from EXCURSIONS GUESTBOOK HUNTSVILLE, MADISON & DECATUR 10th Anniversary Edition by EXCURSIONS BY CITYVISION
The City of Madison, the fastest growing city in the state of Alabama, is a rare and eclectic combination of historic charm and progressive innovation. Madison has grown rapidly, and with this growth came the demand for high-quality services, restaurants, retail, parks, green space and family recreation opportunities.
With regularly scheduled festivals and events, Madison is a place to connect with others. Explore Madison!
Admire Our Public Art
The Madison Arts Council teamed with the Madison City Council, city leaders, The Arts Council of Huntsville and Huntsville city leaders to expand the SPACES Sculpture Trail into Madison. Madison’s participation has grown to works displayed with the generous funding from Madison City Council along with help from The Arts Council. You can find the works of art at the following locations: The Madison Public Library, Dublin Park, downtown and city hall.
Find a Food Truck
The food truck scene continues to gain speed in Madison. Badd Newz BBQ and Sugar Belle can be found at concerts in the parks, Bob Jones High School and local church events. Back Alley Travelling Bistro, HotBox, Pearl: Vietnamese & Hawaiian Subs, I Love Bacon and In The Bun can be found parked in front of Rocket Republic Brewing Co. Check out Facebook for daily locations. It’s worth the chase!
Great Things Are Brewing and Distilling in Madison
Local breweries in Madison are contributing to the new moniker for this area of the state: The Napa Valley of Craft Beer. Rocket Republic Brewing Co.’s taproom offers live music, fantastic food truck cuisine and a place to challenge someone to a ping pong game. Old Black Bear Brewing Co. relocated its production facilities and opened its tap room and restaurant in historic downtown Madison. Black Patch Distillery impresses many whiskey aficionados, located off Madison Boulevard.
Catch a Game or a Concert at Toyota Field
Toyota Field, home to the new AA Minor League Baseball team Rocket City Trash Pandas, is fast becoming a social hub for the City of Madison. Conveniently located off Interstate 565 with its own exit, Toyota Field will host baseball games during the spring and summer and a number of concerts and other events throughout the year.
Keeping it Small-Town
Madison’s growth hasn’t diminished its small-town feel! There is no better time to relish in all that is small-town than at the Madison Street Festival. Held annually the first weekend in October, more than 25,000 people gather with friends at concert stages, shop booths filled with unique arts and crafts, sample delicious foods, sweets and local craft beer and enjoy all that is quintessentially Madison. Arrive early for the parade…stay late for the fun! madisonstreetfestival.org
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Madison Village Center and Shoppes of Madison are located on Highway 72. Shoppes of Madison is anchored by Target and includes Ulta, Shoe Fly Clothing and casual dining opportunities like Smash Burger and Panera Bread, or for something fancier try Tom Brown’s Restaurant—a new steak and seafood restaurant. Madison Village is anchored by Marshalls, Michaels and Massage Envy. Just west is Medical Park Station with Dunkin Donuts, Pizza 120, Taziki’s and J Whitener Boutique. The Village Shoppes of Madison, on County Line Road, features a Publix, King’s Olive Oil, Tuesday Morning and several other specialty retailers as well as Cork & Crust Pizzeria + Wine Bar and Goodland Pour House.
Tickle Your Taste Buds
For a fantastic meal, check out Buenavista Mexican Cantina on Hwy 72—this local family-owned restaurant chain has three locations and has been serving North Alabama for more than 25 years.. Looking for something savory? Another favorite dining spot is Main Street Café in historic downtown Madison. See a complete list of local eateries in Madison in the Dine Locally section of this publication.
Share a Selfie Using #VisitMadisonAL!
Snap a selfie at a Madison hotspot or landmark and share it with #VisitMadisonAL and be entered to win a monthly giveaway. Selfies that are most shared and favorited will be entered into our drawing. If chosen, you could win a gift certificate from an area merchant! Selfie must clearly identify a Madison location to qualify. Scan this code to connect to Madison dining, shopping, events and more at findmoremadison.com
Expand Your Knowledge
The new Madison Public Library is open to the public! The 25,000 square foot library is located at 142 Plaza Blvd. The state-of-the-art facility offers new technology amenities including a creativity lab, large outdoor movie screen, tween gaming center and an interactive early literacy center. Explore creature comforts such as private study rooms, indoor fireplace with quiet reading areas, separate children’s story time room and outdoor seating.
The Gem of Madison
In 1856, tracks were laid by the Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company; families moved into the region for its fertile farm land; merchants were attracted and a business district founded. Even 155 years ago, people knew a good thing when they saw it. Today, the Madison Station Historic District is the iconic and practical heart of Madison; a dining/arts/entertainment district for residents and visitors. It combines Madison’s Historic Downtown District with historic homes—grand to quaint—which line the streets nearby. The Avenue of Madison, a new development off Sullivan Street, brings modern livability with boutique shopping and dining to downtown.
A Town within a City
Town Madison, a $400 million, 500-acre development, is conveniently located along the I-565 corridor, stretching from WallTriana Highway to Zierdt Road anchored by a new Minor League Baseball stadium and Margaritaville Resort. Retail, restaurants, hotels and office space is interspersed amongst luxury apartments, town homes and single family houses. Designed by Andrés Duany, the internationally renowned American architect, urban planner and founder of the Congress for the New Urbanism, Town Madison is being designed in the new Urbanist style with walkable blocks and streets, housing and shopping in close proximity to one another with accessible public recreation and green spaces. Excitement has continued with the opening of Toyota Field when the first home pitch for the AA Minor League Trash Pandas was thrown on May 11, 2021. The quality of life currently enjoyed in the City of Madison will be enhanced by all that Town Madison will provide.
Burn Some Calories
Dublin Memorial Park located at 8324 Madison Pike is a fantastic place to get in some exercise while you’re in town. The park features a double-court gymnasium equipped for basketball and/or volleyball with an upstairs walking track, 25-yard, eight-lane heated indoor swimming pool, meeting rooms and administrative offices, paved walking trail, nine soccer fields, nine-hole disc golf course, seven tennis courts, community-built playground, outdoor pool with a diving well and children’s pool.
Get Some Fresh Air
Rainbow Mountain Preserve is located off Stoneway Trail, 1.5mile long Loop Trail follows a generally rocky path along the cliff ridge and east side of Rainbow Mountain. It features beautiful rock formations, such as Balance Rock, excellent views of Madison to the west, fossils, caves and a waterfall. Bradford Creek Greenway provides scenic views of the creek and hardwood forests along the banks. The wetland areas support beavers, raccoons and many species of fish and birds. Gain access via Palmer Road, across from Palmer Park, with paved parking adjacent to the east entrance of the park. Mill Creek Greenway can be accessed via Mill Road. Indian Creek Greenway is located on the border of Huntsville and Madison and can be accessed from Old Madison Pike, near the intersection of Slaughter Road.
