Shopping Experience

What better way to spend your time in Madison than shopping? With hundreds of fabulous stores and boutiques, Madison is sure to help you "shop until you drop!"

Start off your experience in the heart of Madison at downtown retailers that stand out in the shopping category:

• A Room of One's Own--an independent, local book store that has been a fixture in downtown Madison since 1975

• University Book Store--located at the base of State Street and the edge of campus, a perfect place to find everything from books to Badger-themed gifts

• Re-Threads--a recycled fashion boutique featuring modern, vintage, new, used, and recycled fashions and accessories for men and women

• Iona--set to open in Summer 2013, contemporary designer fashion and accessories for women

When food and gifts are on your list, don't miss these destinations that include locally owned, universally loved shops:

• Bavaria--authentic, old world German sausages made in Madison for more than 50 years

• Candinas--fine chocolates created by Swiss-trained confectioner Markus Candinas and made in Verona, Wisconsin

• Chocolaterian--an unforgettable dessert and chocolate experience, home of Christine's Toffee & Caramels

• Ehlenbach's Cheese Chalet--a Swiss chalet in DeForest that features more than 100 different Wisconsin cheeses plus sausages and other gourmet foods to give as gifts

• Fromagination--a specialty cheese shop celebrating Wisconsin artisanal cheesemakers and imaginative pairings with artisan breads, fine wines and charcuterie

• Gail Ambrosius--fine chocolates made by hand and sold in Gail's Atwood Avenue store and online

• Kilwins--"Sweet in every sense since 1947" now located on State Street

Or, try these stores that offer unique gifts that go from antiques to art and everything in between:

• Duluth Trading Co.--hardworking clothing items for women and men found in Mt. Horeb, WI

• Madison Craft & Gift Shoppes--a collective of more than 150 crafters on Monona Drive in Madison

• Odana Antiques--Madison's largest antique center featuring styles from Art Deco to Mid-Century to Victorian and every era in-between

• Orange Tree Imports--an incredible combination of culinary delights, specialty food and gifts located in Madison's Monroe Street neighborhood for more than 35 years

If concentrated areas of shopping is more what you're looking for, Madison has three marvelous malls with a variety of stores:

• Hilldale Shopping Center features fun offerings such as Cornblooms, The University Book Store, Macy's and more.

• East Towne Mall is located less than a mile off of I90/94 and contains four major department stores, more than 100 specialty shops, and 15 restaurants and eateries.

• West Towne Mall also has more than one hundred different stores to choose from, including many restaurants.