How to Spend the Weekend in Madison, Wisconsin
- 1). Tour the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Located in the heart of downtown Madison, it is the only State Capitol to be built on an isthmus. Daniel Chester French's gilded bronze statue, "Wisconsin," sits atop the dome, which is the only granite dome in the United States. Edwin Blashfield's mural "Resources of Wisconsin" decorates the inside ceiling of the rotunda. This majestic building is best experienced through free guided tours that leave from inside the building's center rotunda every half-hour. Open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday).
- 2). Say cheese! Producing more than 35 percent of all the cheese within the United States, Madison is a great place to sample and buy cheese. Many factories and stores, such as Cheesemaker #1 and Cedar Grove Cheese, allow for visitors to get all the cheesy experience they could want and more. House of Wisconsin Cheese in Madison provides visitors with hundreds of varieties of cheese, including the infamous Wisconsin cheese curds. Surrounding nearby towns such as Arena, Wisconsin (approximately 15 miles from Madison) offer locations like Arena Cheese, where you can not only buy and sample cheese, you can see the cheese being made in front of you through an observation window.
- 3). Relax on the Memorial Union Terrace. Located on Lake Mendota, it is considered the heart and soul of University of Wisconsin- Madison. Come with friends or family to rent a sailboat from Outdoor Rentals or just hang out and relax with a beer and gaze out at the beautiful water views. If boating is something you enjoy, be sure to go out on Lake Monona for breathtaking views of the Madison skyline.
- 4). Visit the family-friendly, and free, Henry Vilas Zoo. Open year-round from from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., it offers classic zoo animals from giraffes and rhinos to ostrich and penguins. Consider also the Madison Children's Museum, offering plenty of hands-on exhibits and activities to keep the kids interested and involved.
- 5). Enjoy a concert and other entertainment shows that come to town at some of Madison's biggest venues: Kohl Center and the Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center. Sesame Street Live! often frequents the Coliseum and bands such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra can be found performing at the Kohl Center. The University of Wisconsin-Madison boasts several Big Ten sporting events throughout the year.
- 6). Visit the friendly trolls in Mount Horeb. The troll capital of the world, the town of Mount Horeb is approximately 24 miles from Madison and worth the trip. From specialty shops providing Norwegian troll merchandise to The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub, Mount Horeb offers a fun and different look at these fantasy creatures. While in town be sure to visit the free Mount Horeb Mustard Museum, featuring mustards from all around the world. While you're there, try your hand at the mustard ring toss for a chance to win a free jar of mustard.