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Outdoor topics => Travel Guide => Topic started by: Crusarius on April 28, 2017, 12:37:22 PM

Title: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on April 28, 2017, 12:37:22 PM
So my wife has a conference in Madison Wisconsin. We will be there from July 23-29 2017. Anybody know of anything fun to do? or anyone fun to meet?

Will be driving from Canadice NY.

Wife will be in conferences some of the time so I will be stuck with the 2 year old till she is done.

I have no idea how I am going to be able to handle this. But I have been looking forward to  a road trip for quite a while.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: sawguy21 on April 28, 2017, 02:01:31 PM
You are really gouing to appreciate her when this is over. ;D
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: bluthum on April 28, 2017, 09:19:05 PM
The capitol building is a very interesting place. Amazing woodwork and marble in there. Also it is perched smack between 2 good sized lakes. The university is right there too. Ever hear of the Forests Products Lab?

I'm not a town guy but this one is pretty cool.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: pineywoods on April 28, 2017, 09:36:49 PM
Few miles east is Oshkosh. Airport there is the world's busiest during that week. Usually 10,000+ airplanes, if it might fly, it's there. 3 hour airshow every day.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on April 29, 2017, 10:45:17 AM
Quote from: sawguy21 on April 28, 2017, 02:01:31 PM
You are really gouing to appreciate her when this is over. ;D

I already do :) but I know you are 1 million percent correct :)
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on April 29, 2017, 10:46:31 AM
Thanx everyone for all the great ideas. the Airshow sounds awesome. My wife and I are really big into architecture so that sounds great to.

oh so much to do, so little time. Lots of research.

Keep it coming :)
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: pineywoods on April 29, 2017, 11:07:43 AM
If you are into that sort of thing, one of the 2 airworthy B29 bombers in the world will be on display...Everything from hang gliders to heavy bombers..
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: pabst79 on July 12, 2017, 09:27:57 PM
 If you want to get out of the city 30-40 miles, and you like architecture, you should definitely visit House on the Rock. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, kinda spendy to get in, but it's pretty weird and worth it. On the way there or on the way back, Cave of the mounds is worth stopping at, easy walking cave tours are fun. If your staying downtown, a few blocks south there is a Zoo, Henry Vilas Zoo, kids always enjoy that place.   
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 13, 2017, 08:19:49 AM
Always love architecture. Almost had a job working at Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd right company).

Looks like I have a lot of planning to do. thanx everyone for your feedback. This forum is awesome.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Don P on July 13, 2017, 08:46:25 PM
Taliesin east is in Spring Green.  The mistake on the lake is another of FLW's designs right down from the capitol. (Michelle just reminded me it's name is Minona Terrace). Downtown is quite walkable and nice, there is also a big farmers market. The UW Arboretum is nice. There's a dinner theater in Ft Atkinson. Friday night fish fry just about anywhere is good.

Edit, Did Wright design House on the Rock, I thought the owner did?
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 14, 2017, 07:38:55 AM
Wright did not it was alex something that did that one. Still pretty kool though.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: pabst79 on July 14, 2017, 05:06:05 PM
Yep, I always think House on the Rock was FLW, but it was that Jordan fella. The infinity room itself is almost worth the trip. Circus World Museum up in Baraboo is a short drive, also a really cool place. Then there is the WI Dells, great if you like water parks, thousands of people and everything to be over priced  :D.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 20, 2017, 12:50:42 PM
So, it looks like the wife is in seminars all day Tuesday 7/25. Wednesday we will be going to the children's museum with my cousin, Thursday she is in seminars half the day.

So it looks like I need to find something to do Tuesday and some of Thursday. I will have the 2 year old with me so it is going to be quite challenging.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 20, 2017, 12:55:01 PM
There is a free zoo and beech real close to where we are staying that may end up being thursday morning.

Right now I am trying to figure out if I pay tolls all the way to WI or if I go through canada. Not sure what makes the more sense. Any opinions?
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Grizzly on July 20, 2017, 01:33:10 PM
Go through CANADA!!! Lots of great people here.  ;D  (just like most of USA)

I have run most of the toll roads from Beloit,IL through to the east side of NY by truck and found travel to be good but I don't know cost for a car. I hate Chicago but actual travel time really isn't that bad.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 21, 2017, 05:46:07 PM
Grizzly how far away are you? You may be the perfect midway point :)
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Grizzly on July 21, 2017, 09:10:00 PM
Well.......if you take the scenic route. I'm way up in what's called northern Saskatchewan. Waaayyy off your route. But your gladly welcome.

