The city of Madison, Wisconsin offers visitors a wealth of attractions from historical architecture to dairy plants and ecclectic shopping.
A visit to a state capital city is not complete until you see the State Capitol. The Wisconsin State Capitol building resides on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Built in 1917, this structure features a large dome and crowned with a beautiful and historic the bronze statue titled, "Wisconsin." The rotunda features the greatly detailed mural "Resources of Wisconsin" and also is noteworthy for being the only granite dome in the United States. Hand-carved furniture, glass mosaics, and beautiful stonework are all on display for Madison visitors who tour the Capitol building. Of course, for those of you interested in outdoor relaxation, the 14-acres of land surrounding the building offer natural beauty and peacefulness in the shadow of this historic building.
From the Capitol building you can walk straight down State Street to toward the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A stroll along State Street provides a little bit of everything from restaurants and coffee houses to book, music, and clothing stores, as well as art museums and theatres. No matter what you are looking for, chances are you will find it on this half-mile stretch of eclectic storefronts. Families will want to schedule time to visit the hands-on Madison Children's Museum where science comes to life in a fun and educational setting.
It is difficult to visit Madison without noticing the presence of University of Wisconsin's massive Big 10 campus. Student-led walking tours offer visitors a unique opportunity to view the campus and learn about the history and architecture, as well as modern day activities and programs. A visitor center is located on the first floor of the Red Gym built in near the turn of last century. Of course, no visit to UW-Madison would be complete with a tour of the Babcock Hall Dairy Plant where the University's well-known ice cream is made. The tour gives visitors a chance to find out how ice cream is made, as well as sample this tasty, frozen treat.
If architecture interests you, you will see the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright throughout the city of Madison. One of the most notable structures is Frank Lloyd Wright's Unitarian Meeting House located on University Bay Drive. This meeting house was designed in the mid-1940s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is set among its natural surroundings and built with copper, limestone, and glass. You will note the use of angular shapes throughout this gathering place. Since it was built, two additions have been added to the original single story structure.
Finally, outdoor lovers may wish to spend an afternoon walking, running, bicycling, sailing or canoeing. The city of Madison has two beautiful lakes for you to circle or paddle through. Lake Monona and Lake Mendota both offer visitors beautiful settings to enjoy outdoor activities and unwind. The path around Lake Monona is a little more than 12 miles; from Lake Monona to Olin Park is about 2 miles and a great destination for a picnic. Another great location for hiking and biking is the University's Arboretum featuring more than 1000 acres of trees, flowers, and natural beauty. Rental stores around Monona Terrace can supply you the gear you need, as well as directions of where you may want to spend your time. If you do not feel like working on your enjoyment of the outdoors, charter cruises are available on Lake Mendota.
There are a wide range of activities in and around Madison. The city is a wonderful vacation destination for families or groups of friends looking for a bit of culture combined with natural beauty and a collegiate, small town feel. Enjoy!
