DOWNTOWN. Year round, but especially during the summer, this fantastic local market plies Madison residents with incredible foodstuffs. Farmers from all over bring in produce, cheese, preserves, baked goods, meats, herbs, and bedding plants. For thirty years, the market has been one of the region's best, and local restaurateurs often scour it for daily specials. The turn-out for the market is huge, so make sure to get there early. The Wednesday market is held at the 200 block of MLK, Jr Boulevard. The Saturday market is held at different locations throughout the year: January-April at the Madison Senior Center 330 W. Mifflin Street, May-October at Capitol Square, and November-December at Monona Terrace. #13;#10;

EAST. One of the area's largest malls, popular East Towne Mall is anchored by JCPenney, Sears, and Boston Store. Other prominent shops include The Gap, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, Barnes & Noble, and Children's Place. Several sit-down restaurants are in the vicinity, and a cluster of to-go places can be found inside, along with a food court. The area around the mall also offers plenty of large chain stores.

If you prefer local enterprises to ubiquitous chain stores, Hilldale is just your kind of mall. Anchored by Macy's and Sentry Foods, the upscale complex offers a selection of specialty shops, including ones devoted to clothing, jewelry, music, shoes, and specific services. You'll also find a frame shop, movie theater, hardware store, ice cream shop, and candy shop.

This charming neighborhood lies near the university and several city greenspaces and boasts a wealth of intriguing shops and restaurants in which to browse. Spread across more than a mile, the district offers practically any sort of independent enterprise you could imagine. Clothing boutiques, interior design shops, art galleries, delightful restaurants, antique stores, and domestic goods venues simply hint at the breadth of possibility. If time's short, concentrate on the blocks between 1500-1900 and 2400-2800.

STATE STREET. Perhaps Madison's most well-known thoroughfare, State Street stretches from UW-Madison to the State Capitol. The six-block pedestrian mall is chock-a-block with businesses, from ethnic restaurants and book stores to apparel boutiques and art galleries, jewelry shops and coffee houses to nightclubs and theaters. Also in the area are a number of museums, including the Madison Children's Museum. Depending on when you're around, you may also encounter some sort of festivity or event at Capitol Square.