Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Sun Prairie is a city of 37,570 people in Dane County, Wisconsin, founded in 1839.
Why visit Sun Prairie
Townapedia lists 11 museums and landmarks, 58 parks and trails, 75 places to eat, 3 places to stay and 4 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Marcus Palace Cinema, West Main Street Sun Prairie Farmer's Market, Sun Prairie Water Tower and Adam and Mary Smith House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 12°F, and about 52 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Sun Prairie
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 35,967 at the 2020 census. It is the most populous suburb of Madison, the state capital, and is part of the Madison metropolitan area.
From the Wikipedia article Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do4
West Main Street Sun Prairie Farmer's Market
Farm and orchard
1110 West Main Street, Sun Prairie
Tu 14:30-18:00
Sun Prairie Farmers Market
Farm and orchard · 1.2 mi
Sa 07:00-12:00
Museums and landmarks11
Sun Prairie Water Tower
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Water tower in Sun Prairie, United States of America
Adam and Mary Smith House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
House in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Chase Grain Elevator
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Grain elevator located in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Dr. Charles G. Crosse House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Historic house in Wisconsin, United States
Fuhremann Canning Company Factory
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Historic building in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, United States
Adam & Mary Smith House
Monument and historic site · 2.0 mi
2531 Smith's Crossing
Sun Prairie Historical Museum
Museum · 1.1 mi
115 East Main Street
We-Sa 11:00-16:00; Su-Tu off
Sun Prairie Civic Theatre Barn
Museum · 0.7 mi
550 South Bird Street, Sun Prairie
Parks, trails and playgrounds58
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46 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes75
Eddie's Alehouse and Eatery
Diner · American · 1.2 mi
Beer bar selling dozens of craft brews along with pub grub in homey digs with pool tables & TVs.
238,291 East Main Street, Sun Prairie
11:00-02:00
Country Cafe
Restaurant · Diner, American, Italian
1030 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie
Su-Mo 06:00-14:00; Tu-Sa 06:00-15:00
Golden Nest Pancakes & Cafe
Restaurant · Breakfast · 2.0 mi
2812 Prairie Lakes Drive
Mo-Fr 07:00-14:00; Sa-Su 07:00-15:00
Grace Coffee Company
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.3 mi
1261 Cabela Drive, Sun Prairie
Mo-Fr 06:00-17:00; Sa,Su 07:00-16:00
Gus's Diner
Restaurant · Diner · 2.2 mi
630 North Westmount Drive, Sun Prairie
Su-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa 06:00-20:00
Mac's Macaroni & Cheese Shop
Restaurant · Pasta, American · 2.2 mi
2804 Prairie Lakes Drive, Sun Prairie
Mo-Su 10:45-21:00
Rocky Rococo
Restaurant · Pizza · 2.2 mi
2828 Prairie Lakes Drive, Sun Prairie
Mo-Sa 10:30-21:00; Su 10:30-20:00
Full Mile Beer Company & Kitchen
Bar and pub · 1.2 mi
132 Market Street, Sun Prairie
Tu-Fr 11:00-20:00+; Sa,Su 10:00-20:00+; Mo off
Liv's Drink Emporium
Cafe · 2.3 mi
3140 Edmonton Drive, Sun Prairie
Mo-Fr 06:00-18:00; Sa 07:00-18:00; Su 07:00-17:00
63 more on the map.
History
President Martin Van Buren commissioned a party of 45 men, including Augustus A. Bird, to build a capital for the Territory of Wisconsin in Madison. The group left Milwaukee on May 26, 1837, and traveled for days in the rain. On June 9, the group emerged at the edge of the prairie and with the sun shining for the first time in days, carved the words "Sun Prairie" into a tree. Charles Bird returned to the area two years later and became the first settler.
The Town of Sun Prairie was created on February 2, 1846. The village of Sun Prairie, which grew from that town, was incorporated in an act of the Wisconsin legislature on March 6, 1868.
