Middleton

With a singular mix of locally owned restaurants, public spaces and the world’s largest mustard collection, Downtown Middleton is a neighborhood unlike any other. While a true downtown in every sense, this neighborhood’s commercial corridors blend seamlessly with heavily forested residential streets. From the historical house lining suburban streets, homeowners here are only a few minutes’ walk from eclectic eateries, trendy shops and highly-rated Middleton-Cross Plains public schools. And with Downtown Madison just 20 minutes away, residents can pick between small-town vibes and big-city benefits.<br><br>The businesses in Downtown Middleton occupy an eclectic blend of homey-looking old storefronts and modern brick buildings that blend residential and commercial space. Walking around Parmenter Street and Hubbard Avenue, residents can browse local boutiques like the Regal Find or shop for a new outfit at Tradition Market. After working up an appetite, residents might Softa Family Bistro’s famous Albanian sausages, enjoy some live jazz piano over Cajun fare at Louisianne’s Etc. or kick back in Capital Brewery’s outdoor biergarten (known as “Middleton’s backyard”). And, of course, no day is complete without a scoop of house-made gelato from Villa Dolce.<br><br>Despite this town’s many charms, Middleton’s real claim to fame is the National Mustard Museum. Filled with wall-to-wall memorabilia celebrating “the king of condiments,” this quirky museum has a tasting bar where visitors can sample unique varieties, from ghost pepper-infused to lavender-flavored. “People come to see the world’s largest collection of mustards and mustard artifacts,” says Barry Levenson, who founded the museum in 1986. “We have over 6,700 different mustards from around the world. We also have the original French’s mascot, which is 6 feet tall– everyone wants to get their picture taken with it.” More than just a tourist attraction, however, the museum is also a cornerstone of the community and hosts an annual National Mustard Day celebration that paints the town yellow. On the first Saturday of August, locals flood the streets of Downtown Middleton for live music and fun while chowing down on mustard-covered hot dogs and even mustard-flavored ice cream.<br><br>Homes in nearly every popular architectural style from throughout the 20th century (and a few from earlier) sit mere blocks from the area’s bevy of businesses. Older houses include pre-World War II farmhouses, bungalows, Victorian and American Foursquare designs, and ranch-style homes from later decades are also common. There are a few multi-family developments, including side-by-side duplexes and Valencia Lofts Condominiums. The median price for the area is around $420,000, with smaller single-family homes in need of repairs occasionally selling for below $300,000 and larger updated floorplans sometimes priced at $750,000 or higher.<br><br>Students can attend public schools in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District, among some of the best in the region. Elm Lawn Elementary is a short walk away, just outside the neighborhood. It, along with Kromrey Middle, scores an A rating from Niche. Middleton High is also close by and is ranked by Niche as the best public high school in the Madison area, awarded top marks with an A-plus grade. In addition to excellent academics, the school is known for its competitive athletics, with state championship titles in every sport, from ultimate frisbee to snowboarding.<br><br>Nearly every residence in Downtown Middleton enjoys immediate sidewalk access, making it easy to reach a diverse selection of recreational hotspots. One of the newest is Stone Horse Green, a grassy block where locals can enjoy a show at the outdoor bandshell, warm up around the fire pit, explore interactive art installations or catch up with friends over coffee at a bistro table. Those who’d rather chase an adrenaline rush can break out their skateboards or rollerblades and hit the concrete at Quarry Skate Park.<br><br>Many Downtown Middleton residents are an easy walk or drive from the Willy Street Co-op, where local vendors sell everything from produce to beer. The neighborhood is also convenient for frequent travelers, with U.S. Route 12 and University Avenue running adjacent. Locals can take the latter to Downtown Madison in less than 20 minutes or catch the Metro Transit buses that run from Downtown Middleton to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the UW Health University Hospital and Capitol Square.

