Madison Parks and Gardens

(Madison, Wisconsin - WI, USA)

A particularly green and attractive city with many waterfront areas, Madison is home to numerous public parks and landscaped gardens, both large and small, as well as a surprisingly high number of fairly central golf courses and country clubs.

Lake Wingra forms an imposing centerpiece to the capital's cityscape and due to the harsh winter weather experienced in Madison, it remains frozen for approximately one third of the year. The lake provides an important ecosystem and fronts a number of top attractions, such as Vilas Park and the Henry Vilas Zoo, along with Wingra Park, Edgewood College and the magnificent university of Wisconsin Arboretum.

On the northern side of Madison and standing alongside the Eagle Heights Community Gardens is the enormous Lake Mendota, the shoreline of which touches the Governor Nelson State Park, the Yahara Heights County Park and Warner Park, amongst others. To the east, Lake Monona is edged by the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, while a short distance to the south is Lake Waubesa and the Waubesa Wetlands State Natural Area.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Address: 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin (WI), 53704, USA
Tel: +1 608 246 4550
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens attraction truly makes the most of its waterfront setting alongside Lake Monona, where it was created in the early part of the 1950s and is now owned by both the Olbrich Botanical Society and the City of Madison Parks. There are many different landscaped areas to be explored spread around the 6.5 hectares / 16 acres, including the English-style Sunken Garden, complete with neatly clipped hedges, terraces and a reflection pond. The Thai Garden boasts its very own oriental pavilion and a selection of sculptures. A rockery with Alpine plants, a wildflower meadow and formal rose borders are accompanied by the Starkweather Creek and Atrium Shade Gardens, as well as the rather contemporary Bolz Conservatory, which was added in 1991 and is home to more than 700 exotic plants.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, donations welcomed, nominal charge to enter conservatory

University of Wisconsin Arboretum

Address: 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, Wisconsin (WI), 53711, USA
Tel: +1 608 263 7888
A vast green space right in the center of Madison, the University of Wisconsin Arboretum covers an immense 500 hectares / 1,235 acres, which is approximately 2 square miles / 5 square kilometers. This vast arboretum was created in the 1930s by combining a series of adjacent fields. Many native plants have been returned to this habitat, which comprises not only individual specimen trees, but also woodlands, prairies, marshland, savannas and nature trails. Plant-buffs will enjoy checking out the plant collections within the expansive Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, and exploring the somewhat smaller Wisconsin Native Plant Garden. This is a great place to come for a walk, cycle, picnic or to watch wild birds, and in the winter months, there are even possibilities for cross-country skiing and sledding.
Open hours: trails, daily - 07:00 to 22:00
Visitor center: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 12:30 to 16:00
Admission: free

Turville Point Conservation Park

Address: 1156 Olin Turville Court / John Nolen Drive, Madison, Wisconsin (WI), 53713, USA
The Turville Point Conservation Park enjoys an especially scenic setting next to Lake Monona and is actually just a relatively short stroll from downtown Madison. This is a very relaxing place to visit, with its numerous pathways, benches and stunning lakefront views. There is also a large prairie area, lots of wild flowers and some mature red oak trees, adding a real splash of color when the fall seasons makes its appearance. Right next-door is Olin Park, which offers restroom facilities, a playing field used for soccer games, a baseball diamond, jogging trails and an enticing beachfront.
Open hours: daily - 04:00 to dusk
Admission: free

Picnic Point

Address: University Bay Drive, Madison, Wisconsin (WI), 53726, USA
Tel: +1 608 263 3333
The aptly named Picnic Point is a peninsula-shaped public park jutting into Lake Mendota's University Bay, beginning its life as fertile farmland. Roughly 1 mile / 1.6 km in length and covering an area of just under 53 hectares / 130 acres, Picnic Point is a popular spot for local students, since it is situated right next to the main campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It has actually been owned by the university itself since 1941.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Eagle Heights Community Gardens

Address: University Bay Drive, Madison, Wisconsin (WI), 53726, USA
The Eagle Heights Community Gardens lie within the university campus, next to the Biocore Prairie and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Research Plots. This spot was established in the early 1960s in order to provide locals with the opportunity of maintaining organic vegetable plots (managed as individual allotments) and ornamental areas. There are now walking trails, areas set aside for picnics, plenty of birdwatching opportunities and regular plant sales.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free