It's Madison Week at OnMilwaukee.com. We sent our editorial staff to check out bars, restaurants, retail outlets and cultural venues in order to uncover some of the best of Wisconsin's second-largest city.

Where it is: The Downtown / Campus neighborhood takes over the entire isthmus between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. The neighborhood includes the Capitol Square, State Street and University of Wisconsin campus.

Reasons to go: The sheer number of things going on downtown and on campus is astonishing. Shopping at the Farmer's Market on the Square, drinking at the University of Wisconsin's Union Terrace, strolling on State Street and tasting Babcock Ice Cream make up just a few of the must-dos in Madison.

Bound by Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, students, professionals and artists are all packed into Madison's skinny isthmus to create bustling intense energy during the academic year and laid back relaxation in the summer.

Reasons to eat there: Buraka (African), 543 State St.; Chautara (Nepalese), 334 State St.; Restaurant Magnus (South American), 120 E. Wilson St.; Tornado Steak House (steak and seafood), 116 S. Hamilton St.

Best café/coffee shop: Fair Trade Coffee House, 418 State St.

Reasons to shop there: Canterbury Booksellers, 315 W. Gorham St.; B-Side Records, 436 State St.; Little Luxuries, 214 State St.; The Soap Opera, 319 State St.

Reasons to stop for drinks: Nick's Restaurant, 226 State St.; Café Montmartre, 127 E. Mifflin St.; Natt Spiel, 130 King St.; Cardinal Bar, 418 E. Wilson St.

Hidden gem: During the spring, summer and fall, you can get a taste of several Madison ethnic restaurants in one quick swoop. If you head to the University's Library Mall on the west end of State Street, you'll find transportable carts serving limited menus from some of Madison's best ethnic restaurants.