Though plenty of neighborhoods in Middleton can claim to be near the Madison lakes, only Fox Ridge has two ponds all to itself. From just about any home in this neighborhood, residents are only a short walk from the waterfront, where they’ll find diverse fauna in the springtime and pickup hockey games on the ice during winter. Walkable to highly-rated Elm Lawn Elementary and Middleton’s downtown district, it’s easy to get around Fox Ridge by foot or by car, with sidewalk-lined streets and a highway entrance nearby. And with homes that range in price from $225,000 to $800,000, there’s something for nearly everyone. From any street in Fox Ridge, residents are within walking distance of two scenic and wildlife-filled kettle ponds. The smaller of these, Tiedeman Pond, covers 25 acres and is encircled by a 1-mile walking and running trail. During warmer months, this nature preserve is home to such beautiful birds as herons, ducks, Canada geese and blue-winged teal, as well as wild muskrats and other ground-dwellers. But Tiedeman is at its most exciting when it’s cold, according to Mark Wegner of Middleton Parks and Recreation. “In the wintertime, when the ice is solid enough, we plow the snow off and use the pond for ice skating,” he says. “You also get some die-hards who will get some pickup hockey games going.” The neighborhood’s other water feature, Stricker Pond, also features a path on its perimeter. Both ponds sit adjacent to 10-acre neighborhood parks with basketball courts and play areas. Fox Ridge is made up of single-family homes on winding residential streets lined by sidewalks and densely populated by mature trees. An established neighborhood with a firmly-rooted feel, new constructions aren’t common around here. Most houses were built between the 1960s and the ‘80s, with more recent builds dated around the mid-2000s. With this neighborhood’s continued growth over time, there’s a home for every taste and every budget, ranging from ranch-style homes to split-levels to spacious contemporary designs. Some houses sell below $225,000 and others for above $800,000, but the median home is priced at about $525,000, enough to purchase a four-bedroom, two-story home. Directly east of Tiedeman Pond is Elm Lawn Elementary, an easy walk or bike ride for many of the neighborhood’s young students. Part of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, ranked by Niche as the best school system in the Madison area, both Elm Lawn Elementary and Kromrey Middle hold an A rating. Middleton High receives a perfect A-plus score and is known for its STEM programs, including a youth apprenticeship that teaches career skills to students. Whether still in school or well into retirement, everyone in Middleton loves celebrating their birthday at Nitty Gritty. This small Wisconsin chain restaurant (the area’s self-proclaimed “Official Birthday Place”) specializes in honoring their diners’ days, treating each one to a birthday mug filled with free drinks. Other popular Middleton dining spots are within easy reach, as downtown sits directly to the north. Residents can walk to Capital Brewery or Grace Coffee Co., both of which serve signature brews in relaxed settings. There’s a handful of local restaurants to choose from, but those who prefer to cook at home can grab groceries at Willy Street Co-op close by. Bigger-name shopping and dining lies just across the highway at Greenway Station, from major retailers like Marshall’s and World Market to chain eateries like Jersey Mike’s and Cold Stone Creamery. During summer, vendors sell homemade goods and fresh produce at a Thursday farmers market in the parking lot. Via Route 14 on the western border of the neighborhood, commuters can reach downtown Madison in approximately 10 miles or about 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Metro Transit bus stops along Park Street also run to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, including its hospital system, and the Wisconsin State Capitol. To the northeast, on the opposite side of Lake Mendota, Dane County Regional Airport is reachable in 25 minutes by car.

The Highland neighborhood is a quiet cluster of subdivisions nestled among two major nature preserves and a bevy of other desirable amenities. “The biggest draws are the school district, the outdoor activities, and the easy accessibility to downtown Madison,” says Melissa LeGrand, Owner-Broker of LeGrand Real Estate.” You can be in downtown Madison within 10 minutes or so.” With a mix of condos and single-family homes, this neighborhood resonates with many Middleton buyers. Residences in Highland include apartments, condos and single-family homes. With no commercial developments, the neighborhood’s winding residential streets invite no unnecessary through traffic. Single-family homes were built in the 1970s and 1980s in styles such as Colonial Revivals and split-levels on small lots with sidewalks and mature trees; prices typically range from $300,000 to $440,000. Condos vary more widely depending on the number of bedrooms and amenities such as garages and pools, with prices in the $275,000 to $550,000 range. The Highland neighborhood is tucked in the pocket of two major amenities. Both of the neighborhood’s condo developments back up to the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. “It’s a nature preserve with pretty awesome hiking,” LeGrand says. “Some of it’s paved, so you can use it year-round. You can kind of get everywhere in Middleton on the trails.” Behind the single-family homes is the John C. Bock Community Forest. A great place to connect with nature, the 19.2-acre woodland area offers miles of hiking and biking trails and paths for dog walking. Aspiring gardeners can flex their green thumb at Bock Community Garden. Opened in 2009, Bock Community Garden offers members a 200-square-foot plot of land to plant flowers or food. Beginners need not worry; the garden offers tutorials throughout the season. And