Madison metropolitan area
United States · Americas
About Madison metropolitan area
The Greater Madison Area is a group of counties anchored by the City of Madison in Southwest Wisconsin. It includes Dane, Jefferson, Dodge and Columbia counties. The area is one of the richer and more cultural areas of the state as the area is primarily comprised of Madison and its bedroom communities, but also includes, Wisconsin Dells, a major resort area.
Madison metropolitan area travel guide
Understand
The Greater Madison Area happened by a twist of fate. In 1829, a federal judge bought the land on the isthmus. When the Wisconsin Territory had to choose a capital, the Madison site was chosen not due to population or wealth but its central location between the Port of Milwaukee, long-time settlements Green Bay and Prairie du Chien and the profitable lead mines in the southwest. Much of the region grew out of the sudden influx of population and resources in Madison. While Madison is the primary driver of the region, many of the outlying cities and particularly Wisconsin Dells, Beaver Dam and Fort Atkinson have very independent economies and cultures. This adds to the area's diversity. Those traveling through the area should not assume that many of the attitudes of "The People's Republic of Dane County" (a tongue-in-cheek reference to the liberal City of Madison) carry over to these areas. Despite this, you should find most residents of the area very friendly and helpful, regardless of their place of origin.
Getting there
By plane 1 Dane County Regional Airport (MSN IATA) has daily flights from a number of hubs including Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Washington D.C. The region is also close to General Mitchell International in Milwaukee meaning that many in the eastern portion of the area would probably opt for General Mitchell over Dane County.
By car Madison is served by the I-94 (from Rockford and Eau Claire) and by the I-90 (from Milwaukee and La Crosse). People heading to the Greater Madison Area can fly into Chicago O'Hare International Airport or Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and drive to the Greater Madison Area on I-90 or I-94, respectively. The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours from Chicago, and 75 minutes from Milwaukee. US-151 serves as a secondary route but is the primary connection between Madison, Dubuque and Green Bay. Most of these routes will also give you easy access to the outlying portions of the region.
By train Amtrak has service on the Empire Builder route, stopping at Columbus (30-minute drive to Madison), Portage (45-minute drive to Madison), and Wisconsin Dells (1-hour drive to Madison). Empire Builder travels east from Milwaukee and Chicago, and west from Minneapolis.
By bus Badger Bus from Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Lamers Connect from Dubuque, Green Bay, Wisconsin Rapids, and Milwaukee. Greyhound from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. Jefferson Lines from Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Van Galder/Coach USA from Chicago. Megabus from Minneapolis and Chicago.
Do
1 Little Americcka Amusement Park, 700 East Main Street, Marshall, ☏ +1 608-620-5224, [email protected]. Check website for operating calendar (closed from Oct-May). Bumper cars, mini rollercoasters, Ferris wheel, minimum-gauge train. Free entry into the park. Most rides cost 1 ticket ($2), though a few rides require up to 3 tickets ($6). Wristbands ($13.95 and up) are available for unlimited rides. (updated Jan 2024)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.