The starting point for sightseeing in Madison is the State Capitol building, located between lakes Mendota and Monona. The dome is topped with Daniel Chester French's gilded bronze statue, Wisconsin. The Capitol's interior features 43 varieties of stone and murals, glass mosaics, and hand-carved wood furniture. The State Historical Society on the Capitol Square recaptures the history of Wisconsin with exhibits on Native American tribal life from prehistoric times to the present, pioneer days, paintings and statues. Adjacent is the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, which honors Wisconsin's citizen-soldiers through large-scale exhibits, displays, and presentations.
The architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who resided in nearby Spring Green, designed two buildings that are open to the public in Madison. In 1997, the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center opened its doors some 60 years after Wright first proposed the project, which marries the capitol with Lake Monona. The Unitarian Meeting House, opened in 1951, still serves as a venue for Unitarian Universalist services. About 45 minutes away is Taliesin, Wright's home and architectural school in Spring Green.
To the north of town visitors will find the Circus World Museum, the Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac (which holds a Grape Stomp Festival each fall at harvest time), and the Wisconsin Dells, a favorite family vacation destination with natural beauty, lakes and rivers, shopping, and "the waterpark capital of the world".
The University of Wisconsin Arboretum, maintained for research and instruction by the institution, consists of 1,200 acres of natural forests, prairie, and orchards inside the city; 250 varieties of lilacs and a number of effigy mounds highlight the Arboretum's park trails. Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a 52-acre park and conservatory, displays gorgeous annuals, perennials, and shrubs outside and a lush tropical paradise inside the 50-foot glass pyramid. The Tenney Park Locks and Dam connect Lakes Mendota and Monona, providing passageway for nearly 20,000 watercraft each season and a popular spot for fishing or feeding ducks. On the other end of Lake Mendota is the University of Wisconsin campus with its rich architectural history and scenic beauty. Along Observatory Drive is the Carillon Tower and Bells, the only carillon to be supported at a university by gifts of senior classes.
The Henry Vilas Park Zoo, bordering the shore of Lake Wingra, is home to hundreds of species of exotic animals.
The new jewel in downtown Madison's restoration and the city's arts scene is the Overture Center for the Arts, anchored by Overture Hall, new home of the Madison Symphony, the Madison Opera, and national touring productions. The Madison Art Center maintains six galleries and concentrates on modern and contemporary visual art by local, regional, and national artists; the intimate Isthmus Playhouse provides the stage for the Madison Repertory Theatre. Summer performances of Shakespeare and other classics by the American Players Theater are held in Spring Green.
Music is a popular pastime too, as evidenced by the free concerts throughout the year at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and the summertime Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Concerts on the Square. The University of Wisconsin Elvehjem Museum of Art maintains an eclectic permanent collection ranging from Native American miniatures, Japanese prints, and European medals to Soviet paintings and European and American art. The university's other museums concentrate in the fields of geology and zoology. Exhibits at the Madison Children's Museum involve children in learning about science, culture, and art.
USA Today said about Madison: "There's always something to do. . . . an almost constant parade of free events." The Capitol Square is the center of many of Madison's special events and activities. In June "Cows on the Concourse" celebrates dairy month. The Badger States Games are held in June, attracting from throughout the state thousands of amateur athletes who participate in 18 different sports. Rhythm and Booms is Madison's Independence Day Celebration; it sets spectacular fireworks to music over Lake Mendota. Art Fair on the Square, held the second weekend in July, brings nearly 500 artists to the Capitol Square to exhibit their works. It is accompanied by Art Fair off the Square, highlighting Wisconsin artists. The Maxwell Street Days, a bazaar of bargains along Madison's famous State Street, is another popular event, as is the Paddle 'N Portage Canoe Race and Taste of Madison, held on Labor Day weekend, when area restaurants serve their most exotic and popular dishes. From May to October, the Dane County Farmers' Markets is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings around the picturesque Capitol. Autumn features the Thirsty Troll Brewfest and the Annual Mount Horeb Fall Heritage Festival. The grey days of winter are brightened by the Madison Auto Show, a Travel & Vacation Show, and Kites on Ice, a two-day kite-flying event that attracts participants from around the world to Lake Monona in February. There is an annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Capitol Square.
The University of Wisconsin Badgers compete in the Big Ten athletic conference in 12 sports; the football, basketball, and hockey teams consistently draw large crowds. Home football Saturdays in Madison are like a community holiday, with tailgate parties beginning early in the morning and parties lasting well into the night, regardless of how the team fared on the field that day. In 2004 Sports Illustrated magazine named Madison "Best College Sports Town" in America for its spirited support of the Badgers. The Madison Mallards is a collection of promising collegiate baseball players that play summer ball in the Northwoods League. The Green Bay Packers of the National Football League are adopted by the entire state of Wisconsin, and in nearby Milwaukee, professional baseball (the Brewers) and basketball (the Bucks) are closely followed by Madison fans.
Water sports are particularly attractive in Greater Madison, where five lakes provide ideal conditions for swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, windsurfing, and ice skating in winter. Year-round fishing is popular, with typical catches including muskie, northern pike, walleye, bass, panfish, and cisco. The Madison Parks Department maintains 7,213 acres of park land. Forty parks maintain ice skating ponds, the majority of which are lighted for evening skating; many provide warming houses. Cross country ski trails line city parks. Many of the parks are equipped with outdoor tennis courts. The Dane County Park System offers a spectacular array of scenery and recreational opportunities at more than 30 area metroparks.
In a city where bicycles may outnumber automobiles, 100 miles of bicycle paths are provided for cycling enthusiasts. Favorite routes circle Lake Monona and the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, cutting through Madison's historic residential district, the zoo, and alongside Lake Wingra. Public golf courses, of varying lengths and difficulties for golfers of all ability levels, are located in Madison. The Springs Golf Course and University Ridge are a highly rated 18-hole courses designed by Robert Trent Jones. In 2004 nearby Whistling Straits Golf Course in Kohler hosted the PGA Championship; the public course was designed by legendary golf course architect Pete Dye. The Mad City Marathon in late May brings thousands of runners to test their mettle against 26.2 miles through some of the most scenic spots in town.
The major shopping malls—East Towne, Hilldale, West Towne, and Westgate—offer comprehensive selection and competitive prices. The Johnson Creek Outlet Center just 30 miles east of Madison has more than 60 brand name stores. The State Capitol district offers a selection of restaurants and stores in a park setting. The pedestrians-only State Street Mall connects the Capitol Square with the University of Wisconsin; the lower section of the Mall is populated by street vendors selling crafts and food. Madison boasts that it has more restaurants per capita than any city in America, with cuisine from around the world appealing to the eclectic tastes of the city's progressive population. Specialty shops and some of the city's finest restaurants are located on State Street. Monroe Street on Madison's near west side also offers charm and unique restaurants and shops. Friday night fish fries are a local custom, and one restaurant caters to specialties native to Wisconsin. The Farmers' Market comes highly recommended for purchasing fresh produce from local growers.
Visitor Information: Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, 615 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703; telephone (608)255-2537; toll-free (800)373-6376