Maple Bluff is aptly named for its abundant maple trees and the bluff on which it perches, overlooking the eastern shore of Lake Mendota. “It’s one of the nicest neighborhoods in Madison,” says Keller Williams Realtor Tommy Komar, who has been working with clients buying and selling homes in Madison for nearly five years. “They have their own country club, their own mini police station and a mini fire station, and a public beach, too,” he says, adding that technically speaking, the neighborhood is a “village.” But less than 20 minutes northeast of downtown Madison, Maple Bluff is close enough to the city for locals to easily take advantage of its amenities. “It’s a great location just over the city limits. A lot of the houses have lake views, and there’s a great view of the capitol from the bluff over the water, too,” says Komar. For that mix of prime location, amenities and aesthetic appeal, buyers can expect to pay a bit more than Madison's median home price.
Maple Bluff is on the eastern shore of Lake Mendota.
Enjoy some time at Beach Park.
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Sale prices over the Madison median
The gently curved residential streets winding through Maple Bluff are lined with tall oak, pine and maple trees. Broad, well-maintained front lawns are seldom interrupted by sidewalks. Many of the homes here were built between the early 1920s and late 1950s in traditional styles like Colonial Revival, Cape Cod and Tudor Revival. There are also midcentury modern ranch-style homes and some early 2000s builds. “You’re looking at prices starting around $500,000 but they can go for upwards of $1.3 or $1.5 million,” Komar says, noting that lake views increase home values.
The average home in Maple Bluff was built in 1955, using sturdy materials, built to last.
Tudor-style single-family home located in Maple Bluff.
Maple Bluff is a quiet luxurious neighborhood by the water.
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Maple Bluff students, Madison schools
Maple Bluff students attend schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Each youngster’s exact pathway is dependent on their address, so parents should double-check the boundaries ahead of registration. Many students go to Lake View Elementary, Sherman Middle and East High School between preschool and 12th grade. In 2023, Lake View and Sherman both earned C-plus grades from Niche and East High earned a B-plus. Teens at East High are each sorted into one of four Small Learning Community Neighborhoods, designed to provide structure to the high school experience and give students the opportunity to build more solid student-to-student and student-to-teacher relationships. The four neighborhoods, Olbrich, Tenney, Warner, and Yahara, each have their own Assistant Principal, Counselor and Dean of Students.
Lake View Elementary School serves grades K-5 and received a C+ from Niche.
Parents of Maple Bluff may send their children to the nearby Sherman Middle School.
The entrance and signage for Madison East High School near Maple Bluff.
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Local community parks
At Beach Park, off Lakewood Boulevard on the shore of Lake Mendota, locals can go swimming or burn off some energy on the tennis courts and playground. There’s also a stone patio and fire pit for public use. Marina Park, off Farwell Drive at the north end of Maple Bluff, offers in-water and land storage for watercraft, as well as paddle rentals. Landlubbers aren’t left out of the park scene here, though, with four landlocked neighborhood parks scattered throughout Maple Bluff, offering everything from baseball and soccer fields to playgrounds and basketball courts. And the Maple Bluff Country Club, which is nearly as established as the neighborhood itself, offers an 18-hole, par 71 golf course, along with racquet sports courts, a pool, fitness center and event spaces to its members.
Residents of Maple Wood can head over to Maple Bluff Country Club to practice their golf swing.
Maple Bluff Country Club members can enjoy their Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Kids can burn off some excess energy at Johnson Park in Maple Bluff.
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Close to eateries on Sherman and downtown Madison
For their everyday shopping, residents tend to head into Madison Proper. There’s a Trader Joe’s on Monroe Street near downtown just 20 minutes southwest. But on Saturday mornings, they can pick up fresh, seasonal and locally sourced food items at the Dane County Farmer’s Market, off South Fair Oaks Avenue less than 15 minutes southeast. “Downtown is where most people will go for groceries and shopping, things like that, but there are quite a few restaurants and bars along Sherman Avenue heading out of Maple Bluff, too. It’s nice because you don’t have to go more than 5 or 10 minutes away to get good food,” says Komar. Among the eatery options on North Sherman Avenue, Bear & Bottle offers unique Latin American and Asian fusion-style fare and a full bar in a hip atmosphere. For a more mid-morning dining experience, Ancora Café and Bakery offers all-day brunch and craft lattes right across the street.
Residents of Maple Bluff can ride their bike to Bear & Bottle for lunch and a draft beer.
Bear & Bottle is a local restaurant in Maple Bluff
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Madison Metro serves Maple Bluff.
Getting around the Madison metro
Stops along the City of Madison Metro Transit’s bus line are stationed at intervals along North Sherman Avenue on the east side of Maple Bluff, making it easy to jaunt around town even without a car. For residents who need to venture farther afield, the Dane County Regional Airport is just 10-minutes east of most homes, across Packers Avenue. UW Health University Hospital and other amenities in downtown Madison are just over 6 miles southwest, a drive that takes about 20 minutes depending on traffic.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
Photography Contributed By
Scott Mason Bittinger
Video By
Gabriel Miller
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sue Gilbertson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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