A SUMMER GUIDE TO MADISON LIVING >>

As real estate professionals we are called upon to keep up with community events. Seeking out the latest attractions, researching bars, restaurants and new businesses –  it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. 

Here in Madison, we love the season changes. A defining characteristic across cities can be their offerings, or lack thereof, when it comes to summer entertainment. After all, who doesn’t love a variety of options in the warm, sun-soaked days between Memorial Day and Labor Day? That three-month period is widely regarded as the biggest opportunity to get outdoors with friends and family. Schools are out and so are the shorts and flip flops. It’s time for cold drinks and making memories with those we hold dear. But where and how to make those memories? 

For starters, Madison boasts a top-notch set of outdoor amenities which includes the following:

• Parks + Recreation. Madison parks are some of the cleanest, most well-maintained in the country. Not to mention the variety of options in the area. Did you know there are over 200 parks in metro Madison? That’s enough variety to keep any family on their toes.

• The Lake Lifestyle. Boating and sailing and kayaking, oh my! With 5 local lakes to choose from, there is truly something for everyone when it comes to water-based activities. 

• Outdoor Venues. With options like the popular (and free) Henry Vilas Zoo, the impressively curated Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the massive and endlessly entertaining Vitense Golfland, and the unmatched vibes and entertainment at the Memorial Union Terrace, metro Madison offers a variety of local options for people of all ages to enjoy the warm weather while stimulating the senses. 

• Farmers’ Markets. Fun Fact: The Dane County Farmers’ Market is known as the largest option of its kind in the country. Intimidated by a crowd? There are other Farmers’ Market options sprinkled throughout the community. All with one thing in common: locally grown produce, tasty treats and great people watching.

Still want more? Here’s a short list of other options that we think are worth checking out this summer:

• Riley Tavern
  Run, ride or drive to this laid back watering hole just outside Verona.
  

• Madison Mallards Baseball
  Play ball! Catch a game in the infamous “Duck Pond.”
  

• Prairie Moraine County Dog Park
  Your fur baby will be dog-tired after romping around this 79-acre off-leash dog park.
  

• Wisconsin Brewing Co.
  Stop out to “Wisconsin’s Backyard” with friends or family to enjoy your fill of drinks and live music.

For those looking to keep their options isolated to the downtown district, check out our Walking Tour Map for more information on local spots you won’t want to miss. Whatever your destination, one thing remains true: the remarkable ability of this community to offer low-cost, high-quality options to residents remains a compelling reason why Madison continues to top the list of best places to live, year after year. 

Want to learn more? We have a variety of resources to help you better understand local options. From our Neighborhood pages to our Local Guides, there’s enough info to cement your place as summer event planner extraordinaire. And as always, our agents are standing by if you’d like to dig deeper into how to live your best life in Madison this summer.