Madison is Wisconsin’s capital city and its second-largest city, with a population of more than 260,000. It is home to the University of Wisconsin’s flagship campus, and the Capitol Building is situated on a wide isthmus that separates Madison’s two largest lakes. There are a lot of great things to do when living in Madison, and here are some of my favorites that also might become some of yours.
Enjoy Extended Time on and Near the Water
It is accurate to say that Madison is an outdoor paradise that supports a variety of healthful and beneficial activities. The city and the University of Wisconsin-Madison maintain an extensive park system that supports biking, hiking, picnicking, bird watching, and taking in the colorful spring and fall changes. Several creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes ensure a great time is available on the waters that are in and near the respective parks, and public access is easy to find.
Boating, kayaking, and canoeing are among locals’ favorite pastimes, and Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, and Lake Wingra contain many species of fish that are fun to catch while on the water or while fishing from shore or riverbanks. I love targeting panfish, walleye, big musky, and rainbow trout on the lakes, and smallmouth bass are plentiful in the nearby rivers and streams that flow into the city’s several lakes. I put my fishing kayak to good use while fishing in the area.
When winter arrives, the fishing does not end. Many hearty anglers drill holes through the ice and target a variety of tasty fish during the long winters in Madison. Lakes Mendota, Monona, and Wingra offer exceptional ice fishing experiences that can produce outstanding panfish and larger species that taste great. Many ice anglers use portable shelters and heaters to make the experience more comfortable and fun – especially when the fish are biting. The Capital Springs State Recreation Area and Lake Waubesa also offer great fishing throughout the year.
Take Advantage of the Area’s Many Parks and Beaches
While the greater Madison area has many terrific lakes and streams for aquatic fun, there also are many more parks and beaches that are ideal for outdoor recreation. One of my favorites is Waubesa Beach on the western shore of Lake Waubesa. The beach spans 600 feet of lakeshore, is open for unsupervised swimming, and is a great spot for me to launch my fishing kayak. The beach is situated within the 14-acre Goodland County Park, which is lightly wooded and an ideal location for picnics. It also has dedicated courts for recreational volleyball, basketball, pickleball, and tennis, plus a recreation field.
The Capital Springs Recreation Area is another great outdoor location with several ponds, streams, and small lakes that are tributaries for Lake Waubesa and Lake Monona. The 2,500-acre recreation area has modern camping with electrical hookups available at the William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park and many miles of hiking trails and paved biking paths. The Capital City State Trail runs through the recreation area, which also contains an 18-hole disc golf course. The disc golf course is a first-rate system that has provided my friends and me with countless hours of fun. When winter arrives, the recreation area is a popular destination for cross-country skiers.
Another great outdoor spot is the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum that mostly is situated directly south of Lake Wingra and almost entirely surrounds it. The arboretum contains an abundance of trees, flora, and fauna that make it a lovely place to visit. I love going there with my camera during the spring blossom and again when the fall colors reach their peak.
Frautschi Point is yet another terrific outdoor park that is west of the university and on the south shore of Lake Mendota. It is part of the university’s Lakeshore Nature Preserve and contains the Eagle Heights Community Gardens, Bill’s Woods, and the very impressive Picnic Point, which juts out into Lake Mendota and is a terrific place to take photos. Another great spot is Raymer’s Cove, which is in the western portion of Frautschi Point and overlooks the lake. The recreation area has many miles of trails for hiking and biking, and shore fishing is very fun and popular.
Attend Live Music Events and Other Performances
Like most college towns, Madison draws a variety of touring musical acts and other live performances. The city has many excellent venues, from bars to small theaters and much larger venues. Concerts and other acts are held outdoors and indoors throughout the year and inside local theaters and concert halls during the long winter months.
One of my favorite venues is the Majestic Theatre on King Street, which is a historic performing arts venue with excellent acoustics. It is small and truly does not have a bad seat in the house. Other options that provide similarly intimate experiences include The Orpheum Theater on State Street, the Barrymore Theatre on Atwood Avenue, and the Stoughton Opera House on East Main Street. All three support a variety of performing arts that are sure to grab your interest and keep you entertained.
During the summer months, larger touring acts frequent Breese Stevens Field on East Mifflin Street. The outdoor venue has a large field that doubles as a soccer stadium, and it can hold thousands of attendees for major touring acts. The University of Wisconsin-Madison also hosts large and small musical events that are organized by the Mead Witter School of Music.
Visit Local Museums and Art Exhibits
Madison has many outstanding museums, art galleries, and other cultural attractions that are especially fun to visit when the weather does not support outdoor activities. Madison is home to the Wisconsin Historical Museum, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, the Wisconsin Science Museum, and a Geology Museum. The Veterans Museum has exhibits that illustrate the contributions made by Wisconsin’s military veterans, from the Civil War through two world wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Other military actions are also detailed.
The science museum and geology museum are great for learning more about scientific discoveries, the Earth‘s geological formations, and other significant achievements and studies in science and geology. The L.R. Ingersoll Wonders of Physics Museum is another fun museum that provides visitors with hands-on exhibits. Younger kids also will find the Madison Children’s Museum and its interactive exhibits and presentations to be fun and educational. It’s a large museum that occupies several floors. The city also hosts the Museum of Raccoons, and the National Mustard Museum is located nearby in
Art lovers will enjoy the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Madison Museum of Art & Technology, which is one of the newest museums in the capital city, and the Wisconsin Union Galleries. The Overture Center for the Arts reminds me of the Guggenheim Museum on the inside, but it’s not nearly so elaborate on the outside. Yet, the Overture Center and other art museums and galleries in Madison feature permanent and traveling displays that are sure to astound art lovers of all types and ages.
Enjoy a Day at the Zoo and Planetarium
Visitors of all ages also enjoy a trip to the Henry Vilas Zoo, which is situated just north of Lake Wingra and within Vilas Park. The zoo is free and has been open since 1911, so there is virtually no risk, but great rewards await zoo visitors. The zoo has an African lion, a Bornean orangutan, aardvarks, alpaca, alligators, and much more. Exhibits are dedicated to animals from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America, and a children’s zoo is especially fun for young visitors.
The MMSD Planetarium also caters to children and adults alike and is located on North Gammon Road in the western part of the greater Madison area. The planetarium offers shows for preschoolers, elementary school children, teens, and adults. Programs are run during the daytime hours and at night, and special presentations celebrate various holidays and other significant events. If you go there during the daytime hours, don’t be surprised if you see one or more groups from area schools in attendance.
Root for Division I Teams and Enjoy a Night on the Town
It nearly goes without saying that if you enjoy major college sports, Madison is a great place to watch varsity teams competing in Big Ten contests and others against non-conference opponents. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a long and successful history in football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, and much more. The campus has first-rate facilities, and Camp Randall Stadium is a legendary location to root for the Wisconsin Badgers football team.
When the games are over, many enjoy unwinding at one of the many great local bars and restaurants in Madison. I am especially fond of The Coopers Tavern that is located on Madison Square in the downtown area. It offers great food, draft beers, and cocktails that fill empty stomachs and take the sting out of disappointing losses when the Badgers have a bad outing. Other great restaurants include The Harvey House, the Boathouse Bar I Grill, The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company, and many others.
Find what Excites You the Most in Madison
Whether you are visiting or planning a permanent move to Madison, there is a lot to see and do. Wisconsin’s capital city is located in a wintry area, but there are plenty of great indoor and outdoor activities and places to visit throughout the year. No matter what excites you, there should be several locations in the greater Madison area that enable you to enjoy your favorite pastimes and maybe even discover some more.
