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If you're in search of a comfortable off-road vehicle, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is sure to meet your needs. With its exceptional handling and luxurious design, it's going to check all your boxes. Read on to see how the Land Cruiser will help you explore the outdoors. Outstanding Off-Road Capability With a 5.7-liter V-8 engine, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is good for 401 pound-feet of torque and 381 horsepower. Its eight-speed automatic transmission enables it to grip well off-road. You can check your surroundings easily with the Multi-Terrain Monitor, seeing the front, rear, and side views. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System assists with ideal traction. Multi-Terrain Select helps with challenging surfaces, while Crawl Control with Off-Road Turn Assist gives you a tighter turning radius. In addition to its off-road capability, the Land Cruiser has an impressive 8,200-pound towing capacity. With all that muscle, its LED lighting and chrome grille may come as a surprise. Not only is it powerful and perfect for off-roading, but it's sleek and holds the road great too. Since the Land Cruiser is built with exploring in mind, it comes standard with a moonroof. Ultra-Comfortable and Luxurious Interior The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser smoothness carries over to the interior as well, and you're sure to find it stylish. It has a heated, leather-trimmed steering wheel and includes heated seats, even in the second row. The four-zone automatic climate control extends to the two second-row passengers, with a total of 28 vents. The vehicle seats up to eight, with the third row able to be folded away. The Land Cruiser is truly built for exploring with a center console cooler box. Safe and Reliable Ten airbags and side-impact door beams help keep you safe if you're ever in an accident. The Star Safety System further protects with its Multi-Terrain 4-Wheel Anti-lock Brake System, Brake Assist, Brake-Force Distribution, Smart Stop Technology, Active Traction Control, and Vehicle Stability Control. You're further protected by the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Toyota makes your safety a priority with Toyota Safety Sense P. You'll have Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams. Sleek Infotainment System With the Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation, you'll find a 9-inch touch screen that can be paired to your smartphone. It has SiriusXM compatibility and a USB port. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system includes an 8-inch subwoofer and a 605-watt amplifier. A 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display is customizable so you can see the information you want, such as mpg, turn-by-turn directions, individual tire pressure, inclinometer, and more, including text messages when paired to your smartphone. You can entertain rear-seat passengers with the available DVD entertainment system and two 11.6-inch screens. Ready for a test drive? Come by Smart Toyota and see our selection so you can get exploring! Be sure to check out and ask us about the plentiful features. If off-roading is your hobby, the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is made for you.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison features over 16 acres of outdoor gardens along with an indoor tropical paradise. It is home to the only Thai Pavilion in the continental U.S. and is a winner of the national Garden of Excellence Award. Guests can stroll through the gardens or take the accessible tram that travels from garden to garden either on the weekends or daily, depending on the season. Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful sites at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. The Rose Garden Make sure to take your time exploring the Rose Garden at Olbrich. This is one of the most popular gardens. It covers 2 acres and features a wide variety of roses of all colors and sizes on display. It also has ornamental trees, spring blooms, and annuals to see while you wander through. The Prairie-style design of the Rose Garden features simple geometric designs made from natural materials. The most prominent feature in the Rose Garden is the Rose Garden Tower. It is a two-story tower offering visitors who climb up spectacular views of the garden and more. Thai Pavilion and Garden The Thai Pavilion and Garden is unlike any garden you will see in the continental United States. The sala, or pavilion, is a traditional Thai structure, but the one you'll see at Olbrich is more ornate than most salas you would see in Thailand. The garden that surrounds the pavilion is lush and tropical