Day 1

Start with a stroll at sunrise along the John Nolen recreation path along Lake Monona (you’ll want to bike this later!). Wander through the nothing-else-like-it Monona Terrace Convention Center. Take in the gargantuan, stately Wisconsin Capitol Building, a piece of grand art. Grab lunch at a food cart and hang alfresco with the Capitol crowd. Start trekking the Museum Mile, which will definitely fill out the first day’s activities.

Day 2

Arise and grab coffee and a scone at the University of Wisconsin’s Memorial Union. Stroll along the gorgeous lakefront path to Picnic Point. Backtrack to the campus proper and energize with a café lunch on State Street and start the campus campaign. Pick and choose from nearly a half dozen museums. This author would later hoof west to Babcock Hall for some famed ice cream! Devour the tasty delight and sack out on Bascom Hill with the class skippers.

Day 3

Give your feet a break along the greatest city bike trail in the state (no argument here, please). From Monona Terrace ride counterclockwise all the way to the Capital City Trail. Continue on this trail through splendid, bucolic countryside all the way to bike-friendly Seminole Highway. Turn right and keep riding to the magnificent UW Arboretum and stretch the legs on some trails or take a nap under the blossoms. From here, turn left at the other end of the arboretum to the fun Vilas Zoo. From here, you’re just a hop up to the student district of Regent Street—a great place to grab some pub grub and refuel.

Day 4

Check out the funky Near East Side by starting at Olbrich Gardens to contemplate the universe under its gorgeous Thai Pavilion. Continue down the isthmus and the Willy Street zone for some funkiness. In the afternoon, take a drive to see the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed First Unitarian Church on your way to Smoky’s Club for steaks. One simply must finish the final evening with a sunset at the University of Wisconsin Memorial Union, quaffing a brew with the rest of the citizenry.