Bed and Breakfast Madison WI

Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the Madison area. Between the years of 300 and 1300 CE, they built thousands of  effigy mounds in the area. By the time Europeans arrived, the Ho-Chunk  nation was settled here and remained  camped near Madison’s lakes until the 1940s. In 1836, the city was made the capital of Wisconsin, and named after the country’s 4th president, James Madison. Over the years, many immigrant groups settled in the area, especially those from a German background. Madison has long been the center of the state’s political and cultural life.  Civil War soldiers trained at Camp Randall and later, the city was the  center of anti-Vietnam activity.

Since there are so many lakes in Madison,  many of the best activities in the city center around the water. In the  summer, watersports are popular, but even in the winter, activities are  happening on the lake as attentions turn toward ice fishing and other  winter activities.

A visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a fun activity any time of year. There, you’ll be able to enjoy  local flora and fauna at fifteen indoor and outdoor gardens and a  tropical conservatory. The Henry Vilas Zoo is a free zoo owned by the county which features a good selection of animals and play areas for the kids. The Madison Children’s Museum is a great cold-weather or rainy day activity for families, while those who are interested in art might prefer the Chazen Museum of Art’s rotating exhibits.

While visiting Madison, you can also watch a University of Wisconsin college football game at Camp Randall Stadium, or a college basketball game at the Kohl Center. The Kohl Center also hosts concerts and other events.

The area surrounding Madison is especially noted for its agricultural production. Farmer Markets are  a fantastic place to pick up some locally produced cheese or fresh  vegetables picked from local farms. The Dane County Farmers Market is the biggest of its kind in the country, and is a great place to visit any time of year.

Madison is located on an isthmus, so the city is surrounded by water. Water  sports such as kayaking, swimming, stand up paddle boarding and canoeing  are all available in abundance. The city has many beautiful parks with  lake views. If you want to experience nature but don’t want to get out  of the city, the University of Madison Arboretum is a great place to visit. You can walk or bike it’s trails  as you check out different ecosystems including forests, savannas,  prairies and wetlands. The area surrounding Madison consists of rolling countryside and beautiful woodlands. It’s a nice  area to take a drive out into the country and see what you might  discover.

Since it’s the state’s capital and a college town, Madison has many exciting things to do and cultural attractions. You can take in an improv show at Atlas Improv comedy club, or check out a theatrical performance or opera at the Overture Center. Each summer, weekly concerts by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra performances are held on Capital Square, but live  music is often found at venues all around town. Pick up some local  produce at the Dane County Farmer’s Market while you’re visiting. The market is the largest of its type in the  country and all items are produced locally. It’s held outdoors in the  summer and moves indoors when the weather turns chilly.

Madison’s climate is relatively humid and sees large variations in seasonal temperatures. Summers are warm and somewhat rainy. Madison is somewhat warmer than Milwaukee, Chicago and Duluth due to it’s  inland location away from Lake Michigan’s cooling breezes. At times, the  area can see heat waves with daytime temperatures in the 90s, but highs  in the mid-70s to mid-80s are more common. Summer nights are relatively  cool. Winter is very cold with lows around 10 degrees on average but  frequently dipping below zero. Highs typically do not get much above  freezing. Snow-covered streets are common throughout winter. Visitors  who decide to travel during winter should use caution when driving and  plan to dress warmly when going out as frostbite and hypothermia are  real concerns.

Madison has long had a strong German heritage and as such, there are a number  of German-inspired restaurants around town. You’ll find them serving up  brats and burgers during the day, but many will convert into bars at  night. Beer is a big deal in Madison, and the town’s microbrewery scene plays testament to its importance. Make sure to stop in and try a locally crafted brew. As Wisconsin has a reputation for being the heart of America’s dairy industry,  you’ll find a number of dairy-focused favorites such as local cheeses,  fried cheese curds and frozen treats such as custard and ice cream being  served up all around town .