Have a weekend getaway in mind for the near future or just looking for a quick trip away from the fast lane? For 48 memorable hours away from the rush of traffic and errands visit Madison, Wisconsin.

The city is uniquely situated between two glacial lakes and is literally surrounded by water, and has more than 260 city parks and over 120 miles of shared-use biking and walking trails. For everyone who loves the outdoors, Madison, Wisconsin is an authentic haven of natural beauty and wide-open spaces. From swimming and biking in the summer to ice-skating and skiing in the winter; Madison is an adventure waiting to be discovered. For die hard athletic sports fans, Madison, Wisconsin is also the host’s annual events such as Ford Ironman Wisconsin and the Paddle & Portage.

Cultural Culinary Delights

After exploring all the outdoor recreation be sure to check out the cultural side of Madison at the cities music venues, theaters and visual art centers. The friendly folks in Madison can help direct you to some of the finest local places and what's new in town. When it comes to dining Madison has a unique blend of cultural culinary delights to experience during your visit. At Africana savor West Africa's most popular dishes. One of the chef's is from the Ivory Coast, another is from Senegal. Yassa from Senegal offers a delicious chicken and rice dish with onion sauce. Egusi is Nigeria’s famous thick soup of meats and vegetables. The most popular dish is maffe: peanut butter sauce with tomatoes and onions, served with vegetables or meat. It comes with rice or fufu [pounded yams]. The wooden bowls, cups and utensils are all from West Africa.

Meals at The Old Fashioned restaurant are inspired by the traditions of Wisconsin taverns and supper clubs, paying tribute to the foods and spirits that make up Wisconsin’s heritage. The original menu embodies Wisconsin's rich culinary history including Scandinavian Style Chicken Dinner, Lake Perch Fish Fry, Prime Rib Dinner and Walleye and Eggs. For a mix of local delights visit the Harvest Restaurant, that has an evolving menu that takes advantage of the great variety of local and organic ingredients raised by this region's farmers. Harvest is devoted to providing the best each season has to offer with a menu enhanced by seasonal locally grown, and organic ingredients.

Did You Know?

Madison as a city has been an environmental steward for generations, harkening back to the lessons of Aldo Leopold, the father of wildlife management, Sierra Club founding member John Muir and Earth Day founder and former Wisconsin governor Gaylord Nelson. You’ll find that when you visit - Being green in Madison is simply a way of life!

Plan Your Trip

With so much to do in Madison, you may find that 48 hours is not enough to enjoy everything, which is okay because it is a city that offers authentic experiences and memorable getaways year-round. When you visit the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau's website at http://www.visitmadison.com you'll find plenty of exciting entertainment, dining, and outdoor recreation ideas to help make the most of your trip. You can also call the GMCVB at 1-800-373-6376 to find suggestions on special packages for getaway options.

For free Wisconsin travel information and travel-planning guides visit www.travelwisconsin.com or call the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s live-operated, toll-free number 1-800-432-TRIP/8747. Travelers can also obtain guides and information at the Wisconsin Welcome Centers, located in select state-border cities.