With over two miles of sandy beach, and a downtown filled with shopping and dining, it's easy to see why Madison, Connecticut is called 'Magic of Madison.'

One big attraction is Hammonasset Beach State Park, which features roughly two miles of shoreline. The park itself is 1,000 acres and is home to Meigs Point Nature Center, which is protected by salt marshes and has lots of birds.

There's a nature center and the Shoreline Greenway Trail, which runs through Hammonasset. There are also boardwalks that provide great views.

In downtown Madison, there's shopping and restaurants that offer indoor and outdoor seating.

"And we also have a great downtown center with a lot of a small shops," says First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons. "So very proud of our love and our local shops and so there's lots of opportunity to do some fun shopping on a weekend if you come down for a visit."

The Scranton Library has also recently been renovated and expanded. There's a permanent art collection that features 43 pieces.

The 'Magic of Madison' offers a unique combination of history and recreation.