Entertainment Alternatives in Madison, WI

Madison is known for countless cultural attractions and events that make it an exciting city to live in all year long. One famous aspect of Madison is the wide variety of architectural styles present throughout the city. The Wisconsin State Capitol and its dome similar to that of the U.S. Capitol is a lasting landmark of Madison, along with many other buildings designed by Madison-native architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Other popular attractions are the Henry Vilas Zoo, the East Towne Mall and West Towne Mall, the Wollersheim Winery, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum.

State Street and King Street, on either side of Capitol Square, are popular locations in Madison, both of which are lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops, and are only open to buses, police, delivery vehicles, pedestrians, and bikes. This reflects the popularity of the cyclist culture in Madison, with many designated bike lanes and one of the most extensive bike trail systems in the U.S.

The arts are also very popular in Madison. The Overture Center for the Arts was opened in 2004, and contains seven venues for the performing arts and numerous art galleries. There are many smaller organizations for the performing arts, as well as many other art galleries and museums. Some popular museums in Madison are the Chazen Museum of Art, the Wisconsin Historical Museum, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and the Madison Children's Museum. The Art Fair on the Square and the Art Fair Off the Square art festivals are also popular in Madison.

Some of the other festivals in Madison are: the Badger States Games, the Rhythm and Booms Independence Day Celebration, the Cows on the Concourse dairy month celebration, the Maxwell Street Days event, the Paddle 'N Portage Canoe Race, the Taste of Madison where area restaurants serve their most exotic dishes, the Dane County Farmers' Markets, the Thirsty Troll Brewfest, the Annual Mount Horeb Fall Heritage Festival, the Madison Auto Show, the Travel & Vacation Show, the Kites on Ice kite-flying event, the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and the many different music festivals, such as the Waterfront Festival, the Willy St. Fair, Atwood Summerfest, Madison Area Music Awards Show, the Madison Blues Festival, the WORT Block Party, the Orton Park Festival, Greekfest, Fête de Marquette, Reverence, and the Folkball.

Sports are also very popular in Madison, with the primary reason being the many collegiate athletic teams of the Wisconsin Badgers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Other popular teams in Madison include the Madison Mallards (Northwoods League baseball team), the Wisconsin Rugby Club (Division II) and Wisconsin Women's Rugby Football Club (Division I), the Princeton-56ers (National Premiere Soccer League team), and the Wisconsin Wolves (Women's Professional Football League).