Madison Area Leisure Activities
General Information
The City of Madison
The University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin (from Wikipedia)
Madison, WI (from Wikipedia)
The University of Wisconsin (from Wikipedia)
Madison Weather - The climate
in June is generally sunny, with average high temperatures of about 80 oF (26 oC). However, it is best to plan for the occasional rainy day also.
Madison and the surrounding area are home to many interesting attractions:
Devil's Lake State Park - Devil's Lake State Park is located in Baraboo, Wisconsin and situated along the Ice Age Trail and is visited by more than 1.2 million people per year! With spectacular views from 500 foot cliffs, miles of hiking trails, swimming areas including 2 large sandy beaches, hundreds of campsites, mountain bike trails, cross country ski trails, great climbs and so much more, it's no wonder why Devil's Lake is Wisconsin's premiere natural vacation destination! (Description from www.devilslakewisconsin.com) Directions: Take University Avenue west for about 5 miles from downtown Madison until the intersection with Highway 12, then north on 12 until highway 688 (ca 40 miles), then right on 688 until the turn-off to the park. Take the turn-off leading to the North Shore beach
Pictures courtesy of devilslakewisconsin.com
University of Wisconsin Arboretum - Widely recognized as the site of
historic research in ecological restoration, the Arboretum includes the oldest and most varied collection of restored
ecological communities in the world, including tallgrass prairies, savannas, several forest types and wetlands. It also houses flowering trees, shrubs and a world-famous lilac collection. Educational tours for groups and the general public, science and nature-based classes for all ages and abilities, and a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for groups, families and individuals are available. (Description from http://uwarboretum.org) Directions: By bicycle or car, take Mills Street south and turn right on Arboretum Drive.
Nature photos taken in the Arboretum - courtesy of Hans. J. Reich
Memorial Union - Discover the social, cultural and recreational center of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Located next to Lake Mendota, the Wisconsin Union features a wide range of activities plus services and more than 1,000 events a year brought to you by students. Eat, meet, learn and relax in Memorial Union. (Description from www.union.wisc.edu) Directions: The Memorial Union is located on Langdon street between Park and Lake streets.
Picnic Point - Picnic Point is the tip of a small peninsula that extends into Lake Mendota. Picnic point offers a picturesque view of the state capitol dome, the UW campus, and the rest of downtown. It's a great place for a picnic, a scenic stroll or bicycle ride. Directions: From the Memorial Union follow the Lakeshore Path west for several miles. Turn right at the entrance to picnic point.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens - Explore the mystery and beauty of nature at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Stroll through 16 acres of outdoor display gardens including Olbrich's award-winning Rose Garden and Thai Pavilion and Garden. Outdoor gardens are open daily and free to the public. Enjoy a tropical paradise year-round in Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid filled with exotic plants, bright flowers, a rushing waterfall, fragrant orchids and free-flying birds. (Description from www.olbrich.org) Directions: From downtown Madison, travel east on East Washington to Fair Oaks Avenue. Turn right. Continue on Fair Oaks to the second stoplight, Atwood Avenue. Turn left. Travel 1/4 mile. The Gardens are on the left side of the street.
Also, Madison's Metro 3 or 38 Routes stop in front of the Gardens.
Pictures from olbrich.org
UW Botanical Gardens. Within easy walking distance of the conference site on the UW campus are two smaller botanical gardens well worth a leisurely look. The Botany Gardens are located across Johnson Street from the Chemistry Building (intersection of Mill and University), and the Allen Centennnial Gardens at the intersection of Babcock and Observatory Drives .
Butterfly, bee and moth in the Botany Gardens - photos courtesy of Hans. J. Reich
Famous Wisconsin Architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Estate - Taliesin - Scores of structures designed or inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright enrich communities around the world ... from New York to Tokyo, from Arizona to Pennsylvania. And dozens of organizations exist to help keep time and the elements from reducing these creations to ruin. But among these structures, one in particular holds a special place: Taliesin, near Spring Green, Wisconsin. The ideas, concepts, theories and techniques applied to every structure that bears Frank Lloyd Wright's imprint had their genesis here. Wright used Taliesin as a kind of sketch pad ... a laboratory where ideas emerged, were given form, were tested and refined. The ideas that emerged here Wright applied to the buildings upon which his reputation rests.
You can see the seeds from which Wright's work blossomed as you tour the Taliesin Estate. (Description from www.taliesinpreservation.org)
Directions: Take University Avenue west for about 5 miles from downtown Madison. University Avenue becomes Highway 14 at the outskirts of Madison. Take Highway 14 west about 30 miles to Spring Green and then turn left (south) onto Highway 23. Taliesen is located two miles south of Spring Green at the intersection of Highway 23 and County Highway C.
House on the Rock - Designed and built by Alex Jordan of Madison, WI, the House is an architectural marvel perched on a 60-foot chimney of rock. Begun in the early 1940's, it overlooks the breathtaking panorama of Wyoming Valley. The 14-room House, sculpted atop Deer Shelter Rock, is the original structure of what is now an extraordinary complex of rooms, streets, buildings and gardens covering over 200 acres. A 375-foot ramp through treetops takes visitors to the entrance of the House where a bell gallery, waterfalls, massive fireplaces and walls of rock can been seen. Furnishings include Oriental art, stained glass lamps, bronze statuary and a three-story bookcase filled with rare books. The 14th room was added in 1985 and proves to be the most spectacular, the INFINITY ROOM. This unique room with walls of glass, projects out over the Wyoming Valley 218 feet. A glass cocktail table provides visitors with a breathtaking view of the forest floor 156 feet below. With 3,264 windows, there's no doubt about it, there truly is no other room like it in the world. (Description from www.thehouseontherock.com) Directions: Take University Avenue west for about 5 miles from downtown Madison. University Avenue becomes Highway 14 at the outskirts of Madison.Take Highway 14 west about 30 miles to Spring Green and then turn left (south) onto Highway 23. The House on the Rock
is located two miles south of Spring Green on Highway 23.
Wisconsin Dells - The Dells are a popular tourist destination located about an hour's drive North of Madison. Some of the popular attractions are riding stables, water parks, Cabaret dinner shows, and the Dells Army Ducks. Directions: Take Interstate 90/94 north from Madison to Wisconsin Dells. A more scenic drive is to follow the directions to Devil's Lake, but continue on highway 12 past the turnoff on highway 688.
Monona Terrace - On July 18, 1997, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center opened its doors after nearly 60 years of debate. It was first designed by Wisconsin native and internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938 as a cultural, governmental and recreational building. Wright reworked the design several times between 1938 and 1958 before signing off on the final plans seven weeks before his death in 1959.
(Description from www.mononaterrace.com) Directions: The Monona Terrace is located just southeast of the capital building at the end of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. The Conference banquet on Thurs. June 7 will be held in the Monona Terrace.
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