Madison Historic District — Attraction in Madison

There's a reason Madison gets so much hype. There are over 100 antebellum houses still standing here. We're talking about great big, grand, plantation-style houses, except they're located in town. There's a catch. If you come to Madison from the Interstate and you make a beeline for the central square, you're going to drive right passed them all. These magnificent buildings are scattered around the town, not concentrated in the center. It's a bit like Natchez, Mississippi, except on a more intimate, less dramatic, scale. Come here and stay overnight and be prepared to drive around a bit to look. Another thing. Most of these houses are private property and are not open to the public. You have to admire from the sidewalk. The downtown is quaint, with some good dining and lodging options for those on a tour or...

I drove through historic downtown today and then walked it this evening. It is such a nice little town square. Well lit sidewalks and beautifully appointed store fronts make for a delightful evening stroll even if you are alone. I felt completely safe. I stopped to admire the back lit elegant windows of the Madison Inn... stunning. If it were not a holiday I would have tried some...

I honestly expected a better downtown area! They have some nice shops but nothing to really stand out. They could clean out some of the areas and create sitting areas and a nice park-like area. Madison needs to step it up! Take notes from Monroe...