Prepare to be charmed by Madison.

Things To Do In Madison, Where To Shop In Madison, Where To Eat In Madison, Where To Stay In Madison

Key Takeaways

Located about 60 miles east of Atlanta, Madison is a small town with a surprising amount to see and do, including Georgia Safari Conservation Park and a charming downtown square.
The dining scene in Madison is surprisingly rich for a town of its size. You can find French patisserie, local coffee, fine-dining spots, casual cafes, and more, all within walking distance.
Lodging options include a stylishly revamped roadside motel, a luxurious farm stay, and an inn on the town park.

How does a tiny town in Georgia (pop. 5,308) end up on Time magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list? Innovation, and some zebras. Last year, Georgia Safari Conservation Park opened its doors in Madison, about 60 miles east of Atlanta. The park offers a unique opportunity for people to get close to wild and exotic species in a setting that allows the animals to roam freely and thrive. In a 530-acre setting that could easily be mistaken for African grasslands, parkgoers can go on tours with guides, and can even stay the night in luxurious tents with decks overlooking the landscape.

As impressive as the park is, Madison itself is equally destination worthy. Named for the fourth President of the United States, it was founded in 1809 and has one of the largest historic districts in the state with grand homes dating back to the mid-1800s, when the area was a hotspot for growing and processing cotton. Instead of becoming a place where tourists come in for a day and leave, the town has turned itself into a charming weekend getaway.

In the past few years, new restaurants, bakeries, and shops have opened downtown, bringing fresh energy to this historic area. Much of this growth has been led by developer Preston Snyder’s MAD Hospitality, which has transformed vacant buildings on the town square into stylish spaces that also fill a need in the community, like a French patisserie where locals line up for bread and croissants, an inviting coffee shop in a former gas station, and a retro-cool roadside motel.

The combination of high-level dining, beautiful architecture, and small-town charm make Madison feel like a real hidden gem—although that’s surely not going to be the case for long. Here are the best things to see and do while you're there.

Things To Do In Madison

Visit Georgia Safari Conservation Park

Madison’s must-see attraction is unlike any zoo or drive-through park you’ve ever experienced. With a focus on conservation and education, the sprawling Georgia Safari Conservation Park aims to help critically endangered and near-threat species like the addax and the American buffalo repopulate and lead healthy lives. Tour guides drive visitors around in safari vehicles and tell the story of each animal, down to their names. (Yes, each one has a name.). You’ll come face-to-face with ostriches, admire a zebra’s stripes up close, and watch baby bison nurse alongside their mothers.

Take A Walking Tour

One of the best ways to get to know Madison is on foot. Take a 1.5 mile self-guided walking tour of the town’s picturesque historic district by following this guide. The route, which starts at the welcome center and ends at the town park, includes churches, private homes, museums and cultural centers, and government buildings, to name a few. Fans of historic architecture will find a wide variety of meticulously restored styles to admire, from the Greek Revival Stagecoach House to the Victorian Hunter House.

Learn About Madison’s African American History

Madison’s grand homes are beautiful, but it’s important to understand their context in the town’s history. While white families prospered during the cotton boom and lived in luxury, the hard labor was done by enslaved African Americans. According to the town, in 1820, nearly half of Morgan County’s residents were enslaved, with that number reaching 70 percent of the county’s almost 10,000 people by 1860.

One place to learn more about Madison’s African American history is the Morgan County African-American Museum. The museum occupies a house dating back to 1895 that was once owned by John Wesley Moore, a farmer who was born in the last years of slavery. Inside, you’ll find art, photographs, and artifacts on view, and exhibits on Morgan County’s notable residents.

Another must-see stop is the Rose Cottage, the former home of Adeline Rose, a woman who was born into slavery, yet managed to save enough money from her job as a laundress to construct this house for herself and her children. The Madison County Historical Society offers tours of the home, where you can learn more about her story.

