Lake Mendota

Bearing a shoreline dotted with numerous towns and villages, Lake Mendota prides itself on being the largest of Madison's four lakes. Also the northernmost of all, the lake sprawls across a total length of 9,470 acres (3,940 hectares). Connected to other lakes by Yahara River, this lake is lovingly mottled with beaches, pleasant greenery as well as a number of scenic buildings. Several notable attractions like the James Madison Park and the Wisconsin State Capitol building, lie on the banks of the lake, making it a central feature of the city's landscape. It is also a popular spot for outdoor activities, particularly in the warmer months when locals take to the lake for boating, fishing, and water sports excursions. A natural jewel considerably defining the city's pleasant topography, the lake also proffers some breathtaking panoramas of its scenic surrounds. Its calming, yet rippling waters a splendid sight to behold, Lake Mendota metamorphoses into a heartwarming canvas of autumnal colors come fall.