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10 Fun Things To Do In Fitchburg, WI
Fitchburg is a part of the greater Madison metro area. Nestled 15 minutes south of downtown and adjacent to the Nevin Springs Fish & Wildlife Area, Sun Valley Apartments is perfectly setup for easy-access to both the city and Wisconsin’s state parks. Read further for a look at our personal highlights.
Top 5 Things To Do In Fitchburg, WI
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One of Sun Valley’s most unique features is that it backs up to the Nevin Springs Fish and Wildlife Area, one of Wisconsin’s oldest fish hatcheries. Every year the Department of Natural Resources produces millions of fish to stock the state’s lakes and rivers and Nevin Springs Fish Hatchery helps to meet that demand by raising hundreds of thousands of fish each year, with a focus on Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
The fish hatchery is just around the corner from Sun Valley Apartments, which gives residents access to tree-lined roads that wind through a lovely, forested area. It’s the perfect place to take a stroll or walk the dog. For those who are interested in learning more about the hatchery, Nevin Springs offers tours throughout the week where visitors can explore the facilities and feed the fish themselves!
Sitting just a half mile down the road from Sun Valley Apartments is the Nine Springs Golf and Disc Course, a 9-hole Par 30 that players of all levels can enjoy. Local golfers describe it as a “little golf getaway” because it’s easily accessible from the city, yet still nestled in a country-like setting surrounded by mature forest on all sides. For people living and working in Madison, it’s a real breath of fresh air.
Best of all, Nine Springs offers fantastic prices for both golf and disc courses, and tee times can be booked up to 14 days in advance. Visitors rave about the natural beauty, the green fairways, and the friendly, professional staff. Residents of Sun Valley Apartments are right around the corner from one of Fitchburg’s hidden gems!
The Henry Vilas Zoo is a true rarity— a 100% admission-free zoo that is community-supported and dedicated to the mission of conservation. The zoo is home to over 650 animals from a large diversity of habitats from across the world and caters to over 750,000 people annually. Visitors have the opportunity to see everything from Russian Amur Tigers to African Lions to Himalayan Bactrian Camels. It would take many visits to see everything the Henry Vilas Zoo has to offer!
The zoo is a short ten-minute drive from Sun Valley Apartments and is the perfect way to spend an afternoon while supporting a historic, local institution.
With some of the country’s most dazzling freshwater lakes and seemingly endless forests of oak and pine, Wisconsin State Parks offer up a beauty that can only be found in this region of the country. These three state parks are some of our favorites and are all within 30-45 minute drive of Sun Valley Apartments. Governor Nelson State Park is located on the north end of Lake Mendota just north of Madison. You’ll find beautiful sandy beaches, a boat launch, a fish cleaning station, and 8 miles of trails for hiking and biking. Aztalan State Park houses a rare archaeological site of a Mississippian village that was inhabited from 1000 to 1300 AD. Aztalan offers a stunning, well-maintained landscape and will further your knowledge of the region’s pre-colonial history. Cross Plains State Park is a fan favorite for year-round hikers. The park is marked by a series of loop trails that wind through a staggering landscape shaped by glacial melt. The park is particularly beautiful in the Spring and Fall.
Over 20,000 years ago, the northern glaciers that covered the land began to melt and recede, thereby forming the Great Lake region that we know and love. Sun Valley Apartments sits near three very special lakes— Lake Monona, Lake Wingra, and Lake Kengosa. Lake Monona is easy to access from the city and stunningly beautiful. It’s the perfect place to take time away from the hustle, bustle, and traffic that you find in Madison. Lake Wingra is the closest to Sun Valley Apartments. Throughout the warmer months, you’ll find the lake dotted with canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. It’s also known for its plentiful bounty of Wisconsin’s state fish, the muskellunge, or musky pike. Lake Waubesa lies just east of Sun Valley Apartments. It’s well-known for its top-tier fishing, providing anglers with access to Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Catfish.
Top 5 Places to Eat In Fitchburg, WI
When you sit down to eat at Quivey’s Grove, you are engulfed in American history. The restaurant is situated inside of the old Mann estate, built in 1855 as a home and horse stable by entrepreneur John Mann. Back in the day, Mann ran a highly successful “livery stable,” where owners could keep their horses for a fee.
Today, the property has two distinct restaurants: The Stone House and The Stable Grill. The Stone House offers an upscale dining experience with a menu honoring Wisconsin by using fresh, local ingredients and serving up dishes that are named after famous Wisconsinites— Duck Wilcox, Lake Trout Phoenix, Leopold’s Feast (just to name a few). If you crave a more casual dining experience, head over to the Stable Grill. Regardless of which restaurant you choose, the sense of tradition is palpable, which is why customers describe Quivey’s Grove as providing a very special dining experience.
Looking for something with bold, international flavor? Dhaba Kitchen has you covered. This local bistro is one of the most highly rated Indian restaurants in the city and is often recognized for its easy-going atmosphere, amazing service, and top-tier Indian cuisine. The menu boasts all of the Indian classics such as Biryani dinners of various combinations, Tandoori specials, Curries of all kinds, and deserts like Mango Ice Cream, Pistachio Kulfi, and Gulab Jamun (fried milk powder balls soaked in rose syrup) for customers with a sweet tooth.
As fans of the restaurant will attest, there’s really no way to go wrong at Dhaba Kitchen. The attention to taste and quality is undeniable. Try for yourself! The restaurant is less than 10 minutes away from Sun Valley Apartments.
Locally owned and operated since 2009, the Bonfyre American Grille has become a cherished restaurant in the Madison community, supporting multiple local charities each year and partnering with Wisconsin-based farms and ranches to bring in top-notch ingredients.
If you take one look at the menu, you’ll understand why Fitchburg loves this luxurious American eatery. It’s stacked with Risottos, Roasts, Flatbreads, Burgers, and most enticing of all, the aptly named Woodfyred Steaks topped with garlic butter and served with traditional steakhouse additions like bearnaise, chimichurri, or blue cheese crumbles (this writer is feeling hungry just thinking about it).
Located just along the Beltline Highway, the Bonfyre American Grille is quick and easy to get to for Sun Valley residents.
The Thirsty Goat— where BBQ lovers unite! This saucy joint is a Fitchburg favorite, and luckily for residents of Sun Valley, just across the road from our community! With a short five-minute walk you could be browsing the menu of one of Madison’s most loved BBQ restaurants. The atmosphere is casual and laid-back, yet lively, offering customers a sports bar experience along with a major addition… killer barbeque. Take one look at the menu and you’ll be tucking a napkin into your collar. Choose from a list of beef ribs lathered with homemade BBQ sauce, brisket, pulled pork, smoked kielbasa sausage, along with the classic sides like a baked potato, coleslaw, and a mac & cheese dish topped with toasted breadcrumbs. To finish off the meal, explore the boozy dessert drinks and smoothies. There’s no doubt— you’ll be leaving satiated and satisfied.
5. Atomic Koi
Conveniently located five minutes north of Sun Valley, you’ll find one of the most creative drink menus in town at the Atomic Koi. Choose from a list of eclectic mojitos, martinis, classic cocktails, and most intriguingly… ice cream based boozy drinks. What makes the Atomic Koi so unique is that it sits adjacent an ice cream shop, which makes it possible for the bartenders to dream up ice cream cocktail variations that you can only find here!
It’s a great place to gather with friends or unwind after a long day of work. In the warmer months, make sure to check out their outdoor patio.