There is no shortage of great day trips in Connecticut. From our beaches to our small towns, to our museums and wildlife refuges, you’ll never run out of things to explore in the Constitution State. If you’ve been wondering where to go in Connecticut for a day trip, one town that we love is Madison. This seaside place is stunning, and residents and visitors alike just love it. Come along as we explore all of the wonderful things to do in Madison, CT!

The town of Madison was named after President James Madison.
Madison, CT 06443, USA
Good Streets/Flickr
It is a 25 minute drive east of the city of New Haven, covers about 37 square miles, and has a population of just under 20,000.
You can tour one of the oldest buildings in Connecticut in Madison - The Deacon John Grave House.
Deacon John Grave House, 581 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, USA
Deacon John Grave House Facebook page
It was lived in by the same family for more than 300 years and contains extensive records of daily life in the Colonial Era. There are many educational events held here throughout the year, including re-enactments of what it was like to live in Colonial times.
Another great attraction in Madison is Meigs Point Nature Center. The nature center is an educational center and sanctuary for various local animals, most of which cannot be released due to injury.
Meigs Point Nature Center, 1288 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443, USA
Cameron Tylek/Google Maps
Meigs Point is also home to 10 beautiful gardens filled with native plants. The center features tons of educational programs and seminars throughout the year. A calendar of events and more information can be found on the Nature Center website.

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The Blinnshed Loop Trail in Connecticut is a great place to get out and explore nature.
Neck River Trail, Madison, CT 06443, USA
M A T T V/Alltrails
It connects to the Neck River Trail in Cockaponset State Forest and the entire loop is just under six miles. Our friends at Alltrails have lots more information about the Blinnshed Loop Trail, as well as other trails in Connecticut.
RJ Julia Booksellers is one of the best independent bookstores in Connecticut.
RJ Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, USA
Derek Clark/Google Map
This popular bookstore features all kinds of fantastic staff suggestions to help you pick out what book to read next. With two floors of books, you could spend most of a whole day here without even hitting the other places on our list!
If you're ready for a bite to eat, right behind RJ Julia Booksellers is a great little cafe called the RJ Cafe and Bistro.
RJ Cafe & Bistro, 768 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443, USA
RJ Cafe & Bistro/Facebook
There is a lovely little outdoor area where you can snack on the cafe's tasty sandwiches, or pick up a delicious cupcake or coffee if you're looking for something a little lighter, before you move on to explore more of this beautiful small town.
Probably the most well-known attraction in Madison is Hammonasset Beach.
Hammonasset Beach, Madison, CT 06443, USA
slack12/Flickr
It features more than two miles of shoreline, making it the longest public beach in Connecticut. There's even a shell-covered portion of the beach that sings! You can discover more about the trails here on AllTrails.com.

Have you been to this charming New England town? What were some of your favorite things to do in Madison, CT? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

If you’d like to explore hikes around Madison, you can find some great trails by visiting AllTrails+.

For more great places to visit in Connecticut, check out our handy Connecticut travel guide!

If you’re still in the mood for more Nutmeg State adventures, take a look at this video:

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More to Explore

More to Explore in Connecticut

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | July 14, 2023

Where can we find lakes in Connecticut?

  • Candlewood Lake, located in both Fairfield and Litchfield County, is the largest lake in the state at 8.4 square miles.
  • Bantam Lake, which crosses the towns of Morris and Litchfield, is a popular place for sailing and ice fishing.
  • Crescent Lake in Southington is popular for canoeing and its beautiful walking trails.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other lakes in Connecticut.

Where can we find small towns in Connecticut?

  • Old Saybrook is a charming little shore town and known as one of the best foodie towns in Connecticut.
  • Putnam is a waterside town that draws visitors for its amazing antique shopping.
  • Cornwall is peppered with rolling hills, a state park, and lots of historical attractions.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other charming small towns in Connecticut.

Where can we find museums in Connecticut?

  • The New England Accordion Connection and Museum Company in Canaan is home to approximately 500 accordions on display.
  • The Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven is the oldest operating trolley museum in the country and offers rides of antique trolley cars.
  • The Bruce Museum in Greenwich focuses on the Connecticut environment, art, and history.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other wonderful museums in Connecticut.

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Madison, CT 06443, USA