By Allison Tibaldi, Boston Magazine
This little town by the sea has a big food scene, from dumpling feasts to decadent ice cream sundaes.
The laidback coastal Connecticut village of Madison is just a two-hour drive from Boston, offering a compact, pedestrian-friendly downtown full of shops and restaurants. The town green, a New England classic, boasts manicured lawns, free concerts, and a bountiful Friday farmers market. Best of all, Madison is anchored by beautiful beaches, including Hammonasset Beach State Park, making it the perfect destination for anyone who wants to play in the sand, swim in the Long Island Sound, and stroll a maze of wooden boardwalks.
The Wharf – at Madison Beach Hotel
For delicious food with an incredible water view, the Wharf can’t be beat. (Doesn’t hurt that it’s located within the Madison Beach Hotel, one of New England’s finest seaside hotels.) The chef champions a “boat-to-table” philosophy of local, seasonal sourcing, and the heated porch provides nautical vibes that’ll have you feeling like you’re on a boat yourself. That said, a table inside by the fireplace is also quite cozy. Start at the bar for a memorable Bee’s Knees, made with honey-infused gin from Bar Hill Distillery in Montpelier, Vermont, and delve into the various seafood options for your meal, from a shrimp cocktail appetizer with zesty cocktail sauce to a warm, buttery Connecticut-style lobster roll accompanied by a mountain of shoestring fries. Save room for dessert, especially if the showstopping carrot-cake baked Alaska is on the menu.