It’s summertime in our hometown of Madison, so we decided to take a bit of a break from sharing our plethora of bookkeeping tips this month. Since a pretty good chunk of our clients and colleagues are headquartered here, we thought we’d take the opportunity to shout out to everyone in and around our KBS neighborhood, and encourage you to get outside with A Dozen Ways for Summer Fun in Madison!
We live in such a gorgeous area with so many fun things to do all year long, but summer is special. So, let’s take a break from All Things Money (it is summer, after all!) and talk about the great things there are to do in our own backyard.
And for those of you who aren’t in our neighborhood, we’re pretty confident a lot of these ideas are probably pretty similar in your own communities! So, step back, take a break, and get out of the office for an afternoon.
1. Farmers Market
One of the best things that we have in our downtown area is the weekly Dane County Farmers Market that occurs every Saturday morning on the Capitol Square. Fresh produce and harvests from local farmers mean you get the best of the best and it’s always so much fun to grab what you need for a true farm-to-table experience at home. And there is nothing better than walking around the square with the majestic Capitol as your backdrop.
2. State Street Fun
Take the morning for the farmers market and the afternoon to explore Madison’s beloved State Street. If you haven’t been in awhile, there are so many new things to see on this pedestrian thoroughfare, with buzzing activity day and night. State Street offers a diverse array of coffeehouses, ethnic restaurants, bookstores, art galleries and specialty shops – truly something for everyone. And don’t forget to grab your Badger gear while you are downtown shopping!
3. State Parks
Is hiking your thing? What about kayaking on the lakes? How about biking the miles and miles of trails? Or just find a beautiful State Park to have a lovely family picnic or camping weekend. No matter your preferred activity, spend some time in nature at one of our state parks. Here in our area, the most popular are:
This is just the tip of the iceberg if you’re looking for more outdoor nature experiences in the area. Check out the DNR website for a full list of State Parks!
4. Biking Around the Lakes
This popular pastime is a Madison favorite. Take the Lake Monona loop that is about 12 miles, but fully paved. The scenic, relatively flat loop is accessible from downtown or the East side of Monona and is a wonderful way to experience the city’s waterfront and lakeside neighborhoods.
Biking around Lake Mendota can also be done, by taking one of two paths. There is a shorter, 13-mile loop that will take you by notable landmarks such as Madison’s Olbrich Gardens and the Monona Terrace. Or there is an extended 22-mile loop taking you around the entire lake. What a great way to get a bird’s eye view of our lovely city, via the lakes!
5. Memorial Union Terrace
If you have never experienced sitting on one of the fun sunburst chairs during the summer months at the Memorial Union Terrace, make that a priority! With beautiful lake views, amazing sunsets and great food available, it’s a perfect way to spend a summer day. You may even catch a fun event like open mic night, or various bands that’ll allow you to dance and sing the night away.
6. The Duck Pond
Head over to the Duck Pond at Warner Park and catch a Madison Mallards or Madison Night Mares game this summer! Be a part of a lively atmosphere with fun entertainment between innings, mascot appearances and if you’re lucky, you’ll head over on a fun promotion day. It’s a great family-friendly event that is a good time for even those not die-hard baseball or softball fans.
7. Henry Vilas Zoo
A Madison treasure, the Henry Vilas Zoo is a must during summer. Many people who aren’t from the area are astonished to learn that this is a FREE zoo with so many entertaining and impressive exhibits. If you’re a long-time visitor of the zoo, check out some after-hours programs that you may not have known about. The zoo is always a fun way to spend a summer day in Madison.
8. Concerts on the Square
Another favorite Madison summer tradition are the amazing Concerts on the Square, down by the Capitol. Grab a group of friends and head on down on a Wednesday night to check out amazing music that has been a part of the downtown scene for over 40 years! Enjoy music that spans genres and generations, pack a picnic dinner and your favorite beverage, and find your spot on the Capitol lawn to take in a summer night in Madison.
9. Madison Eats Food Tours
Take a tasty adventure through Madison with Madison Eats Food Tours. Head through unique neighborhoods and the scenic downtown to learn about Madison’s culinary and cultural history, all while enjoying food and drinks presented by your tour guides! Different tours include visiting the Atwood neighborhood, Willy Street, Downtown, and a variety of others. It’s a fun way to see great landmarks and one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants you may not have known about in our beautiful city.
10. Sassy Cow Creamery
If you haven’t headed over to Sassy Cow Creamery before, you’re missing out. Not only can you see the farms with your own eyes, but you can also take a tour through creamery, where you can see how they bottle fresh milk, or tour a dairy farm and get an up-close-and-personal look at the process of how a cow produces milk.
After you’re done, check out the fresh farm products for sale, including milk and ice cream (up to 28 flavors!). But before you eat dessert, make sure you check out their yummy Farmhouse Kitchen for your next meal.
11. Mad City Ski Team
Lake Monona is the place to be every Sunday night this summer if you want to check out the Mad City Ski Team performances. With a Junior Ski show and a Main Event all starting at 5:15pm, head down to the lake, cool off, and appreciate all the hard work these skiers have put in to entertain the Madison area. So go and find your way to Law Park on Lake Monona one of these Sunday nights and enjoy the show!
12. Rent a Boat
Want to spend a day on one of the many area lakes this summer and do your own thing? Whether you want to rent a pontoon, kayak, or have another idea in mind, check out Madison Boats and see if they might have what you need to “float your boat.” Find something for just an hour or two, or if you want to spend the day on the water, see what you may find for a full day rental! Get ready to pack your coolers, bring your floaties and see why Madison lakes are the best.
There is no shortage of things to do in our area on any given summer day, and all of us deserve some fun in the sun. So, shut down your computer for the day (don’t worry … we’ll still be keeping an eye on your books!), and use our list to get you motivated to spend some summer hours doing something you maybe haven’t done before (or at least in awhile!). Enjoy Madison!
Our fearless leader, Nicki Knecht, is basically solar-powered—give her sunshine and she’s unstoppable. When she’s not soaking up all the outdoor fun Madison has to offer, she’s out chasing summer vibes from the banks of the Mississippi all the way to the wilds of Montana.