Monroe Street doesn't draw the accolades usually reserved for State Street when it comes to the leading shopping, dining and entertainment venues in Madison, Wisconsin. But it isn't chopped liver. Monroe Street is Madison's near West Side tourist-friendly district, over 1 1/2 miles of locally owned businesses. Stretching from the UW Arboretum to Camp Randall Stadium, it features many popular restaurants, bars and shops and hosts such events as the Monroe Street Festival, Trick or Treat on Monroe Street, Summer Sidewalk Sale, Small Business Saturday and Holiday Glow on Monroe Street. The street is located near Camp Randall, Henry Vilas Zoo, UW Arboretum, Vilas Park and Edgewood College. Walking along Monroe Street is tantamount to walking along Main Street in Galena, Illinois...so many restaurants and shops. Visitors browse from Art Gecko to Capital City Comics to Katy's American Indian Arts to Milward Farrell Fine Art to Orange Tree Imports to Dongzhu Pottery Studio to Gulesserian Oriental Rugs to Borokhion's Oriental Rugs to Calabash Gifts & Home Accents to Monroe Street Arts Center to Mat Cat Pet Supplies to Sunne Boutique to Trader Joe's to Strictly Discs to Good Day Shop. Take a lunch break at Bloom Bake Shop or Mickie's Dairy Bar or Marie's Soul Food or Madison Chocolate Company or Pizza Brutta or Taste of India or Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream or Garth's Brew Bar or Laurel Tavern or Gates & Brovi or Kettle Black Kitchen. Then stop at Club Pilates or Basecamp Fitness.

We love walking on Monroe Street. Today did not disappoint! we stopped in Trader Joes and Orange Tree imports - wonderful to browse and buy. Went in a few other spots and just enjoyed the vibe. Loved our coffee and tea stop at Crescendo - very good place. We'll be back again when we are back in town.

I love Monroe St. Trader Joe's, Mystery to Me books. Orange Tree Imports. Bloom Bake Shop, Pizza Brutta, Sequoia is brand new and has yummy sushi.

Monroe Street is a hidden gem of Madison. Lots of good local shops and restaurants, very walkable and bikeable. Close to parks, the zoo and a nice lake for paddling around in.

I love all the shops on Monroe. A great place to eat, stroll, and shop. You find so many different things to give. There are many nice places to eat too.