1. Country Inn & Suites Monona
City: Monona, WI
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (608) 221-0055
Address: 400 River Plaza
Description: Right off the Beltline Highway at the Monona Drive exit, this hotel could just as easily pass as “south side.” Rooms come with king or queen beds and include cable TVs, telephones with free local calls, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, and hair dryers. A small swimming pool, whirlpool, exercise room, and business center are on-site. Breakfast and Internet service are included in the rates. Pets are allowed. Wheelchair accessible rooms are offered.
2. Americinn Lodge And Suites Of Madison South
City: Monona, WI
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (608) 222-8601 or (800) 396-50
Address: 101 West Broadway
Description: The location, just off the Beltline Highway near Monona Drive, puts the hotel outside the downtown and Alliant Energy Center areas, but the proximity to the highway grants quick access to both. The John Nolen Drive exit for the center and a five-minute drive to downtown is only about 2 miles west and the far west side is only about another 10-minute drive (depending on traffic of course). The property itself is clean and modern, a good economical choice with 61 rooms and four suites (three of those are two-bedroom). Beds are a king or two queens. Room amenities include two-line telephones with free local calls and voice mail, clock radios, coffeemakers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, easy chairs, and work desks. DVD players are available from the front desk. Cable and wireless Internet are included and newspapers are delivered to the rooms. Suites offer fireplaces or whirlpools. Breakfast offers cereals, pastries, bagels, biscuits and gravy, waffles, juice, and coffee and is included in the rates. A heated indoor pool and sauna are on property as is a business center. Guest laundry and an ATM are also here. Children under 12 stay free. Wheelchair accessible rooms are offered. Restaurants up Monona Drive are close by and downtown is only 15 minutes away.
3. Monona Grove School District
City: Monona, WI
Category: Education
Telephone: (608) 221-7660
Address: 5301 Monona Dr.
Description: Monona is tucked in right under Madison on the east side of Lake Monona and has its own school district for just under 3,000 students both in Monona and the community of Cottage Grove. Cottage Grove has its own three schools offering grades pre-K and 1, 2 through 4, and 5 through 8 in separate buildings. Monona has a prekindergarten through grade 2 school, a grade 3 through 6 location, and both a standard and alternative high school. The district also operates Together 4 Kids, an early learning program offered for four-year-olds at five locations throughout the two communities.
4. The Right Step
City: Monona, WI
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (608) 221-1921
Address: 1004 East Broadway
Description: This dance studio, run by a couple of professional instructors, offers classes, workshops, and open dances for varying prices. Styles are many including ballroom, Latin dances, country dancing, and much more.
5. Rutabaga Paddlesports, Llc
City: Monona, WI
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (608) 223-9300 or (800) I-PADD
Address: 220 West Broadway
Description: In business since the 1970s, Rutabaga takes its unlikely name from a building it once occupied. Their waterside location allows you to test paddle the canoe or kayak you’re considering. Staff is extremely knowledgeable about the sport and equipment, not to mention, places to go. Canoe & Kayak Magazine granted Rutabaga the Paddlesports Retailer of the Year Award several times. Rutabaga Outdoor Programs is the largest flatwater paddling school in the country. It offers a variety of courses and certifications for all ages. The shop rents canoes and kayaks for half- and full days for around $25 and $40 respectively. Tip: All day Sunday is counted as a half-day. Rentals must leave and return from the shop’s dock. Call about off-site exceptions. Open daily.
6. Monona Public Library
City: Monona, WI
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (608) 222-6127
Address: 1000 Nichols Rd.
