Madison is what some might term a modest midwestern city. It lies among the major metropolises of Milwaukee, Chicago, and the Twin Cities and is connected to them by the Interstates that run right along its east side. Three factors make Madison exceptional: state government, a massive state university, and its lakes. It’s hard to say which makes the greatest impact. Lakes Mendota and Monona dictated the layout of the city streets. The Capitol and government rest between the two on a hill on an isthmus. Just a short walk to the west of the Capitol are the downtown area and the sprawling University of Wisconsin, which runs along the shore of Lake Mendota. What this combines in the heart of the city is the constant energy of bright young people who want to test the possibilities and limits of their lives and the world around them, and of the tumult of politics and public debate. It’s a potent mix and never boring.
The natural environment contributes equally to the atmosphere of the city. The lakes and the abundant city parks—including the small, spring-fed Lake Wingra and the central forest preserve of the university’s arboretum—bring beauty in every season. Beyond the city limits is a scattering of small towns and developing suburbs and a whole lot of rolling farmland and dairy farms, county and state parks, and a terrain shaped by the glaciers of the last chapter of the Ice Age.
Geographically speaking Madison is quite compact, and as you can read in the Getting There, Getting Around chapter, even getting all the way across town does not require much time. Listed here is a general breakdown of the city into sections followed by some comments on the seasons and weather.
Most of the city’s attractions—but certainly not all—are to be found downtown around the University of Wisconsin campus and the Capitol. Madison has managed to preserve a good number of historical buildings, and the University of Wisconsin offers a variety of social, historical, and educational options. The Overture Center for the Arts is a multimillion dollar facility that brings together art galleries and performing arts venues. The Capitol itself is an architectural beauty reminiscent of the nation’s own capitol and rich with history. Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright left his mark on Madison, and some of the buildings he designed can still be visited.
The natural beauty of this area, once known simply as Four Lakes, is as much of a reason to see Madison as any other for travelers and residents alike. The attractions of a more natural sort may be found in the Parks and Recreation chapter. A cruise on the lakes provides a must-see angle on the city. See Betty Lou Cruises below or go to the Recreation chapter, page 139, to look for boating or canoeing ideas. Theaters and other performance venues can be found in the Performing Arts chapter.
The attractions are organized geographically. This chapter begins with the downtown area, starting with the Capitol and Monona Terrace, heading down State Street, and then on into the University of Wisconsin. Other attractions from around town follow.
Madison is a city that’s active for all ages and the menu of options for kids is quite extensive. Whether you are looking for some quiet time, an educational moment, sports, or summer camp, Madison has something to offer. Watch for Kids Stuff in “The Guide,” Isthmus’ weekly arts and entertainment section. This is also available online at www.thedailypage.com/theguide.
The abundance of public parks means an abundance of free playgrounds. However, not too many kids around here are unfamiliar with the Wisconsin Dells Water Parks. Once your child hears about this magical place, they may be driven to fits until you take them. For more information about the all-season “Water Park Capital of the World,” check out the Day Trips chapter. The Kidstuff chapter is broken down into the following sections: Artsy Stuff, Fun Stuff, Nature Stuff, Smart Stuff, Splish Splash,Tasty Stuff, and a few listings for Shopping and Story Time.
Not every idea is confined to this chapter; there are many activities kids can enjoy with the adults. Explore the Recreation chapter and, for example, consider taking a bike ride as a family along one of Madison’s marvelous paved multiuse paths or hike along the trails of the Arboretum.
Madison is a great place to be, but let’s be honest: everyone needs a break sometime. The area around Madison offers a variety of distractions from pleasant drives through rolling farmland, rock outcrops, and forested bluffs to supercharged touristy water parks. Outdoorsy types can find dozens of places to hike, paddle, birdwatch, or bike within just an hour’s drive of the city limits. Milwaukee and Chicago and all those two-metropolitan areas have to offer are easy day trips or weekend breaks, but a number of options are even closer to the Mad City. To the west is the Spring Green area. Set along the Wisconsin River amid some very picturesque countryside, the little community nevertheless offers fine dining, important attractions, and first-rate theater. To the south lies Green County, a region of the state famous for its cheese production and Swiss heritage. To the north lies the Wisconsin River valley and the dominating Baraboo Hills that forced the river’s path and just a bit farther north is Wisconsin’s most popular tourist destination: Wisconsin Dells.