Alexandra
Things to do in Wisconsin
Visit Spring Green
When I typed in Spring Green weddings, plenty came up. So maybe you can catch another wedding there. If not, it is still worth going and exploring. It's a beautiful drive. You can go to Frank Lloyd Wright's house, Taliesin. You could see a play outdoors at American Players Theater.
The House on the Rock
This will be wild!
Historic Sites
Taliesin Mineral Point Dr. Evermore's metal sculpture park Pendarvis in Mineral Point https://pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org/ House on the Rock Mustard museum, in Middleton - there’s a great restaurant across the street: Sofia ("Mediterranean, Balkan & Albanian”) Franklin Grove, Etc. – Unique historic restaurant in Albany, WI (about 40 mins from Madison) https://www.facebook.com/franklingroveetc/ Ten Chimneys – Wisconsin estate created by Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, world-class house museum and national resource for theatre, arts, and arts education. Opens up for the season on May 13. Tours: Tue - Sat, 10:00 am-2:30 pm / Sun, 12:00 pm-2:30 pm.
Ice Age Trail:
Ice Age Trail: The portion of the Ice Age Trail that goes through Brooklyn Wildlife Area south of Madison is pretty cool. It passes through some oak forest, pine forest, and prairie, near some wetlands, and up and down hills. There is also several scenic vistas and Leopold benches along the path. You can explore other side trails and find a trout stream! It's usually not very busy, especially compared to Devil's Lake! It is about 15-20 minutes from New Glarus, so you could make a day out of a hike and a brewery tour. It can get pretty buggy in the summer though, and muddy when it rains, something to consider.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
The museum is free. It's right downtown near the capital. It's also located on State St., which is full of shops and resturants and will lead you right to the University.
Madison Public Library Central Library
Want to check out the library, one of the locations where I worked for many years on a program called Bubbler (see website link)!
scenic and hiking
Picnic Point Eagle Heights gardens and prairie Arboretum Governor Nelson State Park - has the most beautiful spring plants/ flowers Governor's Island Owen Conservation Park Blue Mounds State Park Devil’s Lake Governor Dodge State Park Parfrey's Glen: https://www.devilslakewisconsin.com/parfreys-glen/. Parfrey's Glen via Merrimac Ferry - the herons are nesting in the pines surrounding the trailhead parking, coming in park from 113 Spirit Lake, hiking all the way around lake from south beach lot, or up east bluff, via Merrimac Ferry Tower Hill State Park (canoeing on WI River) Spring Green Nature Preserve Cherokee Marsh Baraboo Hills
Wingra Boats
Rent by the hour for some time on the lake. You can go swimming, but maybe shower after, because we've had problems with algae blooms due to phosphorus runoff.
Monroe Street Farmers Market
Sundays 9am-11am. BTW Monroe Street has a construction going on, so feel free to ask us about going the back way through the college to skip construction.
Dane County Farmers' Market
Saturday Mornings
Bike Ride
Bike ride down to Paoli and the Hop Gardens is one of the best day trips I've taken around here. 16 mi ride through nice Wisconsin countryside, and the Hop Garden has a great vibe and outdoor music.
Whole Day Loop
A wonderful day loop (slower b/c of a 2 year old) driving out to Devil's Lake (you could also opt for Parfrey's Glenn) and having a picnic followed by a visit to Baraboo where you have the Circus World Museum. Somewhere along the way check out Forevertron by Doctor Evermore if they're into wild roadside attractions. Then take the Merrimac Ferry across the Wisconsin River & stop by the Wollersheim Winery.
Burnie's Rock Shop
Right across from Johnson Public Coffee Shop!
Southwest Commuter Path
I like to ride to Sequoya Library as it's a lovely ride. See: https://www.cityofmadison.com/bikemadison/
Starry Night Performance
This is part of LunART, a music series featuring women! https://www.facebook.com/pg/lunartfestival/about/?ref=page_internal
Forequarter
Fancy cocktails after the wedding? Walking Distance.
Caribou Tavern
Dive Bar Drinks after the wedding? Walking Distance!