We asked a few locals and a few shopkeepers why they moved here, what they think of town, and to share some of their favorite things about Madison.

We asked a few locals and a few shopkeepers why they moved here, what they think of town, and to share some of their favorite things about Madison.

Karen Donlon. Recent full-time resident. Did you grow up in Madison, or when did you move here? I did not grow up in Madison. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania. I moved to Madison June 2018. Why did you decide to stay here or move here? My family moved here in 1997 and I loved Madison and the surrounding area. At the time, the commute to Stamford for work was too far, so we settled in Southern Connecticut. Now 20 years later and downsizing, here I am. Favorite place in town: My most favorite place in town in R.J. Julia’s Bookstore! I can spend hours in there and it has a fabulous cafe! Favorite restaurant in town: My favorite restaurant is Moxie, so far! Favorite shop in town: That’s a tough one! They are all spectacular. One of my favorites is Walker Loden. Do you take advantage of the recreational options in town (beaches, hiking, biking, etc)? If so, what are your favorites? Yes! I love the town beaches, the hiking trails, biking, I LOVE the downtown and walking there. I also love the beautiful convenient cinema. And you are right here at the BEAUTIFUL HAMMONASSET BEACH! What do you think makes Madison special? It has a quaintness and calmness like no other in my opinion, along with having all the conveniences either in town or conveniently nearby. You have a friend considering moving to town. How would you convince them they should? Madison is one of the most beautiful and charming small towns in Connecticut. I love its ocean-side setting and it is filled with culture! You’ll never be without something to do, and the Madison people are very welcoming and friendly.

We asked a few locals and a few shopkeepers why they moved here, what they think of town, and to share some of their favorite things about Madison.

Top Ten Ways to Visit & Vacation Like a Local

Eco-Friendly Madison (A Madison Shortcut)

By Robyn Wolcott  Some days, I want to be testing my agility on a mountain bike or a stand-up paddleboard. Other days, I just need some Zen. If you’re feeling the latter, here’s a day to help you relax, recharge, and clear your head in Madison, CT (or as I’m calling it, Madi-Zen)! Get your morning started I have been told that the best time to meditate is first thing in the morning, before your mind starts racing. If you live in town or are staying locally, this should be relatively easy. Just get into some comfy clothes and grab your smartphone, headphones, and select a 10-minute guided meditation on Youtube or a meditation app (I like the app Calm as it offers several free 10-minute guided sessions). Find a comfortable and quiet spot to sit, and let the guidance take over. By starting your day this way, you can set a Zen pathway for the day, as well as learn some tips on how to block out all the noise. I recommend just 10 or 20 minutes because I’m sure you’re hungry! Speaking of hungry, now that you’ve started your day right, let’s fuel up. If you want something light, try our local Willoughby’s Coffee Shop with bagels, baked goods, and more (open 6:30am each day, 7am on weekends). Looking for something more substantial? Head to Cristy’s of Madison for a pancake the size of a plate; or to Madison Beach Hotel for something delicious with a waterfront view. Late morning/mid-day Let’s continue the calm by heading for a nature walk. The Shoreline Greenway Trail is a 2.5 mile walk roundtrip. (Where to enter/park – see the website.) If you want something even longer, you can head into Hammonasset State Park and follow their map of walking trails . Depending on the season, watch for various birdlife along our coastline! The Audubon Shop can likely make some suggestions, tell you what to look for, or you can join them for a hike if the timing is right. (Events on their website .) Meal time? Depending on what time it is now, you can head to lunch or check out some of the great ways below to keep your mind clear. If it’s lunch, you have great options in town. Check out the full list of Chamber member restaurants here! Deeper Relaxation in Madison Scranton Memorial Library in Madison – free Monday Meditations at 12:30pm. Certified meditation and mindfulness teacher Johanne Vanelli leads, speaks on topic related to meditation for about 15 minutes, and then guides attendees through 40-minute meditation. See the schedule here . Several fantastic places in Madison – schedule ahead of course. Try licensed massage therapists Anne-Marie Mulholland of Celtic Healing Arts , Madison Park Nail & Spa , Resilability , or Sounds of the Sea Spa at Madison Beach Hotel . Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center offers spectacular opportunities to recharge. The most comprehensive are the full-day, weekend, or longer programs that provide a variety of mindfulness and meditation practices. If you’re not ready for that intensity, you can also join them for Mandala making, nature journaling, and full moon labyrinth walks to recharge at Mercy Center. Catch a flick. Check out a first-run independent art film or upscale foreign or domestic film at the vintage-feeling Madison Art Cinema that has been a part of Madison since 1912 but was renovated and reopened under new ownership in 1999. Bend & Stretch. Get out all the kinks at Life Full Yoga or Rise Therapy and Wellness , which offer a variety of morning and evening yoga classes to fit your schedule. Après Activity Finally, after this incredibly relaxing day, it’s probably time for more food or a nice beverage. Hit the restaurant list again, or try one of our local spirit shops for a bottle of your favorite drink or a tasting. There are few things that I find more relaxing than a nice glass of red wine, but a tasting may be even better. There is a certain sense of gratification when I take the time to do a tasting and find a new favorite. Check their website links for scheduled tastings. May your feeling of Madi-zen continue for days to come!

