I'm looking for interesting day trips from Madrid, and am wondering if Aranjuez should be another one that I consider - probably after Segovia, El Excorial, Toledo and maybe Avila. From what little I have read about it, Aranjuez sounds like it might be a nice change, e.g. smaller place, garden oriented but yet some history. Thanks for any advice on this or other daytrip related information. Jim

it definitely IS a nice change.
don't miss the royal naval museum.
the summer palace is also nice, but probably no need to tour interior if you have seen other palaces.

i belieeve the commuter trains go right there.
we ate at a riverside restuarant that was O.K., but in good place.

also, the rambling gardens could be worth a visit if the weather is nice.

if you are not concerned about driving, you could combine this with chinchon, and then drop car off in toledo, and spend the night in toledo, take bus/train back?

we have always had a car to roam around these small towns off teh beaten track.

Another vote for Aranjuez. I'd not do it instead of the others you've listed, but it's fine in addition to them.

Thank you for the advice lincasanova and JulieVicmanis, I will make good use of it. Jim

Slightly cheesy, perhaps (but I enjoyed it) is the Tren de la Fresa:

http://www.gomadrid.com/activity/strawberry-train.html