A robust, diverse economy
Madison anchors a thriving economic region bolstered by deep connections across state government, business, and the world-class University of Wisconsin–Madison. Wisconsin’s recent designation as a Regional Tech Hub for biohealth from the U.S. Department of Commerce recognizes a bold, burgeoning sector in bioscience technology.
Other major industries in the area include the University Health system, an incubation hub for start-ups called University Research Park, agriculture, information technology and advanced manufacturing.
Community
Madison is a famously friendly town, and its community-mindedness also runs deep. A broad network of community centers enriches every major area of the city, and volunteer opportunities for every interest abound: from maintaining lakes and parks, to tutoring in literacy, conversational English, and other subjects, to participating in arts and music organizations, and much more. Madison is home to many different faith communities always welcoming new members, as well as recreation groups of all stripes, like gaming, pottery, woodworking and cooking.
Culture
Madison embraces exciting art and music scenes and a proud sporting tradition as “Badger Nation” with equal passion. Downtown is home to the Chazen Museum of Art, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Children’s Museum and the Overture Center for the Arts, home of the Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. Not far east you’ll find the Olbrich Botanical Gardens and scattered across the city are live music venues with daily offerings.
Come fall, Madison turns into a sea of red and white, as Badger fans flock to the historic Camp Randall Stadium or Kohl Center. In the summer, Madisonians celebrate local USL League One soccer team Forward Madison FC and the summer collegiate minor league baseball team the Madison Mallards. Cricket fans? Follow (or join!) Madison Cricket Association!
Food, glorious food — and drink!
Known for “punching above its weight” when it comes to dining, Madison offers a plate for every palate. Among your options: an always-evolving James Beard award-winning fine dining scene, classic Wisconsin supper clubs, greasy spoons diners and dairy bars, East or West African spots, and a diverse range of Asian restaurants representing many regional Chinese specialities, as well as Hmong and Laotian cuisines.
On Saturday mornings, you can shop alongside many local chefs at the one-mile-loop Dane County Farmers Market, the largest producer-only farmers market in the country, while picking up a bag of the state’s famous “squeaky” fresh cheese curds. A well established gem in America’s craft brewery scene, Madison also makes a mean cocktail, most famously the brandy Old Fashioned.
The great outdoors
For many Madisonians, getting outdoors all year long is a way of life. On foot or bike, on boat, on snowshoes, skates, and skis — the city’s exceptional outdoor infrastructure supports dabblers and diehards alike. The city is crossed by 200 miles of renowned bike paths and hiking trails, regularly earning top spots in bike-friendly rankings.
Known as Teejop or “Four Lakes” by its Ho-Chunk Nation founders, Madison also boasts more than 15,000 acres of lakes and beaches, along with 260 parks for skiing, camping and many more recreational opportunities in a breathtaking natural environment that spreads to every corner of the state.
Connectivity
Nestled in south central Wisconsin, Madison is less than three hours’ drive from Chicago and four hours from Minneapolis — vibrant Midwestern cities worth a weekend visit as well as easy portals to any international destination. The Dane County Regional Airport serving Madison is five miles from downtown, accessible by public transport, and offers sixteen nonstop flights across the country, from Phoenix and Denver to New York, Philadelphia, and DC, to Orlando and Miami.