By Joan Horton  The fast pace of holiday season changes into sudden slowdown that is first appreciated, and then drifts into our quiet winter moments. Our resolutions almost forgotten make us wonder what’s next. So, as Joan Rivers used to say, “Can we talk?” Let’s talk about how to enjoy a quiet shoreline town and still fill a calendar with plans. Surprisingly, it is not really that quiet! At home, some quiet time and house cleaning may draw out infrequently used items. Remember those cross-country skis and snow shoes that haven’t been used for a few years? A slide into town or a walk on the Greenway Trail or Hammonassett might just be doable. As a shop keeper I have noticed more people making day trips to Madison remembering how nice it was over the summer. They’re spending more time thinking and shopping local, and the results are a very beautiful and active Madison filled with shoppers and visitors from far and wide. They’re enjoying restaurants new and old, as well as good values for our local inns or the Madison Beach Hotel , and are discovering our New England village as a not-so-quiet jewel filled with more surprises and interests depending on the season. Having a new approach to what one has taken for granted, some people were even saying this feels like a new Madison! They are excited to see the town shops all filled and we are hoping to keep the momentum of stores opened for shopping as weekenders and locals keep coming in. There are bargains for winter, and the first picks go to those who like to stay on top of the trends and preparations for the season to come. How will we look upon the “new” Madison? What do we want to do? Food, movies, books, lectures, field trips walks on re-opened Hammonassett Drive. Instruments, activities at the Senior Center , mindfulness at the Mercy Center , happiness at the Scranton Library , dinners at Chef Paul Barron’s , the farm cooking classes, and dinner at the farm. The opportunities have us rethinking our talents and home economics classes young and old. Madison is bringing out creativity in all who come through it! The Wine Thief offers tasting events. Arnold has updated the marquee on the theatre, a modern addition to the Madison Cinema whose acoustics were modernized a few years ago, but it will always have its own special old-time comforts. Our theatre along with RJ Julia are some highlights of the town that bring people from all over and makes us proud to be living here no matter what time of year. But we aren’t finished. Turning the corner from Main Street, Wall Street lights up when the sun goes down. A magical wonderland that during the day appears to be a quaint row of houses, but the ground floors are filled with new and old familiar shops and restaurants. Leave your car parked and take a walk. And who has the fortune to have two frames shops on one street who are always servicing local artists and collectors, each with different personalities. Although most people think of Madison as one street and now two, a short ride in either direction of the Post Road will bring more surprises of food, consignment, gardening and of course, in just a few turns there are the surprises of the shoreline! Staying in any of the hotels or inns, there are always bicycles and maybe some snow shoes. Always something to entertain no matter what time of year. And bring your dog if you will. This is a dog-friendly town. (Check with your lodging choice first, of course!) As locals keep inviting guests to visit, some have already decided that they want to make Madison a permanent place to call home. The sea, the air and the light of this town help to keep all the seasons in Madison magical.

