Plan Your Visit

Your Concert Experience is About to Begin!
At the Madison Symphony Orchestra, we strive to make your entire concert experience an enjoyable one — and that experience begins long before you take your seat. These handy guides are designed to help you plan your time and make the most of your visit to the Symphony and to the city-center.

Overture Center for the Arts

MSO concerts take place in Overture Hall at Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State Street, just two blocks from the State Capitol.

View Seating Map

Click here to view a seating map of Overture Hall

Directions & Parking

Overture Center’s central location on the corner of State and Fairchild Streets ensures easy access to convenient downtown parking. Two cashier-operated parking structures adjacent to Overture offer more than 1,400 short-term and all-day public parking spaces. Additional parking ramps can be found on State Street and Capitol Square. Most lots offer $8 special event parking.

Both the Overture Center ramp between West Dayton and Mifflin Streets and the State Street Capitol ramp on the corner of State and East Dayton have elevator access and marked stalls for persons with disabilities.

Overture Center Garage
318 W Mifflin Street, Directions

State Street Capitol Garage
214 North Carroll Street, Directions

Dane County Parking Ramp
113 South Henry Street, Directions

On-street metered parking is also available for short-term parking in the downtown area. Parking meter rates vary and are posted on each meter. Street meters are enforced 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. week. Vehicles with disabled plates or hangtags are exempt from time limitations and may park at no charge at parking meters designated for 30 minutes or more.

Additionally, several City of Madison Metro Transit public bus lines travel State Street, and bus stops are located mere steps from Overture Center’s entrances. For more information, visit the Madison Metro Bus Schedule website.

Please be aware that downtown Madison can sometimes be quite busy due to events associated with UW-Madison—big 10 sports fans always turn up! Please allow for extra parking time on event days. Look for announcements in your “MSO pre-concert” email detailing conflicting events around town.

Accessibility

Overture Center for the Arts and Overture Hall are fully accessible to persons with mobility, hearing or visual impairments.

Restaurants

The Overture Center stands at center of downtown Madison, within easy walking distance of a wide variety of many shopping and dining options that make our city unique and enjoyable. The following recommendations are some of our favorites for both pre-concert dinners or post-concert cocktails. We suggest that you call in advance for dinner reservations.

Cento
Cento is Madison’s premier Italian restaurant, that combines Old World Italian traditions with modern techniques. This restaurant, complete with a sizable wine list, is just steps from Overture’s front door.
Website | Reviews | Directions

The Cooper’s Tavern
Upscale Irish tavern serving pub grub & international beer and wine in a warm, contemporary venue.
Website | Reviews | Directions

CIRC
Located inside the Madison Concourse Hotel, CIRC’s seasonal dishes are crafted with local and organic ingredients—served in a farm-to-table restaurant in the center of the city.
Website | Reviews | Directions

Graft
Midwestern small plates, wine & local beer in a casually refined restaurant with booth seating.
Website | Reviews | Directions

Harvest
Upscale New American fare served alongside a long wine list and views of the Capitol Square. A New York Times Magazine’s Must-Visit Restaurant!
Website | Reviews | Directions

Ian’s Pizza
With over 30 options available daily, Ian’s is Madison’s favorite downtown pizzeria.
Website | Reviews | Directions

Johnny Delmonico’s Steakhouse
Stepping through the door into Johnny Delmonico’s is like stepping onto the set of a 1930’s movie. A classy, big-city steak house with crisp white linen on the tables, this is definitely a blast from the supper club past. Here you will be offered the best steaks in Madison and given the opportunity to relax in a timeless environment.
Website | Reviews | Directions

The Old Fashioned
Inspired by the traditions of Wisconsin taverns and supper-clubs, The Old Fashioned exists to pay tribute to the foods and spirits that make our state famous. The cheese curds are a must try. This restaurant can get busy on weekend-evenings.
Website | Reviews | Directions

Samba Brazilian Grill
Experience a taste of Brazil. Unique two course dining features unlimited salads, side dishes and grilled meats from the rodizio carved table side.
Website | Reviews | Directions

Short Stack Eats
This charming breakfast cafe serves fresh, organic, and local fare. Come enjoy the house-made buttermilk biscuits, farm fresh eggs, and the best bloody mary in the world. Open late night.
Website | Reviews | Directions

Tornado Room
Old-school steakhouse with a rustic, supper-club vibe serving classic chops, seafood & cocktails. Some of the best martinis in the city.
Website | Reviews | Directions

Tutto Pasta State Street
Featuring 40 varieties of pasta, this classic Italian Trattoria offers three unique dining areas, a full bar and a very friendly staff!
Website | Reviews | Directions

Hotels

Hotel Partner
Madison Concourse Hotel
The official hotel of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Concourse is located steps from Overture Center. Proud to be one of the nation’s most successful independent hotels, the Concourse offers guests a special Madison experience through a distinctive customer focus and perfect location. The hotel offers 256 guest rooms with spectacular views of downtown Madison and the surrounding lakes.
Website | Reviews | Directions

The Governor’s Club
The newly remodeled 100-room Governor’s Club is located on the top three floors of the Madison Concourse. These guest rooms feature 42” plasma TVs, spacious bathrooms with glass walk-in showers and compact refrigerators. Enjoy complimentary breakfast, top-shelf cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and desserts in the private lounge, overlooking the State Capitol and Madison’s sapphire lakes.
Website

For a complete list of restaurants and lodging in the downtown area, please visit the Greater Madison Convention and Visitor’s Bureau or call 800-373-6376

Photo, Martin Jenich Photography