Middleton, WI - Kidsville

In Middleton near the west side of Madison, is a lovely place called Lakeside Park. Within that park is the playful Splash Pad, a happy little outdoor water park for children of all ages, but especially the little ones. Water shoots out of the ground, out of posts, out of turtles, bubbles out of the cement, rolls out of high buckets and onto expecting little heads...it's fantastic! We took our 1-year-old cautious niece this summer, and though she didn't run loudly from spout to spout (she's much too refined for that), she did spend over half an hour playing with a stream of water that shot out of the ground, smiling and laughing and splashing all the while. If you're looking for a way to spend a warm day, you can do so easily at the Splash Pad. Shelter is nearby for picnics, a dry playground is nearby, and plenty of warm grass and trees surround the area. Splash around with your kids or just sit on the bench and watch the aquatic theater. Have fun!

6300 Mendota Avenue
Memorial Day to Labor Day
10:00am - 7:00pm

Indianapolis, Indiana - Art Installations

I just found out about a new outdoor art park from watching a Vlogbrothers video, and this place looks great! It's in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a 100 acre park full of temporary art exhibits meant for people to experience through sight and touch. That's our kind of art! (This pic shows the basketball court in which you can play actual basketball as long as you dodge around the artsy arcs.) You can read a fantastic article about it in the New York Times, or visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art's website for lots of information. I'm really impressed and can't wait to visit. We need more of these places! Are there any near you?

4000 Michigan Road

Milwaukee, WI - Art Installations

A friend drove me to the parking ramp at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee just so we could park on top and watch the Cubatron-esque light show. It was beautiful! A large section of the casino's exterior wall facing the parking ramp holds a 6-story wall of light with effects that simulate rain, fire, a lightning storm, and colorful abstracts. Surrounded by thick fog reminiscent of a dust storm and with a full moon in the sky, we watched the LED art wall and felt for a few moments as if we were still on the playa. This is a light show I'd bring a chair to next time so I could sit and watch while sitting right there on the sidewalk. Check out this video and Welcome Wall artist info!

Off Hwy 94 near downtown Milwaukee

Madison, WI - Past The Trash Fence

For art outside the city of Madison, one of my favorite places to visit is Dr. Evermor's art park just south of Baraboo on Hwy 12. Dr. Evermor's largest sculpture is called the Forevertron and is worth a visit at least once, though I doubt once will be enough. My favorite part of the park is the field full of peacocks. Entrance is free, though lately the park hasn't been open during some posted hours. Here's hoping Dr. Evermor's in good health.

Hwy 12 northwest of Madison

Madison, WI - Art Installations

There is so much outdoor art to see in Madison! One of my favorites is called "Dreamkeepers" by Dr. Evermor (see "Past The Trash Fence" for more about him). Two giant birds made of metal stand in front of a building near downtown Madison and just a few blocks from a nearby bike trail. These birds are 3-stories tall and just amazing!

211 S. Paterson Street

Madison, WI - Center Camp

My vote for Center Camp in Madison, WI is...the Memorial Union Terrace of UW-Madison!

I've spent several summer evenings in sunburst chairs with friends, and many years watching the July 4th fireworks across the lake. In addition to coffee, the memorial union offers ice cream made from the UW's own dairy, brat and beer sales in the summer, art galleries, free concerts in summer (outside on the terrace or inside in the Rathskeller), beautiful lake views and plenty of seating to see it from, rentals to use on the lake, and much more. That, and its proximity to museums, concert halls, theaters, and pedestrian-friendly State Street make it a prime choice. If you're lucky, you may even see some LED hula-hooping behind the stage on a Saturday night.

800 Langdon Street

Getting Started!

I've come up with some categories and plan to fill in each area as I come across new information. I'll start with my own city - Madison, Wisconsin - and add more as things go. I can't wait to find new stuff! And if you find something's missing from the list, feel free to share! Here's what I have so far.

Center Camp: The social center of the city with free events. And coffee.

Art Installations: Outdoor art and architecture to explore.

Theme Camps: Music? Art? Costume-friendly? Events? Places with year-round activity.

WhatWhereWhen: Festivals and events that happen once per year.

Kidsville: The best playgrounds and parks.

Past The Trash Fence: Art outside the city.

Hot Springs: Nature's art outside the city.

I look forward to this experiment of carrying the playa spirit into default life!