FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carla Minsky, Communications
920.924.0297 office or 920.979.3420 cell
[email protected]
ABOUT MADISON - PAINT THE TOWN RED
Madison is one magical place. First, it’s located on an isthmus, with Lake Mendota on one side
and Lake Monona on the other. It’s the capital of Wisconsin, where the politics are liberal and
people aren’t shy about taking up the cause. It is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Big Ten, Bucky Badger and Babcock ice cream. It is one of the best places to live, work and play
in the United States and has the national rankings to prove it.
(http://www.visitmadison.com/news/rankings/)
When in town, there are some things you shouldn’t miss:
 A UW-Madison football game. Hello, “Jump Around” anyone? The hockey games and
basketball games at the Kohl Center are a blast too.
 Monroe Street shops. First, they’re steps from our front door. Second, the mix is
eclectic, from high-brow apparel and jewelry to gourmet cookware and fine chocolates,
to antiques and art galleries, and everything in between. Don’t pass up the restaurants
either, from Creole take-out to Tex-Mex to a French/Belgian-inspired eatery
(http://www.shopmonroestreet.com/).
 Speaking of steps away, Mickies Dairy Bar is right next door and it’s a Madison
institution. Breakfast is a must, but we also recommend their real malted milkshake –
heck, go ahead and combine the two as many of their loyal diners do!
 A stroll down State Street, the famed pedestrian mall that links the campus to the
Capitol Square. It’s got a hip college-town vibe, with coffee shops, brew pubs, ethnic
restaurants, trendy boutiques, quirky gift shops, independent art galleries and a
dynamite University Bookstore. Needless to say it’s great for people watching too. Be
sure to set aside time for a tour of the state capitol – the restoration is spectacular.
 The Dane County Farmer’s Market, the largest in the county, staged every Saturday
from April into November around the Capitol Square. (http://www.dcfm.org/)
 Free Concerts on the Square, featuring the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, on
Wednesday evenings from the last week in June through the first week in August. We’ll
send you with a Scrabble board and a bottle of wine – just ask.
(http://www.wcoconcerts.org/performances/concerts-on-the-square/)
 The incredible arts scene. Museums include the UW–Madison's Chazen Museum of Art,
the Wisconsin Historical Museum, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and the Madison
Museum of Contemporary Art. Madison hosts the annual Art Fair on the Square, a
juried exhibition, and the complementary Art Fair Off the Square. The Madison Opera,
the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Forward Theatre Company, the Wisconsin Chamber
Orchestra, and the Madison Ballet are some of the professional resident companies of
the Overture Center for the Arts. (http://www.overturecenter.com/)
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The Olbrich Botanical Gardens. This oasis of green has a dozen different outdoor
gardens, a glass conservatory filled with exotic tropicals, and a stunning authentic Thai
pavilion. (http://www.olbrich.org/)
Traveling with little ones? The Henry Vilas Zoo, right in our neighborhood, is free and
kids will love the big cat complex, tropical rainforest aviary, and North American prairie
(yes, there is a badger in the prairie exhibit). (http://www.vilaszoo.org/index.php)
The Madison Children’s Museum will keep them occupied for hours on end, what with
its Wildernest global village, Possible-opolis city scene where art and science meet and
anything can happen, and the rooftop clubhouse and park in the sky.
(http://www.madisonchildrensmuseum.org/)
Festivals and events. There’s the World’s Largest Brat Fest. The Isthmus Jazz Festival.
Great Taste of the Midwest Craft Brew Fest. Rhythm and Booms. Paddle and Portage.
Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival. The list is varied and the party goes on 12 months a
year. Ask us what’s happening at the moment. (http://www.visitmadison.com/)
The annual Ford Ironman Wisconsin. Every September, über athletes push themselves
over a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run. If their time is good enough,
they’ll qualify for the world championship in Hawaii. The competition begins at the
Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and
concludes at midnight around the Capitol Square. (http://ironmanwisconsin.com/)
Feeling athletic yourself? The canoe and sailing center on nearby Lake Wingra has
sailboats, kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for rent.
(http://www.wingraboats.com/rentals)
Madison is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, a wonderful space that, in our opinion,
is underused, exceptionally well maintained and a pleasure to fly in to and out of any time of the
year. (http://www.msnairport.com/)
Once you’re in town, cabs and the Madison Metro bus system are the way to go.
(http://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/) There are also several B-Cycle urban bike-sharing
stations close-by where, for a small fee, you can unlock a bike for use while you’re in the city.
(http://madison.bcycle.com/) Madison is an exceedingly bike-friendly community with
designated bike lanes everywhere, and the city has one of the most extensive trail systems in
the country as well. Or do what everyone else in Madison does – walk!