Madison Road Trip

Get out of the house!

Category

Must See

Six Mile Creek Fishery Area

Fishery areas rarely hold any interest for us. Usually, they’re a small lot, then a short trail to a body of water. After driving by Six Mile Creek Fishery Area for nearly two decades, we were completely floored to find… Continue Reading →

Linmar Garden

This was one of our holy grails of locations. Not because it is hard to get to, but because the garden is only open 1 hour a day, 5 days a week. Miss the 11am tour Tue-Saturday and you’re out… Continue Reading →

Belvedere Mansion

This stately home has an amazing history. This massively strong and elegant home was built by one of America’s wealthiest citizens, Russell Jones, and is the basis for the term “keeping up with the Joneses.” As you view the property,… Continue Reading →

Houghton Falls Nature Preserve/Echo Dells

Not to be confused with Houghton Falls, MI, this wonderful preserve is an off-the-beaten track gem. Well groomed trails and wooden paths wind through piney woods, past a small waterfall, sandstone overhangs and a winding creek. The path ends on… Continue Reading →

Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden is amazing! There’s something for every plant lover here – Japanese gardens, English cottage gardens, experimental plants, natives, edible, tropical and even artwork made of plants. With nearly 400 acres, wear comfy shoes and plan to… Continue Reading →

Dane County Farmers Market

The weekly Saturday market on the Capital Square is a Madison institution. As the largest temporary farmers market in the Unites States, there is something for everyone. Sellers run the gamut from traditional farmers market fair (locally grown produce, cheeses,… Continue Reading →

Art Preserve

The fantastic new Art Preserve, created by the Kohler Foundation, is a continuation and culmination of their long-running work to preserve outsider art. The JM Kohler Art Center has displayed works of outsiders for decades. The Kohler foundation has preserved… Continue Reading →

The Garden Door – Peninsular Research Station

Tucked behind a collection of utilitarian buildings off Highway 42 is a lovely garden maintained by the Door County Master Gardeners. Wander through arches covered with vines, down winding paths, past a busy pond and through waves to sedges. The… Continue Reading →

William Caxton Ltd Books

Caxton Books is an inveterate reader’s fantasy bookshop. Deep, shadowy, clean, well-organized and filled with wondrous and unique books. The layout clearly follows the owner’s personal tastes. There’s a large collection of art and design in the front, mysteries and… Continue Reading →

The Ridges Sanctuary

The Ridges Sanctuary is an unique and very special piece of protected land. The woods, ridges and swales are home to a unique population of arboreal conifers, insects, mosses, pitcher plants and orchids. The network of trails is shady and… Continue Reading →

Peninsula State Park

Peninsula is a perennial favorite and one we look forward to returning to again and again. There are plenty of winding, woody trails with magnificent views of the water throughout the park. But the gem we return to in the… Continue Reading →

Caponi Art Park

The former home of artist and educator Anthony Caponi is now a wonderful, dreamy park open to anyone. Wander the sprawling yard and woods, filled with Caponi’s work. Ranging from cast metal pieces reminiscent of Rodin, to carved sculptures which… Continue Reading →

Ferry Bluff

Ferry Bluff is a must-see Wisconsin location that takes a bit more effort than others to visit. The Wisconsin River, dotted with sandbars, spreads out below you for miles, with rolling hills beyond. There are few views this spectacular in the state; it is on par with Wildcat Mountain.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The entire world of decorative art is here. Fantastic and endlessly amazing.

The House of Balls

See a most precious, vivid and wild imagination at work in its natural setting. An absolute delight to visit!

Pavek Museum

Massive, elaborate radios from the 1920s share space 1970s television cameras, metal tape machines, a working morse code station and vintage Apple IIe.The vast number of changes in communications in a relatively short amount of time is staggering.