MADISON

MADISON



Named after President James Madison, this Wisconsin state capital is located in the south central region not far from the border of Illinois. Madison is built on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, two of the many glacial lakes that makes this state famous.

This U.S. heartland city is as American as apple pie and they love their football teams, especially the local University of Wisconsin - Madison Badgers. Alumni, students and residents are loyal followers and a visit to a home game, or at least a stop at a crowded sports bar on game night, is a worthwhile addition to Wisconsin vacation plans for any sports enthusiast.

Madison is a beautiful city with over 200 city parks, several well kept bike and walking trails, and a rich variety of art and natural history museums, theaters, and fun things to do. To the east is Lake Michigan, perfect for sailing, camping, and water sports. In the winter, ice fishing and skating are popular pastimes in the Badger State.

ADDITIONAL WISCONSIN CITY PAGES:

• Green Bay
• Milwaukee

• Actors Chris Farley and Tyne Daley, Olympian skater Eric Heiden, and playwright Thornton Wilder all hail from Madison, Wisconsin.
• Madison ranks second in the United States in overall level of education according to Forbes magazine.
• In 1967 musician Otis Redding, famous for his song Dock of the Bay, died at age 26 when his plane went down in Lake Monona outside Madison.
• The Wisconsin nickname 'Badger State' is not a direct reference to the animal. In the 1800's lead miners in the area took over old mine shafts and dug quick shelters in the earth, rather than build homes above ground. This led to the nickname 'Badgers' and the name stuck around.

Check out these great things to do in Madison on a Wisconsin vacation:

• The University of Wisconsin - Madison
  This state university campus is located in the bustling city and adds a great deal of character, culture and fun to the Madison scene. Founded in 1848, the enrollment generally exceeds 40,000 students, adding significantly to the town's population.
  
  The school is home to the beloved Badgers sports teams and hosts theatrical, musical and artistic events contributing to the many things to do in Madison Wisconsin. The United States' 46th vice president, Dick Cheney is an alumnus of this university.
  
  
• Henry Vilas Zoo
  One of the few free zoos in the US, Dane County's Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin is open year round. A great family stop for a Wisconsin vacation, visitors will enjoy red pandas, giraffes, chimps, lemurs and the lively antics of meerkats and sugar gliders.
  
  The zoo is surrounded by a city park with grassy open spaces for plenty of activity. In the winter, the park lagoon is transformed into an ice skating rink.
  
  
• Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin
  Located in the nearby town of Spring Green, Taliesin is a 600 acre architectural laboratory of the late great Frank Lloyd Wright. In this birthplace of ideas, the architect put his unique concepts to test, experimenting with form and flow to create structures that harmonize with the natural world.
  
  The landscape is dotted with Wright's buildings, many on a smaller model scale and blending with the scenery in his trademark fashion, and all unique and captivating. Tours are available from May 1 to October 31st.
  
  To continue your cultural tour of Madison, visit the Unitarian Meeting Housing designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a member of the congregation. Declared a US National Historic Landmark in 2004, the church was completed in 1951 with members helping to haul the stone and weave the curtains.