with quick access to Lake Mendota, outdoor adventure is never far away; locals love to rent boats or kayaks at Marshall Park and head out on the lake or cast a line and try to catch some of the local fish. Highland is residential, but there are still plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. Locals can start their day with a fresh cup of coffee from Prairie Café and Bakery. Craftsman Table & Tap is a local watering hole that has plenty of local beers on tap to go with their award-winning cheese curds. For an upscale dining experience, 1847 at the Stamm House serves steaks and seafood in a restored landmark building. For groceries, Willy Street Co-Op has been providing fresh, local food since 1974, and national chain Metro Market offers all the familiar favorites. Shoppers can head to Greenway Station, an outdoor shopping mall about 4 miles away, for plenty of retail options like World Market, Michaels, Five Below, clothing chains and more. Most students in the neighborhood attend schools in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, which received an A-plus grade from Niche. Students often start at Sauk Trail Elementary School, graded B-plus by Niche, before heading on to Kromrey Middle School, graded A, and Middleton High School, graded A-plus. Rated a top-10 high school in Wisconsin and the top school in Madison by U.S. News and World Report, Middleton High is one of the oldest schools in the area, dating back to 1879. Most Highland residents will need a car to get around the greater area, as public transportation in the area is limited to bus stops along Century Avenue. Getting to downtown Middleton is a matter of minutes, and downtown Madison is an easy 6-mile drive along University Avenue. The Dane County Regional Airport is about 12 miles away.

Just blocks from the city’s quaint downtown strip to the west and Lake Mendota to the east, Meadows lies in the heart of Middleton, right outside of Madison. “Middleton used to be where people went to get away from Madison. It’s still smaller and quieter, but there’s a lot more to draw folks there now. The schools are fantastic,” says Julie Griffin, a Realtor with Stark Company Realtors who has sold homes across the greater Madison area. And for those who want a retreat from the city, Meadows is an ideal suburban escape. The neighborhood is densely forested and lined by sidewalks, but it doesn’t lack amenities. With a top-rated elementary school on one side, a thriving business corridor on the other, and a public park surrounded by well-maintained homes in between, Meadows has everything a Middleton resident might need in one convenient spot. Winding streets, thoroughfares and cul-de-sacs fill the neighborhood, populated with dense clusters of trees and homes from the second half of the 20th century. Many of these are larger models with sidewalks framing sizeable yards and attached two-car garages lined by shrubbery. Dozens of colorful ranch-style homes mix and match exterior materials, with a handful of bi-levels, split-levels and other two-story floorplans scattered between. Prices start around the lower $400,000s for a three-bedroom house and can climb above $600,000 for four bedrooms. Inventory in this part of town moves fast — homes sell in an average of just five days on the market. Young residents are about a five-minute drive from school at Elm Lawn Elementary, or a 10-minute bike ride thanks to dedicated bike lanes along even the busier roads. Older students in the neighborhood have an easy commute to Kromrey Middle School and Middleton High School, also five minutes or less by car. Middleton High’s athletics are well-decorated, with the swim and dive, volleyball and ultimate frisbee teams all taking home state championship titles in 2023. All three schools are in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District and score an A or above from Niche. Outdoorsy types can spend warmer days at Meadows Park, which sits at the center of the neighborhood and offers 2 acres of play space, including a sandbox, basketball court and batting cage. It’s even home to an outdoor ice-skating rink during the colder months. For waterfront recreation, Lake Mendota can be accessed from Marshall Park directly across University Avenue. There’s plenty to do at local hangouts lining University Avenue, such as the 70-year-old Middleton Sport Bowl, which facilitates several bowling leagues year-round as well as weekly trivia and bingo nights. It’s not just a typical bowling alley, though: “We’re a little mom-and-pop bar and restaurant that happens to have 10 lanes of bowling attached to it. We’ve got burgers and sandwiches, and we do a great Friday fish fry,” says owner Rick Thomas. Just a few doors down, a classy South Asian dining experience awaits at Amber Indian Cuisine, whose lunch and dinner buffet features favorites like chicken tikka masala and vegetable samosas. For a quick cup of joe before heading to work, residents swing by the convenient drive-thru at Scooter’s Coffee, a prominent Midwestern chain with a location right in the neighborhood. Meadows residents can easily run errands at Willy Street Co-op, where farmers and food producers sell their products in a well-stocked grocery store. Other hometown businesses are easy to reach, with Middleton’s downtown just a few blocks west. “They just redid the downtown area, so there are a lot of new businesses. There are also some Middleton staple restaurants that have been around forever, like Louisianne’s Etc. and Capital Brewery,” Griffin says. For even more options, residents can head into downtown Madison in about 15 minutes via University Avenue. Bus stops along Park Streets even allow locals to leave the car behind when heading to destinations like the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s health system or Capitol Square. On the other end of Lake Mendota, Dane County Regional Airport is accessible in a roughly 20-minute drive.

