I spent decades vacationing in the Hamptons, but eventually got tired of it.
I can’t count how much time I’ve spent sitting in traffic on the Montauk Highway, searching for parking spots at the beach, and waiting for tables at trendy restaurants.
“Destination dupes” are all the rage right now, with many people turning to TikTok to find less-crowded, cheaper, and more under-the-radar alternatives to dreamy vacation spots.
So I found my own “dupe” of the Hamptons about 100 miles away in New England: Madison, Connecticut.
The town defines coastal calm, with just about everything the Hamptons has, minus the huge crowds. It’s still upscale but less expensive — and my drive from New York City to Madison isn’t so bad.
Here’s why I love Madison so much.
The beautiful beaches get me every time
Local beaches attract me like a magnet. Fortunately, Madison has about a dozen.
My favorite is Hammonasset Beach State Park, which has about 2 miles of Long Island Sound shoreline and trails I can bike on. It’s felt clean and uncrowded each time I’ve visited.
I stay at a bed-and-breakfast that blends cozy with chic
There are several bed-and-breakfasts and a beachfront Hilton hotel in Madison.
I usually stay at The Homestead, an upscale bed-and-breakfast that hits the right balance between charming and modern. Its dozen or so rooms are individually decorated with high-end furnishings and posh perks like Japanese toilets, showerheads infused with vitamins, and record players with an eclectic selection of vinyl records.
Each guest can borrow complimentary bikes, towels, and beach chairs. The boutique bed-and-breakfast’s gardens and decks with firepits make it easy for me to spend time outdoors.
I also love the gourmet snacks and elegant breakfast buffet, which includes quiche, cake, fresh fruit, and yogurt.
There’s plenty of retail therapy, entertainment, and artwork to be found in town
Madison’s downtown area is low-key, laidback, and walkable, with excellent New England vibes.
I can get lost for hours at RJ Julia Booksellers, which I consider one of the best independent bookstores in the entire country.
I always stop at Savvy Tea Gourmet, which sells a variety of unique teas and has in-store tastings. When I’m unsure about which tea leaves to buy, the owner steers me in the right direction.
The town also has a cluster of cute clothing boutiques. My favorite is The Dressing Room, where the staff is friendly and the sales are legit.
Along the way, I take in some of the local art. Thanks to the Sculpture Mile, a free outdoor public art installation of museum-quality sculptures scattered around town, Madison has plenty to offer.
If it’s cold or rainy, you’ll find me at Madison Cinemas watching arthouse and international films. The century-old theater has freshly popped popcorn topped with real butter, plus an assortment of local wine and beer.
I also make sure to check what’s happening around town, as there’s often an event happening on Madison’s historic town green.
I like to stroll the peaceful paths and listen to live music during the free concerts on Sunday evenings in the summer.
There’s also a farmers market there every Friday afternoon from May until Thanksgiving, and the town regularly hosts seasonal festivals on the green.
The culinary scene is great, too
Madison has several eateries that I try to stop at each time I visit.
The French bistro Bar Bouchée transports me to Europe with its ambiance and traditional Gallic fare. I can also never resist ordering the profiteroles drenched in warm chocolate sauce.
I book a table at The Wharf when I want to eat fresh seafood with a view of the water. My go-to order is the warm lobster roll served with a mountain of crisp shoestring fries.
When I crave pasta like my nonna used to make, I head to Café Allegre. The Italian eatery serves classics like spaghetti with fresh clams and robust rigatoni with meatballs and sausage.
Summer in Madison is hard to beat, but the town is also lovely in the fall and winter
In the fall, the area’s many farm stands overflow with locally produced fresh produce and pretty flowers. My favorite is Bishop’s Orchard in Guilford, a neighboring town where I go apple-picking every autumn.
The beaches are fun to visit year-round, too. The water usually stays warm well into October, so I can have a relaxing dip surrounded by fall foliage.
I even enjoy visiting the area in winter for chilly seaside strolls and snowshoeing on the maze of wooden boardwalks.
Between the sandy beaches and fresh seafood enjoyed under the sunshine, though, summer in Madison is tough to beat.
This story was originally published on November 2, 2024, and most recently updated on May 18, 2026.
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