Culture and Recreation

Things to Do

Biking and Hiking: The Waunakee region features more than 38 trails covering 477 miles.

Parks: A total of 27 parks comprising more than 272 acres are located in the Village, offering everything from sports facilities and nature preserves to a living history farm museum an panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Governor Nelson State Park: Nestled on the shores of Lake Mendota, Governor Nelson offers a sand beach, boating, picnicking, and a chance to explore both woodland and restored prairie all with a view of Wisconsin’s Capitol right across the lake.

Wisconsin Dells: Wisconsin Dells, a city in southern Wisconsin, lies on the Wisconsin River in a region of glacier-carved sandstone formations. Its numerous theme parks and entertainment centers include Noah’s Ark Water Park, and Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park. Mirror Lake State Park, a forested reserve surrounding the namesake lake, is known for nature trails and camping.

The Meadows of Sixmile Creek: Surrounded by beautiful woods and wetlands, this golf course is rated as one of the 50 best places to play in Wisconsin. (Source: Golf Course Owners of Wisconsin)

Farmer’s Market: Weekly from May to October, the bounty of the region’s farmers and artisan food produce is on sale.

Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries: You can quench your thirst is a number of ways. Check out these cool spots in and around Waunakee:  Lone Girl Brewing Co., Octopi Brewing, Parched Eagle Brewery, Drumlin Ridge Winery, and J Henry Distillery. We are also near the famous Wolersheim Winery and New Glarus Brewing.

SteelWool Studio: Founded by a metal artist and a painter and knitter, the studio’s workplace is on display, and it offers a wide variety of handcrafted gifts.

House on the Rock: The sprawling house, built on a chimney of rock, houses an amazing assortment of items and exhibits, including the world’s largest carousel.

Arts on Main: Each year the Village invites artists to design a work to adorn a steel cutout representing the chosen theme and displays them along Main Street. Past themes included goats, trains, barns and mutts.

State Street: In the heart of the city, where State Street meets the Capitol Square, you will find the area’s best destination for shopping, dining, entertainment and events in downtown Madison.

Madison’s Children’s Museum: The Madison Children’s Museum is an award-winning destination for fun family activities and hands-on learning! Visit the inventive city of Possible-opolis and the four-season Rooftop Ramble, with animals and gardens.

Kohl Center: The Kohl Center is an arena and athletic center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building, which opened in 1998, is the home of the university’s men’s basketball and ice hockey teams, and the women’s basketball team. It is the second largest indoor venue in Wisconsin and the largest outside Milwaukee.