MADISON AMAZES AGAIN WITH ANOTHER NATIONAL “FIT” EVENT WITH CROSSFIT GAMES
Athletes from around the globe are gathered in Madison for the 2018 Reebok CrossFit Games—a grueling strength and fitness competition that ultimately crowns the “Fittest on Earth”— and the Games are here from August 1–5, 2018! Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for down-to-the-minute updates. Recently named “America’s Fittest City” by Fitbit in 2016, Madison is honored to once again host the “Fittest on Earth” and their coaches, family, friends and fans! In Madison, the CrossFit Games gets everything it needs – aquatic venues, plenty of trails, and a multi-purpose sports venue—in one compact, easily walkable city. Madison, which is sandwiched between two lakes (Mendota and Monona) has over 200 miles of trails and 23,000 acres of water, and that fans will be able to tailgate throughout the entire week of competition right next to the Games themselves. If you’re interested in catching some of the action from this year’s CrossFit Games but can’t make it down this weekend, you’ll be able to see some of the events here.
CROSSFIT GAMES MADISON 2018
The CrossFit Games are the ultimate proving grounds for the Fittest on Earth. More than 416,000 athletes competed in the 2018 Open, but only the top fraction of a percent earn the chance to compete on the big stage.
At the Games, fans experience what CrossFit Founder Greg Glassman has called the “Woodstock of fitness.” Since its inception in 2007, the Games have grown from a small throwdown at the historic Ranch in Aromas, California, to an enormous celebration of fitness where the CrossFit community comes together to witness the crowning of the Fittest on Earth and connect with other trainers, athletes, fans and affiliate owners from around the world.
The 2018 Reebok CrossFit Games will take place in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Alliant Energy Center, Aug. 1-5. The masters, teenage, individual and team competitions will all take place within five days. A detailed schedule of the competition will be released at a later date.
During downtime in the competition, fans can take part in many activities. There will be more than 200,000 square feet of vendors and sponsors, a 20,000-square-foot beer garden, space for RV and tent camping, 20,000 square feet of spectator workout space, opportunities to try the same workouts as the athletes, live demonstrations from CrossFit Subject Matter Experts and more! The entire city of Madison will be geared up for the Games and will offer great opportunities for dining, drinking and enjoying outdoor activities throughout the city. Source: Visit Crossfit Games Site Here
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT MADISON?
MADISON’S FOOD SCENE
Madison has a collection of renowned chefs, top restaurants, and food cooperatives and festivals that take advantage of locally grown foods. Other major annual events like the Art Fair on the Square and the Taste of the Madison celebrate Madison’s thriving art and craft beer scenes. Whether you’re on the isthmus, near Camp Randall, or strolling down Willy Street, the dining scene in Madison is going to blow you away. Plus the wide range of dining options available, from great diners that can help you sop up your hangovers to elegant fine dining perfect for impressing.
MADISON’S MUSIC SCENE
Madison also is adding more concerts with the addition of the Sylvee to add to Madison’s already great venues located downtown like the Orpheum and the Majestic. The Sylvee located in the East Washington corridor known for its grit, work ethic and industrial past is about to become the new epicenter for live music in the Midwest. Who can’t think of the Orpheum’s famous sign hanging into our view down State Street…A new Orpheum Theater sign was erected this year on the theater, the aluminum replica of the 1920s original put up in six sections now lights up brilliantly on the 2nd block. Let’s not forget Live on King Street, an outdoor concert series consisting of six free Friday night shows by national artists in downtown Madison from June through September, brought to us by the Majestic.
MADISON’S COLLEGE ATMOSPHERE
In my time of living in Madison, it has become quite clear to me that Madison is the most amazing college town. Everything here is centered around the “Wisconsin Experience” and there’s just no other place like it. My favorite college or alumni hangout – The Memorial Union Terrace. The terrace is just an amazing place to hang out or just people watch. You can find different bands performing on stage along with great eats to satisfy your craving for cheese curds. Now the Alumni park right next to it and a beautiful lake view from one of it’s “unique” chairs, the terrace is a must see for anyone visiting or living in Madison. You will find many students, fans and alumni “Jumping Around” at the UW Badgers Game. From the moment you step into Camp Randall you can sense the electric atmosphere all around you. Not to mention, the Badger fan’s tailgate parties are “legendary.”
MADISON’S ART SCENE
Located downtown right on state street is The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. This museum is an independent organization that exhibits, collects, and preserves modern and contemporary art to provide experiences that inspire us as individuals and a community. The Chazen, located on University Ave. is an attraction for anyone, even if you may not have “an eye for it.” The are over 20,000 pieces of art, so you may find something in the museum for you. With its modern architecture, it’s an amazing building from the outside too. Then there’s Overture Hall, re-opened and renovated multiple spaces from 2004-2006, along with four other performance spaces. The national tour of Phantom of the Opera was the first major Broadway show to open on an Overture stage, since then it’s seen such large national acts like The Lion King, Wicked, and I’m excited to see School of Rock in November 2018. I can’t talk about Art without mentioning one of the biggest and best outdoor theaters in the nation, the American Players Theater, located about 45 mins from Madison in Spring Green, WI. Situated on 110 acres of hilly woods and meadows, APT has two theaters, the newly renovated 1089-seat outdoor amphitheater and the 201-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre. With annual attendance of over 100,000 and an annual budget in excess of $6 million, APT ranks as the country’s second largest outdoor theater devoted to the classics.
MADISON’S STATE STREET
When you think of Madison, its not a far leap to immediately think of State Street next. It’s hard to only pick one thing on State Street, with so many restaurants, bars and eclectic shops to choose from, there’s something for everyone’s taste here. It’s a perfect spot to travel down morning, noon or night. With a great view down the entire street, while standing on UW’s Bascom Hill you can see Capital Building and from the steps of the Capital all the way back down the other way, I recommend walking and taking a nice long look both ways.
MADISON’S CAPITOL, SQUARE & MONONA TERRACE
The capitol building has to be one of, if not the prettiest building in Madison. After taking in its stunning looks from the outside, the inside offers just as beautiful as a scene. With beautiful artwork along the rotunda and beautiful architecture, the capitol is a must visit in Madison. Free tours are offered daily except on holidays. The Concerts on the Square featuring the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. The Capitol lawn is covered in blankets most Wednesday evenings during the summer. The 59th season that just wrapped up had an exciting offering of international acclaimed artists, new talent and a diverse repertoire mixing the old with the new. The Monona Terrace, Frank Lloyd Wright originally proposed a design for Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in 1938. His architectural vision for the City of Madison—a curvilinear gathering place linking the shore of Lake Monona to the State Capitol—finally realized in 1997. A vision 59 years in the making, it is host of some popular events like Shake the Lake and Terrace Dance Nights during the summer.
MAYBE YOU SHOULD MOVE TO MADISON
Not only does Madison have a ton to offer because of the reasons mentioned above, but there’s so much more I couldn’t write about it all. Please take a look at just a few areas and neighborhoods by taking a Tour of Madison here. Places like the Henry Vilas Zoo, Epic’s Campus in Verona, Willy Street and Hilldale. Plus our great surrounding cities that are growing more and more each day like Sun Prairie, Waunakee, and Middleton just to name a few.
Contact Laura Lahti with Badger Realty Team to learn more about our beautiful city, go to an open house or take a private showing of your future new home.
