UW-Madison Arboretum

The University of Wisconsin Arboretum is a place where Madison's relationship with nature is written into the landscape. Started in the 1930s on land south of Lake Wingra, it is a research and public space of more than a thousand acres, built around the idea of restoring Midwestern ecosystems rather than simply growing plants. Walking its trails takes you through restored prairies that were once farm fields, oak savanna, maple and oak woods, marshes and the lakeshore, and each season has its own show. Spring brings flowering crabapples and lilacs in the horticultural gardens, summer fills the prairie with tall grasses and flowers, autumn turns the maples and oaks to flame, and winter opens the trails to snowshoes and skis. Admission is free, and the trails are open to walkers and often to cyclists and cross-country skiers on designated routes. It is a rare thing to find this much quiet only a few minutes from downtown, and it makes a good counterpoint to the Capitol and the bars.

Start at the visitor center, where maps, exhibits and staff can help you choose a route based on your time and the season. Popular stops include the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, famous for lilac and crabapple displays in spring; Curtis Prairie, one of the oldest restored prairies in the world, where summer wildflowers and grasses wave over the trail; Wingra Woods; and the lakeside paths on Lake Wingra.

Guided walks and community programs run through the year, and birders will find a good variety of species during the migration seasons. The Arboretum drive loops through the grounds and can be used for a scenic ride, though walking gives a more intimate sense of the plantings and the restored landscapes.

A visit works well in any weather if you dress for it. In summer bring water and bug spray, in autumn look for the red and gold on the maples, and in winter bring boots or snowshoes and expect quiet trails. Because the Arboretum is a research area, stay on marked paths and keep dogs on leashes where required, and be mindful of seasonal closures on sensitive areas or during prescribed burns, a land-management tool you may see in spring or fall.

It is a short drive or bike ride from downtown and from the Henry Vilas Zoo, which sits on the other side of Lake Wingra, so the two can be paired in a half day. Families will find easy loops for strollers and nature-minded kids, and photographers should plan for early morning or late afternoon light. If you only have an hour, a loop through the lilac and crabapple gardens in spring, or the prairie in summer, will give you a feel for why Madisonians cherish this place.

Seasonal highlights make repeat visits worthwhile. In early spring the woods fill with ephemeral wildflowers before the trees leaf out, in late spring the lilacs perfume the air, in summer the prairie hums with insects and birds, and in autumn the oak savanna turns a deep copper. Winter has its own appeal, with snow muffling the sound and animal tracks along the trails. Bring binoculars if you enjoy watching birds, and check the visitor center for guided walks, family programs and volunteer-led events that explain the restoration work behind the landscape.