Waunakee, WI

Italia

Waunakee sits in south-central Wisconsin, about 12 miles northwest of Madison in Dane County. This growing community of nearly 16,000 residents occupies rolling farmland that transitions between the glacial plains and the driftless region's hills. The area experiences a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers typical of the upper Midwest. The most direct route to Waunakee from Madison follows US Highway 113 north through Middleton, then continues northwest on Highway 113 directly into town. From Milwaukee, drivers typically take Interstate 94 west to Madison, then connect to Highway 113 north. For visitors arriving from the Twin Cities, Interstate 90 east to Interstate 94 south provides the fastest connection to the Madison area before taking Highway 113. County Highway Q also provides access from the east, connecting to Highway 113 in the heart of Waunakee. Local traffic commonly uses Highway 113 as the main north-south corridor, while residents traveling to Madison often take the scenic route through Middleton on Highway 113 or use various county roads for shorter trips to nearby communities. The proximity to Dane County Regional Airport, about 20 miles southeast via Highway 113 and Interstate 94, makes Waunakee convenient for air travelers. Waunakee proudly calls itself "The Only Waunakee in the World," a distinction the community has maintained since its founding, with no other municipality anywhere sharing this unique Potawatomi-derived name.