Madison: Culture, Nature and History in the County
Accommodation in Madison
Madison County combines diverse landscapes with an unusually rich cultural and regional history. Those looking for a vacation rental or holiday home can take their priorities into account when planning their trip: nature trails, historic places, museums, art and regional experiences offer a variety of reasons for excursions.
Nature, Trails and Wide-Open Landscapes
The Madison County trail network offers opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, cycling and snowmobiling. The Great Swamp Conservancy provides a particularly distinctive landscape experience, with restored wetlands, around seven miles of trails and a 900-foot-long boardwalk. The trails are open daily from dawn to dusk and can be used free of charge. A great blue heron colony can be seen from a mowed trail and a birdwatching platform.
The Charles E. Baker State Forest is also well suited to trip planning focused on hiking: hiking is permitted on all trails there year-round. In the 133-acre Helen McNitt State Park, wooded hills, farmland and a shoreline area consisting largely of wetlands come together. The 104-acre Stone Quarry Hill Art Park combines art and landscape. Trails lead through meadows and woods past contemporary sculptures and changing installations. Those who prefer to take in the scenery from their car will find gentle hills, farmland and picturesque villages along the Historic Route 20 Scenic Byway.
History Along Canals and at Historic Sites
The Madison County Architecture and Preservation Trail highlights buildings in each of the 16 townships that represent the county’s social, economic and cultural history. The Madison County Freedom Trail marks Underground Railroad sites located throughout the county that were identified and researched by the Madison County Freedom Trail Commission. In addition, the Madison County History Trail identifies 20 historical organizations. Their exhibitions include photographs, regional artifacts, historic clothing, furniture, memorabilia and genealogical materials.
At the Oneida Community Mansion House, history is presented as a museum and National Historic Landmark. The site offers 90-minute tours through historic living spaces and museum galleries; the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and self-guided tours are also possible during those hours. The Gerrit Smith Estate is likewise a National Historic Landmark and a site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Gerrit Smith’s house in Peterboro served as the final stop for freedom seekers on their way to Canada, as well as a safe place where they could stay and build a life for themselves and their descendants.
The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum site includes three dry dock basins, a reconstructed general store, a blacksmith shop, a boat workshop, a mule barn and a visitor center. The Empire State Trail runs directly beyond the canal and is suitable for cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Old Erie Canal State Park encompasses a 36-mile section of the Old Erie Canal designated as a National Recreational Trail.
Museums, Art and Regional Specialties
In Cazenovia, the Museum at Cazenovia Public Library displays an Egyptian mummy, Native American tools and local artifacts from several millennia of history. The All Things Oz Museum presents more than 1,400 original props and costumes from the stage and screen. The exhibitions at the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum address the abolition of slavery, abolitionists and the founding convention of the New York State Antislavery Society in 1835.
The Canastota Canal Town Museum explores the heritage of the Erie Canal through memorabilia, art and exhibitions. Information panels, murals and historic towers from a lift bridge add to the outdoor grounds. The New Woodstock Regional Historical Society site includes a historic railway station, a caboose and the museum’s main building. The Wildlife Museum at Morrisville State is an educational collection with preserved animals from North America and Africa; more than 60 specimens are arranged in themed rooms and exhibitions.
Regional experiences can also influence your choice of accommodation. Critz Farms offers a pick-your-own experience as well as a taproom with fresh cider and craft beer. Farmstead 1868 focuses on lavender from its own property, its on-site dairy operation and locally sourced ingredients.
Accommodation and Trip Planning
If you primarily want to visit museums and historic sites, you can choose your vacation rental based on the excursion destinations you plan to visit. For days spent enjoying nature, trails and landscapes, it is worth considering the Great Swamp Conservancy, Charles E. Baker State Forest or the state parks as reference points for your planning.
Madison County can be reached via Interstate 90 at exits 33 and 34. Public transportation is limited, so plan your trip accordingly. For further location options, you can also view the pages for Canastota, Morrisville, Oneida, Chittenango, Cazenovia and Leonardsville.
For the higher-level travel overview: New York.
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