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5 free things in Madison, from campus to Capitol

MADISON, Wis. - Nestled on an isthmus that's home to both buttoned-up politicians in the state Capitol and more liberal-leaning college students just a short walk away, Madison lives up to its endearing unofficial motto as "77 square miles surrounded by reality."

Madisonians proudly ride their bikes all year, no matter how cold or icy it is, boast of shopping at natural foods co-ops, cheer for the University of Wisconsin Badgers, liberally consume Wisconsin-made cheese and beer, and every now and then rise up in protest. Here are five ways to experience Madison as a visitor, all of them free.

The Capitol Dome

The state Capitol, the highest point of Madison's modest skyline at just over 284 feet, marks both the geographic and cultural center of the city. The University of Wisconsin campus, home to about 41,000 students, is less than a mile's walk to the west. Boating-friendly Lake Mendota lies to the north, with Lake Monona to the south. The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Monona Terrace convention center rests on the shores of that lake, where Otis Redding died in a plane crash in 1967. There's a tough-to-find memorial plaque there that only the most dedicated music fans seek out. Back under the dome, visitors can appreciate the architectural wonder of the building constructed with 43 varieties of stone from around the world, hand-carved furniture and glass mosaics. You can even sit at state lawmakers' desks, when they're not in session, or watch them debate from public galleries when they are.

Cheese!

Just outside the doors of the Capitol, wrapping all the way around the Capitol square, the Dane County Farmers Market boasts about 160 vendors selling cheese, meat, cheese, bread, cheese, fruits and vegetables, cheese, and, well, cheese. But you don't need to spend anything to enjoy the market, which runs from April into November. There are plenty of samples to be had. But just make sure you don't stick out - the crowd moves in a very orderly counterclockwise fashion, not unlike a herd of dairy cows.

Positively State Street

The bike- and pedestrian-only thoroughfare (mind the buses and delivery trucks, though) runs about three-quarters of a mile from the Capitol to the UW campus. In many ways it's the true heart of Madison, the place where politicians and buttoned-up state government types mingle with the more free-spirited undergrads, along with the general population drawn to its mixture of bars, restaurants, boutiques, head shops, clothing stores and more. It's people-watching at its finest.

The Terrace

At the campus end of State Street, along the shores of Lake Mendota, lies one of Madison's most popular destinations - the Memorial Union Terrace. Just think of it as Madison's back porch. Here visitors can rest on one of the sunburst-colored metal chairs and stare out onto the lake to watch sailboats float by, or perhaps catch the rowing team practicing. Come on the right night - which is just about every night - and there will be a band playing for free. It takes some money, but beer and ice cream are also for sale. But like any good college student, if you hook up with the right group of friends, those treats can be had for free as well.

Bike home

Taking in all Madison has to offer doesn't have to be done by foot only. Regularly named as one of the nation's best cities for biking, Madison has about 50 miles of bike paths and more than 110 miles of bike lanes. They run through the downtown campus and Capitol districts, into the nearby urban neighborhoods out into suburbia. You can bike to the all-natural food co-ops (there's more than one), the free children's zoo, or even a favorite brew pub or craft beer bar (there are several). Madisonians bike to work, bike to play and even bike to train for events like the annual Ironman competition where participants swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 and then, just for kicks, run 26.2 miles. Participating in Ironman isn't free, but watching from the sidelines is.

A crowd relaxes at Memorial Union Terrace in Madison, Wis. The terrace on State Street by the University of Wisconsin campus is a popular destination, almost like the city's back porch, with metal chairs for relaxing, hanging out and looking at Lake Mendota. ASSOCIATED PRESS/GREATER MADISON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Monona Terrace convention center rests on the shores of that lake, where Otis Redding died in a plane crash in 1967. There's a tough-to-find memorial plaque there that only the most dedicated music fans seek out. ASSOCIATED PRESS file photo
The state Capitol, the highest point of Madison's modest skyline at just over 284 feet, marks both the geographic and cultural center of the city. ASSOCIATED PRESS file photo
The Dane County Farmers Market in Madison, Wis., boasts about 160 vendors selling cheese, meat, cheese, bread, cheese, fruits and vegetables, cheese, and, well, cheese. But you don't need to spend anything to enjoy the market, which runs from April into November. There are plenty of samples to be had. ASSOCIATED PRESS file photo
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