Madison, Wisconsin sits on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona and is the capitol of Wisconsin. On our recent road trip through the state, my husband and I spent an afternoon in this picturesque city. We found it be quite charming with plenty of options for outdoor summer activities. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and found a large number of people running and biking on the Capitol City State Trail along the waterfront as well as boating and kayaking on both lakes. If you find yourself in Madison and are looking for some great views in and around the city, here are our 4 favorite places:

Capitol Square– The state capitol building in Madison is definitely photogenic and the area around the square has numerous shops and restaurants. We grabbed a coffee from Bradbury’s Coffee shop before a quick walk around the Capitol building. From the western corner of the square, don’t miss out on strolling down State Street, a pedestrian only street that leads straight to the University of Wisconsin campus.

Memorial Union Terrace at the University of Wisconsin– Especially on a sunny summer day, the view of Lake Mendota from this terrace is quite beautiful. There are plenty of nearby restaurants, coffee shops and food stands to grab lunch or a drink and hang out for a while. Don’t worry, there are plenty of couples and families at the Memorial Union, not just college students.

Olin Park– This is a city park on the edge of Lake Monona that provides excellent views of the Madison skyline. There are picnic areas, a beach, walking paths, soccer and baseball fields and even a boat launch.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens– These gardens contain 16 acres of of outdoor display gardens on the edge of Lake Monona that are free of charge (there is a fee to enter the Bolz Conservatory). The many gardens include the Thai pavilion and garden, herb garden, rose garden, sunken garden and the perennial garden. There are plenty of benches throughout the park, both sunny and shady, and we loved sitting and enjoying the view.

Although I am an Ohio State fan born and raised, I can always appreciate a beautiful city, even if it is home to a rival Big 10 school. Madison, Wisconsin is a charming Midwestern city that is definitely worthy of a road trip.