Five Ways to Take Advantage of the Terrace This Summer
Time flies when you’re having fun, and we’ve certainly been having a blast at the Wisconsin Union since the colorful sunburst Terrace chairs went into their annual hibernation in October 2022. We’ve snapped photos with Lady Liberty during Winter Carnival, harnessed our creativity at Wheelhouse Studios, watched jaw-dropping Wisconsin Union Theater performances and more, and suddenly it’s Terrace season again!
The Terrace chairs made their long-awaited reappearance on April 12, and we’ve loved welcoming our valued Wisconsin Union members and guests back to the Terrace to make memories for a lifetime. From paddling rentals to free art projects to concerts facing Lake Mendota, we’ve got so much goodness coming your way. Read on to learn about all the ways to Terrace this summer!
- Paddle and Play with Outdoor UW
Start the summer off strong by embracing your nature-loving side. Whether you’re looking for a solo adventure or a group experience, Outdoor UW has just the thing to get you excited about the outdoors.
Starting May 29, you can rent paddling equipment with Outdoor UW, including kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). Once you board your paddle craft, you can explore Lake Mendota to your heart’s content.
If you’re planning an event with your registered student organization (RSO), fraternity/sorority, colleagues or friends, a group paddling excursion is the perfect way to facilitate fun and team bonding, regardless of your prior paddling experience. Choose an activity from Outdoor UW’s programming catalog or work with team members to customize an excursion that’s perfect for your group. Learn to paddle in a guided Intro to Paddling experience, channel your competitive side in a Sports Bash, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the lake during an All Paddle Palooza. If any of these strike your fancy or you want to brainstorm something new, fill out this private group experience form and a fabulous Outdoor UW team member will help you plan your paddling party.
As if renting with Outdoor UW couldn’t get any better, we offer discounted group activities for RSOs and fraternity and sorority life at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. And if you’re a Wisconsin Union member, you can save 10% on paddling rentals every Thursday!
We’re excited that yoga will return to the Terrace and the lake this summer, in partnership with University Recreation and Wellbeing (RecWell). There’s no better way to tune into your body and mind than by surrounding yourself with beautiful lake views. Check out the RecWell website in early May for a list of available classes.
Calling all families! Outdoor UW will once again host Family Night on Tuesday nights throughout the summer. During Family Nights, you and your family will have a SUPer fun time playing games and sightseeing from the comfort of a paddlecraft.
- Sing and Dance with WUD Music
It’s impossible to pick a favorite part of Terrace season, but if we had to, concerts on the Terrace Stage would certainly be high on that list. Where else can you enjoy four nights of free music a week with beautiful sunsets behind the stage? Students in the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music Committee have programmed another stellar summer lineup that will bring new and returning bands to the Terrace.
We are thrilled to announce that fan-favorite performers like Natty Nation and Pat McCurdy will make a triumphant return to the UW Credit Union Terrace Stage. Stay tuned for the full music lineup, which will be released later this month.
Would you believe us if we told you that the best seat for a concert on the Terrace wasn’t a sunburst chair, but a paddle craft? Rent a kayak, canoe or SUP with Outdoor UW and join us for Lakefront Live every month this summer. Band members will turn 180 degrees on the Terrace Stage to play their instruments towards audience members on Lake Mendota. Attending this special student-led collaboration between WUD Music and Outdoor UW deserves a spot at the top of your summer bucket list.
- Dine with Delight at Wisconsin Union Restaurants
Good food and sunburst chairs go together like smiles and a sunny day. And lucky for you, there’s no shortage of delicious dining options when you visit the Terrace. We’ve got something for everyone to enjoy, from savory meals to sweet scoops of Babcock Ice Cream. Plus, we have some exciting new menu items this year that your taste buds won’t want to miss.
The Brat Stand is now open for the season! Prepare to visit often, because The Brat Stand will offer delectable daily specials alongside the classic brat and burger fare. Come back every weekday to try something new! Here are the tasty offerings you can look forward to, beginning May 15:
- Monday: $1 hot dogs, bags of chips and 16-ounce sodas for movie nights on the Terrace (starting Memorial Day)
- Tuesday: Halal Chicken Sandwich
- Wednesday: Italian Beef Sandwich
- Thursday: Vegan Bahn Mi Sandwich
- Friday: Jamaican Jerk Chicken Sandwich
Mark your calendars for early May, when The BBQ Stand will reopen with an expanded menu. In addition to fan-favorite pitmaster specialties, The BBQ stand will offer new delicious recipes (BBQ burnt ends and BBQ mac and cheese) and while-they-last specials (a BBQ nachos plate). Summer doesn’t taste any better than this.
Lakeview Lounge in Memorial Union reopened in March, two months earlier than in 2022, with new specialty menu items. Meat lovers will go crazy for the brand-new bone-in chicken wings and Italian and Supreme pizzas, which offer a mix of meat, veggies and spices. Veggie lovers will adore the new signature dish: meatless tenders. And while supplies last, you can celebrate the return of the shareable Terrace pretzel. Grab your friends, grab your food and grab a spot on the Terrace for a meal to remember.
It wouldn’t be summer without ice cream, and The Daily Scoop has you covered with all the sweet treats you could ask for. Cool off with a dish or a cone of rich, refreshing ice cream while enjoying your time on the Terrace. Can’t choose what flavor to get? Why not try them all in the iconic freshman 15, a 15-scoop masterpiece with your choice of flavors and toppings? It’s perfect for a group of friends or family members to split and it’s guaranteed to provide you with happiness and a sugar rush.
- Channel Your Creativity with Wheelhouse Studios
Wheelhouse Studios, the open art studio in the lower level of Memorial Union, offers plenty of ways to channel your artistry into masterful creations—and what better place to do it than on the Terrace?
Make a free art project on the Terrace every Wednesday through Saturday evening from 5-8 p.m. during Terrace Art Zone. No sign-up is necessary, just show up with your passion for artmaking! You can also stop by the Art Cart, which offers art supplies and projects available for purchase. Take your materials to a Terrace table and let the beautiful lake views and bustling atmosphere serve as your inspiration while you create your Terrace souvenir.
- Watch a Movie with WUD Film
Did you know that students in the WUD Film Committee program not just one, but two free film series every summer? This Terrace season is no exception. Join us every Monday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day for a full summer slate of screenings projected onto a screen on the Terrace Stage, along with a Lakeside Cinema film series on select Sunday evenings (June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23 and Aug. 6). Keep an eye out for the summer film lineup, coming soon!
2023 is bound to be the best summer yet, with outdoor adventures, free concerts, delicious dining, creative art projects and fabulous film screenings available to you at the Terrace. Visit TerraceSummer.com to learn more about the exciting events and activities coming soon.
