What I found in Madison County
One Visitor's Experience

Madison County is replete with that special small town feel of days gone by. Visitors enjoy unspoiled Marshall, the site of several movie sets. I also found one of the best coffee shops anywhere, Zuma, where you can sip fresh mountain java and view the historic courthouse, the historic architecture and walk down to the Depot, the site of Friday night shindigs.

Downtown Marshall has become an artists community. The Madison County Arts Council is located at the former library on the Main Street strip. You'll enjoy the local flavor of Penland and Sons, a shop that has forgotten time with wonderful wares such as local pottery, art, books and images.

A short drive down Highway 213 took us to Mars Hill College where we enjoyed a play at Mars Hill’s Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre. SART offers a variety of shows that offer wide appeal. SART also promotes independent work with local flavor as well as the classics. The venue is intimate and inviting and always memorable. We saw Little Women, performed expertly as a musical. Imagine experiencing this classic as never before.

The most moving part of Madison County we found is the French Broad River as it flows and winds its way through many local communities. Many of the local communities are like little towns, with community meeting areas and close-knit ties to one another. The rafting industry in Madison County has enjoyed a surge of visitor interest in the last decade and is one of the top grossing tourism businesses in the county. The river is one of the oldest in the world. In addition to rafting, the river offers some of the best fishing in the area. The Laurel River is known for its mountain trout and offers a quiet, calm, easy to explore fisherman's paradise.

If you're seeking a healthy outdoor vacation, Madison County will not disappoint, you can hike the Appalachian Trail or one of the hundreds of others winding through the forests. Afterward you can relax at the Hot Springs Resort & Spa by soaking in the famous mineral springs and/or experiencing a host of spa services offered there. Hot Springs is a quaint mountain town that is completely surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest. Both the French Broad River and Spring Creek run through the town. It is also the only town in the county "not dry."

Shopping is quite different in Madison County than any other place in the world. We shopped mostly for local arts and crafts, quilts, pottery, paintings, and even sculpture at the artists’ own studios. We were amazed to find a homemade firing kiln that you can walk into! My nephew learned the fine art of chair making at a country workshop. There are nearly no commercial franchise stores or outlets in Madison County to distract you from the authenticity of the people, their places and things.

So if you are looking for a Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg experience, you can enjoy that as a day trip over the state line. All you get in Madison is authentic, hand-crafted, interesting products sold to you with character and a smile (and often, a story or two). There is a farmers market on Saturdays at Mars Hill College and on the Island in downtown Marshall. The farmers and artisans market also comes to Hot Springs on varying days depending on the time of year.

Mountain music, often referred to as "traditional," offers enjoyable ballads to listen to and dance. Madison County is one of the few place where visitors can listen to Appalachian music sung and composed by musicians who can trace back their roots in these hills 12 generations.

We can't say enough nice things about Madison farms. You can pet baby animals, make soap at farms in Spring Creek, and milk goats.

All of this with Asheville only a short drive away. Asheville is a sophisticated small city and frequently on the Top Ten lists of best American cities in which to live and visit.

When people in Madison County invite you to "Come Play," do it. It is worth the trip and a stay you won't soon forget.