About a mile north of Middleton’s downtown is Middleton Hills, a master-planned community boasting finely crafted homes, a diverse selection of nearby restaurants and direct access to a sweeping nature conservancy. “We loved the Frank Lloyd Wright-esque design of the homes,” says local real estate agent and former neighborhood resident John Aronica. “And during the summer we would walk to downtown Middleton all the time– it only takes about 15 minutes.” With its stately Prairie-style homes that range in price from $400,000 to well over $1 million, in sizes running from modest to sprawling to match, homeowners here are attracted to the thoughtfully designed houses and neighborhood layout. Middleton Hills began development in the late 1990s and today comprises over 400 detached homes. Its winding streets feature verdant views of the surrounding hills and are all flanked by sidewalks, offering pedestrian access to businesses, parks and a nearby elementary school. The neighborhood’s unique housing stock features singular spins on the midwestern bungalow, as well as homages to Prairie and Arts and Crafts architectural styles. Meanwhile, the Gardd Parc Condominium Homes building at the southern end of the neighborhood offers one- and two-bedroom units; residents can enjoy amenities including exercise and theater rooms. These condos tend to cost from the low to high $300,000s, while detached homes in Middleton Hills start around $400,000 and can run close to the $1.5 million mark, especially for constructions with 4,000 square feet or more. Northside Elementary School sits along the western edge of Middleton Hills, making it easy for young residents to walk or bike to class in the morning. This public school for kindergarten through fourth grade doesn’t just boast an A rating from Niche; it also carries a healthy dose of school spirit. Every National Dolphin Day (April 14), Northside teachers dress up as the school’s marine mascot and treat students to a dessert bar. Two other highly rated schools, Kromrey Middle and Middleton High, are both within a five-minute drive of the neighborhood and hold an A rating or higher, according to Niche. Directly east of the neighborhood is the Pheasant Branch Conservancy, an expanse of open-water marshes, prairies, forests and springs. Residents can walk from their Middleton Hills home to Pheasant Branch’s 3-mile trail loop to spot a host of colorful fauna, from deer and frogs to songbirds and cranes. The observation platform on Frederick’s Hill offers a breathtaking view of the conservancy’s varied topography, including the shimmering waters of Pheasant Branch Creek. Middleton Hills also has several public green spaces within its boundaries, including two neighborhood parks: one with basketball and volleyball courts and a boardwalk winding through a wetland area, the other with a baseball diamond and a covered picnic shelter. Even those who live in the neighborhood’s farthest reaches are a mere 15-minute walk from several eateries and amenities in the Middleton Hills shopping area. Locals follow up their morning walk with a tasty cup of joe at Prairie Café & Bakery, where they enjoy any number of coffee beverages and classic breakfast dishes beside a warm fireplace. Just across the street, Lupe’s Taqueria lets patrons construct tailor-made tacos in a casual setting with luchador-inspired décor. For something on the fancier side, 1847 at the Stamm House lies two minutes down the road. This fine dining establishment operates out of a pre-Civil War building that’s gone through various incarnations, including as a service store, a hotel and a speakeasy. The network of sidewalks and parks that connect the homes of Middleton Hills lends this neighborhood a strong sense of community. Instead of having events thrown by a homeowners association, residents come together for grassroots celebrations like the Fourth of July parade, where kids paint the streets in red, white and blue on decked-out bicycles. Other events, like Music in the Hills, are co-sponsored by local businesses like Prairie Café & Bakery to bring some fun in the sun to the neighborhood. Running errands is easy from Middleton Hills, with a Metro Market at the southern end of the neighborhood and a Costco less than 10 minutes away. Residents who work in Downtown Madison can get there within 20 minutes via University Avenue.