Where To Shop In Madison

Hunt For Treasure At Antique Stores

Whether you’re in the market for an antique side table or vintage armchair or just like to browse, you can spend hours wandering the booths at Madison Markets. The 20,000 square foot antique mall has almost every decorative item for the home that you could think of, and in a range of styles and price points. Continue your hunt at J&K Fleas An’tiques, another large antique mall filled with furniture, home decor items, jewelry, and other fun finds.

Find A New Outfit

Laughing Moon stocks women’s clothing and accessories like leather bags, as well as University of Georgia gear. At Amelia’s Apparel, you’ll find everything from special occasion dresses to pajamas, and clothing brands like House of MBR, Gretchen Scott, and Johnny Was. For menswear, TJ Bishop’s carries brands like Barbour, Johnnie-O, and Duck Head.

Bring Home Local Foods

In addition to being a cafe, grist mill, butcher shop, and creamery, Farmview Market is a fun place to browse for regionally-made food items from Georgia peanuts to creamed honey by H.L. Franklin in Metter, Georgia to Farmview’s own line of jams. The store also has an open-air farmer’s market from May to September every Saturday.

Where To Eat In Madison

Morning

Madison Country Convention & Visitors Bureau

Roland Alonzi/Contento

Start the day with a freshly baked croissant, fruit tart, or quiche at Patisserie on Main (above), an adorable French bakery where everything is made on-site. Get caffeinated with an expertly made brew at Oconee Coffee Roasters, a family-run cafe with a menu of drinks made with their own beans and milk from nearby Rock House Farm & Creamery. For a sit-down meal, Betty Jean’s is a breakfast and lunch spot with Southern-style favorites like biscuits and gravy and chicken and waffles, along with French toast and omelettes, and burgers and sandwiches for lunch. (The restaurant has been temporarily relocated up the street to Buggy Works, an event space, due to a building fire.)

Afternoon

Roland Alonzi/Contento

Enjoy lunch with a little people watching at The Sinclair, an all-day cafe on Madison’s historic square. Formerly a gas station, the restaurant is a stylish space with indoor and outdoor seating and a menu of sandwiches, snacks, cocktails, and espresso drinks. Or head to Hart & Crown Tavern (above right) for pub grub like fish n’ chips, plus burgers, salads, and heartier dishes like pork schnitzel. R+B Soul Cafe is a Madison mainstay for Southern comfort foods like meatloaf, fried chicken, and an array of vegetable sides.

Evening

Roland Alonzi/Contento

Growl Bros.

Located right off the town park in a former ice warehouse, Ricardo's Kouzzina is a lively spot with an eclectic Mediterranean-inspired menu ranging from Greek salad and baked feta to lasagna and meatballs to burgers and pork chops. Town 220 is a bright and airy restaurant known for steaks and pasta dishes. For a fancy night out, The Dining Room (above) is a polished but welcoming fine dining option with a seasonally-driven menu and expert wine pairings. Choose from a three- or four-course prix fixe menu or a la carte options like pecan and bacon-wrapped Georgia trout; black bass with braised lobster mushrooms; or grilled Georgia quail.

Where To Stay In Madison

A Serene Rural Retreat

The Farmhouse Inn offers well-appointed rooms and cottages in a peaceful farm setting complete with hiking trails, a pond, and a barn full of animals. Located about a 10 minute drive from downtown, a stay here includes complimentary breakfast with ingredients sourced from the property.

A Fun Retro Motel

Roland Alonzi/Contento

The New South Motor Inn is a freshly revamped roadside motel with 1950s charm and modern-day amenities like kitchenettes, Wi-Fi, and smart TVs. The inn has 15 rooms including the 700-square-foot owner’s suite, which has a living room with a sofa bed, a kitchen, and a separate bedroom.

A Comfortable Downtown Inn

Housed in a stately redbrick building, The James Madison Inn has 17 guest rooms and suites overlooking the quaint town park and is walkable to nearby shops and restaurants.