By David Anderson If your impression of Madison is that of a sleepy little suburban town where the only time people are outside is to mow their lawns on the weekend, I have a surprise for you. Madison is quite possibly the “Coolest Outdoor Town in Connecticut”! Whether you’re an endurance junkie, a trail hound, an outdoorsman, or a waterman, Madison provides the adventure you’re looking for. Here are some ideas of how to experience a Mad-venture of your own. Endurance Junkies If waking up early and getting in the training miles is your idea of a good time, join the hundreds of runners and cyclists that traverse Madison’s quiet residential streets on a daily basis. To run like a local, start at the town-owned Surf Club and head down Middle Beach Road to enjoy the beautiful views of the shoreline. Stop and turn around at East Wharf Beach for a short out-and-back, or continue on and link up to the Shoreline Greenway Trail and continue running into Hammonasset Beach State Park . Cyclists can follow this same route, venture further along the shoreline in either direction towards either Clinton or Guilford, or head up north and challenge your legs and lungs to some punishing hills. Forgot your bike? No problem, Vista Life Innovations runs a seasonal bike share program in cooperation with the Madison Beach Hotel , the Scranton Seahorse Inn , and the Tidewater Inn . Want to test your legs against the local competition? Madison is home to some of the best races in the region. Marquee events include the Madison Turkey Trot , the Madison Triathlon , and the Summer Breeze Century Ride sponsored by the Madison Jaycees, the Leprechaun 5-miler sponsored by the Exchange Club of Madison, and the Vista Tour de Shore sponsored by Vista Life Innovations. Trail Hounds The Town of Madison contains over 10,000 acres of open space connected by more than 50 miles of trails under the collective management of the Town of Madison, the Madison Land Conservation Trust , the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority , and the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection . Trail runners and hikers can explore a range of options, from the beginner-friendly Shoreline Greenway Trail to the more rugged and rocky routes in North Madison. The South Central Regional Council of Governments maintains an inventory and maps of the entire regional trail system that can help you select an appropriate route, and the Madison Land Conservation Trust holds events throughout the year to get people out on the trails. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association also hosts several local events and organizes the Blue Blazed Trail Running Series , highlighted by the Bimbler’s Bluff 50k which winds through the Town of Madison’s Rockland Preserve . Mountain bikers will find a network of over 17 miles of dedicate mountain bike trails at the Singletracks of Rockland . The Singletracks of Rockland are a flowing, feature packed tour of the 650 acre Rockland Preserve property. The trails were built for mountain biking and were voted among the most popular mountain bike trails in the United States . GPS ready maps are available at the trailheads and the trails are well-marked and easy to navigate. The trails are also the training grounds of the Rockland Rad & Gnar junior mountain bike team , who took home the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP) 2017 Junior Mountain Bike Series Team Standings. Just off trail you’ll find a surprising number of rock climbing and bouldering spots throughout town and in neighboring Chatfield Hollow State Park . The Main Wall at Chatfield has been a hotbed of rope climbing in Connecticut since the 1970’s and the surrounding areas are also home to some of Connecticut’s best bouldering . Located in New Haven but owned and operated by a Madison family, City Climbing Gym offers rock climbing instruction for those new to the sport. Outdoors(wo)men If moving at a slower pace outdoors is more your speed, Madison has you covered. The campground at Hammonasset Beach State Park has 556 campsite and 8 rustic cabins for reservation . Camping has been a part of Hammonasset since it opened to the public in 1920. According to the Friends of Hammonasset , “the park is not only a facility, but a place of family memories that have been going on for generations. The friendships you will make last a lifetime. The laughs you will share will be the basis of stories told for years. The movie nights, pick-up softball games, guided nature hikes, shared cookouts, kids activities, just to name a few, will bring you, your family and friends back for years.” While the Town of Madison has many wonderful parks, Bauer Park stands out as of particular interest to the outdoor enthusiast. The Beach and Recreation Department organizes programming at Bauer Park year round, ranging from nature walks to maple sugaring at the Bauer farmhouse. If you’re in town during October, you do not want to miss the Annual Bauer Park Harvest Festival . The festival just wrapped up its 20th year, and this free old-fashioned country fair at Madison’s historic farm is sure to please. Birdwatching is another favorite pastime of both residents and visitors to Town. The Audubon Shop is widely known by birders throughout the state and the country as the place for binoculars and telescopes, tripods, international travel and field guides, and expert advice. The shop also conducts bird walks and talks throughout the year. Water(wo)men Bounded on the west by the East River and Neck River, on the east by the Hammonasset River, to the south by Long Island Sound, and dotted with smaller water bodies throughout, Madison’s geography provides a utopian playground for the water lover. Public boating access to the East River and Long Island Sound can be found at the East River Boat Launch off Circle Beach Road. Private boat storage is available through Beebe Marine . Rooftop boat access and seasonal rack rentals are available at West Wharf Beach and East Wharf Beach, and the town maintains a public boating area for sailboats and kayaks at Garvin Point at the Surf Club. Mooring posts are also available for rent at West Wharf. Kayak and Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board rentals are available nearby from Paddleworks at Harborside Marina. Paddleworks also offers classes and programs for Spring through early Fall. The Town of Madison’s Shellfish Commission operates a recreational shellfish program , in which numerous bushels of oysters and/or clams are placed in accessible recreational areas for residents to harvest. Additionally, the Shellfish Commission hosts an annual Clam Dig & Oyster Harvest . Arguably, the epicenter for trout fishing in Coastal Connecticut is the Hammonasset River. Every year on the third Saturday in April, the Inland Fisheries Division of the Connecticut DEEP stocks the Hammonasset River with several species of trout and the fishing season runs continuously until February 1st. Trout stock maps are available on the DEEP website. Captain Morgan’s Bait & Tackle is the Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter servicing recreational anglers for the past 20 years. Check out Captain Morgan’s blog for up-to-date local fishing information. Madison is also home to Andy’s Custom Bass Lures , maker of the E Series Finesse Jig used to win the 2016 Bass Master Classic. Winter Woes Don’t assume that Madison enters into hibernation mode when winter hits. Many of the activities outlined above can take place year round. If you’re a hiker or trail runner, get some snowshoes and hit the trails. Mountain bikers can give their full-suspension super bikes a rest and break out their fat bikes. Several of the local parks are perfect for cross country skiing, and if you’re looking for a challenging trek atop two skis, Chatfield Hollow is happy to have you. Park your car at the convenient winter parking at the entry to the park, and embark on a three-mile trip on the main road, or aggressive eight mile route taking the service road. Spend some time exploring the outdoors in Madison and you’ll soon agree that Madison is quite possibly the “Coolest Outdoor Town in Connecticut”!