On March 17, 1958, the Village Board ordered a referendum election on whether Sun Prairie should incorporate as a city of the fourth class after receiving a petition signed by over 100 electors. In the referendum election on May 6, 1958, 295 voted for incorporating as a city and 284 voted against. On May 15, 1958, the Wisconsin Secretary of State filed the certificate of incorporation of the city of Sun Prairie.
From the History section of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay3
Quality Inn & Suites Sun Prairie Madison East
Motel and hotel · 1.7 mi
105 Business Park Drive, Sun Prairie
Churches and places of worship9
Living Waters Lutheran Church
Church · Lutheran · 2.5 mi
3075 Prospect Drive, Sun Prairie
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 2.3 mi
6651 Prairie View Dr, Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie United Methodist Church
Church · 1.1 mi
702 North Street, Sun Prairie
Shopping13
Gas and EV charging11
Schools, colleges and libraries33
Healthcare8
SSM Health Davis Duehr Dean Eye Care
Hospital · 2.5 mi
2850 O'Keeffe Avenue, Sun Prairie
Map of Sun Prairie
225 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 12°F | 1.5 in | 13.7 in |
| Feb | 31°F | 15°F | 1.5 in | 12.8 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 25°F | 2.3 in | 7.0 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 36°F | 3.8 in | 2.6 in |
| May | 69°F | 47°F | 4.1 in | 0.1 in |
| Jun | 79°F | 57°F | 5.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 62°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 80°F | 60°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 73°F | 51°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 40°F | 2.8 in | 0.6 in |
| Nov | 45°F | 29°F | 2.2 in | 3.0 in |
| Dec | 32°F | 18°F | 1.6 in | 12.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Madison Dane Rgnl Ap 72641 (6 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Dane County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2020-04-04: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-10-18: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides (Flood)
- 2011-04-05: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2008-06-14: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2008-03-19: Record Snow And Near Record Snow (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 6 miles away.
- DeForest 6 mi northwest, about 10 min by car
- Madison 12 mi southwest, about 19 min by car
- Middleton 15 mi west, about 24 min by car
- Fitchburg 17 mi southwest, about 27 min by car
- Stoughton 18 mi south, about 29 min by car
- Oregon 20 mi southwest, about 31 min by car
- Fort Atkinson 27 mi southeast, about 43 min by car
- Portage 28 mi northwest, about 45 min by car
- Beaver Dam 29 mi northeast, about 46 min by car
- Baraboo 32 mi northwest, about 52 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- SunPrairieWisconsinDowntown, User:Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 2.5
- KFC™ Sun Prairie - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Super 8® Sun Prairie - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2015 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Sun Prairie Water Tower - panoramio (1), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Bank of Sun Prairie - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2014 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio (2), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2012 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio (2), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2014 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio (4), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2014 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio (1), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2012 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2014 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio (3), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Sun Prairie Public Library - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2014 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2012 Sun Prairie Christmas Lights - panoramio (1), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Sun Prairie Water Tower, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Adam and Mary Smith House 1, Larkworb, Public domain
- Fuhremann Canning Company Factory - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Chase Grain Elevator, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, James Steakley, CC BY-SA 3.0
- CrosseHouseSunPrairieWisconsin, Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sentry Foods(Closed) - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Cost Cutters - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- El Patron Mexican Grill - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Little Caesars Pizza - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- McDonald’s® - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Former Sentry Foods - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- True Value® - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Dunkin' Donuts® - panoramio (2), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Dollar General ^ 6330 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Erbert ^ Gerbert's Sandwich Shop - panoramio (1), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- McGovern's Hotel ^ Extended Stay Suites - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Open Door Church ^ Panda Garden - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Wendy's® - panoramio (2), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Culver's® - panoramio (1), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Pizza Hut® - panoramio (8), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- BURGER KING® - panoramio (6), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Sir Hobo's - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DQ® ^ Orange Julius® - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Family Video ^163 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Domino's® - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
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