How to Visit Madison, the Capital of Wisconsin

Have you ever thought about taking a trip to Madison, the capital of Wisconsin? Madison is a great small city that hosts the University of Wisconsin and has three lakes that offer winter and summer sporting adventures. If this interests you, then read on to learn how to get there, where to stay, and what to do.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• internet connection and computer
• plane tickets
• rental car or taxi to hotel or car to drive to Madison, Wisconsin
• fun attitude
• willingness to try new things
• adventurous spirit

How to Reach Madison, Wisconsin

1. If you live within driving distance of Wisconsin, you can reach Madison by car. To reach Madison from the South:
   1. Take Interstate 39/90 North
   2. Go west on Route 30
   3. Take Route 151 Southwest to get into the city.
2. If you are coming from the East:
   1. Take Interstate 94 West, which becomes Route 30
   2. Take Route 151 into Madison.
   From the West:
   1. Take Route 12/14 East, and then Route 151 into the city.
3. If you don't live anywhere near Wisconsin, you can take a flight. It is usually cheaper to fly into Milwaukee, and then rent a car and drive the 90 miles to Madison. Milwaukee is a larger airport, so has more nonstop flights and flight options, depending on your departing city.
4. Flying into Milwaukee in winter If you are flying into Milwaukee, AirTran usually has the lowest fares, followed by Northwest and Continental. The lowest fares directly into Madison are found with Northwest, Continental and American Airlines.
5. Once you arrive in Milwaukee and pick up your rental car:
   1. Take 94 West to Madison
   2. Get on Route 30 West
   3. Take Route 151 into the City.
   Otherwise, if you fly into Madison, you can either get a taxi or transport to the hotel, or rent a car there and drive to your hotel.

How to Find Hotels in Madison, Wisconsin

6. Restaurant in Middleton You may want to stay right outside of Madison in neighboring Middleton, Wisconsin. There are some great restaurants in Middleton, and you can avoid the commotion of being right in Madison. Middleton is about fifteen minutes from downtown Madison, reached by taking University Drive east straight to Middleton.
7. Country Inn and Suites in Middleton after a snowstorm The best hotel in Middleton is Country Inn and Suites (website listed in Resources, below). It's about $100 per night, and has an indoor pool and jacuzzi, as well as a free breakfast of actual hot foods like pancakes or omelettes and sausage. You can also join the frequent stay program called GoldPoints Plus, and lead up to free nights.
8. If you would rather stay in Madison, try checking a site like Orbitz (site listed in resources) to find the best hotel value. There are hotels ranging from $80 to $200 or more in the heart of Madison.

How to Decide What to Do in Madison

9. Taking Supplies out onto Lake Mendota to ice fish What season is it? If it's winter, the best thing to do in Madison is see one of the three lakes surrounding the city. The largest is Lake Mendota. Generally, the lake is frozen most of the winter, which means you can walk across it or try your hand at ice fishing—a popular sport for all three lakes.
10. Man making ice sculpture during Madison Winter Festival Winter also is the time of the Madison Winter Festival right by the capitol building and State Street. The event is usually in February, and showcases high school ski teams competing on a man-made snow track looping the Capitol. You'll find refreshment stands and much more. You might even see someone making beautiful two-foot tall ice sculptures.
11. Shopping is a go any time of year. State Street, which is right beside the Madison Capitol building, has many unique shops and restaurants. Mango's is a nice boutique for women, while The Rack sells discount clothing for men and women. Noodles and Company is an inexpensive restaurant that serves pasta dishes, noodle soups and pizza.
12. The best place to relax in between shopping is a place called Quentin's, a sports bar that serves food. Try the potato soup that comes in a bread bowl.
13. If it's summer, you will still want to check out the lakes. You can take a boating trip, go jet skiing, and water ski. There seems to always be activity surrounding Lake Mendota.
14. Visit the University of Wisconsin, Madison. It is right along Lake Mendota, and is a huge campus always filled with the bustle of students. There are many historic looking buildings and scenic views around the campus.

Tips & Warnings

• In the winter, Madison has harsh weather, such as subzero temperatures some days and huge snowfalls. This could make it difficult for your flight and/or drive to Madison. Take this into consideration.