Description: Considering the melting pot of Madison’s population, one can expect a corresponding spectrum of spiritual beliefs. Christians, especially Lutherans and Catholics, may be the largest population, but does not even begin to summarize the scope. Even within the Christian community are faith-free churches, Greek Orthodox, and African American congregations. Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and even Wiccan are represented. Many religious-based foundations contribute to local charities and causes. The Freedom from Religion Foundation (www.ffrf.org) is a group of atheists and agnostics that focus on keeping church and state separate with attention to detail and a passion that approaches the religious itself. Watch around Dec when the battles over holiday decorations begin down at the Capitol. Grace Episcopal on 6 North Carroll St. opened its doors back in 1858 and today is the only church on the Capitol Square. Lutheran churches are the most abundant. Arguably the best known—possibly for its size or its reputable outreach programs—is Bethel Lutheran at 312 Wisconsin Ave. What started as an 1855 Norwegian Lutheran congregation now also offers service in Spanish and with signing for the deaf. The Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel and Student Center at 220 West Gilman St. is active on campus for worship, Bible study, and other social programs, as is St. Paul’s University Chapel at 723 State St. Holy Redeemer Church at 120 West Johnson St. is a German Catholic church dating to 1869, the second oldest in town. With a congregation dating back to before Wisconsin became a state, First United Methodist Church at 203 Wisconsin Ave. offers youth ministries programs and outreach including a food pantry. The largest Catholic churches are St. Dennis on the east side at 313 Dempsey Rd., and Our Lady Queen of Peace on the west side at 401 South Owen Dr. Blessed Sacrament on the west side at 2116 Hollister St. is also rather popular. Mount Zionist Baptist at 2019 Fisher St. is the largest African American congregation in town.Synagogues include the Beth Israel Center at 1406 Mound St. and Temple Beth El, which is a Reform congregation, at 2702 Arbor Dr. The B’nai N’rith Hillel Foundation near campus at 611 Langdon St. is also a good resource for the Jewish community. The Islamic Centre of Madison can be found at 21 North Orchard St. and the Society of Friends Quaker Meeting House is located at 1704 Roberts Ct. Buddhists have resources at Deer Park Center, a Buddhist monastery in nearby Oregon, WI. The Dalai Lama seems to be a regular visitor to Madison, drawing admirers from a variety of faiths to his speaking engagements. If you are Greek Orthodox, or if you haven’t seen the ornate Byzantine style, stop in at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church at 11 North Seventh St. The First Unitarian Society of Madison has some interesting digs at 900 University Bay Dr. Frank Lloyd Wright was the architect behind its design. Circle Sanctuary welcomes others of the Shamanic Wiccan tradition and has a 200-acre nature preserve in the hills near Barneveld, WI (www.circlesanctuary.org).
7. Fat Jacks Barbecue
City: Monona, WI
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (608) 221-4220
Address: 6207 Monona Dr.
Description: Hickory-smoked barbecue is the main attraction and the back ribs come highly recommended. Like most barbecue joints the atmosphere is casual. The decor at Fat Jacks is old Wisconsin and the beer selection also remains loyal to the home state. Watch for all-you-can-eat ribs and chicken specials. Barbecue sauce, often served on the side rather than on the meat, comes in hot and mild options. Burgers and sandwiches are also on the menu and a simple salad bar offers something beyond the meat. A good ole Wisconsin fish fry is hosted on Fri. Closed on Mon. Otherwise open for lunch and dinner on weekdays, closing briefly between meals, and open for dinner only on weekends. Wheelchair accessible.
8. Rutabaga Paddlesports
City: Monona, WI
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (608) 223-9300
Address: 220 West Broadway
Description: Most famous for its incredible selection and knowledge of canoes and kayaks, Rutabaga also carries camping equipment. Situated on the water’s edge near Lake Monona, the shop offers test-paddling of their boats. They host Canoecopia, the nation’s largest paddling expo, in Mar. They also sell used boats and rent equipment. Open daily.
9. Aldo Leopold Nature Center—Edna Taylor Conservation Park
City: Monona, WI
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (608) 221-0404
Address: 300 Femrite Dr.
Description: Named for the famous Wisconsin conservationist, the center itself exemplifies green building practices by using recycled and natural materials and renewable energy systems. On either side of the property are local conservation parks with hiking trails. The center overlooks a pond often occupied by Canada geese, prairie restoration, and its own Web of short trails. The award-winning Leopold Interpretive Trail takes hikers through habitats native to Wisconsin and offers in-depth signage with thought-provoking questions. Look for the 200-year old hickory tree on-site. The center is open weekdays during business hours, but the trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Pets are not allowed in the park. Tours and programs are by appointment only so call the center (608) 221-4038 or register online to either join one or in some cases get on a waiting list. Most of the events have fees per person or per family and members of the nature center receive discounts. Adjoining the nature center to the east is the 56-acre Edna Taylor conservation park that contains 1.3 miles of trails through oak savanna, forest, meadows, and restored wetlands and includes a bit of boardwalk through the cattails therein. It’s a lovely place to spot some wildlife and wildflowers. Only the forest trails are partly shaded otherwise expect to use sunscreen.