The sprawling University of Wisconsin sets the tone for this college town of cafés, bookstores, pubs, numerous restaurants (more per capita than anywhere else in the USA) and a good share of cultural and historical attractions. Stunning glacial waterways make the City of Lakes one of the country's more picturesque state capitals. More than 250 parks offer residents and tourists plenty of recreational areas to choose from. If you visit the campus, make sure and try the famous Babcock Ice Cream at Memorial Union or Babcock Hall, before or after a visit to the Elvehjem Museum of Art's collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities. And to really get into the college spirit, head over to State Street's eclectic range of ethnic restaurants. Make sure and try the mouth-watering bratwurst sandwich on a homemade bun at State Street Brats, a student favourite. At the end of State Street, the white granite, Roman Renaissance-style Capitol dominates the skyline and offers an observation platform for views of the city and lakes.

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