Madison and the southern Wisconsin area offer excellent facilities for extracurricular activities. Tennis, biking, and golfing are popular summer sports, and cross-country and downhill skiing are common winter activities. Wooded hiking and running paths are convenient to the campus. There are excellent indoor campus facilities for swimming, basketball, volleyball, tennis, racquetball, and weight training. The Madison community offers a wide diversity of cultural activities ranging from classic opera, theater, concerts, festivals, and dance, to avant-garde music, art fairs, and local entertainment.
Many events are free or affordable for college students.
In addition, Madison also offers a number of outstanding restaurants featuring a variety of ethnic and regional cuisines. Students reside throughout the city, although more than half live within one mile of campus. The Madison Metro bus system provides regular service to the campus area from all directions, and the campus bus provides frequent service on weekdays, weekday evenings, and on weekends. Transfers are available between campus and Madison Metro buses. Also, many students commute to campus by bicycle.