| |
With a population of over 214,000, Madison is the hub of the South Central Wisconsin Real Estate market. It is the Wisconsin State Capitol and has received national recognition as a great place to live, work, and play. It is located in the middle of Dane County, and is centered on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona. The beautiful State Capitol building is located at the highest point on the isthmus, at the east end of State Street, a wonderful shopping, eating, and arts district that is the downtown district of Madison. At the opposite end of State Street is the University of Wisconsin. Madison offers the arts, restaurants, shopping, employment and excitement of a big city, all with a small city feel, and while preserving much of its beautiful natural surroundings. The South Central Wisconsin real estate market also centers around Madison, with higher prices in communities with shorter and easier commutes into Madison.
Map of Madison
Madison Community Information:
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce- A comprehensive welcome to Madison. This site includes visitor information (accommodations, restaurants, transportation, entertainment, etc.); information for those thinking of moving to the city (demographics, extensive neighborhood & school information, etc.), a calendar of events, and government affairs.
Visit Madison- The official website of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, with information for those who are visiting the area. Includes information on accommodations, attractions, and events. Also a resource for online maps of Madison.
City of Madison- A government site with information for residents such as building permits, local ordinances, and the latest government news. See the Recreation & Tourism section for information on city parks and beaches, recreational activities such as boating, free concerts, an events calendar, city history, photos, and more.
Madison Parks- All the details about city parks, beaches, dog parks, golf courses, sports facilities, the recreation center, events, ice rinks, ski trails, and more.
Downtown Madison- Explore shopping, dining, and playing in Madison's vital downtown district.
Madison Parking Information- A comprehensive site with information on parking and commuting in Madison.
Madison Metro Transit- A comprehensive site with information on traveling via bus in Madison.
Dane County Regional Airport- Helfpul information on parking, security, flights, and more for travelers, including maps of the terminal and directions to the airport.
Urban Madison- a website sharing information and promoting discussion about preserving Madison's unique urban environment.
City of Monona- With a population of over 8000, Monona is on the east shore of Lake Monona and on the east side of the Madison Metropolitan area.
Village of Shorewood Hills- An older neighborhood on Lake Mendota adjacent to the west side of the University of Wisconsin.
The University of Wisconsin- Madison- The official university website, with information for prospective students.
Madison Area Technical College- The technical and community college for the Madison area.
Madison School Districts- The official site of the Madison Metropolitan School District includes information about each school and a Street & School Attendence Directory to locate in which district a particular property is. The At Home in Madison site is geared toward those moving to Madison who want information about its schools. It includes contact numbers for principles and for parents in each school district who are willing to talk to you about their children's schools.
Madison Public Library- Complete information on the public library system, including locations and hours, services and programs for kids and adults, and the online catalog of the library's holdings.
John December's Madison Pages- Comprehensive site with links to all things Madison. A great place to do more research into the community.
Madison- Activities General:
Portal Wisconsin- A non-profit website created by the Cultural Coalition of Wisconsin to support the State's culture, arts, humanities, and history. Check here for comprehensive information about upcoming cultural events in Madison and around the state.
The University of Wisconsin- Madison- The official university website, with information for the public on university performances, public gardens, museums, athletic schedules, and more.
Madison Newcomers Club- A club for women and their families, for those new to the area, for those experiencing a life change, and for those looking for others to socialize with. Sponsors an appealing variety of activities and events.
Madison- Arts & Museums:
The Overture Center- The result of a $100 million dollar donation, the Overture Center is a cultural arts center in downtown Madison. With several theatres and art galleries, its mission is to create a world class forum for diverse artistic expression. It houses the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
UW Geology Museum- Visit another age- touch rocks from volcanoes, see sea creatures and dinosaurs from Wisconsin's past. Be inspired by the collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils.
Chazen Art Museum- The UW's visual art museum, working toward an understanding of diverse cultures through art. The Chazen is one of the nation's leading university museums, housing a permanent collection of more than 16,000 works of art dating from 2300 BCE. Admission is free.
Wisconsin Historical Museum- Located on the Capitol Square, this museum showcases Wisconsin heritage and American History through artifacts, photos, dioramas, AV presentations, and interactive multimedia programs.
Madison- Nature Centers:
UW Arboretum- 1260 natural acres in the center of Madison on the southern border of Lake Wingra. Recognized as the birthplace of ecological restoration, the Arboretum seeks to heal the land and restore native species. Visit and learn about native prairie, woodlands, and wetlands. Also an excellent resource for homeowners who want to grow native plants in their yards. There is a 4 acre educational garden with 500 native species and annual sales of native plants.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens- 16 acres of outdoor display gardens, including the Rose Garden and the Thai Pavilion. Get relief from the Winter blues in the Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid filled with a tropical paradise of plants, birds, and running water. Also sponsors art exhibits, free concerts, and gardening classes.
Aldo Leopold Nature Center- The Center's mission is to teach love and respect for the land in the spirit of Wisconsin's premiere environmentalist, Aldo Leopold, well known for his book of Nature observations, The Sand County Almanac. They provide structured, hands on educational programs on 20 acres in the City of Monona that has woods, prairie, and wetlands.
Henry Vilas Zoo- Helping to understand and conserve the natural world, Madison's zoo is one of the few nation wide that is AZA accredited and still has free admission.
Madison Metropolitan School District Planetarium- Learn about astronomy and the night sky at these public shows hosted during the school year.
The UW Space Place- Hands on activities, lively presentations, and fun astronomy lectures for the public.
The Washburn Observatory- On the UW campus. The telescope is trained to specific objects when it is open for public viewing. See their schedule.
Madison- Area Lakes, Boating, Fishing & Swimming:
The City of Madison is centered on an isthmus between beautiful Lakes Mendota and Monona, which are part of a chain of lakes, connected by the Yahara River, that provide numerous recreational opportunities for area residents. See the Dane County Office of Lakes & Watersheds website for a general overview of the Madison Lakes, as well as information on lake levels and lake maps. The Dane County Parks website has boating information, including lake access sites, fees, how to get a boating permit, and details about using the Tenney Park Lock between Lakes Mendota and Monona. See the City of Madison Beaches website for information on swimming beaches in Madison. See the Dept. of Natural Resources website if you need a fishing license or information on fishing locations, regulations, and tips. The Dept. of Land and Water Resources website has recent updates and alerts on water conditions, and links to other lake related information.
Madison- Other Attractions:
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center- Located within site of Capitol Square, this Frank LLoyd Wright designed building sits on the edge of Lake Monona, with sweeping views of the lake, a rooftop garden, and a packed calendar of events.
Farmer's Market on the Capitol Square- Every Saturday morning during the warmer months over 300 vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, cheese, meats, plants, and other natural wares, along with a variety of street musicians and artisans, circle the Capitol Building. It is one of the largest farmer's markets in the country. Try the hot, spicy cheese bread!
Tour the State Capitol Building- The lake views are worth the long climb to the observation deck.
Madison- For Kids:
Madison Youth Activities- A network of over 750 businesses that provide activities to youth. Find information on activities, classes, camps, and services, divided by age group.
Madison Children's Museum- Founded in 1980, this museum's misssion is to enrich the lives of kids by providing opportunities to learn through play.
Nature Net- a website for educators and families with resources to help them explore the South Central environment in a fun, hands-on way. It includes a directory of nature centers and suggestions for creating fun and affordable field trips.
Properties Available in Madison:
For information on current listings in Madison, you can fill out my Property Finder form or email me a request and I will send you a personalized list of available properties matching your criteria, or, you can click to search the MLS yourself.
|
