Buses and bikes are permitted here, but most other traffic is banned. Which means that State Street is a haven for pedestrians all types. College students, families, hipsters, lawyers and lobbyists. Eclectic rows of coffee shops, gift shops, pubs and restaurants line the route. It's only six blocks, but your walk will seem far longer given all the possible diversions. It takes fortitude to resist the temptation to pop into B-Side Records or Espresso Royale or one of the little stores selling pretty dangly earrings — just for a second, of course.
If the weather is nice, you will be treated to the sounds of buskers, playing burnished saxophones or scratched up guitars. Further down the road, a few vagrant-types may ask you for money, but more likely than not, they'll say, "God bless you" whether you spare a buck.
End your walk by navigating the perennially under-construction library mall. The Memorial Union Terrace awaits just beyond. Find one of the iconic wheel-backed chairs and bring over a pitcher of ale or hard cider. If you are fortunate, a band will start up as you watch the sun drop toward the horizon, gilding the waters of Lake Mendota.