It would only add 2550 miles onto your travels!  Noticed Batavia when I googled your location. Delivered a new Versatile tractor there in summer of 1998.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 21, 2017, 09:12:20 PM
I would like to visit up there one day. I really want to drive to AK one day to. I been up there twice already. Didn't get enough.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 22, 2017, 06:59:46 PM
Well heading out tomorrow morning. Looks like taking 86 out of NY and getting on 90 in PA. to 294 in IL. hmm looks like it turns back into 90.

Apparently I am taking 90 the entire way. thats at least the plan now.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 22, 2017, 07:00:01 PM
Yea, batavia is only bout 40 minutes from home.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 22, 2017, 07:12:30 PM
I think right now the plan is to go straight to madison grabbing a room for the night somewhere in the middle. then on the way home stop and visit ppl. anybody want me to visit?

I do have all day tuesday and the morning of thursday I am going to have to entertain myself and a 2 year old boy. I have no idea how I am going to do that.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Grizzly on July 22, 2017, 09:39:56 PM
I had my dad to show me how when he had my older nephews, but this I learned from him. Entertaining children is easy. Very easy, but requires a humility. When I am with little children those family that are with me say how embarrassed they are but the little children and those watching are having a good time. Get down on your hands and knees someday and check out how our world looks like to a little child. It's awesome and very entertaining. We just gotta relax and play along like we're not much older. Sorry for preaching but little ones are so easy. Not like teenagers!! Anyway, enjoy your time with your lad. It'll never repeat itself.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 23, 2017, 09:07:56 AM
Grizzly thanx for the advice. I have done that before. One of the best things to give a kid is a cheap digital camera. It's amazing some of the things they take pictures of.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: thecfarm on July 23, 2017, 09:31:42 AM
A 2 year old!!
Got a ball and a place to roll-throw it? Playground? Just walk. I had a niece and I use to take her for about 4-5 hours on Saturday. I could even bring her back dirty.  ;D That took a while for Mom to understand the dirty part. Man,couldn't she talk on that age.  ;D  I use to tell her,You just talk to hear yourself talk.   ;D    But she and I had alot of fun. I really just let her do what she wanted,as long as she could not get hurt,and she had fun with me and I had fun with her. She could ask some questions too.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: samandothers on July 23, 2017, 10:51:59 AM
My DIL and son use a phone app something like Road Trip or such and they have enjoyed what it has presented to them.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 23, 2017, 10:50:32 PM
Well we spent roughly 10 hours driving today. Made it to Howe Indiana. Chilling at best western plus then will continue in the morning.

Kid did awesome. We stopped in Erie Pa at the peninsula and had lunch. Kid did not care for splashing waves.

Think we have 4.5 hours left tomorrow.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 24, 2017, 07:10:30 PM
Made it to the room. fought through the insane firewall and finally got in. Now the real fun begins. What to do with a 2 year for 4 days.

Actually its not bad. Think I have tuesday covered wednesday will be going to childrens museum. Then Thursday morning I need to figure out what to do and thursday afternoon probably going to go to rock lake.

The F-150 was kinda squeamish driving into the parking garage.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 27, 2017, 02:12:22 PM
So I spent all day tuesday with beenthere. The kid had a ball and I am pretty sure him and his wife were very happy to have him there.

Wedensday we spent most of the day at the childrens museum and then paroused the capital building on the way back to the hotel. There is a some really great history in that building. And amazing architecture.

Thursday I took the kid for a walk down minona lake outside the hotel. And now he is snoozing while I am thinking about quiznos :).

So far has been a great trip. Will be leaving friday around noon and heading out. I don't have to work till monday so we are going to take our time on the way home and maybe do the tourist thing.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on July 30, 2017, 03:14:10 PM
Made it home safe last night just before midnight. Great trip. Thanx to everyone for the suggestions. I really wanted to do all the things but the kid and I already ran all over the place going crazy.

Was a great trip. Definitely look forward to the next one.
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Bert on August 01, 2017, 12:42:09 PM
I probably just missed you or maybe crossed paths at Presque Isle and didnt know it. Its a 3 hr drive for me.  I was there with the family in that time frame. Im not from that area but try to go every few months. Small world :)
Title: Re: Madison, Wisconsin
Post by: Crusarius on August 01, 2017, 12:56:02 PM
yea, we hit it on the way out and on the way back. The way back was the festival. That was a mistake.