Attractions
Beautiful Scenery and Unique Attractions
Madison is located along the Ohio River Scenic Byway between Louisville, KY & Cincinnati, OH. The rolling hills, limestone bluffs and small towns in southern Indiana offer a great opportunity to explore. Follow the trail of John Hunt Morgan, Chief White Eye or Michigan Road (the first road commissioned by the state in 1826). Explore the hills and valleys of southern Indiana.
Check out our beautiful architecture and iconic Broadway Fountain during a walking tour around town.
Hanover College just a couple of miles from downtown Madison has a lovely campus with a Science Center open to the public. Find your way to “The Point” for one of the best views of the Ohio River Valley – don’t forget your camera.
Broadway Fountain
Historical, Artistic Fountain in Downtown Madison
The Broadway Fountain, a Madison treasure, is a bronze copy of the original nineteenth-century iron fountain that was part of the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows purchased the fountain and presented it to the city of Madison in 1886. Although other copies of the fountain can be found in Poughkeepsie, NY; Cusco, Peru; and Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia, the Broadway Fountain is the least altered design from the illustration in the James Kirtland Company Catalog. In honor of the nation’s bicentennial celebration, the citizens of Madison raised funds to restore the esplanade and recast the fountain. The fountain was rededicated in 1980.
Crystal Beach Aquatic Park
Crystal Beach Swimming Pool is a national landmark that was constructed in 1938 during the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration. The City of Madison is proud to preserve the pool for future generations.
The newly constructed Crystal Beach Aquatic Park preserved the “seashore” design while adding features that will serve individuals of all abilities: an activity tower for children, lap lanes, a lazy river, two slides, a diving board, a wet deck, chairs, and umbrellas. Season closes Labor Day 9/2/24.
Learn about pricing, lessons and more here.
Check City of Madison website or Facebook for information on Water Aerobics.
![](https://visitmadison.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CB-Main-Logo.png)
Downtown Madison
As the heart of our community’s history, thriving entertainment arts & culture scene, and unique shopping & dining experiences, Downtown Madison is a must-see Rivertown destination. Conveniently located between the metro areas of Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Louisville, there’s a lot going on in this jewel of a small town nestled in the Ohio River Valley. There is something here for everyone: lovers of art, architecture, music and cuisine rejoice! All the finer things in life can be enjoyed here surrounded by the nation’s largest contiguous landmark district.
Stay in the know by checking out our Events Calendar so you can see for yourself what makes Madison so special!
Hanover College
Indiana’s First Private College
Founded in 1827, this is the oldest private four-year college in Indiana. With over 630-acres, there is so much to explore in and out of the classroom! Hanover College‘s campus overlooks the Ohio River valley and offers breathtaking views while taking a scenic drive or walk along their plentiful walking and hiking paths.
The College Tour
Hanover College is featured in season 6 of The College Tour now available on Amazon Prime Video! Hear 10 students and a well-known alumni – Woody Harrelson talk about their Hanover experiences!
Historic Eleutherian College
Eleutherian College is a National Historic Landmark founded in 1848 by the Neil’s Creek Anti-Slavery Society. Today’s mission it to tell the stories of these courageous men & women. Inspired by their desire to serve God, they established the Eleutherian College based upon their values of education and freedom, regardless of race or gender. The three-story tall stone building, constructed between 1853 and 1856, is magnificent.
Tours and programs available by advance appointment only.
Admission: $5.00 suggested donation
Look for several FREE tour events typically 4th Saturday of summer months.
Watch the ‘History in Your Own Backyard‘ segment.
Riverfront
Madison sits along the banks of the mighty Ohio River.
Whether you’re looking for a nice relaxing stroll along Madison’s riverfront or a heart-racing adventure on the water with Rockin’ Thunder River Tours, there is no end to the fun and memories to be made here. Just a few blocks away from Madison’s Main Street, the riverfront is very accessible and walkable. Our two-mile long walkway along the river is ideal for a morning trek with your furry friend or an evening walk lit by street lamps with your partner. Explore the Madison-Milton Bridge walkway for stellar views and extra mileage!
