COLUMBIA COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM-Located in downtown Pardeeville, the former hotel houses three floors of fascinating exhibits.  Recall early life in Columbia County, featuring clothing and other artifacts from the “Roaring 20’s” period.  Open to the public June 1^st – September 1^st, Tuesdays-Saturday from 1:00-4:00 or by appointment (see Myrna for details).  Admission is Adults (12+) $1.00, 4-11 $.50, & under 4 free.

AMISH STORES – The Amish Community has several shops all within 15 minutes of Indian Trails Campground.   There are several bakeries, a grocery store, a cheese factory and a woodcraft furniture shop.   Stop into the office and ask Myrna for a map with a list of shops and hours of business.  The Amish will be back again this summer selling their baked goods every Saturday morning.   Check the weekly hand out sheet for time and location.

SPECIAL EVENTS IN DOWNTOWN PARDEEVILLE  - 

Pardeeville Garden Clubs Annual Garden Party, Saturday May 12^th 8:00-12:00 on the Library Lawn.  There will be a plant, bake, and an arts & crafts sale.  Memorial Weekend – City Wide Rummage Sales, Sidewalk Sales, & Firemen’s Breakfast at the Fire Station.  Band Concert/Pie & Ice Cream Social- Thursday evenings on the Library Lawn starting mid June and ending mid August.  Pies are served at 6:30 and the concert starts at 7:00.  Inclement weather will not stop the show, the doings are moved to the local High School.  July 4^th  -Activities such as light boat parade on the lake, dance, July 4^th parade in town, a scholarship breakfast by the Pardeeville Area Businessman’s Association & fire works.    Labor Day –City Wide Rummage and Sidewalk Sales.  Watermelon Festival – Saturday, September 8^th, seed spitting and watermelon eating competitions.  All the free watermelon you can eat.  This is a great day of family fun.  Don’t miss this annual event. 

PORTAGE AREA

SURGEON’S QUARTERS –Located 7 miles West of Indian Trails on Highway 33.  This building is owned, restored & maintained by Wisconsin Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.  This is the only remaining building of historic Fort Winnebago.  It overlooks the site where Marquette & Joliet left the Fox River.  There is fine a collection of old surgeon’s equipment plus furnishings of the time.  Open daily May 15^th –October 15^th from 10:00-4:00.  Admission: Adults $4.00, Seniors $3.50, 4-12 $2.00, 4 & under free & Families $10.00.  Tours last about one hour.  Call 742-2949. 

INDIAN AGENCY HOUSE-Located about 8 miles West of Indian Trails on Highway 33.  The United States Government built this house in 1832 for its Indian Agent John Kinzie.  His granddaughter Juliette Gordon Lowe founded the Girl Scouts of America.  The house is furnished with antiques of the period.  The National Society of Colonial Dames operates the house.  Open daily May 15^th – October 15^th from 10:00-4:00.  Admission: Adults $3.50, 4-12 $1.50 & 4 & under free.  Tours last about one hour.  Call 742-6362.

ICE AGE TRAIL-Check out this new attraction.  It’s also about 7 miles from West of Indian Trails on Highway 33.  This trail is handicap accessible and has 8 rest areas. 

COLUMBIA COUNTY FREE FAIR- July 25^th –29^th.  The fairgrounds are located about 8 miles from Indian Trails at Portage.  Go west on Highway 33 & left on Wauona Trail.  Animal shows, grandstand shows, exhibits, carnival rides, games, concession stands & much more.  Free admission & parking (charge for grandstand shows).

PORTAGE THEATRES-They have 7 screens and are just 10 miles from Indian Trails.  Go west on Highway 33 into Portage and then right at the second stop light at 322 W Wisconsin Street.  Check at the Indian Trails office for weekly showings or call 742-2313 or 742-6900.

GOLF COURSES-The Portage Country Club is about 2.5 miles west of Indian Trails on Highway 33.  It offers an excellent eighteen-hole layout.   Saddle Ridge Golf Club is about ˝ mile west of the Country Club with a nice 9 hole course.  Call for hours and fees:  Portage Country Club 742-5121 or Saddle Ridge 742-2181.