With a highly esteemed elementary school, moderately priced homes, and a beautiful nature conservancy within its borders, Northside is a Middleton neighborhood rife with amenities. “There are a lot of young families moving to the area because the schools in Middleton are great, all the way from the elementary to high school level,” says local real estate agent John Aronica of Restaino & Associates. Brandon Grosse, a broker with Accord Realty who attended the neighborhood’s Northside Elementary, agrees. “The schools in Middleton are super well-rated,” he says. “Plus, you’re basically right outside of Madison. So you have the convenience of Madison’s city amenities, but it’s still got a small-town feel.” Lined by trees and sidewalks, the residential streets of this neighborhood offer suburban comforts less than 25 minutes from downtown Madison, with standout Middleton parks and restaurants even closer. Homes in Northside were generally built between the 1970s and the early 2000s, covering a variety of architectural styles. Many ranch-style homes populate the lightly forested streets and cul-de-sacs alongside split-level designs and new traditional two-story homes. No two houses are exactly alike, with an eclectic array of features that makes each one stand out. More subtle stylistic flairs include colorful shutters and rustic wood siding, while more ostentatious homes feature quirks like Tudor-inspired half-timbering, ornate Victorian gable trim and Prairie-style low-hipped roofs. A two-bedroom condo near Century Place might sell for between $100,000 and $200,000, while single-family homes throughout the rest of the neighborhood might list for as low as the mid-$300,000s or climb into the mid-$600,000 range, depending on the number of bedrooms. Northside revolves around the school from which it gets its name. Accommodating kindergarten through the fourth grade, Northside Elementary is surrounded by winding residential streets and sidewalks, making it easy for most residents to reach on foot. Students and faculty are quite proud of their mascot, celebrating National Dolphin Day every April 14 with a dessert bar and teacher dress-up. Of course, top-notch education in Middleton isn’t exclusive to Northside Elementary, especially with Kromrey Middle and Middleton High just minutes away. All three schools score an A rating from Niche. Northside’s primary outdoor escape is the Graber Pond Conservancy Area, a 33-acre site where reed canary grass rustles in the wind beside the pond. Residents can take a stroll along the Graber Pond Trail to get up close and personal with any number of waterfowl, from wood ducks and Canada geese to blue and green herons. Anglers can even go fishing off the pond’s dock year-round if they feel like catching some smallmouth or largemouth bass. “There’s lots of biking opportunities, and you’re also not far from the lake,” Grosse says. “We’ve got Lake Mendota in Middleton, so there’s a couple of different parks with docks and beaches and playgrounds for kids.” Other ways to get some fresh air in Northside include the miniature Hawkridge Park, an ideal spot to watch the little ones dig in the sandbox. Sporty residents can hit Northside Elementary’s baseball diamonds or cross the street to the Middleton Hills soccer field for a quick game. With Parmenter Street and Century Avenue running adjacent to the neighborhood, Northside residents can quickly travel to several local eateries. “Right next to there in Middleton Hills is a great Mexican restaurant called Pasqual’s Cantina, and there’s a Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream location right across the street,” Grosse says. “So you can get tacos, margaritas and ice cream — that doesn’t sound so bad.” Those who dig Asian cuisine will love having Trio Ramen close by. This recent addition to the Middleton food scene features a relaxing, wood-decorated interior where diners can enjoy noodles in a rich, savory broth. For more bites from across the globe, locals rave about Pikkito’s Peruvian cuisine, whose classic dishes include ceviche and flan. More restaurants are roughly 2 miles away in downtown Middleton, in addition to groceries at Willy Street Co-op. Like most Middleton neighborhoods, Northside is somewhat walkable and bikeable thanks to its bike lanes and sidewalks leading to nearby amenities. “You could probably walk to downtown Middleton from there, or you can definitely ride a bike,” Grosse says. U.S. Route 12 is just west of the neighborhood, offering residents a direct avenue to other Middleton and Madison hotspots. Downtown Madison is about 14 miles away, or roughly a 25-minute drive. Or, residents can take the Metro Transit bus along Century Avenue to popular destinations such Capitol Square or the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dane County Regional Airport is approximately 12 miles away on the opposite side of Lake Mendota, a drive that takes 20 to 25 minutes.