Madison, Wisconsin

Madison is the capital of Wisconsin, and is located in south central part of the state, on the shores of (and on the isthmus between) lakes Mendota and Monona. The city is located 79 miles (127 kilometers) west of Milwaukee and 149 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Chicago.

In the immediate area of Madison, there are five lakes and more than 200 parks, as well as hundreds of miles of trails where you can spend all four seasons in the outdoors. A short drive from the city you'll find numerous state parks and recreation areas to enjoy, including: Capital Springs State Park and Recreation Area, Blue Mound State Park, Yellowstone Lake State Park, Lake Kegonsa State Park, and New Glarus Woods State Park – of course, you can go further afield, too! And those who enjoy history as well as the outdoors shouldn't miss Aztalan State Park, one of Wisconsin's most important archeological sites. Another great site for those who love to explore natural heritage and history is the Cave of the Mounds (located at Blue Mound SP).

And yes, even though south central Wisconsin is a land of rolling hills, you can ski on some of them! Tyrol Basin Ski & Snowboard Area is just over 20 miles (32 kilometers) west. And imagine what great golf rolling hills can provide!

The city has plenty to keep you occupied when you don't want to head a few miles into the surrounding countryside. If you like festivals, you have a great variety to choose from, including Kites on Ice and Taste of Madison. If you're an avid gardener (or if you love plants so much that you'd never subject them to your care), spend leisurely days strolling through the 16 acres (6 hectares) of the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Love architecture? Don't miss Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin.

And then there are the arts! Enjoy the Madison Ballet, Madison Opera, Madison Symphony Orchestra or the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, or the Madison Repertory Theatre. (And if you like chamber music, for a real blast, get seasons' tickets for the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society!) And there are museums and galleries to enjoy, such as Chazen Musem of Art and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

Come to Madison for great outdoors and great indoors!

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