Madison's proximity to several incredible cities makes one trip turn into a beautiful collection of colorful experiences. By booking your stay in Madison, you have easy access to all the best southcentral Wisconsin has to offer. One of our favorite day trips from Madison is visiting Spring Green, a rural community in the foothills of Wisconsin's stunning Driftless region, less than one hour west of the capital city.
Madison and Spring Green are the perfect pair because both communities have deep connections to their landscapes. The natural beauty of Madison's lakes and greenspaces informs our love for outdoor adventure, fresh food and sustainability. Spring Green's rolling hills and lush greenery inspires its arts community and farm-to-table culture.
Perhaps the strongest link between Madison and Spring Green is their connections to world-famous architect and visionary Frank Lloyd Wright. Both communities inspired Wright and informed his career and thirst for innovation.
Jump around to learn more about the connections between Madison and Spring Green:
Frank Lloyd Wright
Both Madison and Spring Green lay claim to the title of Wright's hometown, for different reasons. Wright was born in 1867 in nearby Richland Center and soon after, his extended family settled in Spring Green. His father was a preacher who moved Wright's nuclear family several times before landing in Madison in 1878.
Wright went to primary school and high school in Madison, where several events informed his creative calling including a fire at the Wisconsin State Capitol and his time working for for the dean of the University of Wisconsin’s department of engineering.
Wright returned to Spring Green in 1911 to build Taliesin, his home, architecture school and studio. Throughout his years in Spring Green, Wright established the Taliesin Fellowship, an apprenticeship program that fostered education across many artistic disciplines including architecture, music, culinary arts and more. Taliesin remains a cornerstone of art, history and education and was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019.
You can learn more about Wright's foundational years by signing up for Wright in Madison, a self-guided journey through the places where Wright lived, learned and found his inspiration, revealing Madison's crucial influence on his legacy.
Must-do experiences: Tours at Taliesin, Monona Terrace and the Unitarian Meeting House
Outdoor Adventures
Visiting Madison and Spring Green gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to outdoor recreation. At the core of Madison's urban outdoor landscape are our five glittering lakes with miles of public shoreline and multiple boat rental services. Surrounding the lakes are more than 200 miles of trails and 270 parks. The integration of nature throughout the city means you can bounce from your rented e-bike to your kayak to your hotel in no time.
For wide open spaces, you will definitely want to explore the outdoors in Spring Green. The countryside is home to several bike trails ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging. The hilly landscape lends to incredible hikes and several incredible parks.
Must-do experiences: Tower Hill State Park, Spring Green Preserve, Taliesin Loop, Madison Boats, Madison Adventure Tours
Farm-to-Table Dining
The chefs in Madison and Spring Green have a deep appreciation for Wisconsin's agricultural roots. It's because of this appreciation that many small farms continue to thrive, and why restaurants become renowned for dishes that wow.
You can sample food direct from farmers at Madison's Dane County Farmers' Market, the largest producer-only farmers' market in the country, and at the cozy and connected Spring Green Farmers' Market. At both markets, you can sample the same ingredients professional chefs use to craft award-winning meals.
Must-try farm-to-table restaurants: Riverview Terrace Cafe, Wander Provisions, Spring Green General Store, Graze, Heritage Tavern, Lallande
Arts and Culture
Creativity is valued highly in both Madison and Spring Green. The art being made, performed and displayed is inspired by the natural landscape and close-knit communities it's made in.
Creativity is celebrated at marquee art festivals like the Spring Green Arts and Crafts Fair, which features more than 200 artists from across the country each year, and Art Fair on the Square, which brings together more than 500 artists in downtown Madison.
Performers bring the communities to life on stages large and small. The American Players Theatre in Spring Green is the second largest outdoor theatre in the country. The theatre sits on 110 acres of rolling hills and meadows and is home to a professional theatre company committed to performing the classics. For more contemporary acts, Madison is home to a lineup of great theaters and performing arts centers like the Overture Center, The Sylvee, The Orpheum and more.
Must-go places: Slowpoke Lounge and Cabaret, Hillside Theater, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Chazen Art Museum
