Top 10 air-conditioned places to binge-watch shows this summer

While summers at UW–Madison are full of adventure, they are also hot.

When going outside in 90-degree weather becomes too much like stepping into an oven, many of us would rather just cool off and binge-watch a TV show. But the “cool” part of that can be challenging when many apartments in Madison don’t have air conditioning.

For those of us who don’t have air, but still want to watch all our favorite shows instead of stepping foot into the sweltering heat, here’s a list of the best indoor places on campus to camp out and watch TV.

(If, however, you want to be a productive human, any of these places also double as a study space).

10. Basement of Humanities

You might get lost trying to find it, but in the basement of the George L. Mosse Humanities Building there’s an area with cushioned chairs and plenty of space to relax. The outlets might be a little hard to reach, but no one will question you if you drag a chair over to the nearest outlet. Listen to the hum of practicing musicians, then put in your headphones and tune out the world.

Comfort: ♦♦♦◊◊
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦♦◊◊
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦◊◊◊

9. The Student Activities Center

The SAC has plenty of options when it comes to comfortable seating located near an outlet. It’s also open a little later than most campus buildings, until 7 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 5 p.m. on Fridays. The best part is that you can snag some free vegetables to snack on at the UW Campus Food Shed, so you can pretend to be a little healthy before you settle into the couch potato life.

Comfort: ♦♦♦◊◊
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦♦◊◊
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦◊◊

8. Engineering Hall

You don’t have to be an engineer to mooch off of their air-conditioned study area. This open space with modern furniture is a relaxing place to get your Netflix fix. Stop at the vending machines then pick from a variety of comfortable chairs to finish your latest tv series.

Comfort: ♦♦♦◊◊
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦◊◊◊ (You’ll probably have to move some chairs around).
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦♦◊

7. Gordon Dining Hall, second floor

The best way to binge watch a TV show is to eat a bunch of food while you’re doing it. Buy a bunch of dining hall food, or a bunch of junk food from Flamingo Run, then head up to the second floor of Gordon where there are comfortable chairs and very few people to judge you. Best of all, a lot of the chairs have foot rests.

Comfort: ♦♦♦♦◊
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦♦◊◊
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦◊◊

6. Education Building

This is a great place to pretend you’re outside, but then just stay inside. The two-story floor to ceiling windows give a great view of the trees on Observatory Drive and give you a peek of Lake Mendota too. Outlets are located sporadically, but there are plenty of comfy chairs and couches to pick from. When you get thirsty or hungry you can head over to Crossroads Cafe, which features a Steep and Brew Espresso Bar.

Comfort: ♦♦♦◊◊
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦♦◊◊
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦♦◊

5. Microbial Sciences Building

While outlets are a little bit limited in this building, it makes up for practicality with striking architecture. Be amazed by the open space with floor to ceiling windows for five stories. The couches and chairs are a little firm, but still comfortable enough for TV binging. If you’re not afraid of heights you can also sit in a private booth with glass sides five or six stories above the ground.

You can also satisfy your hunger or sweet tooth at the Microcosm cafe weekdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The rest of the building is open weekdays until 7 p.m.

Comfort: ♦♦♦◊◊
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦◊◊◊ (Make sure you pick a spot where there’s an outlet close by)
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦♦♦♦

4. Van Vleck Math Library

Tucked away in the center of the Van Vleck building is the Kleene Mathematics Library, open until 5 p.m. on weekdays. The plants and sunroof make the space reminiscent of the outdoors, but it is still completely air conditioned. The chairs here are not only soft, but also come with foot rests — prime conditions for watching shows.  

Comfort: ♦♦♦♦♦
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦♦♦♦
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦◊◊

3. College Library

Usually a place known for being completely packed during the school year, College Library is pretty dead in the summer, save some SOAR advising sessions during the day. Sit back, relax and watch your favorite shows judgment free until 9 p.m. in these comfy locations at College Library:

Third floor, east side: In this section of College you can overlook Lake Mendota and choose from a variety of comfortable seating. There are firm couches with foot rests or bouncy booths, all located right next to outlets.

First floor, cafe area: The cafe area of College Library has plenty of options for comfortable, outlet-accessible seating. Lounge in a booth or any one of the cushy chairs on this floor.

Comfort: ♦♦♦♦◊
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦♦♦♦
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦♦◊

2. Mendota Lounge

Get all of the benefits of hanging out at the Terrace, without getting sunburned. This cabin-like lounge in the basement of Memorial Union is about 10 feet from the shore of Lake Mendota and has windows that span the length of the whole lounge. Take in the view of Lake Mendota, then spend hours watching TV to avoid the heat. Best of all, depending on the day Memorial Union is open until Midnight or 1 a.m. during the summer, so you’ll be able to make a huge dent in that new show you just started.

Comfort: ♦♦♦◊◊
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦♦♦◊ (Be prepared to move the chairs closer to an outlet or bring an extra long charging cord).
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦♦♦♦

1. Nancy Nicholas Hall

On almost every floor of Nancy Nicholas Hall, which is also referred to as the School of Human Ecology building, there is a huge couch just begging for you to come and watch at least an episode or two. If you’re not feeling the couch, there are tons of other study nooks throughout the rest of the building that are perfect for relaxing with your laptop on and headphones in.

If you get hungry you can stop by the Robin’s Nest for food and refreshments from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on weekdays. Otherwise, the rest of the building is open until 8 p.m. Finally, make sure you go to the restroom because this hall has the best bathrooms on campus.

Comfort: ♦♦♦♦♦♦
Outlet accessibility: ♦♦♦♦♦
Overall aesthetic: ♦♦♦♦♦♦

Honorable mentions:

Union South has great places to sit back and watch shows, especially on the second floor, but chances are this space will be overtaken by SOAR orientation for the rest of the summer.

The Discovery Building would rank the highest in aesthetics out of the buildings that we listed because of its indoor trees, water fountains and modern vibe. Even so, the chairs are not very comfortable and outlets are severely limited, making it a hard place to relax.