POYNETTE AREA

MACKENZIE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER-Located about 15 miles from Indian Trails.  Go south on Highway 22 & then right on County Roads CS & Q.  Operated by the Department of Natural Resources, this 280-acre facility contains an exhibit of Wisconsin wildlife, three museums, seven nature trails, an arboretum, picnic area & programs for registered day and overnight groups.  Open daily 8:00-4:00 seven days a week May through October.  No admission is charged.  Call 608-635-4498 for more information.

WISCONSIN DELLS/BARABOO AREA

The world famous Wisconsin Dells is only 30 miles from Indian Trails and has a lot to offer in the way of fun.  Enjoy the natural beauty of the upper & lower Dells boat trips, ride an Original Wisconsin Duck, discover the Lost Canyon, experience the heritage of the Dells at the Indian Ceremonial, Tommy Bartlett’s Ski, Sky & stage show, & numerous water parks.  Check out the brochure rack located in the Indian Trails office.

HO CHUNK CASINO has blackjack & slot machines.  Check out their new addition.  Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.  Stand Rock buffet and bar.  Must now be 21years old.  Located on US Highway 12 between Lake Delton and Baraboo.

CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM-Located 30 miles west of Indian Trails off of Highway 33.  See the wild animal menagerie, largest collection of circus wagons, a big top circus and unique musical instruments.  The museum is open daily mid May through mid September. 

INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION –Located between Baraboo and Lake Delton.  See a unique conservation organization working to preserve the world’s cranes and their habitat.  Tours are presented with a slide show.  Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Phone 608-356-9462 for more information.

MID CONTINENT RAILWAY MUSEUM –Located approximately 40 miles from Indian Trails  Take Highway 33 west to Hwy 136 then to North Freedom.  See displays of antique railroad cars.  Ride a nine mile round trip on a real steam train through the scenic Baraboo valley.  For more information, train departures & admission prices call 608-522-4261.

 MADISON AREA

 When you are at Indian Trails you are just 30 miles from Madison, the State Capital of Wisconsin . 

THE CAPITAL BUILDING is at the heart of the city.  Tours of the Roman renaissance structure include a walk through the rotunda, the State Supreme Court Chambers, the State Senate and Assembly Chambers and the Governor’s conference room.  There are many beautiful paintings adorning the walls and ornamental stones from around the world.  Tours are offered seven days a week year round.  There is no admission fee.  Call 608-266-0382 for more information. 

FARMERS MARKET-Capital Square every Saturday April 21^st- November 3^rd.  Homegrown fruits and vegetables are sold at this country market.   Hours are 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  There is also a market every Wednesday from 8:00 – 2:00 May 2^nd – October 24^th.  Call 608-266-6033 for more details.  Also in conjunction with the market are special events on the square.  The Art Fair on the Square is July 14^th & 15^th.  The Taste of Madison is September 1^st and 2^nd.  

OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS-Has year round tropical plant conservatory and seasonal gardens, including a rock, butterfly, & a rose garden.  Open daily year round.  Admission:  Gardens is free, Conservatory charges a fee and may be more when special events are held.    Gift Shop.  Call 608-246-4718 for more information.

UW-MADISON ARBORETUM-Featuring the prairies, forests & wetlands of Wisconsin.  This 1,260 acre arboretum houses flowering trees & shrubs.  Tours and classes offered during the year.  Open daily 7:00 a.m. –10:00 p.m.  No admission.  Call 608-263-7888 or 262-2746. 

HENRY VILAS ZOO-This zoo is home to nearly 800 animals, a park, picnic facilities & a children’s zoo too.  Open daily year round.  No admission.  Call 608-266-4732 for more information.

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU-Call 1-800-373-6376 or www.visitmadison.com for more information for special events such as the Rhythm & Booms at Warner Park Saturday, June 30^th, the Dane County Fair July 18^th – 22^nd, and the Concerts on the Square held weekly. Starting June 27^th through August 1^st every Wednesday there are Concerts on the Square at 7:00 p.m.  Also enquire about the various museums and historical sites.