Living in Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, the capital of Wisconsin, offers an amazing mélange of outdoor recreation, historical sites, and cultural wonders. Situated amid 15,000 acres of lakes, Madison maintains the sophistication of a capital city along with four seasons of fun, food and festivities. 

Madison offers everything you’d want in a true hometown, from unique neighborhood restaurants and boutiques to the benefits of living near the University of Wisconsin - Madison. This town is full of friendly folks, festive events, and an authentic Midwestern vibe. Here are even more reasons to love living in Madison.

1. The Capitol Building. Constructed between 1906 and 1917, the building is an instantly recognizable feature in the Madison skyline. The council chambers were modeled after Venice's Doge's Palace, while the governor's conference room is decorated with 26 historical and allegorical paintings by Hugo Ballin. When admiring the building from outside, pay attention to the dome, which rises more than 200 feet and features a bronze Daniel Chester French statue.
   
   
2. The Lakes. Madison’s five glistening lakes - Mendota. Monona. Waubesa. Kegonsa. and Wingra - provide no shortage of ways to enjoy the water. From boating in the summer to ice fishing in the winter, playing and relaxing on the beaches, romantic waterside dinners and Friday fish fries, it’s easy to love the lakes.
   
   
3. The Culture. History and heritage, award-winning interactive children’s fun, and innovative contemporary art. You name it, Madison has a museum for it. There’s also a huge variety of art galleries, theatres, music/performance sites, studios, and more. The arts are well represented in Madison. 
   
   
4.  Natural Treasures. The Arboretum at UW-Madison is a popular destination to explore prairies, woodlands, wetlands and gardens in all seasons. Olbrich's Botanical Garden offers acres of stunning landscapes and Midwest-hardy plants. The Period Garden Park, a Victorian-era city neighborhood park, is an oasis in the midst of Madison. The Henry Vilas Zoo is home to over 650 animals from all over the world and is surrounded by Vilas Park, which features open space, playgrounds, a beach, and a lagoon for ice skating in the winter.
   
   
5.  The Trail System. With over 200 miles of paths, trails and dedicated bike lanes, you can hike, bike, run, blade and stroll around the lakes or out into the burbs. Whether you love the Lake Monona Loop, the Lakeshore Path around Lake Mendota or the Badger State Trail to the border, you’ll never run out of places to go. 
   
   
6.  The Fairs & Festivals. Festivals are a great excuse to explore Madison’s diverse neighborhoods all year round. Enjoy the Winter Carnival in February, the Film Festival in April, the Mount Horeb Summer Frolic in June, La Fête de Marquette in July, the Sweet Corn Festival in August, Oktoberfest in September, the Science Festival in October, and Christkindli Market in December.

If you're looking for a city that's sophisticated, special, and full of fun, Madison is for you. With amazing new home communities like Shady Grove in Cottage Grove, there are plenty of options for you to consider. Let William Ryan Homes help. Click here to make the house of your dreams a reality!