A few miles off the interstate lies a detour to another era, one with a more relaxed pace and state of mind. Here, scenic, less-traveled country roads lead to small town Main Streets, crystal clear springs and wild, dreamy rivers. Pulling into Madison, Florida it first appears you’ve reached a place that time has left alone. A celebrated courthouse surrounded by palms and moss-draped, oak-lined streets creates a picture-perfect image harkening back to those collectible postcards of 70 years ago.

At the heart of it all, Madison City — with just over 3,000 people today — has been designated one of the “Best Little Towns in Florida” by VISIT FLORIDA. The quaint shops, pleasant dining and historic structures that line the streets of Madison, Lee and Greenville offer every visitor a casual look back, with plenty to look forward to discovering.