Middleton, WI

In 2007, the city of Middleton, Wisconsin topped the list of Money magazine's 'Top 100 Best Places to Live.' The town earned its number-one ranking thanks to its mixture of small-town charm and big-city amenities, its many green spaces and trails, and its strong economy and low crime rate.

For most residents, Middleton is a haven for families. Many of the daytime activities in this bustling place are designed around families, from visits to the town pool in the summer to skiing at one of the many nearby resorts in the winter. At the same time, the city boasts a vigorous nightlife, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and activities for adults.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Middleton benefits from a varied economy, as well as from its location near the major city of Madison. Industries that are strong in the area include high-tech, biotech, medical research, pharmaceutical, and agri-business. Middleton is the international headquarters for Electronic Theatre Controls and American Girl.

Middleton's top employers include:

• Springs Window Fashions
• American Girl Brands
• Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District
• PDQ Food Stores
• Electronic Theatre Controls
• Meridian Group
• Angelus Management Services

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Middleton's livable and welcoming neighborhoods are a major factor in its status as a great place to live. The town generally has a small-town feel, but with plenty of amenities. Standout neighborhoods in Middleton include:

• Downtown: Middleton's downtown neighborhood is really something special, a completely pedestrian-friendly area in which houses and apartments nestle next to a lively array of bars and restaurants, banks, and churches. This vibrant area is also home to Middleton's City Hall.
• Middleton Hills: This master-planned community was built with all the modern conveniences including small shops, groceries, dry cleaners, and a neighborhood café and yet specifically designed to convey a powerful feeling of the past. The neighborhood consists of roughly 400 single-family homes, along with some townhouses and apartments, all intended to evoke a nostalgic image of small-town America. Green spaces are generous, while home lots are small, encouraging an overall greater sense of community involvement.
• Stonefield: This close-knit residential community is almost suburban in character. It is extremely family-oriented, with events including winter socials, ice cream parties, neighborhood parades, picnics, and garden clubs, which are all designed and planned around school and family life.

SHOPPING

Shopping in Middleton is an immersive experience. Most shops, both old and new, are scattered on neighborhood streets, adding to the pedestrian-friendly vibe of the city. Middleton's main shopping center is Greenway Station, an expansive complex with covered walkways, a community courtyard, and plenty of shopping, entertainment, and restaurants.

LOCAL CULTURE AND CUISINE

Middleton offers plenty of cultural opportunities for its residents and visitors:

• Capital Brewery Company: This well-known microbrewery offers traditional German lagers and hosts live musical performances and movies.
• Middleton Historical Museum: Memorabilia and artifacts housed in an 1867 building trace the area's history.
• Middleton Train Depot: The restored 1856 depot building serves as Middleton's welcome center, and is the office of the Middleton Tourism Commission.

FOR VISITORS

There is plenty to see and do each day in Middleton, both indoors and out:

• Pheasant Branch Conservancy: This wetlands refuge is home to endangered Blandings Turtles and other species, as well as plenty of native vegetation. Hiking and bird-watching are popular activities here.
• Quarry Park Skate Facility: Skateboard and rollerblading enthusiasts and novices alike will be impressed with this facility.
• Spas: Middleton is home to multiple spas, each of which offers a different menu of services for relaxation and pampering.
• Splash Pad in Lakeview Park: This water playground is designed with children in mind, and plenty of safety features are built into the colorful fountains and pools.
• Trails: Many regard Middleton's trail system for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing to be unparalleled for the region. Trails join neighborhood parks, wetlands, and waterways around town; additional trails can be found at Governor Nelson State Park.
• Walter R. Bauman Outdoor Aquatic Center: This pool boasts two waterslides, sand volleyball courts and playgrounds, and interactive water play equipment.
• Performing Arts Center: Located on the Middleton High School campus, this state-of-the-art space offers an auditorium with an orchestra pit and impressive acoustics. The center hosts performances and meetings.

EVENTS

Middleton celebrates its small-town values and status as a great place to live during each year's Good Neighbor Festival. Held in August, this festival features the annual Good Neighbor Award, which recognizes an outstanding member of the community.

LOCAL MEDIA

Middleton is served by the local Times Tribune, as well as by the many daily, weekly, and monthly papers based in Madison, including Capital Times & Wisconsin State Journal, Badger Herald, and Wisconsin State Journal.