with hearty plants that can withstand the Wisconsin climate. Some of the ornamental grasses reach up to 12 feet tall, and you'll also see many bamboo plants that are essential for this tropical garden. You'll also find glazed water jars and clipped tree art known as mai dat throughout the gardens that represent a traditional horticulture feature in gardens throughout Thailand. The Sunken Garden The Sunken Garden is another unique garden at Olbrich. It is a traditional formal English-style garden surrounded by shrub hedges and limestone terraces. All of these elements give guests in the Sunken Garden the feeling that they're in an outdoor room. An 80-foot long reflecting pool is a key feature in this garden, while the border features mixed flowering bulbs in a variety of colors and shrubs that bloom starting in the spring and offer their beautiful colors until late in the autumn. Tours Olbrich offers a variety of different tour experiences, from adult-only tours to self-guided visits for groups and guided garden strolls. The adult group tours give visitors an inside look at the outdoor gardens and require a reservation. The guided garden strolls are more relaxed and available for drop-ins only. The volunteer-led tour provides a casual overview of the gardens, and if you prefer to explore the gardens on your own, you are always welcome to wander through the gardens at your own pace. Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a must-see for anyone who lives in or visits Madison. Make sure to stop by the gift shop after your visit, and also check the schedule for any special events. Image by Mike Goad from Pixabay

Modern vehicles should approach safety in a modern way. Toyota has developed some of the most innovative driver-assist technologies to keep you and your passengers safer on the road. Here are a few of those technologies that are a part of the Toyota Safety Sense suite: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection This is arguably one of the most important technologies in the Toyota Safety Sense Suite. It not only helps you stay more aware of oncoming obstacles, but helps you avoid collisions, keeping you, your passengers, and people outside your vehicle safer. The pre-collision system with pedestrian detection uses a camera and sensors to constantly scan the road ahead for obstacles, vehicles, and pedestrians. If the system detects one, it will alert you via audio and visual cues. If the system detects an imminent collision and you haven't applied your brakes, it will apply the brakes for you. If you do apply the brakes, the Brake Assist system kicks in to give you a little more stopping power. Lane Departure Alert and Lane Assist It's nearly impossible to avoid every possible distraction when you're driving. When you're distracted, your chances of leaving your lane increases, and so does the potential for a dangerous situation. That's where the Lane Departure Alert system comes in. The Lane Departure Alert system engages after you're traveling at 32 miles per hour or higher. Once it's engaged, sensors scan the road around you to find street lines to recognize your position in the lane. If you start to veer out of your lane without a turn signal, this system will use audio and visual warnings until you return to your lane or use your turn signal. Coupled with the Lane Assist feature, this technology is even more helpful. If your Toyota is equipped with Lane Assist, your vehicle will make small steering adjustments to keep you in your current lane if you start to leave the lane without a turn signal. Automatic High Beams To help improve your vision and driving safety at night, many new Toyota models come standard with automatic high beams. This system also makes the road safer for other vehicles around you at night. When activated at speeds of 25 mph and above, the Automatic High Beam system will switch back to low beams if it detects on an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle ahead of you. This helps ensure that you have the best view at night without taking away other drivers' ability to see the road. Road Sign Assist One of the newest features in the Toyota Safety Sense family is the Road Sign Assist technology. This feature uses a smart camera to scan the road for speed limit signs and other important road signs. When it finds one, it displays it on a display in the cabin for your reference. These technologies don't take power away from the driver; rather, they simply make better, more aware drivers out of all of us. If you're curious as to how these technologies work in real-life situations, you can take a tour of a Toyota equipped with them at Smart Toyota in Madison, Wisconsin. Proudly serving drivers throughout Middleton, Sun Prairie, and beyond.

Madison, Wisconsin, is keeping with a long heritage of beer history with the many craft breweries that call the city home. There are many breweries in town to explore, but if you're looking for somewhere to start, you can't go wrong with these staples: Ale Asylum No list of Madison craft breweries would be complete with a nod to Ale Asylum. The funky-fresh interior, complete with leather couches and pinball machines, lends itself very well to enhance your enjoyment of the top-notch brews that Ale Asylum creates. For starters, get a glass of their Ambergeddon amber ale, the accessible Hopalicious American pale ale, or the Ballistic IPA. Ale Asylum's taproom has an impressive variety to choose from, so you're sure to find something to satisfy your palate at this local-favorite brewery. Working Draft Beer Company Working Draft Beer Company's minimalist and hip style offers a great experience for those exploring Madison's brewery scene. Working Draft prides itself in its sense of community, and you'll find local artists' works, live acoustic music, and poetry readings in the taproom. You'll also find a great selection of brews, from the Pulp Culture hazy IPA to the European Vacay Munich Dunkel. This brewery takes itself just seriously enough that beer pros will stay interested and newcomers to the craft beer world will feel welcome. Karben4 The strange-yet-tasty Karben4 Brewing is a great place to spend an hour or two with friends. In addition to delicious craft brews, their taproom also offers great artisan-inspired food to pair with your favorite beer. As far as beer varietals go, Karben4 has the usual suspects and then some: IPAs, chocolate oatmeal stouts, imperial red ales, English-style ales, pale ales, and more. Once you've found your favorite Karben4 brew, be sure to take a six-pack of it home. ALT Brew ALT Brew has all your gluten-free beer needs covered with their creations. None of their beers are made with gluten, which means that everyone can have a great time at this brewery. ALT Brew doesn't need gluten to make some of Madison's most interesting Kolsch, blondes, farmhouse ales, porters, IPAs, and more. Be sure to come back to ALT Brew every season to try their four special releases throughout the year. Funk Factory Geuzeria Funk Factory Geuzeria is one of the most highly rated breweries in Madison, and for good reason. The beers this brewery produces are some of the most interesting and experimental in Madison. You'll find quite a few barrel-aged beers at this brewery, some mixed with wine grapes and berries. If you're a fan of lambics, Funk Factory is where you need to be. You'll also find a great selection of wild ales and farmhouse ales to choose from at this one-of-a-kind brewery. From the most hop-infused brewery critic to the casual craft beer drinker just looking for their next favorite, these Madison breweries are sure to satisfy. Explore what each has to offer and then expand your tour of the Madison brewery world to find your next go-to haunt. Image by Tibor Janosi Mozes from Pixabay

The 2020 Toyota Avalon seeks to revitalize the large sedan class. Through impressive power levels, style, and lists of exciting features, the new Avalon is the pinnacle all other sedans should aspire to. Here's a look at what the 2020 Avalon has to offer you: Unparalleled Style The first thing you may notice about the 2020 Toyota Avalon is its surprisingly sharp style. Its exterior appearance does a fantastic job of updating the traditional sedan style and bringing it to the modern era. From its blacked-out front fascia full of sharp, modernist angles to the available chrome-tipped quadruple exhaust in the rear, the Avalon doesn't shy away from making a statement on the road. As you move up through the Avalon's list of trims — the XLE, Limited, XSE, TRD, and Touring — you'll get more access to more exterior features. The Touring's sequential turn signals are Vegas-inspired eye-catchers. The sporty TRD's 19-inch allow wheels and red-painted brake calipers give the Avalon a racer's atmosphere. Whichever trim you choose, you can expect a sedan dripping in expertly engineering style. Smart Tech To bring the sedan into the 2020s, Toyota has given each model access to top-notch tech. Every Avalon comes standard with a center-stack-mounted touch screen that turns your sedan into another smart device at your disposal. Connect your phone to your Avalon's screen to play your favorite podcasts and albums, access navigation, have your text messages read aloud to you, and more, using only your voice to command it. The Avalon experience continues even when you're out of the vehicle. You can connect a compatible smartwatch to your Toyota to locate your Avalon, lock its doors, and start its engine to ready the cabin on a cold winter morning. Move over, James Bond. Thrilling Power Other sedans often make you work your way through trim levels to access powerful engines. That isn't so with the 2020 Avalon. Every gasoline-exclusive 2020 Avalon punches out 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. There is also a hybridized Avalon available that produces a city-ready combined 215 horsepower through a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor combo. What changes as you move through the trims is the Avalon's access to performance-enhancing upgrades. For the most able-bodied sedan, opt for the all-new Avalon TRD trim, which gives you enhanced brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, paddle shifters, and more. Interior Allure Luxury-minded sedan drivers will do well with the Avalon Touring. A quick scan around the cabin reveals real wood inlays, unique two-tone stitching on leather-trimmed upholstery with microsuede inserts, and aluminum accents. The cockpit's elegantly chiseled design completes the Avalon's premium atmosphere and puts everything you need to make the most of your travels within ergonomic reach. In short, the Avalon's personality was designed with one thing in mind — to impress you and anyone you invite into your sedan. Come experience the 2020 Toyota Avalon firsthand at Smart Toyota in Madison, Wisconsin. Once you see and feel what the Avalon has to offer, it's difficult to settle for anything less.

With so many people worried about being in public, it's a wonder that more people haven't picked up hiking. If you're looking for a great hiking trail in the Madison, Wisconsin, area, here are a few you should check out. Picnic Point Marsh Loop Trail The 2-mile Picnic Point Marsh Loop Trail is an easy hike right in Madison's Shorewood Hills. This trail is flanked nearly completely by Lake Mendota, offering great lakeside views to one side and forest on the other. Its location makes it one of the more popular hikes in the city, but if you avoid peak times, it can be a great escape. Since it's a loop trail with only an 88-foot elevation gain, this is a great trail for beginners and families. Devil's Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail On the other side of the hiking difficulty spectrum, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail will make you work for your progress. The entire trail is 1,200 miles long, but if you're looking for a good section hike near Madison, check out the Devil's Lake Segment. This part of the greater trail is 13 miles long, beginning near the intersection of County Highway DL and 113 and ending at the southern border of Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area. With an elevation gain of nearly 2,000 feet, you'll want to bring out the hiking boots for this trek. UW-Madison Arboretum Trails If you have an ecological and zoological interest in hiking, head to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. Over 17 miles of trails in this protected area will take you through a wildly interesting display of Wisconsin's many ecosystems and terrains, from prairies and wetlands to savannas and woodlands. The trails are made up of fairly easy-going footpaths and boardwalks that allow visitors to immerse themselves in Wisconsin's natural environments. Holy Wisdom Monastery Trails That's right; the Holy Wisdom Monastery near the northwest shore of Lake Mendota is a worthy hiking destination. The monastery has a focus on natural preservation, which has left visitors with about 4 miles of trails to walk. These nature trails are great for the leisurely hiker looking for a bit of serenity away from the city. Lake Monona Loop Also known as the Capital City Trail, Lake Monona Loop is 13.8 miles long and right in Madison's backyard. As its name suggest, the trail loops around Lake Monona in downtown Madison, offering great cityscape and waterfront views. If you're looking for a paved path to get in a good trail run, the Lake Monona Loop is a great option. With the lake to one side and beautiful residences on the other, this loop is the perfect city-bound trail. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or you just want to get out of the house for a little while, each of these Madison-area hikes is well worth the visit. Cross each off your hiking bucket list to start experiencing everything Wisconsin's natural beauty has to offer. Image by Yinan Chen from Pixabay

Oh, the horror! On a brutally steamy summer day, you leave the cool confines of your workplace and make the long, sweltering walk across a shoe-meltingly hot parking lot. You open your car door and the blast of heat that emanates forth nearly knocks you out. You pause for a moment and contemplate just how toasty your seat is, not to mention your steering wheel. With a bit of trepidation, you take the plunge and inch into the vehicle. Hot! Hot! Hot! No worries, though. You know your air conditioner will kick in in no time. You crack your window to allow the heat an escape route and wait. And wait. You hold your hand near the air vent questioningly as sweat starts to form on your brow. Why isn’t there cool air flowing? You turn some knobs and flick some switches, and still nothing. The slowly awakening horror is suddenly upon you. THE A/C IS BROKEN!!! Is this an unavoidable cosmic joke, or could you have taken some preventative measures to help assure this didn’t happen? Jim Ward, Service Manager at Smart Motors in Madison, says there are many steps one can take to avoid such a sticky situation. “Wisconsinites know how important it is to winterize their vehicles, but often they neglect to ‘summerize’ them, too,” Ward says. “While some things can easily be done by the owner, there are also somewhere a service professional comes in handy.” Ward says it is wise to have a service technician thoroughly inspect your vehicle’s HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) system at least once a year. Often you can request this service in conjunction with another service such as an oil change. Typical A/C service consists of the following steps: A visual inspection of hoses, lines, seals, and other components for leaks as well as inspect ing the drive belt for cracks or damage. A check of pressures to test operation, refrigerant charge, and outlet temperatures. If the system is found to be low on refrigerant, a leak test is performed to find the source of the leak. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is leaking refrigerant, it is damaging the ozone layer. A/C service should also include a check of the compressor’s drive belt and tension. These measures should be enough to get you comfortably through the heat, but Ward says his team is trained to offer additional measures that will help your car stave off the heat of the street. Additional procedures that either the vehicle owner or service technician can perform are: Check the level and strength of the coolant. A low coolant level may allow your engine to overheat. Make sure the coolant reservoir is filled to the proper level. Wait until the engine has cooled to check the level inside the radiator. If low, add a 50/50 mixture of the specified coolant and water. Make sure the cooling fan works. The electric cooling fan should come on when the air conditioner is turn ed on to MAX. No fan may mean a defective fan motor, relay, or electrical problem. Battery evaluation. Batteries are lasting longer than they used to but the key with a battery evaluation is in the testing which gives both the available cold-cranking amps vs. what the battery is rated for and the second is a batt ery health check which indicates potential battery life and can often predict a battery failure before there are symptoms. Hot weather is actually harder on batteries than cold weather because it increases the rate of evaporation of the liqui d electrolyte inside the battery. Change the oil. Replacing old dirty oil with fresh oil can increase the lubrication protection for your engine. Check or replace the windshield wipers. Natural rubber wiper blades have a limited life of a year or less. Sun exposure, extreme heat, and cold all age the rubber and cause it to become hard and brittle. Check t ires. Check the tire for wear, uneven wear, age cracks, or damage. Check the i nflation pressure in all the ti r e s, including the spare. Underinflated tires make the tires run hot and increase the risk of a blowout. Lastly, Ward says there are a few steps that vehicle owners can do themselves to stay cool: Wax the body. Your vehicle’s body should be waxed or sprayed with some type of protectant to help shield the paint from the ultraviolet rays from the sun, and summer smog in urban areas. Keep your cool. Buy a sunshade for the windshield to reflect light so the interior doesn't get so hot if the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight. Also, close the sunroof sunshade, and leave the windows cracked so hot air can escape. This can lighten the cooling load on the air conditioner when the vehicle is first started, and prevent you from getting a hot seat or burning yourself on hot interior surfaces. Protect yourself. Wear a hat and sunscreen, and carry a bottle of water in the car in case you get stuck for a long period of time in traffic or have a break-down on a hot day. Ward says these precautions should be enough to keep you and your vehicle cool. Of course, bad things happen at the absolute worst time, but taking some simple preventative measures should drastically lower the risk of them happening to you. About Smart Motors Smart Motors was founded in 1908 by O.D. Smart and is one of the nation’s oldest automotive dealerships, is the midwest's largest hybrid dealer and Wisconsin’s #1 volume Toyota dealer. Located at 5901 Odana Road, Smart Motors is Wisconsin’s only two-time President’s Cabinet Award recipient from Toyota Motor Sales for superior customer service & sales volume.  For more information visit www.smartmotors.com. Image by Oskars Zvejs from Pixabay

If you love to read or you're looking for a unique gift for a friend or family member, you should visit some bookstores to browse and find interesting material from your favorite authors. Here are some of the best places where you can find your next summer read in Madison, Wisconsin. The Book Deal At The Book Deal, you can find more than 20,000 used books in over 60 genres. It's a great place to find a new book, CD, DVD, graphic novel, or vinyl record at a bargain price. You can turn in your old books for store credit, and they'll come to your home or office and pick up large collections for free. Teachers and other educators get 10% off everything in the store, and you'll get a free book when you sign up for their rewards program. For every book The Book Deal sells, they give one away to a local student. It's their goal to encourage reading and increase literacy by making books affordable for everyone. They're open for appointments Thursday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and you can shop for books online. Mystery to Me Mystery to Me specializes in mystery novels, but they sell other books as well. If you like mysteries, this store is a great place to visit a book club. The Bilingual Book Club meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6 p.m., and it reads and discusses books in English and Spanish in alternating months. The Mystery to Me Book Club happens on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., and it covers mystery books. Mystery to Me also hosts many events with writers and journalists. You can meet some great writers and learn more about writing so that you can start creating your own book. This bookstore is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on weekdays. It closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. A Room of One's Own This fun book store offers reading material about everything from antiques to technology to psychology. They also have children's books, graphic novels, textbooks, and study aids for college students, toys, gifts, e-books, and audiobooks. A Room of One's Own donates books to many local organizations that help students, and many book clubs use their convenient, free community room for their meetings. You can place orders online and then pick up your books any day between noon and 4 p.m. 20th Century Books At 20th Century Books, you can find new and used comic books, science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and more. You can also buy their books online. This book store is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and it opens at noon on Sunday. Reading a great book is a fun way for you to learn new things and use your imagination to explore new worlds. No matter which genre you prefer, you can find a fascinating read at one of these excellent stores. Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay

The 2020 Toyota C-HR compact crossover SUV is ideal for commuting, and its unique look makes it easy to spot in parking lots. It has a variety of appealing features to make trips more fun for drivers and passengers, and you can choose LE, XLE, or Limited trim levels. Keep reading to learn more about this attractive, affordable vehicle's coolest characteristics. A Sporty Style The 2020 C-HR has a sporty, agile look and LED headlights that curve around the sides of the hood. The thin upper grille has a chrome Toyota emblem in the center, and the lower grille is large and angular. There's also a rear spoiler, aerodynamic underbody panels, 17-inch wheels, a rear windshield wiper, and heated power side mirrors. C-HR stands for Coupe High-Rider, and the subtle rear door handles next to the roof make it look like a coupe. You can add puddle lights, power-folding side mirrors, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 18-inch wheels, and fog lights. You can also choose a black or white roof with many body colors. The optional adaptive front lighting system points the headlights where you need them to improve visibility when you travel on hills or around turns. A Luxurious Interior The interior is comfortable, and it comes with plenty of impressive features. You'll get dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation, an 8-inch touch screen, voice recognition, a 12-volt power outlet, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a cargo cover, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Other standard features include keyless entry, SiriusXM satellite radio, folding rear seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 4.2-inch driver information display. You can select push-button start, an eight-way power driver's seat, and heated leather front seats. With the XLE, a black interior with blue accents that wrap around the dashboard and the doors is available. Outstanding Performance This SUV's 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine offers 144 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. It comes with front-wheel drive, power steering, and an independent suspension for a smooth, maneuverable ride. The continuously variable automatic transmission has Normal, Sport, and ECO driving modes, and the C-HR gets 27 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Excellent Safety The 2020 Toyota C-HR's safety and driver assistance features will make driving less stressful and help you protect your passengers. This SUV comes with lane departure warning, a rearview camera, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, hill start assistance, automatic emergency braking, and advanced front airbags that activate with different levels of force depending on the severity of an accident. Stability control, traction control, a security system with an engine immobilizer, and free maintenance and roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles are standard as well. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional. To learn more about the C-HR and take it for a test drive, visit Smart Toyota. We have an extensive inventory, and we're happy to answer all of your questions. Come see us Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Madison, Wisconsin, has a variety of delicious coffee shops where you can grab a quick snack, relax with friends, or get some work done on your laptop. Keep reading to learn about some of Madison's favorite coffee shops. Indie Coffee Time Magazine called Indie Coffee one of the best coffee shops in the United States in 2015, and it's a popular place for delicious teas, lattes with nondairy options, drip coffee, and more. Their coffees are made to order by expert baristas, and the collection of artwork on the walls salutes Madison's independent music scene. There's a spacious back patio, and Indie Coffee's excellent waffles come with a variety of toppings, including chocolate chips, strawberries, and whipped cream. They make granola, muffins, croissants, and bread fresh every day, and they offer a variety of local microbrews for people who don't feel like coffee or tea. This shop is open every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Michelangelo's Coffee House Michelangelo's Coffee House makes quality coffee its top priority, and it's a comfortable place to relax. It buys small batches of beans from independent farmers and it makes its own peanut butter bars. There's also a variety of delicious sandwiches and desserts. Michelangelo's Coffee House is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., so it's a great place to get some caffeine before work or late at night. Ancora Coffee This business in Madison has cafes on University Avenue and King Street, and it offers organic fair-trade coffee and a delicious brunch menu. Try the Mint Cold Brew with mint syrup and a splash of cream or the Blackberry Sage Latte with blackberry syrup, espresso, milk, and sage syrup. The Pistachio Vanilla Zombie has white espresso, vanilla syrup, milk, and pistachio syrup. For breakfast or brunch, you can enjoy the Honey Bacon Biscuit with a fried egg, chives, bacon, cheddar, and Sriracha honey. The Sausage Jalapeno sandwich comes on an English muffin with sausage, a scrambled egg, blueberry jalapeno jam, arugula, and gruyere. Vegetarian sausage is available, and the Strawberry Pecan salad has parmesan cheese, strawberries, pecans, dried cranberries, red onions, and honey balsamic dressing. Ancora Coffee is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and they open at 7 a.m. on weekends. Cool Beans Coffee Cafe This trendy coffee house has a comfortable interior with a fireplace, wood floors, plush chairs, and large windows that provide lots of natural light. There's a children's play area inside and a sandbox outside, so your kids can have fun while you enjoy your coffee. Try the Turtle Mocha with macadamia nut, chocolate, and caramel syrup or the White Cloud with white coffee, white chocolate, macadamia nut, cinnamon, and steamed milk. There's also an espresso shake with milk, whipped cream, ice cream, and espresso. Cool Beans Coffee Cafe is open on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and it closes at 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For some great coffee, try out these excellent Madison coffee shops. Whether you want to relax or grab a quick drink, you can find a place for coffee you'll love. Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

The 2020 Toyota Sequoia three-row SUV is versatile and practical, and it's ideal for a scenic road trip or a family vacation. It's also great for camping and exploring off-road. You can choose SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Platinum, or TRD Pro trim levels. Keep reading to learn more about this appealing vehicle's best features for traveling. A Distinctive Style The 2020 Sequoia has a boxy profile with curved corners, heated power side mirrors, a sculpted hood, automatic LED headlights, and rectangular upper and lower grilles. It also comes with fog lights, a spoiler, puddle lights, a windshield wiper de-icer, privacy glass, a roof rack, 18-inch wheels, and running boards. Its unique look makes it easy to find in a parking lot, and you can add 20-inch wheels, a power liftgate, and power-folding side mirrors with turn signals. The TRD Pro has large Toyota lettering on the upper grille instead of the Toyota symbol and black aluminum wheels for a rugged appearance. It also has a power rear window and an aluminum skid plate that protects the underside of the vehicle from off-road obstacles. Great Performance This SUV's speed-sensing power steering makes maneuvering at any velocity easy. It can navigate tough trails, and the independent suspension creates a smooth, comfortable ride. The 5.7-liter V-8 engine gives 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. It uses a six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul and manual modes, and it can pull up to 7400 pounds. Four-wheel drive is available, and the TRD Sport has performance-tuned shocks. Choose the Platinum for an adaptive variable suspension that responds to changing conditions. This trim also comes with Comfort, Sport, and Normal driving modes. A Luxurious Interior The Sequoia can carry eight people, and it has a variety of luxurious features. The dashboard has plenty of user-friendly buttons and knobs, and folding the second- and third-row seats will give you up to 120.1 cubic feet of cargo space. This vehicle comes with three-zone climate control, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, a 7-inch touch screen, sunshades for the rear windows and the power moonroof, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and 16 cup holders. You'll also get a power driver's seat, keyless entry, two USB ports, push-button start, and a 4.2-inch driver information display. Several driver assistance features make long trips easier, including lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane change assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, braking assistance, front and rear sonar parking assistance, and trailer sway control. You can add a 9-inch rear entertainment system with a Blu-ray player, a remote, two sets of wireless headphones, and a 120-volt power outlet. Other options include voice recognition, a 14-speaker sound system with a subwoofer and an amplifier, heated and cooled leather front seats, and navigation. The Platinum trim level comes with attractive wood accents and memory settings for the front seats. To learn more about the 2020 Sequoia and try it for yourself, visit Smart Toyota. We offer an extensive inventory, and we can help you decide which vehicle is right for you.

Madison is known for a few key things; it's the capital city of Wisconsin and is the home of the University of Wisconsin. However, it's also a place that houses a number of unique and fascinating attractions. Check out these unusual spots to learn more about the city and its history. Lamp House The Robert M. Lamp House, also known as Lamp House, is a unique structure in the heart of the city's downtown area. Many Madison residents don't realize that a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home sits in their midst, as it's one of Wright's forgotten designs. If you can find it, you'll see some of the hallmarks of the famed architect's traditional style. It stands out in the neighborhood because of its blocky style and bold red accents that surround the windows. The home isn't open to visitors, although you can drive or walk by to see it in person. L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum The L.R. Ingersoll Physics Museum is located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Two science professors at the university came up with the idea for the museum in the early 20th century, and when it opened in 1918 it was the first museum in the country to focus specifically on physics. It is named for one of its founding professors, Leonard R. Ingersoll, and showcases exhibits designed by the faculty and constructed by the students in the school's science department. Each exhibit provides a hands-on experience of a physical concept, so it's appealing to both children and adults. Admission is free and guided tours are available for groups. Elvis Karate Fight Plaque The Elvis Karate Fight Plaque sits in an area of Madison where “The King” once broke up a fight. After arriving in the city to perform a show, Elvis was being chauffeured in a limousine. At the corner of East Washington Avenue and Highway 51, two men were fighting on the street. Elvis had his driver stop the car and he got out to stop the fight. A bystander recalls that Elvis took a karate stance and threatened to take both of the fighters on, effectively ending the fight. A crowd of fans gathered when news traveled that he was there, and Elvis waved to the crowd and went on his way. Lost City Forest Lost City Forest is also within Madison's city limits, located on the southeast corner of the arboretum on the University of Wisconsin campus. In the 1920s, Madison was growing quickly, resulting in a need for more housing. The Lake Forest Land Company planned to construct a new housing development in this area, only to find that the marshy land was sucking up foundations and other components needed for sturdy homes. The plans were abandoned, leaving behind a forested area in the middle of the city. Both visitors to the city and long-time residents will enjoy spending some time at these unique Madison attractions. This weekend, make a plan to get out and explore the city. Image by Karen Arnold from Pixabay