Booking.com activity in Most ofMadison centers upon the 18,000 acres of lake surface within or just outside the city limits. The heart of Madison is built on an isthmus that divides Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. From the state capitol, which is surrounded by a huge plaza called Capitol Square, several major streets radiate outward like spokes on a wheel. One of those streets, State Street, is closed to traffic, except for a few buses. On this pleasant oasis, many of the city's best museums, shops and restaurants are located. This area adjoins the campus of the University of Wisconsin.

Consistently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S. by national magazines, Madison's population is growing about twice as fast as the rest of the US. Madison is a great area for bicycling, cross-country skiing and other outdoor activities. It is a lively city with a progressive attitude and a deep respect for culture and education. Many who come to Madison to study at the University never leave. A visit to Madison in the summer is delightful. The weather is balmy and the Farmers Market has a wonderful collection of colors, smells and tastes. Capitol Square, where hundreds of vendors set up stalls every Saturday, is really the center of town and a good place to start a tour. The white-domed capitol building contains delicately crafted glass mosaics and is surrounded by well-tended gardens.

Other fine museums nearby include the Elvehjem Museum of Art and the Geology Museum, which displays the skeleton of a mastodon that roamed Wisconsin during the Ice Age. The Babcock Hall Dairy on campus has demonstrations of cheese and ice cream preparation (and samples of the products.) The university's arboretum has more than 20 miles of marked trails that are open year-round for biking, walking and cross-country skiing. A walk or drive around the campus area always rewards you with its beautiful views.