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Top 10 Fall Activities in Madison, Georgia
Fall is here! Cool, clear weather has us grabbing a fleece and getting outside to enjoy all the autumnal beauty. If you’re looking for fall vacation ideas or even just a weekend getaway, enjoy a few of our favorite fall activities below. Just an hour outside of Atlanta, an escape to Georgia’s authentic small town is the perfect way to relax and take time to enjoy the season.
1. Wrap up your holiday shopping
The holidays are fast approaching and if shopping and decorating are on your mind, Madison’s annual Shop, Sip & Stroll Saturdays in November will have you wrapping up your list in no time. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, special offers from retailers and restaurants and a few holiday surprises to get you in the holiday spirit. Plus get free admission to the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center on Shop, Sip & Stroll Saturdays!
2. Tour a local creamery
Around here we love to eat and shop local and fresh. Head out to Rock House Creamery for a farm tour to meet the cows, learn about the cream line milk process and tour the vegetable gardens. You’ll get to taste some cheesy goodness along the way. Currently the tour is available on November 8th. Please check the Rock House Creamery website for upcoming tours.
3. Go horseback riding
Hit the horse trails at Southern Cross Guest Ranch for some prime leaf-peeping and fresh air. Enjoy the famous lunch buffet while you’re there, with European comfort food and a beautiful view of the pastures. Make sure to call ahead to make your reservation, as this is an experience you won’t want to miss!
4. Stargaze at Georgia's second largest State Park
Fall is a great time to look to the sky for the autumnal constellations. Hard Labor Creek State Park offers several opportunities to stargaze with their Twilight Kayak Tours, Campfire and Stargazing events, and Full Moon Paddle. Bundle up, take some hot chocolate, and keep an eye out for shooting stars.
5. Enjoy outdoor dining
The weather is perfect in the fall for dining al fresco and Madison has an abundance of outdoor dining options! Whether you’re lunching at Madison Produce, Ricardo’s Kouzzina, or The Sinclair, or enjoying dinner at Dive-In Seafood Bar or Dolce Cafe, Madison has a patio to suit every taste.
6. Tour Madison’s National Register Historic District
The tree-lined streets of small-town Madison and its magnificent Historic District are bursting with fall color and festively decorated porches. Stop by the Madison Morgan County Welcome Center to learn the locals’ favorite spots and get started on the free audio walking tour. The walking tour is the best way to discover the history of this small town and uncover the lore of the enchanting historic sites, churches, schools and homes you’ll see along the way. Prefer to explore by bike? Pick up a Madison-Morgan Meander map for cycle-friendly routes through scenic and historic Morgan County, GA.
7. & 8. Check out an art museum (or two)
For days when you prefer to find some autumn beauty indoors, the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art is showcasing “Fall and Winter Musings” from November18th to January 6th, an exhibition of Steffen Thomas works from colorful trees to snowy scenes.
Or stop in at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center for MAG POPS!, the Madison Artists Guild Pop-up Show 2021. The exhibition features artworks from Madison Artists Guild members in a variety of forms and is sure to inspire your imagination.
9. Pamper yourself
If you need to rest and rejuvenate after all the fall fun, or maybe in preparation for the busy holiday bustle, check out one of Madison’s spas and wellness centers. The Spa at James Madison Inn, Pure Bliss Spa and the ZEN Relaxing Wellness Center offer a variety of therapies to get your mind and body centered and ready for the holiday season.
10. Stay for the weekend
With so much to do in Madison this fall, why not make it a weekend getaway with a stay at one of our B&Bs or Farm Stays? Burnt Pine Plantation is a unique choice for enjoying seasonal deer and quail hunting, clay shooting and fishing. Guests also enjoy thoughtfully prepared dinners in the dining hall, drinks in the lounge, a game room and library. Check out the wide variety of lodging options available in and around Madison and make plans for your fall escape!