Scenic Routes
Take the scenic route! The Ohio River Byway hugs the river’s edge as it runs right through Madison and Jefferson County. The Historic Michigan Road Byway marks the first road to be commissioned by the Indiana State Legislature in 1826. This road connects Madison on the Ohio River to Michigan City on Lake Michigan via Indianapolis.
Chief White Eye Trail
John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail
Michigan Road Historic Byway
Ohio River Scenic Route
Harlan & Anna Hubbard Walkway
The Science Center
Perusing Hanover College's campus, it's impossible to not stop by their stately Science Center. Take a self guided tour and enjoy displays that include colorful minerals, rare & unusual fossils, art & cultural exhibits, butterfly collection and much more. Take a ride on the science side!
![Photo by hanovercollegegeology, caption reads: Tonight the Geology Club held elections for new officers. Congratulations to Sophie (President), Ethan (Vice President/Treasurer), Gracelyn (Secretary), Elisabeth (Senate Representative), and Mo (club mascot). Thank you to our outing (and graduating!) senior officers Adison, Emmie, and Keegan for your dedication to the club. #hanovercollege #geoclub](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/2ccd0a5af164552381ff55c15e54fa99cc6fae9486293dea9d5f74c5d9bb9af8-125.jpg)
![Photo by hanoveralumni, caption reads: Indiana lawmakers have designated the American mastodon as the state’s first official fossil, with the help of Professor Emeritus of Geology Stan Totten. Read more in the link in bio. #HanoverCollege](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/3d7ef9d2d48fcc29e2450d923c2cb88f9556cb84b8ae5e358d7bd1bd267b86fa-125.jpg)
![Photo by hanovercollegegeology, caption reads: Tonight the Geology Club held elections for new officers. Congratulations to Sophie (President), Ethan (Vice President/Treasurer), Gracelyn (Secretary), Elisabeth (Senate Representative), and Mo (club mascot). Thank you to our outing (and graduating!) senior officers Adison, Emmie, and Keegan for your dedication to the club. #hanovercollege #geoclub](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/2ccd0a5af164552381ff55c15e54fa99cc6fae9486293dea9d5f74c5d9bb9af8-375.jpg)
![Photo by hanoveralumni, caption reads: Indiana lawmakers have designated the American mastodon as the state’s first official fossil, with the help of Professor Emeritus of Geology Stan Totten. Read more in the link in bio. #HanoverCollege](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/3d7ef9d2d48fcc29e2450d923c2cb88f9556cb84b8ae5e358d7bd1bd267b86fa-375.jpg)
![Photo by hanovercollege, caption reads: Heads up! November 1st marks the first deadline for Fall 2022 applicants (#Hanover2026)! Students applying Early Decision and Early Action should expect an earlier decision notification, as well as financial aid packaging. What does this mean for you? ▪️ Early Decision is a binding decision (for students who know Hanover is their # 1 choice and are ready to commit today). ▪️ Early Action provides some of the same perks (you'll still be eligible for additional competitive scholarships), but isn't binding (meaning you can still explore other schools after being admitted). Questions? DM us or HC_Admission! Ready to apply? www.hanover.edu/apply 🔹 #HanoverCollege](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/3077a0dfcad86a6ebb5bcacf20b744a0aeaee5b7cd841d9d2e7e6fd9fa739527-250.jpg)
![Photo by hanovercollege, caption reads: A skeleton cast of the Burning Tree Mastodon was recently installed in the Science Center! Discovered in 1989 at the Burning Tree Golf Course in central Ohio, this male American Mastodon was about 28 years old at the time of death. The remains are dated to about 11,500 BP and are about 90% complete. Researchers were also able to find living bacteria in the preserved intestines of the mastodon. The Hanover College Science Center and Museum is open throughout the academic year: Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm. Swipe to see details from the install. Photos by Aaron Lux '19 for Hanover College. #HanoverCollege #APlaceToBelong #APersonToBecome](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/ed30fb58c94929e7e3459a6a57636eaaa88c30dbf03bdfc23e27fbdea1cb99d0-375.jpg)
![Photo by HanoverCollege, caption reads: #TBT - students walking in front of Science Center and Goodrich Hall on an autumn day in the 1950s 🍂 #ThatsTheBeautyOfHanover #HanoverCollege [photo via @dugganlibrary archives] https://t.co/0qx2iYT9vA](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/596892e0e5472c9f6a4a7a65cf44239e9b1252ccb67d77cdfef7fb1c216831f9-375.jpg)
![Photo by , caption reads: Dartmouth College is the smallest of the private Ivy League research universities, established in 1769, in Hanover, New Hampshire #USA. It consistently ranks amongst the world's greatest academic institutions, is the 9th-oldest institution of higher education in the US & one of the 9 colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Although founded as a school to educate Native Americans in Christian theology and the English way of life, Dartmouth primarily trained Congregationalist ministers throughout its early history. The university gradually secularised, and by the turn of the 20th century it had risen from relative obscurity into national prominence as one of the top centres of higher education. Following a liberal arts curriculum, the university provides undergraduate instruction in 40 academic departments and interdisciplinary programmes inc. 57 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Dartmouth comprises five constituent schools: the original undergraduate college, the Geisel School of Medicine, the Thayer School of Engineering, the Tuck School of Business, and the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. The university also has affiliations with the Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, the Rockefeller Institute for Public Policy, and the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Undergraduate admissions is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 8.7% for the Class of 2022. . . . #arcusadvisory dartmouthcollege #ivyleague ivyleague #hanover #newhampshire #newengland #usa #dartmouthcollege #humanities #socialsciences #naturalsciences #engineering #highereducation #studyabroad #collegeconsultant #uscollegeadmissions #uscollegeadvice #collegecounsellor #geiselschoolofmedicine #thayerschoolofengineering #tuckschoolofbusiness #guarinischool #dartmouthhitchcock #uktousa🇬🇧🇺🇸 #asiatousa #europetousa](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/2a732ff74c761bf48139f3f3a3e0a3aadd4ae34dbe22af4b6c8dd6dc5f62460b-250.jpg)
![Photo by Hanover College, caption reads: Have you been to the Science Center to visit #TinkerTheTrex lately? Well, now is the time! 🦖 The Science Center and Museum is open throughout the academic year: Monday-Thursday 8a-8p, Friday-Saturday 8a-5p, Sunday 12-5p. #thatsthebeautyofHanover #HanoverCollege](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/4cf032744efd26e7d04704a39d0c416c9413639148a7eac06a583518a0bcd54a-250.jpg)
![Photo by HanoverCollege, caption reads: The best view of Tinker the T-Rex may be from outside the Science Center at night! #hanovercollege #trex #dinosaurs… https://t.co/rhC6cknkKJ](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/3c9665c01383d2d30c844f4f868e7d52b45883dee35b991a372c084171c15f77-375.jpg)
![Photo by hanovercollegegeology, caption reads: Tonight the Geology Club held elections for new officers. Congratulations to Sophie (President), Ethan (Vice President/Treasurer), Gracelyn (Secretary), Elisabeth (Senate Representative), and Mo (club mascot). Thank you to our outing (and graduating!) senior officers Adison, Emmie, and Keegan for your dedication to the club. #hanovercollege #geoclub](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/2ccd0a5af164552381ff55c15e54fa99cc6fae9486293dea9d5f74c5d9bb9af8-375.jpg)
![Photo by hanoveralumni, caption reads: Indiana lawmakers have designated the American mastodon as the state’s first official fossil, with the help of Professor Emeritus of Geology Stan Totten. Read more in the link in bio. #HanoverCollege](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/3d7ef9d2d48fcc29e2450d923c2cb88f9556cb84b8ae5e358d7bd1bd267b86fa-375.jpg)
![Photo by hanovercollege, caption reads: Heads up! November 1st marks the first deadline for Fall 2022 applicants (#Hanover2026)! Students applying Early Decision and Early Action should expect an earlier decision notification, as well as financial aid packaging. What does this mean for you? ▪️ Early Decision is a binding decision (for students who know Hanover is their # 1 choice and are ready to commit today). ▪️ Early Action provides some of the same perks (you'll still be eligible for additional competitive scholarships), but isn't binding (meaning you can still explore other schools after being admitted). Questions? DM us or HC_Admission! Ready to apply? www.hanover.edu/apply 🔹 #HanoverCollege](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/3077a0dfcad86a6ebb5bcacf20b744a0aeaee5b7cd841d9d2e7e6fd9fa739527-250.jpg)
