Periods at the Capitol

The Capitol Building, located on State Street, is home to many political rallies and events. It has been advised during periods of legislation to avoid hanging around the Capitol. This only holds true for people who aren’t heavily into politics and aren’t roused by protests. Lobbyists and protesters permeate the lawns and steps of the Capitol; there are usually a lot of heated debates, some negative vibrations, and the police are apparently not afraid to use force. If you are more the pacifist or just don’t care about political dealings, be wary of the Capitol when laws are in motion.

5.) Lake Mendota Dips

There are two lakes that neighbor Madison, Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. Both are safe and fun to swim in, of course, when the weather permits. However, the Oscar Mayer plant is located on Lake Mendota, which creates some questionable debris in the lake. There is also a build-up of algae, which can make a slimy swim experience. This isn’t a total deterrent for swimming in Lake Mendota, but just a friendly reminder to take a nice shower after a dip!

Even after reviewing the things to ‘avoid’ at the University of Wisconsin Madison, it is still quite a magical place. Just make sure you make it out to FreakFest, steer clear of the Capitol if political rallies aren’t your cup o’ tea, be cautious of the driving and parking situations around the city, avoid going to the malls at all costs, and don’t forget to rinse off the algae after your cannonball into Lake Mendota. If you can remember these key components to the UW Madison you will have an exciting experience!

Lucas Fisher graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 2010 with a degree in Liberal Arts. Sue Callender graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a specialization in cultural studies and media analysis.