I happened to find the Canterbury Inn online. When my husband and I discovered that there was a bookstore, coffeehouse, and bed and breakfast combined there, we knew we had to visit Madison!

Because we headed into town from Chicago (up quite a few miles of tollroad) we entered town from John Nolen Drive, which was a pleasant route through a green belt and between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota. It reminded me of my hometown of Austin, many years ago before the yuppie tech invasion.

It took us awhile to find the Canterbury, even with my map. The front was covered up with tree boughs, so I couldn't see the name. We parked nearby, but later my husband had to go back and move the rental car so we would not be towed.

The bookstore was closed when we arrived, but there is a door off to one side to enter the inn. I believe there was a buzzer to be allowed in. You climb stairs to reach the inn lobby (There was an elevator as well), and then open a mural painted door to reach the suites.

The Canterbury has been decorated with utmost creativity and luxury. We both absolutely loved it. The decor was amazing. I was entranced at the concept (having been an English major), and the incredible murals on the walls of each of the rooms defied imagination. The title of each room is based on one of the tales told in Chaucer's work. And the mural for each room is represented in each character's tale.

My husband and I stayed in the Knight's Room. Above the bed is painted a scene from the Knight's Tale, where Palamon and Arcite both vie for the hand of fair Emily.

We had a jacuzzi and a sitting area and paid around $185 a night. That rate has gone up in 2 years. And all the room rates can vary from weeknights to weekends and special events (such as Badger Home Games and graduation weekend, since you're just down the street from UW).

The Merchant's Room is the most elaborate, with a jacuzzi and a skylight. The other rooms are the Wife of Bath's, The Miller's, The Reeve's, and The Clerk's. Of them all, the smallest and most no-frills is the Clerk's. But they are all special in charming, individual ways.

The Canterbury is a showplace. I did not want to leave! If you can afford the rather steep pricetag, definitely book a stay here, even if only for a weekend getaway.

Your amenities include lush ornamented brocade and jacquard linens in rich violet, gold and jade tones; a full bookshelf with games like Scrabble to keep you amused, a Jacuzzi in most rooms, full cable tv, a sitting area in the larger rooms, complimentary cookies, a delicious breakfast(in your room or with other guests in the dining room), even a coupon to the bookstore and a free coffee downstairs!

We also enjoyed the lively scene on State Street. It reminded me of the Drag back home. We enjoyed some delicious eats at several of the restaurants in town (Tutto Pasta, Parthenon, and Essen Haus among them...) AND I envied the folks in Madison to have the extensive State Historical Society right there (I live in Texas, and tracing my genealogy in Wisconsin is difficult to say the least!)...I was in heaven. The summer weather was wonderful--cool and breezy...I knew when we got back home to Dallas the temperatures would be in the triple digits.

In addition, this is Wright Country. Frank Lloyd Wright that is. Because he was a Wisconsin native, many of his works lie in the surrounding areas. Tourism guides can offer more information about architecture pilgrimages.

One of the things I loved about Madison was that it reminded me of my own hometown, Austin, Texas, many years ago-- a lively college town with many lakes, a laidback feel, a state capital. Austin has now changed for the worst, becoming a tech metropolis with bad traffic, exorbitant real estate, high taxes, and an inflated sense of its own importance. I hope that this never happens to Madison. It would be a shame for such a great small town to lose its charming identity.

Here are the vitals for your pilgrimage:
Canterbury Inn
315 West Gorham Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
United States
608/258-8899
800/838-3850
FAX: 608/283-2541

You can view the amazing rooms and murals below, or order a book. They now have a frequent buyer's club. And enough purchases get you discounts for stays at the inn! IF I lived in Madison I'd have a LOT of coupons to spend!

http://www.madisoncanterbury.com/

Ready to do some searching for your ancestors?

http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/

Looking for Eats?

http://www.tuttopasta.biz/
http://www.foodspot.com/search/statesearch.html?name=&city=madison


Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Singles
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug