Hit the Road! 3 Great Day Trips to Take From Madison, WI

November 04, 2022 · 3 min read

Located in the southern part of the state, the city of Madison, WI, is the capital of the state and a great gateway for travelers wanting to explore the urban and natural attractions that Wisconsin has to offer. If you are searching for new destinations to discover in your shiny 2022 Mini Hardtop 4 Door, here are three amazing day trips you can go on with your family or a group of friends.

1. Milwaukee

Although Madison is the capital of Wisconsin, the city of Milwaukee is its largest urban area and one of the most important cultural, economic, and commercial hubs in the Midwest. Sitting on the western shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has a population of over one and a half million inhabitants in its metropolitan area and welcomes tourists from all over the country.

Located just 80 miles east of downtown Madison, Milwaukee is a great day trip destination that can be reached in about one hour and 15 minutes by car via route I-94. Some of the local attractions you should not miss while exploring the city include the Historic Third Ward district, East Town, Veterans Park, the Milwaukee Public Museum, Cathedral Square Park, and the pedestrian promenade along the banks of the Milwaukee River.

2. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge

Covering an area of almost 21,500 acres of wetlands, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge is a top-rated destination for wildlife watching and photography in the entire state of Wisconsin. Established in 1941 and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, this place provides habitat to several species of birds including Canada geese, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, ducks, and pelicans.

Located a little under 70 miles northeast of the Madison city center, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge can be reached in about one hour by car via route US-151, making it a popular day trip and weekend destination for anyone wanting to spend some time away from the bustle of the city. Popular activities among visitors include hiking, fishing, biking, and selective hunting.

3. Devil's Lake State Park

Encompassing an area of over 9,000 acres, Devil's Lake State Park is the largest state park in the state of Wisconsin and a great spot for Madison locals wanting to spend some quality time surrounded by the beautiful nature of the region. This nature reserve was established in 1911 and is located 45 miles northwest of the state capital, making it possible to reach it in less than one hour via route US-12.

If you are thinking of buying a new or used vehicle to explore the wonders of Wisconsin and go on memorable trips, stop searching now and visit us at MINI of Madison! Check out our latest models, ask our team members about our custom deals, and take home a new set of wheels.

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May 05, 2023 in Community

4 Favorite Shopping Spots You Can Drive to From Madison, WI

Madison, WI is a lively city with lots of great places to go shopping. Next time you go bargain hunting, drive your 2023 MINI Cooper Clubman because you will definitely appreciate the cargo space when you're loading the car after snapping up some great deals around town. Check out one of these cool places and see what Madison has to offer. Our 4 Favorite Places to Shop Near Madison, WI 1. Hilldale Shopping Center Hilldale is a great destination to satisfy your retail and dining needs. If you are looking for clothes, check out Macy's, L. L. Bean, or Levi's. Stop by the Apple store if you are in the market for a new gadget. When you get hungry, try something sweet from Gigi's Cupcakes. Be aware that Hilldale, open until 8:00 pm from Monday to Saturday, closes at 6:00 pm on Sundays. This mall is located at 726 North Midvale Blvd. 2. St. Vincent de Paul Dig & Save Outlet St. Vincent's runs thrift shops all over the world, but this location has a twist. Everything is sold by weight, with clothing and accessories going for $1.25/lb and miscellaneous items going for $0.50/lb. You can find the Dig & Save Outlet at 1900 South Park Street, and with the increasing popularity of thrifting and vintage clothes, this could be the perfect place to find a hidden gem. more 3. South Towne Mall You can find South Towne Mall just across Lake Monona at 2101 West Broadway. This mall has retail options like Kohl's and Dollar Tree, as well as a Hobby Lobby for all your hobby and craft needs. If you get hungry, stop by McDonald's or visit Happy Wok for their Chinese buffet. South Towne Mall is open seven days a week. 4. Mid Town Square This retail plaza to the west of Madison has lots of unique businesses to visit. The square, located at 6333 University Ave. in next-door Middleton, is anchored by an ACE Hardware. You can also find refreshment options like Scooter's Coffee, as well as specialty stores like Blue Bar Quilts and GuitarLab. If you are looking for something special and you want the knowledge and attention of a small business, then Mid Town Square is a must-stop for you.Whether you are looking for a pastry, a coffee, or a new pair of pants, these malls and shops have it all in the Madison area. Upgrade your Apple Watch at Hilldale, swing by St. Vincent's for a vintage jacket, and then visit us at MINI of Madison to explore our latest inventory.

Mar 03, 2023 in Community

5 Local Coffee Shops in Driving Distance of Madison, WI

Madison, WI is a scenic town that's perfect for early risers or those who enjoy having a coffee and going for their morning walk. On the days you need a little extra caffeine to help you wake up and start your day, take your 2023 MINI Cooper S for a spin, enjoy its Active Driving Assistant that will help you stay safe, and check out some of these local coffee shops that are located in driving distance of Madison! 1. Fair Trade Coffee House Fair Trade Coffee House is located at 418 State St and is open daily. The shop is independently owned and serves fair trade-certified coffee and espresso. Its menu includes specialty drinks, classic drinks, smoothies, salads and soups, panini-grilled sandwiches, and desserts. Available specialty drinks include white chocolate mochas, dirty chais, caramel macchiatos, Turkish lattes, mocha chillers, and grasshopper mochas. more 2. Wonderstate Coffee Wonderstate Coffee is located at 27 W Main St and is open daily. The shop has a friendly and talented staff, and the cafe works to create an experience that delights the senses of its customers. Its menu includes coffee and espresso, tea and other drinks, food and bakery items, whole bean and ground coffee, and more. Available coffee and espresso drinks include salted caramel lattes, maple lattes, peppermint cream lattes, cafe au laits, and pour-over coffee. 3. Michelangelo's Coffee House Michelangelo's Coffee House is located at 114 State St and is open daily. The shop was established in 1997 and is independently owned. Its menu includes seasonal drinks, specialty mochas, coffee drinks, panini grilled sandwiches, and desserts and bakery items. Available specialty mochas include peanut butter mochas, chocolate monkey mochas, mocha chillers, caramel mochas, and black forest mochas. 4. Black Locust Cafe Black Locust Cafe is located at 829 E Washington Ave and is open Tuesday-Sunday. The cafe is welcoming and offers vegetarian and vegan-friendly options that are great for those with dietary restrictions. Its menu includes coffee, espresso drinks, tea lattes, juices, crepes, breakfast items, sandwiches, and more. Available espresso drinks include flat whites, cortados, mocha lattes, double espressos, americanos, macchiatos, and miel lattes. 5. Bradbury's Coffee Bradbury's Coffee is located at 127 N Hamilton St and is open Wednesday-Sunday. Its menu includes black coffee, bar drinks, tea, food, and whole-bean coffee. Available bar drinks include golden milk lattes, chai lattes, flat whites, piccolos, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and mochas. If you're looking for a sweet breakfast item to pair with your coffee, be sure to try Bradbury's dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt crepe. Now that you're energized and ready to enjoy your day, it's a great time to look for the new car you've been thinking about purchasing. Stop by MINI of Madison today and have a look at our inventory of new and pre-owned MINI vehicles!

Jan 06, 2023 in Community

Drive on Over: 5 Great Spots for Ice Cream Near Madison, WI

Madison, WI is a scenic town that is filled with some delicious spots to stop and enjoy a treat with friends. If you find yourself in the mood for a cool treat that you can customize to your liking, hop in your 2023 MINI Hardtop, take advantage of its Apple CarPlay compatibility that will let you blast all your favorite tunes and podcasts, and go check out some of these great spots for ice cream that are located near Madison! 1. Calliope Calliope opened in 2019 and develops, discovers, and explores unique flavor combinations that are made using the highest quality ingredients available. The shop believes in the importance of great food, love, and fun, and is open daily. Available scoop flavors include Mexican hot chocolate, graham cracker, hot peanut butter, hearty breakfast, lemon lavender, and chocolate crispy rice treat. 2. Daily Scoop Daily Scoop is open daily and its menu includes scoops, sweet treats, signature sundaes, shakes, and smoothies. Available sweet treats include root beer floats, iced coffee floats, mochi, and Italian ice. Available toppings that you can add to your treat to give it additional crunch or flavor include crushed Oreos, hot fudge, hot caramel, gummy bears, brownie bites, and sprinkles. more 3. Good News Good News is open daily and offers a mix of artisan homemade scoops, coffee, breakfast dishes, and lunch dishes. Available scoop flavors include blueberry honey lavender, chocolate hazelnut, mint chocolate chip, fig and honey, pistachio, mango, and vanilla. If you're looking for something savory to pair with your treat, be sure to try Good News' sausage biscuit sandwich or its turkey and bacon panini. 4. Babcock Dairy Store Babcock Dairy Store first created its scoop recipe in 1951 and its treats have remained a local favorite since then. The shop is open daily and offers 22 unique scoop flavors. Examples of available flavors include orange custard chocolate chip, salted caramel toffee, chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate peanut butter, grapefruit mango sherbet, and blueberry swirl. If you're in the mood for a drink, be sure to try Babcock's praline pecan shake. 5. Michael's Frozen Custard Michael's Frozen Custard is open Wednesday-Sunday and serves frozen custard, sundaes, twisters, coffee, burgers, hot dogs and more in an old-school setting. Available sundaes include a German chocolate cake sundae, which is a mix of chocolate frozen custard, caramel, shredded coconut, chocolate cake pieces, and salted pecan halves, and a cookie jar sundae, which is a mix of vanilla frozen custard, hot fudge, Oreos, and cookie dough. Now that your stomach and heart are happy, it's the perfect time to search for a vehicle to take you on your future dessert searches. Stop by MINI of Madison today and have a look at our inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles!