“Summertime, summertime, sum, sum summertime” are lyrics from an upbeat 1950s song that inspires folks to want to get up and go out and find some fun in the summertime. In Madison, there are plenty of options to choose from for all ages to enjoy the day and soak up some rays.
Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum
Put on your walking shoes and sunglasses in preparation for enjoying the beauty of nature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. For hiking enthusiasts, you’ll have access to 17 miles of scenic trails along boardwalks, fire lanes, and footpaths. Along the way, you’ll observe different landscapes from wetlands and woodlands to prairies and savannas. Save time to visit the natural areas, too. These are undisturbed areas that show Wisconsin landscape in its original form.
Anyone who likes to grow plants, trees, and flowers will want to take one of three garden tours. The 35-acre Longenecker Horticultural Gardens is a palette of visual color with thousands of vines, trees, shrubs, plants; some native to Wisconsin. The Viburnum Garden hosts three acres with multiple varieties and species of arborvitae and Viburnum. The third area is the four-acre Wisconsin Native Plant Garden that is home to 15 gardens filled with native Wisconsin species. The visitor center is open Monday through Sunday, for information on seasonal hours of operation and events.
The all-new, fully redesigned 2020 Toyota Corolla features dramatic front-end styling, a sleek aerodynamic profile, and a stylish back-end. The Corolla is offered in L, LE, SE, XLE, and XSE trimmed sedans, with SE and XSE also available with a hatchback. For the first time, there is a Corolla hybrid in LE trim.
Exterior Styling
Corolla L models feature the bold, black sport mesh grille, LED headlights and daytime running lights, 15-inch steel wheels, color-keyed door handles and power mirrors, and LED taillights. LE trim adds 16-inch wheels and heated mirrors, while the Hybrid LE offers alloy wheels.
The sporty SE sedan has a metallic grille, accent lighting, 18-inch wheels, mirrors with turn signals, a color-keyed rear spoiler, and a dual chrome-tipped exhaust. The XLE features 16-inch alloy wheels and a power moonroof, while the XSE trim has metallic gray side panels and rear spoiler.
On a hot summer’s day, few things beat delicious ice cream. Madison, Wis., boasts many great ice cream parlors; here are some of the best.
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
From humble beginnings in 1962, the Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company now has four stores and a manufacturing plant in Madison, and supplies over 400 small businesses nationwide. The ice cream is made from the milk of Wisconsin cows and the company uses real ingredients for the flavors.
The Chocolate Shoppe offers more than 70 flavors of ice cream, some sporting names like Exhausted Parent (with Bourbon-spiked espresso); Fat Elvis, featuring banana ice cream with peanut butter ripple; and “This $&@! Just Got Serious” (with salted caramel ice cream, sea salt fudge, and salted cashews). It also sells frozen yogurt and no-added-sugar and vegan options.
The Future of Toyota – What Can We Expect To See?
The future of Toyota is very exciting, thanks to a 2020 lineup filled with brand new automobiles. Whether you’re looking for a vehicle for your commute to work, or a family-friendly car to drive your kids around town, there’s an upcoming Toyota model that will more than meet your needs.
2020 Toyota Tacoma
If you’re looking for a powerful pickup truck that is just as capable at work as it is at play, then you’re going to love the upcoming 2020 Toyota Tacoma. The newest version of this classic pickup truck is better than ever before, offering a wide range of features that every driver can appreciate.
For instance, when you take your truck off-road, the innovative Crawl Control (CRAWL) system will help you climb over obstacles with the greatest of ease, and the multi-terrain monitor helps you keep an eye on what the trail ahead has in store. The new Tacoma also has a few bonus comforts in store, including a powered, 10-way adjustable driver’s seat that provides lumbar support so that you can spend hours driving your truck with ease.
Celebrate Summer In Madison
Summertime is festival time and in and around Madison, Wisconsin. You’ll find some awesome events to help celebrate the season. Here are some of the best festivals in 2019.
Explore the All-New 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota has redesigned the 2020 Highlander Hybrid, making bold statements in look, power, and performance. Perhaps most impressive is how the new hybrid has improved mileage significantly. Here’s a look at what’s new and improved on one of the most popular SUVs on the market.
Your Guide to Concerts on the Square
The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s Concerts on the Square Series is an outdoor music series held every summer on the lawn of the Capital Square. Located at the King Street Corner of Capital Square, the series is a summer classic. Admission is free and there is plenty of food, music, and fun for everyone. You can reserve a spot with your blanket beginning at 3:00 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. show start. The concerts take place every Wednesday throughout the summer. Here’s a look at this summer’s lineup.
Get Excited for the Toyota Prius Prime
Like Optimus Prime was to the Transformers, the 2020 Prius Prime is the leader of its kind. The new Prius Prime now comes in three trim levels: LE, XLE, and Limited, more closely aligning with other vehicles in the Toyota fleet. The new Prius Prime goes on sale the summer of 2019 and there are some great upgrades to one of the most popular hybrid vehicles on the market.
Power
The 2020 Prius Prime isn’t making any major changes to its powertrain. This year’s model is similar to its predecessor with its electric motor powered by an 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack pairing with the 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder motor. This configuration produces a combined output of 121 horsepower.
While only moderately improving horsepower, the 2020 Prius Prime greatly improves efficiency. Landing ratings of 53 miles per gallon city, 55 miles per gallon highway, and 54 miles per gallon combined, the new Prius Prime will go the distance. It even has a 25-mile range for electric-only operation.
Summer Festivals in the Greater Madison Area
Summer is the season for doing things outdoors. What better way to enjoy the summer than by visiting a local festival. Music, arts, food, and fun await at these festivals in the Madison, Wisconsin, area.
Dane County Fair
The Dane County Fair will be at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison from July 18 through 21. Special shows like Lady Houdini will amaze fairgoers and you can check in on the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, packed with friendly competition from professional lumberjacks. Both events are free with your fair admission.
The fair offers unique daily theme-related activities for the whole family. Youth exhibits in the Exhibition Hall show off the bright young minds of Dane County. The pavilions and arena building are packed with all types of animals. There’s even a Kiddie Farm where you can see the cutest baby animals in the county. Nightly concerts will provide great music after the daytime fun is finished.
Of course, the fair features a carnival as well, full of rides and games the whole family will enjoy. Check the Dane County Fair website for carnival specials.
There are lots of vendors selling handcrafted goods, t-shirts, and so much more. And a fair wouldn’t be a fair without those delicious food vendors. There will be barbecue, Asian grills, tacos, funnel cakes, and other fair fare.
Admission to the fair is only $8 per person, $3 for ages 6-11, and kids under 6 are free. Parking is free and the gates open at 9:00 a.m. and most everything runs until 11:00 p.m.
Get to Know the 2019 Toyota Corolla
Are you looking for a new vehicle that’s not only reliable but also stylish and entertaining? Well, look no further than the 2019 release of the Toyota Corolla. The Toyota name has always been recognized for its long-term reliability and efficiency. In addition to the incredible safety features, the exterior appearance and exciting entertainment options make the new Corolla an enticing option.
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