Madison's far west side: West Towne, Elver Park and Mineral Point Road

How the city describes the area

The City of Madison's West Area Plan covers more than 5,500 acres bounded by the Beltline on the west and south and Midvale Boulevard on the east. It describes the area as home to several of Madison's largest commercial and employment centers. It names neighborhoods such as Sauk Creek, Wexford Village, Parkwood Hills, Walnut Grove, Crestwood and Highlands, and it lists the Yellowstone and Grand Canyon Drive area among its sub-areas.

Two facts from the plan help explain how the area feels. West Towne Mall was built in the early 1970s, when it sat at the edge of the city, and the plan describes former big-box stores nearby being reused for fitness and services. And Mineral Point Road is one of the corridors the plan targets for redevelopment, along with Odana Road and Whitney Way, because the city's first bus rapid transit line runs along it.

West Towne and the shopping centers

West Towne Mall, 66 West Towne Mall, is the area's regional shopping center. CBL Properties, which owns it, lists Von Maur as the anchor and DICK'S Sporting Goods, JCPenney and The Cheesecake Factory among the stores, plus dining and entertainment such as Dave & Buster's and Urban Air. It also says open-air centers nearby add more options, including Nordstrom Rack. Our directory also lists West Towne Crossing and Prairie Towne Center on Junction Road. See the shopping guide for how these compare with Hilldale, State Street and the other districts.

Elver Park

The city's page for Elver Park gives the address as 1250 McKenna Blvd. and places it in the southwest corner of the city. At 250.82 acres, the city calls it the largest community park in Madison Parks. As the city lists it:

• Year-round: a pavilion and an open shelter (both reservable), an accessible playground, three full basketball courts, four multipurpose fields, four lighted softball diamonds, three tennis and pickleball courts, scenic trails, and cricket club play.
• Summer: a free splash park, typically open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
• Disc golf: a course that requires a daily or annual permit for ages 16 and up.
• Winter: a sledding hill that is lit for evening use with good snow cover, with a warming house and concessions; a hockey rink and ice skating; cross-country ski trails rated easy, intermediate and advanced, which need a ski permit for ages 16 and up; and snowshoeing with good snow cover, typically 6 inches or more.

Park hours are 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The city notes that the park is a polling place during elections and is closed to other activities then. Winter facilities open only as conditions allow, so check the city's page before you go. Our parks guide, ice skating guide and golf guide have more on city parks, rinks and disc golf.

Alicia Ashman Library

The Alicia Ashman Library is at 733 N. High Point Rd., in Sauk Point Square. Madison Public Library's page lists one meeting room and one study room, public computers, printing, scanning and copying, WiFi and an after-hours book return. The parking lot is shared with other businesses and can be reached from N. High Point Rd. or Old Sauk Rd. Check the library's page for hours. Our libraries guide covers cards, rooms and the other branches.

The Ice Age Trail nearby

The Ice Age Trail Alliance's description of the Valley View Segment says it runs 3.4 miles in Dane County, from W. Mineral Point Rd. (County Highway S) to Mid Town Rd. at Shady Oak Ln. The Alliance's directions reach the western trailhead from the Beltline at Exit 254 and then west on Mineral Point Rd. So this segment starts where Mineral Point Road leaves the city, rather than inside the far west side. The Alliance's separate Madison Segment runs from Woods Rd. to McKee Rd., mostly across the University Ridge Golf Course, south of the city. Our hiking guide covers other nearby trails.

Getting around

Metro Transit's Route A is bus rapid transit between Junction Road and Sun Prairie. Its listed stops include Mineral Point, S. Whitney, University, State and E. Washington. Metro's page shows a service update taking effect December 6, 2026, so check current schedules. The West Area Plan also recommends bike facilities on N. High Point Rd. between Old Sauk and Mineral Point roads, which tells you the street is built mainly for cars today. See our getting around guide for buses and bikes.

Places to start on Mineral Point, Junction and High Point roads

These are businesses in our directory on or near those roads. Descriptions come from their directory listings; hours and menus change, so check with each one.

• Emerald Coffee Bakery: a locally owned west-side coffee shop and bakery with all-day brunch, sandwiches and house-made pastries.
• BeneBlends: a smoothie, smoothie bowl and cold-pressed juice shop where everything is vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.
• La Baguette: a west-side bakery-café with lunch, pastries and bread baked daily.
• New Seoul Korean Restaurant: a Korean comfort-food restaurant on North High Point Road, open for more than 20 years.
• K-Peppers: a small Korean restaurant with fusion and vegetarian dishes and online takeout ordering.
• Tibet Kitchen: a Tibetan restaurant cooking from scratch, with handmade momo dumplings and hand-pulled noodle soups.
• North and South Seafood and Smokehouse: a smokehouse on Mineral Point Road where everything is cooked in the smoker, from ribs to a cod fry.
• China Kitchen: a Cantonese-style Chinese restaurant on Mineral Point Road.
• Frugal Muse Books: a locally owned used bookstore in the Market Square shopping center on Odana Road.
• Westfield Comics: a comic retailer selling mostly by mail order and online, with a store on Mineral Point Road.
• Trek Bicycle Madison West: a Trek store with bike and e-bike sales, rentals and service.
• U Frame It West: a locally owned custom picture framing shop on Mineral Point Road.