Edgerton, Wisconsin

This segment of the Ice Age Trail features stairs, river views, pretty rocks, a nice park, and a golf course.  We started at the north end (not the park end) and enjoyed it.  If you have kids, I would recommend starting at the park end.  It is an out-and-back type hike.  From the south end of the...

This lakeside park has a newer bike/walking path. The park itself is an excellent spot for a picnic or catching a sunset! There is a nice play area and a rocky beach.   The path is known as the Lower Yahara River Trail and opened in 2017. It provides a non-road connection between Madison and McFa...

There’s plenty to do here: relax on the beach, walk the neighborhood, soak in the views of the Madison skyline, bring a kayak or SUP to get on the water, or go for a swim.     Always be sure to check the blue-green algae levels before swimming in a Madison lake. That can be done here.  Thankfully...

Olbrich Gardens has 16 acres of gardens including a rose garden, sunken garden, Thai pavilion, rock garden, herb garden, and more.  Each one is unique with its own pathways and plant life as well as man made structures which include bridges, pools, the Thai pavilion, and more.   Adjoining the Bot...

I like to put in at the Camp Randall Rowing Club Brittingham Boat House located at 617 N Shore Dr, Madison, WI 53703.  There’s a dock and free 3 hour parking.  Once in the water just paddle straight towards John Nolen Drive and go under the bridge and you’ll be in Lake Monona. Keep going and soak...

It is filled with effigy mounds, thousands of plant and animal species, and unlimited places to explore.  You can run, hike, bike, and even drive through the Arboretum.  There is a visitor center and you can host an event here.  Trail info  One of my favorite trails is in the Grady Tract area nea...

Being a native Wisconsinite, I think the most quintessential thing to do in Madison is beers and a sunset at Memorial Union Terrace on Lake Mendota. There’s plenty more to do right at the Union too, including world famous ice cream,  kayaking and other water sport rentals at Hoofer’s, live music,...

There are no specific trails in this conservancy, so just choose the path that looks the best to you.  It would be hard to get lost here and all the trails put together are only about 3 miles.   There are some hills, but nothing too serious. bathrooms in the parking lotsmall parking lotfreecommon...

This garden is open to the public from dawn to dusk, 7 days a week, free of charge.  The gardens are tended by summer interns.  During the off-season they are maintained by volunteers and apprentices.  We made our first stop here earlier this week.  It was beautiful. Tons of plants and lots of sp...

More info can be found about that here.  This is a beautiful 105 acre conservancy with several different trails.  It’s a great spot for a picnic and to bring the family.  There are interpretive signs so you can learn about the history of the land like glaciers and the different settlers.  They ev...

Head 30 minutes west from Milwaukee along I-94 and you'll find yourself in the quaint town of Delafield, WI. Head south down Genesee St. for a half mile and you'll see the entrance to Lapham Peak, part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Once there, you can head up the winding road to the parking...

442 acre park just outside of Madison is a perfect spot to escape for awhile. About a 20 minute drive from Madison makes it easily accessible even on a tight schedule. It provides a great place for lots of outdoor activities, year round.I love this place enough that I have been there many times a...

Enjoy breathtaking views on one of the few local lakes in SE Wisconsin to see sunset all year round! From September to March the sun lines up perfectly across the lake, otherwise the sun sets to the north (right) of the beach in the summertime. There are plenty of spots to sit and watch as the su...

It is over 7,000 acres and has a maximum depth of 24 feet.  There are several public boat landings if you are lucky enough to own a boat.  For this specific adventure, you can fish right off County Rd. V in Poynette.  It’s a scenic spot that can get busy, but if you go during the week it’s quiet ...

If you come on a weekend expect there to be a crowd, but there is plenty of space for everyone.  You can hang out on the shore, float in the water on an inflatable floatie, kayak, canoe, or spread out on one of the many sand bars close by.  Depending on the time of year and level of the water, yo...

Starting from county rd K you turn in on Emerald Drive . at the start of Emerald drive is an old and tiny cemetery. Travel all the way on Emerald drive until you reach a sign that says Emerald Lot which is where you park, you can go left or right along the Ice age trail that crosses all across WI...