Madison's far east side: East Towne, Sprecher and Reindahl Park

How the city describes the area

The City of Madison's Northeast Area Plan covers 7,608 acres and is generally bound by the Interstate on the east. Highway 30 and Aberg Avenue form its southern edge, and Packers Avenue and the rail corridor form its western edge. It calls East Washington Avenue the primary transportation corridor in the area. A few things from the plan:

• East Towne: the plan describes roughly 300 acres of parking and single-story commercial buildings, and envisions it "transitioning from a regional mall to a vibrant urban neighborhood" over time.
• American Center: the plan describes it as home to regional medical facilities and notes that it is very difficult to reach without a car. It mentions a possible Hoepker Road interchange that would improve access.
• Grandview Commons: the plan mentions it only in a photo caption about "missing middle" homes.

The city's older Sprecher Neighborhood Development Plan, adopted in 1998 and last amended in 2012, covers about 1,425 acres bounded by Interstate 90, Cottage Grove Road, Interstate 94 and the Door Creek valley. It describes Sprecher Road as a north-south arterial through the neighborhood and the Door Creek valley as wetlands, meadows and wooded drumlins. These are planning documents, so what has been built since may differ from what they envisioned.

East Towne

East Towne Mall, 89 East Towne Mall, lists DICK'S Sporting Goods, JCPenney and Barnes & Noble as anchors, according to CBL Properties. CBL says Flix Brewhouse, a dine-in cinema, and Thrill Factory, a family attraction, add to it. The Zeier Road side of the area has its own shops and restaurants. See the shopping guide for how East Towne compares with West Towne and Hilldale.

Reindahl Park and the Imagination Center

The city's page for Reindahl Park gives the address as 1818 Portage Rd. and says it is reached off East Washington Avenue. At 90.74 acres, it has multipurpose fields, eight tennis courts (four striped for pickleball), a full basketball court, cricket fields for club play, a playground, a community garden and a free seasonal splash park, open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

The Imagination Center Library at 1814 Parkside Dr. is inside the park. Isthmus reported that it opened September 25, 2026, as the city's first new branch library in 26 years and the first collaboration between the library and Madison Parks. The reporting describes a quiet reading room, three study rooms that can be reserved free of charge, a community room and a classroom. The city says the park pavilion attached to the library is expected to open for 2027 reservations in November 2026.

Also on the east side, the Hawthorne Library is at 2707 E. Washington Ave.. See our libraries guide.

Door Creek Park and Token Creek

Door Creek Park, 7035 Littlemore Dr., is on Madison's far east side. The city lists nearly 160 acres, a reservable shelter with a gas fireplace, eight tennis and pickleball courts, two basketball courts, a large playground and hiking trails. It also lists an orienteering course built as an Eagle Scout project in 2022, which the city says is not maintained and may be removed. In winter, as conditions allow, the city lists a staffed pavilion with an ice rink and ski, skate and snowshoe rentals, plus cross-country trails rated intermediate. The park is next to Dane County's Blooming Grove Drumlins Natural Resource Area.

Token Creek County Park is farther out, off Highway 51 south of Windsor. Dane County lists 418 acres with 37 reservable campsites, a 27-hole disc golf course, a dog park and miles of trails. Our camping guide has the details, and the parks guide covers city and county parks together.

Getting around and the Sun Prairie edge

Metro Transit's Route A is bus rapid transit between Junction Road on the west side and the Sun Prairie Park and Ride, with stops along East Washington Avenue that include East Springs, High Crossing, East Park and Hanson Rd. Metro lists a service update taking effect December 6, 2026. The Northeast Area Plan notes that Sun Prairie supports a possible Hoepker Road interchange, and that a future boundary with Sun Prairie is expected. For the city next door, see our Sun Prairie guide and the getting around guide.

Places to start on East Washington, Cottage Grove, Lien and Zeier

These are businesses in our directory on or near the 3000 to 5000 blocks of East Washington Avenue, the 4000 block of Cottage Grove Road, Lien Road and Zeier Road. Descriptions come from their directory listings; hours and menus change, so check with each one.

• Java Cat Coffee House: coffee and tea shop on Lien Road with espresso drinks, global tea blends, sandwiches and salads.
• Beans 'n Cream Coffee Shop: a café at UW Hospital East from a family-owned Sun Prairie coffeehouse that roasts its own beans.
• S&B Hmong Kitchen: Hmong home cooking on Zeier Road, including sausage and pork belly with sticky rice and Hmong pho.
• Sweet Hut: an Asian bakery and bubble tea counter inside the Global Market food hall on Zeier Road.
• Culver's Cottage Grove Road: lobby dining, a drive-thru and curbside service.
• Tailwinds: the restaurant and bar inside the DoubleTree Madison East, with Midwestern and Wisconsin-inspired food and a daily happy hour.
• Erik's Bike Board Ski Madison East: an east-side store for bikes, skis and snowboards with seasonal service.
• Midas East Washington Ave: a locally owned Midas with brakes, tires, alignment, exhaust, A/C and batteries.
• White Knight Carpet Rescue: carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning plus water damage restoration on Pflaum Road since 1990.
• Plesh Family Chiropractic: a family practice on Cottage Grove Road serving the east side since 1998.
• Capitol Bank East Madison: Capitol Bank's East Madison office on Eastpark Boulevard.