You'll have a whole other perspective on Madison when you view it from a motor yacht on Lake Mendota. These popular cruises run throughout the day and evening and feature complete meals and full bar service. They often present lakeside scenery along 20-plus miles of shoreline, introducing visitors to Governor Nelson State Park, the Governor's Residence, and such downtown landmarks as the State Capitol, Monona Terrace, and UW-Madison. Open-air and cabin seating are available, and options can be arranged for corporate or leisure functions. Reservations required.

DOWNTOWN. Hugging Lake Monona in the midst of downtown Madison, this impressive structure was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938, although it wasn't approved and completed until 1997. Even then, it wasn't without controversy, and although the exterior remained true to Wright's design, the interior was reworked by a Wright protege. These days, the sweeping structure is a study of circles, arcs, and framed vistas, and it bridges the space between the lake and the State Capitol. Rooftop gardens distinguish the building, which offers ample space for meetings, conventions, and special gatherings. Tours explore architecture and construction details and last approximately one hour.

STATE STREET. Sponsored by the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation, this summertime tour series explores one of the city's most notable thoroughfares. Guides direct interested folks along the street, pointing out intriguing architectural features and regaling visitors with anecdotes about prominent citizens and past organizations that made the district what it is today. Tours begin at Madison Children's Museum and last about an hour. Reservations aren't required.

UW-MADISON. For an enlightening overview of Madison's branch of the University of Wisconsin, visitors may want to embark on a 90-minute walking tour of campus. Well-informed student guides provide information about history, architecture, and university programs, and they point out prominent features and structures, including the Carillon Memorial Bell Tower, Babcock Hall Dairy Plant and Store, the Lincoln Statue, and the circa-1894 Red Gym, which houses the visitors center.