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10 Memorable UW–Madison Spots

We asked Badgers, 'When you think of UW–Madison, what's the first place on campus that comes to mind?' Here are the top 10 answers we received!


  1. Memorial Union Terrace  

Everyone’s favorite lakeshore spot. With food, music, a lake view, drinks, colorful chairs, and ice cream, what’s not to love about our iconic Memorial Union Terrace? The Memorial Union was the first union to serve beer at a public university in 1933. Test your knowledge with more fun facts about Memorial Union

Members of the Madison community enjoy a warm summer evening while listening to the sounds of the Donna Woodall Group at a Madison Jazz Festival event held at the Memorial Union Terrace at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on June 19, 2021. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW-Madison)
  1. Camp Randall 

Unifying fans and students to shake the bleachers at the end of the third quarter with the ever-famous “Jump Around.” But how did this long-run tradition begin? It all started on Homecoming, dated October 10, 1998, when an intern for UW Athletics Marketing, Ryan Sondrup ’99, needed a way to hype up the crowd to finish the game in a 31-24 victory. 

A sea of red- and white-attired fans fills Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as the UW Marching Band takes the field during halftime of the Wisconsin Badgers v. the Iowa Hawkeyes football game on Oct. 14, 2023. The aerial photograph was made from a helicopter looking northeast during autumn. Wisconsin lost to Iowa, 15-6, before a crowd of 76,205 people. (Photo by Althea Dotzour / UW–Madison)
  1. Lincoln on Bascom Hill 

Ever wonder why Abe stands atop Bascom? President Lincoln helped pass legislation that made it possible for the UW to grow. During his presidency, Lincoln signed three acts to enhance the quality of universities in America, including the Morrill Act, which granted parcels of land to all states to fund universities. 

The Abraham Lincoln statue is pictured in front of Bascom Hall after a light snow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison during winter on Jan. 18, 2020. (Photo by Brian Huynh /UW-Madison)
  1. Carillon Tower 

Gifted by generous UW alumni, the Carillon Tower was built alongside the rebuilding of Bascom Hill in 1936. If you look east of the tower, you’ll see the Sauk Indian Chief Black Hawk, which represented the last armed conflict between native peoples and the United States Army in southern Wisconsin. Listen to ‘On Wisconsin – Carillon Tower Version’ 

The Carillon Tower at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is pictured with late spring tulips on May 23, 2019. (Photo by Bryce Richter /UW-Madison)
  1. The Rathskeller 

Arguably the best place to get cheese curds on campus, the Rath is home to watch parties, study sessions, and more. Taking up the German meaning of “bar/restaurant in the basement of town hall,” with ‘Rath’ meaning council and ‘Keller’ meaning cellar.  

Badger fans cheer in excitement at Der Rathskeller inside the Memorial Union at the University of Wisconsin-Madison the men's basketball team defeats Kentucky in the NCAA Final Four game on April 4, 2015. The Badgers won the game 71-64 and will play in championship game April 6, 2015. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW-Madison)
  1. State Street and the Capital  

The perfect student escape for shopping, entertainment, and socializing with fellow Badgers. State Street is eight blocks long from Library Mall to the Capitol, hosting a wide variety of international treats unique to handmade trinkets and even alumni businesses, like Wisconsin Design Team.  

Pedestrians walk down State Street and State Street Mall amidst the changing fall leaves at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on an autumn Nov. 10, 2021. (Photo by Althea Dotzour / UW–Madison)
  1. Grainger Hall 

 Grainger Hall, the home base for Wisconsin School of Business, opened its classrooms in 1993 with three high-tech auditoriums, 30 classrooms, countless study rooms, a full-service café, and even an outdoor courtyard for the warmer months.  

Pedestrians and commuters cross the intersection of University Avenue and Park Street in front of Grainger Hall, the home of the Wisconsin School of Business on a cold autumn night at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Oct. 16, 2022. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison)
  1. Agricultural Hall 

With its Beaux Arts-style architecture, this stunning building on top of Henry Mall was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Agricultural Hall was the birthplace of the Department of Agricultural Economics and the first-ever Department of Genetics at a University.  

Henry Mall ending in Agricultural Hall at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is photographed by a drone on July 10, 2024. (Photo by Althea Dotzour / UW–Madison)
  1. Engineering Mall 

A new, state-of-the-art building using more sustainable resources and with innovation in mind is taking shape. Take a peek at the new Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center!

Engineering Hall at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is photographed by a drone on July 10, 2024. (Photo by Althea Dotzour / UW–Madison)
  1. Science Hall  

One of the oldest buildings at UW–Madison, Science Hall has enough history to give you some goosebumps. With a history of paranormal activity, from sounds in the hall when no one’s there to beakers falling off shelves one at a time. Read more on Science Hall’s spooky history

Science Hall is pictured at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on May 29, 2020. The building is home to the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. (Photo by Bryce Richter / UW-Madison)

You can see more answers in the original Facebook post.

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