For a perfect family trip, look no farther than Madison, Alabama, which was recently named one of America’s Top 100 Small Cities by CNN/Money magazine. Even if you’re not looking to relocate, Madison is the perfect place for a weekend getaway or week-long vacation.
One of the fastest growing cities in the southeastern United States and home to technology giants like Boeing and NASA, Madison still boasts that small-town charm from its days as a stop on the Memphis/Charlestown Railroad.
A visit to Madison is best started with a trip to the Clay House Museum on Main Street. This antebellum home from 1853 is owned by Robin Brewer who has adorned each room with dinnerware from a different decade – from the 1850s to the 1950s. On Mondays, stop by for tea with Robin – she’ll tell you all about the history of her collections and recommend other Madison landmarks not to be missed.
You won’t want to stay indoors for long once you’re in Madison; with dozens of trails and parks, the city boasts natural beauty, as well as accessibility. Check out the Rainbow Mountain Trails, which will give you miles of panoramic views throughout the 130-acre Stoneridge Park. At the nearby Huntsville Botanical Garden, you can take 
a tour of the grounds and check out several species of butterflies, turtles and more.
The Madison Golf Center will have avid golfers eagerly waiting for tee times. A Madison Beautification Award winner, Madison’s course, putting green and training areas are scenic and challenging for both experts and beginners. At the center’s Smokin’ on the Range Grill, fill up with BBQ platters, smoked sausage and more. Need to brush up on your swing before hitting the greens? Get a lesson with Billy Eastep – a former player on the PGA tour and winner of the Teacher of the Year Award for the Dixie Section of the PGA.
If you’re traveling with young children, add the Madison Children’s Theatre to your list. With classics like Alice in Wonderland and parodies such as The Trial of Goldilocks, the theater makes famous tales come alive for children of all ages!
Dining out in Madison is a real treat – although you’ll have trouble deciding where to chow down among the dozens of attractive choices. For southern cooking at its best, check out Jackson’s Family Restaurant on Lime Quarry Road. As one satisfied customer attests, “Country ham, biscuits, gravy and grits – this down-home spot has it all.” The Main Street Café on Main Street is actually Madison’s old city hall; the small dining rooms are actually redesigned jail cells – now that’s atmosphere. If you like casseroles, try the café’s “Miss Daisy” – a beef casserole with mushrooms, tomatoes and water chestnuts. For a quick fill up, try Apple Lane Farms on Madison Boulevard. Their “overstuffed” sandwiches contain six ounces of meat that will keep you going until dinner!
Madison, Alabama is the kind of place where when you leave, you know you’ll be back. In fact, many who visit consider living there. Residents call their small city a place “where progress joins preservation,” and Madison indeed proves to be a mix of good old-fashioned southern hospitality and groundbreaking technological development (check out the U.S. Space & Rocket Center). Whether it’s just the two of you or the whole family, Madison is sure to charm everyone.
For more information, visit www.madisonal.gov.
