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Madison, Wisconsin
Madison
is the capital city of Wisconsin and the second biggest city in the state,
after Milwaukee. It is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is
one of the quickest growing communities in the state. The city was created
by federal judge James Doty when he bought over a thousand acres of swamp
and forest lands on an isthmus between the Mendota and Monona Lakes, in the
four lakes region. The judge bribed legislators and promised voters cheap
property prices to get the city to become the capital of the newly formed
territory, in 1836. He named the city on paper, Madison after the 4th
President who had just died. In November of that year, the legislature
passed a measure naming the city of Madison, the new capital, even though
there was not a city there; only on paper. The cornerstone was laid the
next year, and the legislature met there in 1838, but the village wasn't
incorporated until 1848, with a population of 626.
The city's biggest employer is the state, with the
University of Wisconsin being the second biggest. Because of the graduating
classes of the college, and its high concentration of degreed people, the
economy is changing to a more consumer and high tech based business. Almost
half the residents hold at least a bachelor's degree and Forbes Magazine
stated in 2004 that the city had the most PhDs. The University of Wisconsin
Hospital and Clinics is a great regional teaching hospital and trauma center
with strength's in endocrinology, digestive disorders, oncology and
transplant medicine. Other area hospitals include; Meriter Hospital, St.
Mary's and the VA Medical Center. There are numerous energy, insurance,
banking and technology companies headquartered there to assist the local
economy and Oscar Mayer has been there for years. Pizza chains Rocky
Rococo, Glass Nickel Pizza Company and Pizza Pit started there.
The Dane County Regional Airport handles the majority
of the flights to and from Madison, with Madison Metro bus services handling
a lot more. The rest of the traveling is done by auto, although light rail
and railroad service has been on the table for many years. In 1996, Money
Magazine said the city was the best place to live in the nation and has been
consistently in the top ever since, stating the low unemployment as the top
reason. The chamber orchestra plays free concerts on the lawn of the
capitol building and the Great Taste of the Midwest beer fest is held on the
second Saturday in August; and is the second longest running event of its
kind in the country. The Rhythm and Booms is a huge fireworks display set
to music and is a favorite each year. Ice-boating, skating, fishing,
cross-country skiing, ice hockey and snow kiting are among the favorite
recreations in the winter. And the rest of the year is devoted to the many
lakes, with sailing, biking and hiking.
The city was named the healthiest in America by Men's
Journal magazine in 2004 and many of the city's streets are designated bike
lanes with one of best bike trails around. The city has a fair share of
co-ops in grocery stores to housing, as well as engineering firms and cab
companies. Bicycling is a big business in Madison and Wisconsin, as it
has the capacity to handle over 20% of the industry needs. Music is another
venue that holds great benefits for the city, as well as for those residents
that partake of this exciting recreation. The opera is very present in the
city with a complete season of offerings and the drum and bugle corps from
the university is one of the best in the nation. Many popular bands have
started here and continue to play the area. It also contains enough music
studios to put any band on the map and radio. During the summer months, the
amount of shows that vibrate through the city streets are really marvelous
and well attended. With the number of museums and performing arts, Madison
has enough diversity to entertain everyone in the city and bring in more
visitors to enjoy the arts. Its architecture is second to none, having
raised the talented Frank Lloyd Wright and other equally impressive
architects. It is home to many sports venues, especially those that are
related to the university scene and may be included in the Olympics for
2016, hosting it with the city of Chicago.
On your next
trip to Madison, enjoy all the
sights that are there with a new rental car that will allow you to
use your money and time on other adventures. It will also add some
great flexibility to your stay. Many people will pick up their
rental car at or near the Madison Airport where they have a greater
selection to choose from. The car rental company can and will pick
you up at or near the Madison Airport to make the whole process
easier on you. Whatever your needs are, whether a compact,
mid-size, full-size, luxury car, minivan or SUV, the rental company
will be able to help you choose the best car for your needs.
Dollar Rental Car Specials
Dollar Rental Car - Madison Airport
This beautiful and scenic trail is almost finished
having been established by the Congress in 1980, called the Ice Age Trail,
and traveling over 1200 miles of Wisconsin countryside. As of 2008, it was
almost 1100 miles completed with regular hiking trails, multi use trails and
connecting roads and sidewalks. It follows the southern most route of the
last continental glaciation. This ice glacier began moving into the area
almost 30,000 years ago and stopped about 10,000 years ago, while at its
height, about 21,000 years ago, the Bering Land Bridge allowed the migration
of humans to come here from Siberia. It changed the entire face of the
landscape above the Ohio River, with ice covering a majority of Canada, New
England, the upper Midwest and parts of Montana and Washington. The story
of the ice age, what it did and where it did it is available in the books
written about it, but to see the resulting magnificence is much better and
more enjoyable. You could always read about the ice age while hiking the
trail. Not a very glamorous vacation or trip, but one that would absolutely
appreciate the beauty and serenity in our country.
Thrifty Rental
Car Specials
Thrifty Rental Car - Madison Airport
This fantastic Roman Renaissance style building has the only dome made on
granite, out of all the capitol buildings in the nation. Containing over 40
magnificent examples of stones from all over the world, the Madison capitol
is an awesome sight. The wall murals and handmade furniture reflect the
thought and love that went into this wonderful sight. The observation deck
affords views of the city and various lakes in the area, and the site is
host to many great events that take place there during the year. The
Farmers Markets and folk festivals bring out the majesty of the landscaping
and building allowing the citizens of Madison and Wisconsin to be proud of
their capitol, their building and their state. |