Every day shoppers of all ages and walks of life stroll down State Street browsing through the collections of eclectic shops. Audacious diners offer the flavors of India, Thailand, Greece and Italy. Old friends and new friends share a pitcher of beer on the Union Terrace while enjoying local musical talent. Herds of students trek up Bascom Hill to attend class as senators and businessmen rush in and out of the state Capitol. Madison is a city always buzzing with excitement and commotion. As Madison is home to Wisconsin’s Capitol, a prestigious university and hundreds of restaurants and shops, the great natural beauty of the city is often overlooked. This beauty is easy to find, however, and is not far from the center of the city. Picnic Point, a scenic nature preserve, is mere miles from downtown, and only a few miles further is the UW-Madison Arboretum, which features restored prairies, forests and wetlands, allowing visitors to experience pre-settlement Wisconsin. Finally, the beautiful flowers of Olbrich Botanical Gardens bloom just four miles away along Lake Monona.
The Arboretum is a rare and beautifully preserved park that offers something for the avid outdoorsman, artist and history buff in everyone.
Photo Credit: Rachel FeilPicnic Point
A short walk beyond the lakeshore dorms sits Picnic Point, a unique and beautiful retreat from city life. The scenic peninsula extends nearly a mile into the southern part of Lake Mendota. It was privately owned until 1941, when UW-Madison bought the property from the Young family. The Youngs ran an apple orchard on the land, and built a grand mansion, where they lived until it burned down in 1935. Although the mansion is gone, the unique stone gateway remains and serves as an entrance to the park today. The original paths that ran through the Young orchard still exist and now attract runners, bikers and walkers.
Although the daytime beauty is undeniable, it is arguable that Picnic Point is even more incredible after sunset. A night spent around a bonfire at the point is a nice quiet alternative to the wild bar scene and sweaty house parties. Darkness experienced at the point is entirely different than that in the city. Sophomore Jenna Mayers realized this during one of her first visits. “I had forgotten how dark it can be without the streetlights and buildings of the city. Here you are surrounded by water on both sides and the sky is pitch black. It really is stunning,” she says. The night sky is a magnificent sight, but the view looking out on placid Lake Mendota is breathtaking. Across the lake the active terrace is lit up against the backdrop of the illuminated Memorial Union; further off in the distance sits the majestic Capitol building glowing against the dark sky.
Arboretum
If you are willing to venture a few more miles away from the heart of downtown to visit the UW-Madison Arboretum, prepare yourself for a unique journey back in time to experience pre-settlement Wisconsin. UW-Madison bought the land for the Arboretum during the Great Depression with the goal of returning the then-cultivated fields to their original state. After ample research and work, the land slowly returned to its natural state. Through continuing research efforts, the UW-Madison Arboretum has become the oldest and most diverse collection of restored ecological communities in the world. In 1977, the first visitor center was built on the property to ensure guests could experience this piece of natural history.
The visitor center was last renovated in 2001 and now features a small theater, an extensive library and an impressive art gallery. The gallery displays the talent of regional artists who have portrayed the natural beauty of Wisconsin. A majority of the wall-hung art is for sale, and all of the profits go to support the Arboretum projects. The Arboretum also offers a series of educational classes; and free public walks are offered every Sunday afternoon. The walks allow visitors to take in the beauty of nature while a guide provides a brief history of the park and identifies the names of the plants and animals. For those who prefer to explore the land on their own, the Arboretum provides over 20 miles of trails for running, jogging and cross country skiing. The Arboretum is a rare and beautifully preserved park that offers something for the avid outdoorsman, artist and history buff in everyone.
Olbrich
Experiencing writer’s block right before that 10 page term paper is due? The cure to your problem lies only four miles from downtown Madison. The Olbrich Botanical Gardens, located on the shoreline of Lake Monona, is ranked as one of the top ten most inspiring gardens in North America by Horticulture magazine. It is home to 16 acres of beautiful outdoor gardens and the Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid which houses over 650 plants. Sophomore Rebecca Perthel expressed her love for the indoor gardens. “In the winter, visiting the Bolz Conservatory is a nice getaway from the snow and cold. It’s like having a tropical paradise only a few miles away,” Perthel says. The gardens were first opened in 1952, just over 30 years after Michael B. Olbrich, UW-Madison Law School graduate, first bought the land with the vision of creating a beautiful flower garden. Although Olbrich died in 1929, the creators of the gardens chose to name the park in his honor. The gardens offer guided walks, a wide range of classes with topics ranging from meditation to gardening, and even story time and arts and craft sessions for kids.
When life in Madison becomes too fast-paced and chaotic, remember there are natural escapes nearby. You may choose to go for a jog to clear your head, or maybe you just need a serene relaxing night spent around a warm fire. Possibly, you are in need of a unique historical and educational experience, or perhaps you are in need of a little extra inspiration. Whatever it is you are looking for, Madison has a place to find it, so make that short journey away from downtown and allow yourself to truly enjoy the Madison outdoors.