The Best Small Town In Georgia
The Peach State has some magnificent bigger cities, don’t get us wrong. There is so much to do in Atlanta, and it goes without saying that Savannah is gorgeous. But to only focus on the larger metropolitan areas of the state means you’ll miss out on some wonderful small towns in Georgia. Some are isolated and rural, and some are suburbs conveniently tucked away right outside of a larger city, but the one thing they all share is their quaint charm and Southern hospitality. It should come as no surprise to anyone who’s spent much time here that some of the best towns in the state, like Madison, Georgia, are home to fewer than 10,000 people.
One small town in Georgia that has garnered quite a bit of attention nationally is the wonderful town of Madison, GA. Located about half an hour south of Athens, this delightful little town was named Best Small Town in Georgia by Southern Living magazine and has also appeared on lists from various other publications. There’s enough to do in this region of the state that you could easily visit for an entire week, but the next time you’ve got just a few days to spare, plan on taking a trip to this great small town. Here are a few ideas of things to do in Madison, Georgia to get you started.
From the Hawaiian Island of Oahu to the coast of Massachusetts and everywhere in between, come along with OnlyInYourState as we introduce you to the best Small Town Getaways you can take this year. From nature lovers and foodies to history buffs and shopaholics, there’s something for everyone within these unforgettable, two-day itineraries curated by our local travel experts just for you.
Is Madison, Georgia worth visiting?
Madison’s population is right around 5,000, though it is steadily increasing as more people learn about all the attractions here. This small town in Georgia was incorporated in 1809 and was named after President James Madison.
Walking through downtown Madison almost feels like you stepped back in time a few hundred years. There are plenty of great historic buildings and local businesses to check out in Madison, GA, particularly in the charming downtown area. We’ve put together a great two-day itinerary to help you plan a visit to this delightful small town in Georgia.
How To Get To Madison
Madison is about half an hour outside of Athens. It’s easily accessible from several highways, including 441, 83, and 278. The relatively centralized location within the state means it’s easy to visit from just about anywhere in Georgia. The closest airport is the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport if you’d prefer to fly in. The airport is a little over an hour away from Madison, so you would need to rent a car to reach your final destination. We recommend driving in if it’s at all possible since that’s much simpler than driving a rental car through the chaotic traffic in Atlanta!
Getting Around Madison
You can walk around much of downtown Madison. Most of the spots we mention in this Madison, Georgia travel guide are within just a few blocks of one another. Still, there’s no public transportation here, and a few of the destinations that we’ll mention are far enough away from downtown that you’ll want to have the option of hopping in the car. It’s definitely recommended that you have access to a vehicle while staying in the area.
Best Time To Visit Madison
Honestly, there’s no bad time of year to visit Madison. Spring and summertime bring a myriad of outdoor concerts and festivals. Visit in the winter and you’ll get to see the city decorated up for the holidays, with Christmas lights all over the downtown area. The Northeast Georgia region is famous for having some of the best fall foliage in the state, making autumn a good choice, too. You really can’t go wrong with a visit at any time of year!
Where To Stay In Madison
There are a couple of Airbnbs and Vrbo vacation rental homes in Madison, Georgia along with several chain hotels and a few independent options.
Brady Inn, 250 N 2nd St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Southern Cross Ranch, 1670 Bethany Church Rd, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Morning One: Breakfast and Exploration
Your first stop in Madison will be to grab some food from the wonderful The Sinclair. This cafe serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Sinclair, 298 Hancock St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
The tree-lined streets and antebellum architecture make strolling downtown feel like you’re walking through a park. Madison is the quintessential Georgian small town that looks straight out of a movie, no matter what the season is.
This little cafe is not far from downtown Madison, GA and has been delighting residents and tourists alike for more than 30 years.
R+B CAFE, 461 Burney St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Afternoon One: Sweet Treats, Historic Homes, And Seafood Eats
There are plenty more things to do in Madison, Georgia but here in the South, we like to take it a little slow. Why not take a moment to chill out with a sweet treat?
Scoops, 123 W Washington St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Heritage Hall, 277 S Main St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
179 E. Jefferson Street, Madison, GA 30650
It’s now one of the most popular house museums in Madison, and it provides a fascinating look back into history.
Rogers House Museum, 179 E Jefferson St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Ricardo’s Kouzzina, 271 W Washington St St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Morning Two: Coffee And Shopping
If you’re like us, you can’t get your day started without a cup of joe, so stop by Oconee Coffee Roasters. There’s no shame in needing some caffeine to get going!
Oconee Coffee Roasters, 142 Academy St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Community Roots Market, 292 Hancock St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Madison Markets ~ Antiques & Interiors, 144 Academy St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
Madison Markets is an indoor market with more than 20,000 square feet of antiques from over 75 vendors. It’s right in the heart of downtown Madison and is a great spot to visit if you’re looking to spruce up your home with some new decorations. It’s so fun to browse at an antique store, and this one feels almost like a museum as you walk through the seemingly endless aisles!
Madison Chophouse Grille, 202 S Main St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
The restaurant specializes in prime rib, but there’s a variety of great side dishes available.
Afternoon Two: Green Space, Community Events, And Dinner
Now we’re ready for some more exploration! Madison is such a charming little town and we’ve already seen some great shops and amazing restaurants here, so let’s enjoy the outdoors for a bit.
Madison Town Park, 171c GA-83, Madison, GA 30650, USA
For the afternoon, we’ll focus on some great outdoor spots in Madison. The Madison Town Park is an adorable little green space downtown. You’ll often find events or concerts, especially if you visit during the weekend.
Oconee National Forest, 2780 Baldwin Dairy Rd, Madison, GA 30650, USA
You’ll find over 850 miles of trails here, with rivers, campgrounds, lakes, and plenty more. This magical preserve offers endless opportunities for outdoor fun and is the perfect spot to experience the serenity of Georgia nature.
Town 220 Restaurant, 220 W Washington St, Madison, GA 30650, USA
If you’re not able to make it to Madison right now, check out this YouTube video from user Build The Dream:
Have you ever visited this charming small town in Georgia? Share your favorite attractions in Madison, GA in the comments! We’d love to update this Madison travel guide with your suggestions.
If you’re looking for nearby places to check out, you won’t want to miss the classic city of Athens, Georgia.
If you’re going to have to travel for a bit to reach Madison, Georgia, you’ll definitely want to check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List to make sure you’re prepared before hitting the road.
Not Your Average Bucket List Podcast
Only In Your State’s podcast Not Your Average Bucket List takes a deep dive into Madison, Georgia and everything it has to offer. Our hosts, Marisa Roman and Sara Heddleston, discuss what their “Perfect Day” in Madison would consist of. From wildlife hiking trails to sleeping in a cottage by the ocean, take a look at the infographic below to get your own suggestions for the perfect day exploring this small town.
To discover even more about Madison, Georgia in a fun, easily-digestible manner, tune in to OnlyInYourState’s brand new podcast, Not Your Average Bucket List, where we talk all about this charming town. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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