Memorial Union
4.8(3.2K)google
4.6(274)yelp
LakeLive MusicFolk CultureYouth-FriendlyDate SpotSunsetOutdoorPhoto SpotLocal LifeFreeLocal Favorite
Overview
Situated directly on the scenic shores of Lake Mendota at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Memorial Union is one of the most beloved gathering places in the state. Famous for its expansive outdoor terrace adorned with iconic, brightly colored sunburst chairs, the Union offers live summer music, locally made Babcock Dairy ice cream, local craft beers, and stunning lakeside sunset views that create an unforgettable lively atmosphere.
Practical Info
Mon–Fri7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sat–Sun8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeUndisputedly best experienced on a summer evening from May to September between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Grab one of the iconic, brightly colored sunburst metal chairs on the historic Lake Mendota terrace, enjoy a local craft beer or house-made Babcock Hall ice cream, listen to live music on the outdoor stage, and watch the sun melt into the lake.
Getting TherePerched right on the northern lakefront boundary of the UW-Madison campus. Driving vehicles directly to the union doors is restricted due to pedestrian campus zoning; park in the State Street Campus Garage and take a 3-minute walk north across Library Mall. Via public bus, take routes B, D, F, or R to the central Park & Langdon stop right outside.
Travel Tips
- The iconic lakeside Terrace and internal concessions operate legally under private university union club rules. Purchasing legendary beers or bratwursts requires cashiers to verify UW student IDs or lifetime Union membership cards. Walk-ins must register for a free temporary Guest Pass online or at the kiosk before ordering.
- Campus lanes surrounding the Union are strict permit-only tow zones for university staff. Do not attempt curbside temporary parking. The closest legal paid parking infrastructure is the underground Helen C. White Garage (Lot 6) right across the block or the municipal State Street Campus Garage.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Securing the historic green, yellow, and orange Sunburst Terrace chairs for direct Lake Mendota sunset shots requires aggressive planning. Tables gridlock by 4 PM on summer evenings. No host check-in exists; to snag prime frontline unobstructed waterfront seating, assign a spotter by 3 PM to anchor a table.
Reviews
Positive
- The true soul of UW-Madison; sitting on the iconic colorful sun chairs at the lakefront terrace while feeling the breeze offers an intensely charming, youthful vibe.
- Completely free and open to the public and tourists with powerful facilities; features spotless restrooms, leather-couch lounges, modern theaters, and craft shops.
- Highly entertaining; sells the legendary, rich on-campus Babcock ice cream, and the outdoor terrace stage regularly hosts free live bands or movie nights.
- Orderly crowd management; despite dense student and tourist crowds, safety security and tray-clearing services are top-tier, with friendly multilingual guides.
Heads up
- Crowd density explodes on summer nights and weekends; finding one of the thousands of terrace chairs is a lottery, and long lines clog food stalls, losing all quiet.
- Parking is an absolute disaster for off-campus drivers; university lots are heavily restricted for staff or extremely expensive, leaving you relying on pure luck.
- Features a student union commercial mode; food and craft beer pavilion prices experience tourist hikes during peak seasons, with portions smaller than standard diners.
- Being a semi-open public university lawn, lakefront bugs and gnats swarm intensely after dark, and occasionally rowdy, intoxicated students make the vibe noisy.