Madison is a beguiling town that’s home to one of Georgia’s oldest and largest National Historic districts. Stroll down shady streets lined with historic homes and antique shops and dine on classic Southern cuisine. Located just an hour east of Atlanta, Madison is a perfect destination for a daytrip or weekend getaway.
Begin your trip at the Visitors Center, which is located on the town’s main square. Pick up a brochure and begin a walking tour of the city, which winds through the downtown area and historic district. The prosperous merchants and cotton planters who lived in the town during the 19th century built beautiful Greek Revival and Federal homes, over 50 of which remain today. Stop and look inside some of the antique shops found along the route. Take a break and enjoy a meal at a fine restaurant.
Join a tour of the Rogers House, located on East Jefferson Street. Built in 1809, this simple white home is the oldest in Madison. Continue a few blocks over to South Main Street and find Heritage Hall. This striking Greek Revival mansion actually used to sit a few hundred feet down the road. It was moved to its current location in 1908.
Tour the current exhibit on display in the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. Set in a 19th-century schoolhouse, the center encompasses a history museum, innovative art galleries and an auditorium that hosts events ranging from gospel singing to plays. Check out the perfectly preserved classroom where comic Oliver Hardy attended first grade.
Admire works by famous artists like Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso at the Madison Museum of Fine Art. Browse impressive collections featuring pieces from all over the world, ranging from African stone sculptures to European oil paintings.
Find Madison in northeastern Georgia, 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Atlanta and 29 miles (47 kilometers) south of Athens. It’s well-connected to the surrounding region by bus.
Soak up the southern charm of one of Georgia’s most picturesque towns.
