Madison parks can be used in every season, so there is something to enjoy no matter how cold it gets! There are 13 locations around town offering outdoor ice skating, with five maintained by Madison Parks, seven through the Adopt Ice Partnership, and one by both. West side rinks (nine) outnumber the east side (four), but all have their own unique set-up and charm. In comparison, Milwaukee (a city over twice the size of Madison) offers eight locations for outdoor ice skating.

The most important part of skating is having physical skates. If you don’t own a set, you will need to rent a pair. Elver Park, Tenney Park, and Vilas Park are the three facilities that offer ice skate rentals, staffed warming shelters, restrooms, and concessions, so we

The holiday weekend is here, and if you're still finishing your shopping, several Madison area businesses have great options to please everyone on your list!

For the foodie:

REAP Food Group is offering their annual "Taste of Wisconsin" store through today.  Visit their office on 306 East Wilson Street, and take advantage of all kinds of locally grown treats. Create your own gift basket, and take pride, knowing that you're supporting sustainable, local agriculture. The gift recipient will love the delicious assortment of foods like granola, pickles, beets, sunflower oil, popcorn and more! Pair it all with a Love Wisconsin coffee table book, and your gift is sure to please. 

REAP Food Group is a non-profit in Madison, dedicated to growing good

With Christmas music taking over the radio before Thanksgiving and many trees and lights up shortly thereafter, it's safe to say the holiday season is here. Many Dane County communities are already planning wintry events for the first part of December, including these listed below - with or without snow. Be sure to check out the websites for detailed schedules and associated costs.

Cambridge Classic Christmas
When: November 30-December 2
Where: Downtown Cambridge
What: Santa and Mrs. Claus come to Cambridge in time for the community Christmas tree lighting Friday evening. Saturday features horse drawn wagon rides, caroling, shopping, and crafts, and Sunday morning is breakfast with Santa.

Victorian Holiday Weekend
When: November 29-December 2
Where:

As the holiday season begins and the snow starts falling, South Central Wisconsin is full of places to go to enjoy a night out.

Holiday Light Show in Janesville

Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville is just a short drive from Madison, but offers one of the largest light displays around.  The gardens include 20 acres of beautiful scenery and, beginning this weekend, they will light it all up for evening enjoyment. This year's display will include more than 500,000 lights, a record for the gardens. Walk through the paths, enjoy more than 100 lit archways, search for the decorated evergreens (there are more than 100!), see decorated garden obelisks, and all kinds of individual displays. Santa occasionally makes a stop at the Rotary Gardens, and is

Here's a new spin on trick-or-treating- Cave of the Mounds is encouraging guests to bring their costumes underground. This weekend, through Wednesday, October 31, all ages are invited to explore the hidden treasures that sit beneath Blue Mounds.Cave of the Mounds is located roughly 30 minutes southwest of Madison. The cave was first discovered by accident in 1939, when miners blasted through the limestone hiding it. Since then, the cave was designated a National Natural Landmark, and areas of the cave were opened for visitors to tour and explore the magnificent paths underground.  Today, visitors can tour the cave, study the fossils found inside, and enjoy biking and hiking trails surrounding the cave's entrance. 

This weekend, visitors will enjoy

As the seasons change from summer to fall, be sure to catch the leaves turn into their brilliant red, orange, and yellow hues. Check back for updates using the fall color report map at TravelWisconsin.com, which estimates that the Madison area will reach peak in mid-October. There are several spots throughout our Dane County Parks that we recommend for autumn color viewing, but these three stand out for their elevated, expansive views of the tree-filled landscape.

Lake View Hill Park

1202 Northport Dr., Madison: This park is home to the highest point on Madison's north side with gorgeous views of Lake Mendota and downtown. After meandering around the Dane County Human Services building (the former sanatorium) and checking out the newly restored

The season of pumpkins, mums, and changing leaves is here! Several communities in Dane County are preparing for their annual fall festivals with plenty of games, crafts, and autumnal treats for the whole family to enjoy. Mad City Dream Homes will also have a presence at one of these events on Friday, the second annual Verona Fall Fest.

Verona Fall Fest

When: 4-10 p.m. Friday, October 5
Where: Hometown USA Festival Park, 111 Lincoln St., Verona
Info: www.visitveronawi.com

Our Hometown real estate agent, Mark Hewitt, will be sponsoring a face painting booth for kids with free designs, including some to go along with the outdoor screening of the movie "Coco" that night, as well as candy and interactive games. Meanwhile, adults can check out a

The Blackhawk Ski Club is thriving and, as fall begins, the club is preparing to welcome new members. With six alpine skiing and snowboarding trails and miles of cross country skiing trails, more than 5 miles of mountain bike trails, 60 acres of land, even targets for biathlon participants, the club aims to make winter weather fun, and to make summer trails worth a visit, too. Blackhawk Ski Club is located in the Town of Middleton, on Blackhawk Road. It was founded 71 years ago by a group of ski jumpers who were seeking more space to practice. Today, the club sits next to Pleasant View Golf Course. It has expanded its offerings and aims to teach new generations to love the outdoors.

"I wanted my kids to learn how to ski, and this was the perfect

For the last few summers we've invited our eldest niece stay with us in Madison for a weekend, and each time we try to do something new together. This year, in an attempt to captivate her 8-year-old interest (aside from her handheld gaming device), we decided to explore some sights on the city's east side.

After enjoying sandwiches and macaroni and cheese at Monty's Blue Plate Diner and checking out the rising lake levels at Olbrich Park, we headed across the street at dusk to Olbrich Botanical Gardens for its opening viewing of "GLEAM: Art in a New Light."

Before we got in line for admission we snapped a picture with the "Grow" Bucky on Parade statue in front of the building, which features textured poppy flowers, grass, roots, and clouds.

Saturday opens the 10th Annual Agora Art Fair at the Fitchburg Agora. Greek for "gathering," the Agora is a retail space surrounded by natural prairie and beautiful scenery at 5500 E. Cheryl Parkway. Beginning at 10 a.m., more than 100 vendors will be set up, and ready to display their creations for all to see. 

The vendors are all local or regional. Come enjoy their creations, ask questions, and learn more about their artistic process. "We want visitors to take in art for the senses: a beautiful mix of art, architecture, nature, music, food and community!" says Steve Leverentz, coordinator for the festival.

The Agora Art Fair is a friendly place, and visitors enjoy meandering through the tents, shopping for the perfect piece, and experimenting