Green City Guide: Madison

Take your electric car on a day trip to Madison, a classic suburban New Jersey community with a charming downtown featuring a robust dining scene, unique shops & experiences, and plenty of EV charging options.

Madison is known to celebrate diversity and inclusion, and their restaurants are no exception. From fine dining to casual, vegan to smokehouse, modern to traditional, and everything in-between, Madison is a destination for refined and novice palates alike.

Sprinkle in the specialty stores, fashion boutiques, galleries, gift shops, and more throughout the downtown, and there’s no doubt you can spend a day (or several) in this inviting community. EV charging is available at many of the free public parking lots, making it easy to keep your trips sustainable.

Whatever your goals are for the day – to relax and rejuvenate on a self-care daycation, take the family on a fun-filled excursion, or have yourself a good ol’ night (and day) on the town shopping and dining – we have the travel plans for you!

Self-Care:

8:30 A.M.

A Fresh Start

Wake up and grab breakfast at Butter & Jam, a modern café and restaurant serving up house-made fresh ingredients. With first-class service and delicious food, there’s no better way to kick off this restorative day.

9:30 A.M.

Walk In…Float Out

Schedule an appointment at Beneath the Surface Spa to relax your mind and body. This boutique spa has it all – from massages and facials to waxing and lash extensions – and they provide a peaceful environment for you to truly unwind while enjoying their services.

11:30 A.M.

Healthful & Flavorful

Discover the true Italian spirit of cooking at Healthy Italia. Register for a cooking class, browse the vast assortment of authentic Italian products, or order a fresh homemade Italian dish.

1:30 P.M.

Recharge

Grab lunch at Harvest Bistro, a “Fresh to Table” restaurant known for its eclectic menu, inspired cuisine, and flavorful food. Using locally grown produce and the choicest ingredients available, quality is the most recognized trait of this town favorite.

3 P.M.

Restore your mind

Journey through the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts to see how history bridges the past to the future and connect with New Jersey’s history, culture, trades, and crafts.

Restore your body

Browse Hilltop Bicycles, the premier cycle shop on the east coast. Industry experts there can guide you through everything you need to know – from entry-level hybrids to the latest technological advancements, award winning mountain bikes, custom wheel builds and so much more.

Restore your soul

Leaf through a good read at The Nature of Reading Bookshop, a niche bookstore specializing in seasonal reading and climate change books.

Trying to restore all at once? Follow the knitting needles into the The Blue Purl to regain your natural rhythm again. Knitting has been proven to regulate anxiety, happiness, and mood. Choose a color that speaks to you and get to work! Be warned, this skill can turn into an arm workout since you won’t want to stop.

5:30 P.M.

Dinner

Round out this peaceful day with a well-balanced meal at The Hidden Chickpea. Even the omnivores will find the healthy, plant-based options a fulfilling reward after completing this self-care day trip!

Family-Friendly:

9 A.M.

Breakfast

Who doesn’t love sweets for breakfast? Drop by Sugarlips Donuts on your way into town and pick up half a dozen (or maybe a dozen, we won’t judge) of their delicious donuts, handmade fresh daily.

10 A.M.

Shopping

You can spend tons of time in Tons of Toys as you peruse the isles for toys, games, and activities that make great gifts and even better gifts for yourself. Whether you are looking for the latest release or something a bit more nostalgic, the friendly staff are around to lend a hand.

The Chatham Bookseller boasts a collection of classics, books that are out-of-print, and rare special editions. Don’t be hasty browsing the bookshelves as you might just find one of your favorites at a great price!

12:30 P.M.

Lunch

Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co. has found a way to be as convenient as fast food but with the most delicious home-style fare featuring fresh, all natural, organic ingredients. Stop in for antipasti, insulate, or a pizzette, crafted through the time-honored method of terra cotta oven cooking.

1:30 P.M.

Afternoon Treat

Even the pickiest eaters will have no trouble finding exactly what they want at Noon Tea Creperie. With dairy, non-dairy, kosher, and vegan options, the unlimited number of combinations will keep you coming back for more! The only question will be whether you should get more crepes to go (the answer is always yes).

2:30 P.M.

Experience

Plan ahead by signing up for a class or reserving a private party at Crafted in Madison. Everyone will feel like a kid with these creative crafts. Not prepared to tap into your inner artist? Consider purchasing a gift card for another day or ask Crafted how to set up a private party in your own home.

Browse the gallery at the Madison Community Arts Center during viewing hours or check the schedule to see if your trip lands during a Movie in Madison or Open Mic Night!

Shop & Dine:

9:30 A.M.

Breakfast

Take in the distinctive automotive-inspired atmosphere of Sunday Motor Co Café. Choose one of many fresh brewed teas or coffees to pair with your breakfast-item-of-choice. The menu evolves with time and season, so follow @sundaymotorcocafe to see their latest offerings.

11 A.M.

Shop

At STITCH Boutique, new merchandise is arriving almost daily, so you’ll NEVER run out of items to shop through! Spend some time browsing the racks for your next best fit. With carefully chosen displays, putting together the perfect outfit is as easy as following @Stitch.boutique on Instagram.

12:30 P.M.

Lunch

Stop into Daddy Matty’s to get your BBQ fix. The menu features a mix of the traditional staples – ribs, brisket, pulled pork – as well as some Colorado-Style Mexican dishes you may not expect from a BBQ joint. And you won’t even need directions since you’ll be smelling the deliciousness from a mile away.

1:30 P.M.

Shop

Realizing you need some last-minute gifts for all those upcoming birthday parties, engagements, baby showers, bridal showers, retirement parties…? Don’t panic! The Pink Pear has a massive variety of gifts, accessories, stationary, baby items, jewelry, and more for any occasion.

Right around the corner you’ll land yourself in Madison PhotoPlus, where you can personalize a custom photo gift or score an enchanting photo album. This superstore of photography also specializes in new camera products, pre-owned and rental gear, photo and video services, events, and more!

3:30 P.M.

Early Supper

Throw all the shopping bags in the car (which is conveniently charging just steps away) and head into 54 Main Bar & Grille for high-quality cuisine in a newly renovated pub-style atmosphere.

5 P.M.

Post-Dinner Shopping

What is more New Jersey than Snooki? The Jersey Shore star’s very own boutique, The Snooki Shop, is everything you need from Jersey Shore-themed gifts and accessories to an amazing selection of Snooki-curated boutique clothing. Grab your cheetah print bathing suit and “where’s the beach?!” towel to get yourself summer ready.

Pick up some treats for later at The Madison Market. Fresh pastries (who doesn’t love a chocolate croissant), an incredible deli selection, and a fresh loaf of Italian bread make the perfect combo to munch on a road trip.

7:30 P.M.

Late Night Bite

The night is still young, so don’t wrap it up just yet. Enter Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar, an upscale Asian-Fusion restaurant featuring world class live music. Their team of culinary and hospitality professionals are driven by a collective passion to bring good people together through great food and gracious service, creating an exceptionally fun dining experience.

Charging:

There are convenient Level 2 EV charging options throughout Downtown Madison:

Madison Community Arts Center
10 Kings Rd, Madison, NJ 07940

Green Ave. Parking Lot
Green Ave, Madison, NJ 07940

Kings Rd. Parking Lot
62 Kings Rd, Madison, NJ 07940

Cook Ave. Parking Lot
73 Cook Ave, Madison, NJ 07940

Elmer St. Parking Lot
1 Elmer St, Madison, NJ 07940

Prospect St. Parking Lot
29 Prospect St, Madison, NJ 07940