Tours
Peruse the historic streets from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage!
There are so many things to see and do in Madison! Take a look at the guided and self-guided tours below to find your ideal way to experience our beautiful historic river town. With a variety of walking tours to choose from, you won’t have to worry about meeting your step count for the day! Book the trolley to explore Madison in style (and snap some great photos!). Or perhaps you want to go all out and take in the historic beauty from a horse-drawn carriage! There is no better way to experience Madison than with one of these tours.
Broomtail Carriage Co
Madison’s best historic tours, weddings, white carriages, 20 passenger wagon, and antique funeral casson. Tours run April through mid-December on Saturdays from 4PM to 9PM. Call 812-756-4168 to book a special appointment.
Georgetown Walking Tour
The free brochure for this self-guided walking tour is available at the Visitors Center – 601 W. First Street.
The printed brochure guides you through the Georgetown Neighborhood with its deep ties to the Underground Railroad. Many of the buildings in Georgetown were built before the Civil War and were lived in or owned by free African-Americans who helped enslaved people to freedom. The neighborhood and its collection of buildings is recognized by the National Park Service as a Network to Freedom district, the first in the US, Â for its documented links to the Underground Railroad
Ghost Walk Tours
The Ghost Walk begins at Lanier Mansion where you can venture inside to enjoy a nighttime, behind-the-scenes tour of the home and hear spooky stories related to the house and its former inhabitants. Journey on to the nearby streets of downtown Madison and stop outside other locations that are rumored to be haunted.
Tickets & reservations required.
Seasonal: September – October.
See event calendar for tour schedule.
Historic Churches Walking Tour
The free brochure for this self-guided walking tour is available at the Visitors Center – 601 W. First Street.
Madison Motor Trail - Coming Soon!
A new curated experience is almost ready to hit the road! Meet in Madison for 7 amazing trail opportunities and experience the rolling hills and scenic by-way that takes you in and around Madison & Jefferson County. Â
STAY TUNED FOR LAUNCH UPDATES
Madison Treasures Walking Tour
This self-guided walking tour souvenir booklet is $2. It is designed in two sections, the West and the East, to help guide you through 200 years of intriguing history. (19 pages with maps, photos, detailed information.) Available at the Visitors Center – 601 W. First Street.
During the warmer months, there is a guided walking tour of Madison’s Downtown Treasures. Includes Architecture, Art and History. The tour begins and ends at Broadway Fountain.
Seasonal: Third Saturday, May – October – 10am-noon.
Madison Trolley
The Madison Trolley is available for weddings, progressive dinners, family reunions, school activities & weekend tours; 24 passenger capacity. Call 812-701-4013 for more information.
Riverfront Walking Tour
Explore the beauty of the Ohio River! The quaint river town of Madison sits right along her mighty shores.
The free brochure for this self-guided walking tour is available at the Visitors Center – 601 W. First Street.
Rockin Thunder River Tours
Fun river tours of the Ohio River and Kentucky River. 3 different tours to choose from. A 40 mile 2 hour Scenic River Tour, 75 mile 5 hour Lunch Excursion and a 155 mile 2 day Kentucky River Adventure. Each tour offers a unique river experience for lovers of history, wildlife and wonderful scenery.
Season Open Late May – Mid-October: 10am-7pm; closed Mondays. (Subject to weather & river conditions.)
Underground Railroad Driving Tour
The Southeast Indiana Trails to Freedom Underground Railroad Driving Tour pamphlet is available for free at the Visitor Center – 601 W. 1st St. Explore the same areas that over a century and a half ago hundreds of fugitive slaves crossed the Ohio River to seek freedom from slavery.
Voice Tours
- Madison Railroad Station – 615 First Street
- Lanier Mansion State Historic Site – 601 West First Street
- Emily Todd Helm Home – 610 West Main Street
- Francis Costigan House – 408 West Third Street
- Dr. William Hutchings Office & Hospital – 120 West Third Street
- Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum – 106 Milton Street
- African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church – 309 East Fifth Street
- St. Michael’s Church – 519 East Third Street
- Fairplay Fire Company – 405 East Main Street
- Jefferson County Courthouse & Old Jail – 300 East Main Street
- Lanier-Schofield House – 217 West Second Street
- Jeremiah Sullivan House – 304 West Second Street
- Modulars – 218,220,222 West Second Street
- BONUS – Ironwork Throughout the Route

Walnut Street Fire Co.
Walnut Street Fire Co. is Indiana’s oldest volunteer fire department started in 1873. The original building is now a hall and museum. Here you can view a vast collection of vintage and modern firefighting tools and equipment along with learning more about the history of firefighting from 1850-1920s. Tours of the museum are available by appointment only and can be scheduled by reaching out to Frank Taff at 812-701-1901.
With overhead A/V abilities and 30 person capacity, this museum can also function as a venue for meetings and events. For more information, visit their website.
Westside Walking Tour
The Westside Walking Tour consists of twenty-one sites to peruse throughout the westside of Downtown Madison. This pamphlet also explains various architectural styles like Federal, Greek revival, and Italianate. This free self-guided tour pamphlet can be found at the Visitors Center – 601 W. 1st St.