909 Oakland Ave

The Vilas Neighborhood is another downtown Madison neighborhood that transitions from a student-dominated neighborhood to family-friendly in a matter of blocks.

The blocks closest to Regent Street, including Regent St. down to Mound St. and Chandler St. are mostly occupied by University of Wisconsin students.

As you move South, the neighborhood becomes more residential and family-oriented, though students and young professionals will still pop up on occasion. They tend to occupy the two or three level flats, some of which are quite vintage.

While many people choose this neighborhood because it is close to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and two of the cities larger hospitals, the Vilas Neighborhood offers its own unique set of attractions as well.

Madison's free (and pretty impressive) Henry Vilas Zoo borders the southern end of the neighborhood, along with the large Vilas park and its corresponding lake, Lake Wingra.

Just beyond that is the famous Arboretum - probably the best place in Madison to get away from the city life and enjoy being fully immersed in nature.

The Vilas Neighborhood is also bordered on its West side by Monroe St., a mini-hub of Madison activity which includes a Trader Joe's, Mound Street Yoga and some of Madison's favorite restaurants, such as Mickies Dairy Bar.