Everybody Out for a Walk!
... No Street vendors with enticing smells of freshly grilling delectables. No entertainment to draw you out of your indoor world and into the city streets for some fresh air. Just blue sky, sunshine, and warmth. No need for winter coats. Shirt sleeves would do fine. The first warm (over 40 degrees) day draws us, one and all, to the great outdoors.
OK everyone, the "let's go out for a walk" season has begun. Take a walk, or bring your bicycle. Try it. You'll like it.
Featuring - The Sculpture Mile
Featuring - The Sculpture Mile
One of the attractions unique to Madison is the Sculpture Mile. Located throughout Madison's downtown area, the Madison Sculpture mile is an exciting outdoor display of thirty-five sculptures by American Sculptors. It is open day and night, year 'round, is free, and booklets that catalogue and describe the currently displayed sculptures, good for self-guided tours, are available here at the inn and at various locations in town. From May to October there is a free docent-led guided tour on Saturdays at 11 am, departing from the Scranton Park Pavilion in the Stop & Shop parking area. This is a don't-miss activity whether you're a lover of visual arts and sculpture, are looking for an enjoyable walk around town, or are simply curious. Current sculptures range in character from the whimsical to the thought provoking. You'll be sure to see something you'll want to tell someone about.
The Sculpture Mile is selected and organized by the Hollycroft Foundation. "The Mile's two-fold mission is 1. To place sculpture before the general public within everyday living space, and 2. to make that space available to talented established sculptors as well as to emerging artists." [excerpt from The Sculpture Mile Catalogue 2008-2009]
The Sculpture Mile is selected and organized by the Hollycroft Foundation. "The Mile's two-fold mission is 1. To place sculpture before the general public within everyday living space, and 2. to make that space available to talented established sculptors as well as to emerging artists." [excerpt from The Sculpture Mile Catalogue 2008-2009]
More Area Walks and Trails for Hikes and Bicycles too:
Madison town beaches and beach roads
Madison town beaches and beach roads
Everyone's first choice for early morning or evening walks - less than a mile from the inn, enjoy walks along the beach at East Wharf beach. Follow the beach roads to West Wharf and Surf Club beaches.
Tuxis Pond
Tuxis Pond
Park behind CVS in the center of Madison and access the Tuxis Pond walkway for a walk around the pond.
Bauer Park*
Bauer Park*
At the intersection of Copse Road and Hunter's Trail is Bauer park. Frequent nature and bird walks are sponsored here. There are 2 main trails at the park: The Woodland Trail is a 1 mile long loop. It plies through grassy meadows, wooded wetlands and past hillside cliffs and stone fences. The Pond Wetland trail is also a loop, passing by two ponds, the covered bridge, near bluebird boxes and the forested wetland boardwalk. Picnic anyone?
Hammonasset State Park* Just one mile down the road from our inn is Hammonasset State Park, with 2 miles of beach and boardwalk for your walking pleasure. Bring along a picnic and make it an extra special day.
Rockland Preserve* In North Madison, almost into Killingworth, is the Rockland Preserve with three trails, a red blaze, orange blaze and white blaze, of from 1 to 1.5 miles each. There are 649 acres of rounded, rocky hills, steep gray cliffs, ledges, and lovely wooded areas, easily accessed by both walkers and hikers along abandoned ancient country roads.It's another great place to bring a picnic. The Preserve is patrolled on horseback by the Connecticut Horse Council, Inc.
Hammonasset State Park* Just one mile down the road from our inn is Hammonasset State Park, with 2 miles of beach and boardwalk for your walking pleasure. Bring along a picnic and make it an extra special day.
Rockland Preserve* In North Madison, almost into Killingworth, is the Rockland Preserve with three trails, a red blaze, orange blaze and white blaze, of from 1 to 1.5 miles each. There are 649 acres of rounded, rocky hills, steep gray cliffs, ledges, and lovely wooded areas, easily accessed by both walkers and hikers along abandoned ancient country roads.It's another great place to bring a picnic. The Preserve is patrolled on horseback by the Connecticut Horse Council, Inc.
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Westwoods Trails*
The WestWoods trail system is the largest recreational area for hiking in nearby Guilford. Westwoods contains 39 miles of trails on 1,200 acres. It will take many visits and picnics to enjoy all of this.
Bluff Head Preserve*
In North Guilford, on Rte 77, as part of the Mattabesset Trail system, is the Bluff Head Ridge trail system between Guilford and Durham. There are three trail options, all relatively short but of varied terrain, and the views from the bluff are spectacular - both Hartford and Long Island Sound.
Bluff Head Preserve*
In North Guilford, on Rte 77, as part of the Mattabesset Trail system, is the Bluff Head Ridge trail system between Guilford and Durham. There are three trail options, all relatively short but of varied terrain, and the views from the bluff are spectacular - both Hartford and Long Island Sound.
Chatfield Hollow State Park*
On Rte 80, in nearby Killingworth, hike the trails in search of Indian caves, explore the jagged rocky ledges and recesses or relax by the cooling waters, or picnic in the soft pine woods at Chatfield Hollow State Park.
Gillette Castle State Park*
Nearby, in East Haddam, walk the grounds or follow hiking trails through the Gillette Castle State Park property for great views of the Connecticut River, and the castle itself, one of our eccentricities. Picnic areas are provided throughout the grounds.
Bicycle Trails:
Bring your bikes and enjoy the beach roads and country roads that surround us. If you prefer a planned bicycle trail check the link for a web site that will print out trails of varying lengths and terrain difficulty, depending on your search criteria. Search for South Central CT and enter Madison as your starting point. We can then direct you from the inn to any point that they begin with in Madison.
*Trail Etiquette
Trails are shared by many: walkers, hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, adults, children, horseback riders, hunters, runners, skaters, snowshoers, bird watchers and nature lovers, for a start. Share the trail. Whether on foot, on horse, or on wheels, always stay to the right so that others can pass on the left. Clean up after yourself and your pet or horse. Be aware of hunting season by checking with the State of CT, and wear bright fluorescent orange to be easily seen and not mistaken for game. For more information contact the Connecticut Horse Council, Inc. and ask for their brochure "Tips for Trail Etiquette."
On Rte 80, in nearby Killingworth, hike the trails in search of Indian caves, explore the jagged rocky ledges and recesses or relax by the cooling waters, or picnic in the soft pine woods at Chatfield Hollow State Park.
Gillette Castle State Park*
Nearby, in East Haddam, walk the grounds or follow hiking trails through the Gillette Castle State Park property for great views of the Connecticut River, and the castle itself, one of our eccentricities. Picnic areas are provided throughout the grounds.
Bicycle Trails:
Bring your bikes and enjoy the beach roads and country roads that surround us. If you prefer a planned bicycle trail check the link for a web site that will print out trails of varying lengths and terrain difficulty, depending on your search criteria. Search for South Central CT and enter Madison as your starting point. We can then direct you from the inn to any point that they begin with in Madison.
*Trail Etiquette
Trails are shared by many: walkers, hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, adults, children, horseback riders, hunters, runners, skaters, snowshoers, bird watchers and nature lovers, for a start. Share the trail. Whether on foot, on horse, or on wheels, always stay to the right so that others can pass on the left. Clean up after yourself and your pet or horse. Be aware of hunting season by checking with the State of CT, and wear bright fluorescent orange to be easily seen and not mistaken for game. For more information contact the Connecticut Horse Council, Inc. and ask for their brochure "Tips for Trail Etiquette."