![Photo by hanovercollege, caption reads: A skeleton cast of the Burning Tree Mastodon was recently installed in the Science Center! Discovered in 1989 at the Burning Tree Golf Course in central Ohio, this male American Mastodon was about 28 years old at the time of death. The remains are dated to about 11,500 BP and are about 90% complete. Researchers were also able to find living bacteria in the preserved intestines of the mastodon. The Hanover College Science Center and Museum is open throughout the academic year: Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm. Swipe to see details from the install. Photos by Aaron Lux '19 for Hanover College. #HanoverCollege #APlaceToBelong #APersonToBecome](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/ed30fb58c94929e7e3459a6a57636eaaa88c30dbf03bdfc23e27fbdea1cb99d0-375.jpg)
![Photo by HanoverCollege, caption reads: #TBT - students walking in front of Science Center and Goodrich Hall on an autumn day in the 1950s 🍂 #ThatsTheBeautyOfHanover #HanoverCollege [photo via @dugganlibrary archives] https://t.co/0qx2iYT9vA](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/596892e0e5472c9f6a4a7a65cf44239e9b1252ccb67d77cdfef7fb1c216831f9-375.jpg)
![Photo by , caption reads: Dartmouth College is the smallest of the private Ivy League research universities, established in 1769, in Hanover, New Hampshire #USA. It consistently ranks amongst the world's greatest academic institutions, is the 9th-oldest institution of higher education in the US & one of the 9 colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Although founded as a school to educate Native Americans in Christian theology and the English way of life, Dartmouth primarily trained Congregationalist ministers throughout its early history. The university gradually secularised, and by the turn of the 20th century it had risen from relative obscurity into national prominence as one of the top centres of higher education. Following a liberal arts curriculum, the university provides undergraduate instruction in 40 academic departments and interdisciplinary programmes inc. 57 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Dartmouth comprises five constituent schools: the original undergraduate college, the Geisel School of Medicine, the Thayer School of Engineering, the Tuck School of Business, and the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. The university also has affiliations with the Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, the Rockefeller Institute for Public Policy, and the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Undergraduate admissions is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 8.7% for the Class of 2022. . . . #arcusadvisory dartmouthcollege #ivyleague ivyleague #hanover #newhampshire #newengland #usa #dartmouthcollege #humanities #socialsciences #naturalsciences #engineering #highereducation #studyabroad #collegeconsultant #uscollegeadmissions #uscollegeadvice #collegecounsellor #geiselschoolofmedicine #thayerschoolofengineering #tuckschoolofbusiness #guarinischool #dartmouthhitchcock #uktousa🇬🇧🇺🇸 #asiatousa #europetousa](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/2a732ff74c761bf48139f3f3a3e0a3aadd4ae34dbe22af4b6c8dd6dc5f62460b-250.jpg)
![Photo by Hanover College, caption reads: Have you been to the Science Center to visit #TinkerTheTrex lately? Well, now is the time! 🦖 The Science Center and Museum is open throughout the academic year: Monday-Thursday 8a-8p, Friday-Saturday 8a-5p, Sunday 12-5p. #thatsthebeautyofHanover #HanoverCollege](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/4cf032744efd26e7d04704a39d0c416c9413639148a7eac06a583518a0bcd54a-250.jpg)
![Photo by HanoverCollege, caption reads: The best view of Tinker the T-Rex may be from outside the Science Center at night! #hanovercollege #trex #dinosaurs… https://t.co/rhC6cknkKJ](https://d3qvqlc701gzhm.cloudfront.net/thumbs/3c9665c01383d2d30c844f4f868e7d52b45883dee35b991a372c084171c15f77-375.jpg)