If you are looking for THE BEST PLAYGROUND in the Madison area (yeah– I said it, and I’m actually pretty passionate about it), look no further than Glacial Valley Park in Cross Plains.Â
Location
2119 Hillebrand Drive – Cross Plains, WI
This park features a huge climbing structure for kids 5-12, a slightly smaller one for the 2-5 crowd, and basketball courts with adjustable backstops that will please kids of all ages. While dogs are not allowed on the playground itself, you can bring your dog– on a leash– to the park.
We left our lazy dog at home because zip line swings are not her thing, but I brought 4/5 of my children, ranging in age from 13 to 1, and we all had a blast. Also? It turns out zip line swings are my thing.
Mostly, though, I sat in the shade at a picnic table just perfect for a mom with a good book
and watched the kids climb, slide, swing, and spin. We brought snacks and made an afternoon of it, stopping only when the baby needed to go home and take a well-earned nap.
We spend a lot of time at playgrounds, so my kids are hard to impress, but this park blew
them away. The long poles! The merry-go-round! The tall slides!
What makes this park exceptional, though, is the zip line swing. I have never seen anything like it, and the kids and I all waited in line for our turns.
When you take your kids to Glacial Valley Park, you will probably see me and my gang– it’s the perfect place to spend a quiet morning. Just make sure you check for babies at the bottom of the twisty tube slide.
Insider Tip:
Don’t leave Cross Plains without stopping at the Creekside Scoop. Opened in 2022 – they say: “At The Creekside Scoop we aim to serve high-quality, local ice cream and ice cream sandwiches, malts, Crazy Happy Shakes, old-fashioned candy, tap root beer and local brews. It’s more than just ice cream, it’s magic…” — don’t just take our word for it – check it out for yourself!
