Carpenter-Ridgeway - Madison, WI

The Carpenter-Ridgeway neighborhood began its humble history as farmland owned by the John Quincy Brigham family. Development overtook the neighborhood in the first half of the 20th century with the construction of the Truax Field and Air Base as well as East Washington Avenue. Growth of the Madison populations sparked urbanization of the neighborhood in the 1940s, while the construction of the Dane County Regional Airport in 1938 and the post-WWII housing boom promoted further population and construction in the area.

Carpenter-Ridgeway does not have any museums of its own, but locals can still experience the wealth of Madison culture at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art or the Overture Center For The Arts, both of which lie a few miles away on State Street. The Olbrich Gardens to the south often host an array of special events throughout the year, such as winter concerts or Cocktails in the Conservatory.

True Wisconsin flavor and culinary atmosphere abound in the Carpenter-Ridgeway neighborhood, and locals can always expect to fill their Friday nights with a delightful Fish Fry or grab a burger for a quick lunch. Madison's love of food enables an international selection of restaurants and eateries along East Washington Avenue, while foodies arrive in droves to the larger Truax area for the little-known Madison dives and secret gastronomic gems. Though some feel intimidated by golf restaurants, the Plata's Restaurant at the Bridges Golf Course continually makes visitors feel at home. In addition to the unpretentious, casual atmosphere of this restaurant, Plata's serves up an array of innovative sandwiches, wraps, salads and burgers. The Bridges Fried Mahi-Mahi Sandwich remains the quintessential after-golf favorite, while locals recommend the Black Jack Burger with jalapeno peppers and chipotle mayo.

Satisfy that burger craving without venturing too far from home by hitting up Brothers Three Bar & Grill just off North Fair Oaks Avenue. The simple design of this eatery adds to its small town charm, but the large portion sizes and burgers complete with thick-cut bacon and drizzled in cheeses provide an aura of burger-sophistication. Using the classic Wisconsin Supper Club traditions, this restaurant encourages visitors to have a cocktail or non-alcoholic drink before sitting down to dinner. Make sure to supplement a catfish dinner or a patty melt burger with a helping of white cheddar cheese curds.

The abundance of greasy burgers and thick-cut meats in this area can be daunting for those looking to eat a little lighter and healthier. Locals looking for vegetarian fare make the short trip to Monty's Blue Plate Diner on Atwood Avenue for an expansive selection of both vegetarian and meaty options, all while porting authentic 1950s decor. Breakfast is served all day, and locals recommend the corned beef hash or the buttermilk pancakes and homemade maple syrup.

Carpenter-Ridgeway residents are never too far from a hip and trendy lounge or traditional Wisconsin pub. A trip to State Street and the Capitol Square exposes locals to the high-octane nightlife populated by the University of Wisconsin-Madison students. Have a comfortable drink in a sports bar setting by checking out the Tip Top Tavern on Commercial Avenue or Dexter's Pub off North Street.

The Carpenter-Ridgeway neighborhood holds many of the same green values as the rest of Madison, especially when it comes the choice between cycling and driving. Abundant bike lanes throughout the neighborhood and along East Washington Avenue ensure safe travel by bike from Carpenter-Ridgeway to downtown Madison, while the Starkweather Creek Path gives both walkers and cyclists a scenic, pleasant way to get around the neighborhood.

Along East Washington Avenue, cyclists must ride about 4 miles to get to the Capitol Square. Because of this distance, Carpenter-Ridgeway residents are dependent on their cars for work commutes and longer trips. The neighborhood's close vicinity to Wisconsin Highway 30 provides convenient access to I-90 and I-94, while free curbside parking remains available on the smaller back streets.

The Dane County Regional Airport and the MATC Truax Campus mean that taxis often abound in the area, but locals should call ahead or use a smartphone to organize a trip with Uber to ensure timely pickup. The Madison Metro connects residents with the greater Madison area via Route 34, Route 25, Route 17 and Route 6. Head to East Washington Avenue to instantly find a bus stop complete with a system map and timetable.

The Carpenter-Ridgeway neighborhood rests towards the outskirts of Madison, and although community housing abounds, locals can still experience Wisconsin's natural splendor without having to drive to the countryside. Neighborhood parks in the area cater to visitors of all ages, while the nearby Lake Mendota encourages fishers, water skiers and lake enthusiasts to spend more time on the water.

The namesake Carpenter-Ridgeway Park on the southeast border of Bridges Golf Course provides an example of the beautiful parks and recreation opportunities in the area. Featuring nearly 4 acres of open green space as well as paved running and biking trails, this park is packed with local joggers in the morning. Visitors to this park can often hear golfers teeing off at the Bridges Golf Course, an expansive 18-hole golfing complex complete with driving ranges and chipping greens.

Locals must keep their dogs on-leash while visiting the area parks. When looking to give Fido some space to run around, head to the McCormick Greenway Dog Park. This one-acre park does require owners to purchase a dog park permit from the City of Madison, though it also makes the ideal social hub for neighborhood dog lovers.

To the south of Carpenter-Ridgeway and along Atwood Avenue, residents can discover the natural beauty of the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. This award-winning complex features over 16 acres of outdoor gardens that include stunning landscapes and Midwest-hardy plants. Experience the natural character of the tropics at the Bolz Conservatory, or register for a class and learn the secrets to gardening and running a greenhouse. During both summer and winter, these gardens come alive for local concert series and annual cocktail parties. Admission to the gardens is only free on Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

The cost of living in Carpenter-Ridgeway is slightly lower than Madison averages, though common amenities such as groceries and entertainment are more expensive than overall Wisconsin averages. When moving to the area, newcomers should expect the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment to hover around $650 a month.

Travel via Madison Metro costs $2 for a one-way ticket, while car owners can keep their gas budget low by paying about 5 percent less than national averages. A pint of beer at local pubs should cost between $3 and $4.

For the most comprehensive shopping experience, head to the State Street outdoor mall or travel two miles up East Washington Avenue to find the East Towne Mall. Locals have no shortage of boutiques and high-end specialty stores either, and a trip along East Washington Avenue exposes residents to a wide variety of attractive stores.

Located less than two miles southeast of Carpenter-Ridgeway, Stray Cat Bicycles on Bryan Street appeases to Madison's love of bicycle culture by providing a huge selection of Sasha bikes. Especially useful for the wealth of students at MATC's Truax Campus as well as the environmentally conscious commuters taking the four-mile trip into downtown Madison, this comprehensive bicycle shop emphasizes sturdy and reliable bikes that last for years. Feel free to ask the staff about which bicycle specs are ideal for your needs, whether you prefer an off-road bike for the mountain trails or several high-class safety features for daily commutes.

Carpenter-Ridgeway residents have several options when stocking up on common kitchen staples such as vegetables and meats. Copps supermarket provides the largest selection of branded foods, kitchen supplies and pharmaceuticals in the area, while the Hy-Vee and ALDI along East Washington Avenue feature low-cost, diverse options. When looking to fill the refrigerator with organic fruits and vegetables as well as sustainable meats, head to the Dane County Farmers Market on the Capitol Square. Held every Saturday morning year-round, this farmers market is one of the largest producer-only markets in the nation.