A look at Drew University’s hometown
April 2026 – When you choose Drew University, you’re not just choosing a beautiful, wooded campus—you’re becoming part of a vibrant community in Madison, New Jersey. Ranked the #12 Safest College Town in America by SafeWise, Madison is a place that blends small-town charm with big-city convenience.
Downtown Madison is a haven for foodies, with cute shops, a fun music scene, and year-round festivals. Stroll along historic Main Street and you’ll find an array of cafés and restaurants offering everything from cozy coffee nooks, to global cuisine, to your favorites from home.
Though Madison feels peaceful and tucked-away, it’s anything but isolated. Madison Station, a five-minute walk from campus, can get you into Manhattan in less than an hour. If you want to get away for a weekend, hop on a train to DC, Philadelphia, Boston, or even the Jersey Shore.
Take a peak at just some of what Madison has to offer:
Restaurants:
54 Main Bar & Grill, 54 Main Street
Baba Bakery, 37 Kings Road
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, 14 Lincoln Place
Bagel Chateau, 45 Main Street
Begum Palace, 300 Main Street
Blue Wazabi, 20 Waverly Place
Bottle Hill Tavern, 13 Waverly Place
Butter and Jam, 30 Cook Plaza
C&J’s Deli, 10 Park Avenue
Chipotle, 6 Main Street
Crowley’s Cupcakes, 7 Waverly Place
Dao Madison, 258 Main Street
Davidovich Bakery, 23 Waverly Place
Forum Coffee, 1 Waverly Place
GK’s Red Dog Tavern at The Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road
Grillera, 91 Park Ave
Il Goccino, 33 Main Street
Jungle Juice, 67 Main Street
McCools Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, 26 Main Street
Nautilus Diner, 97 Main Street
Nicky’s Firehouse Restaurant & Pizza, 15 Central Avenue
Palm Thai, 75 Madison Street
Prospect Tavern Beef & Ale, 14 Prospect Street
Rod’s Steak & Seafood Grille, The Madison Hotel, 1 Convent Road
Romanelli’s Pizza, 42 Lincoln Place
Shanghai Jazz, 24 Main Street
SugarLips Donuts, 145 Main Street
Sunday Motor Co., 20 Kings Road
The Baker, 7 Waverly Place
Shops:
The Snooki Shop, 32 Madison Street
The Chatham Bookseller, 8 Green Village Road
Tons of Toys, 64 Main Street
Once and Again, 6 Park Avenue
Sugar Rush Candy & Gift Boutique, 10 Waverly Place
Wildflower Boutique, 60 Main Street
Pink Pear, 42 Main Street
Dewey’s Comic City, 6 Green Village Road
Makers Ceramics Shop, 18 Main Street
Madison Pharmacy, 66 Main Street
Alfred’s Sports Shop, 32 Main Street
Madison Photo Plus, 40 Main Street
Things to Do:
Madison Farm & Artisan Market, The Madison Community Arts Center (MCAC), Madison Mud Clay Studio, Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Cooking Classes at Healthy Italia, Escape Room NJ, Zuck Arboretum
Year-Round Festivals:
Bottle Hill Day (October), Giralda Music & Arts Festival (June), Madison Holiday Arts Festival (November), Downtown Concert Series (June- September), Taste of Madison (April)
Want to get away! Madison Train Station:
Hop on a train at Madison Station and arrive in Manhattan in 50 minutes. Or for a weekend getaway, take the train to Philadelphia, DC, or Boston.
Outdoor Adventures:
Want to go hiking, camping, spend a day (or a weekend) at the beach? It’s just a quick drive to the Jersey Shore, the Pocono Mountains, and the Appalachian Trail.
