Your Summer at the Memorial Union Terrace
It’s finally summer. The warm weather is here, and the Memorial Union Terrace is open. And, while you probably don’t need any help to enjoy stunning views and almost daily free programming, here are some Terrace traditions to add to your summer bucket list:
- Climb into the giant sunburst chair.
What’s better than a sunburst chair? A giant sunburst chair. Capture your experience for a lifetime with a photo of you on giant version of the Terrace’s iconic chairs. You’ll find these unforgettable photo opportunities on both the east and west ends of our outdoor paradise. - Take time to relax.
Leave behind the all the “have to dos” and “need to dos” in life. Here, at the Memorial Union Terrace, we invite you to take time to enjoy a sunny day or a beautiful evening.The team at our in-house art studio Wheelhouse Studios can help you relax into your Terrace experience and embrace your inner artist with free arts and crafts in the Terrace Art Zone on Wednesday evenings. Your chance to get artsy doesn’t end there; Wheelhouse is holding many other public and member-only events this summer. - Experience Terrace After Dark.
Experiences for a lifetime don’t stop when the sun goes down. We keep fun going with Terrace After Dark, a summer-long, free live music and film showing series. Movies of all genres are being projected onto our giant, lakeside screen starting at 9 p.m. on Monday evenings and select Sunday evenings.Plus, a summer on the Terrace wouldn’t be complete without music. Music has been part of the Terrace’s identity since it opened in 1928, and we’re continuing that tradition this year with four nights of live music a week. Check out local talent on Wednesday open mic nights and local and national headliners on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Plus, you can count on Bluegrass and Americana music Thursday evenings, and jazz on Friday evenings. - Embrace the outdoors.
Start your day at the Terrace with yoga, which takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. Take your yoga skills to the next level with stand-up paddleboard yoga on Thursdays at 7:15 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Classes are inclusive to all skill levels, so whether you have years of experience or have never done a sun salutation, these classes are for you! The cost is only $7, making this opportunity one you cannot pass up.Not far from our lakefront, adventure awaits you at Outdoor UW, located in the lower level of Memorial Union. Open noon to sunset, rent camping and hiking equipment, or get out on Lake Mendota by renting a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or new this summer, an eight-person inflatable paddleboard.
- Enjoy brats and ice cream.
While attending these exciting events, grab a bite to eat or a cold beverage at the famous Brat Stand or the brand-new BBQ Stand on the Terrace. Or, head inside Memorial Union to pick up pizza, salads, sandwiches and more. Don’t forget to end your visit to the Union with a scoop of famous Babcock Hall Ice Cream.
To purchase cold beverages and attend events at the Union, including those not open to the public, stop by the Union, and become a member today. Learn more at union.wisc.edu/membership.
For a full schedule of Terrace activities, including films and music, visit TerraceSummer.com.
