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.

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Historic Downtown Madison, Indiana

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Key West Shrimp House

LIMITED COPIES of this 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,  for its documented links to the Underground Railroad.

The Haunted History Walking Tour 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.

Enjoy a scenic tour of Madison and the Ohio River Valley in this 500 horsepower open cockpit biplane! Mild or wild-your choice! Everyone loves these rides-also known as discovery flights. Over 1000 happy riders! Call for info and appointment. 812-701-9990

Visit Madison

Visit Madison

Introducing REVerie Roads, where the open road unfolds a canvas of adventure for all motorists. Nestled in the heart of the Ohio River Valley, our curated trails beckon riders of all kinds—motorcyclists, car clubs, and off-road Jeepers—to explore the diverse and scenic wonders of Southern Indiana, Kentucky, and beyond. Tailored for your freedom, each trail is a unique invitation to discover the beauty of this Madison, Indiana Regional experience at your own pace.

OFFICIAL LAUNCH & RIBBON CUTTING June 8th, 2024 at 9:30AM at Lamplighter Park (Gazebo on Riverfront)

With five curated revved routes to explore and more to come, we suggest trying the REVerie Roads flagship trail: Serpent of 62. Starting in Madison, Indiana the Serpent of 62 features 1,000 curves in 100 miles! It’s Indiana’s premier motorcycle and sports car road. Traversing some of the Hoosier state’s most beautiful rolling farmland, plunging into breathtaking valleys, and sweeping along the banks of the mighty Ohio River, the ‘serpent’ can be challenging or leisurely, depending on your style. It is considered by many to offer the greatest concentration of tight twisties and big sweepers anywhere in the Midwest. Can you master the black asphalt serpent? It’s best to be cautious as the turns are tight, but the Serpent of 62 is a ride or drive you’ll always enjoy and never forget.

Click here to get trail info and learn more. Official REVerie Roads & Serpent of 62 websites coming soon!

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: May – October – 10-11AM
See details on our calendar here.

The Madison Trolley is available for weddings, progressive dinners, family reunions, school activities & weekend tours. Visit the Madison Trolley page for instructions on scheduling inquiries.

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.)

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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.

This walking tour features history and architecture involving fire departments around Madison. Including Walnut Street Fire Co., 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.

1. Madison Railroad Station – 615 First Street
2. Lanier Mansion State Historic Site – 601 West First Street
3. Emily Todd Helm Home – 610 West Main Street
4. Francis Costigan House – 408 West Third Street
5. Dr. William Hutchings Office & Hospital – 120 West Third Street
6. Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum – 106 Milton Street
7. African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church – 309 East Fifth Street
8. St. Michael’s Church – 519 East Third Street
9. Fairplay Fire Company – 405 East Main Street
10. Jefferson County Courthouse & Old Jail – 300 East Main Street
11. Lanier-Schofield House – 217 West Second Street
12. Jeremiah Sullivan House – 304 West Second Street
13. Modulars – 218,220,222 West Second Street
14. BONUS – Ironwork Throughout the Route

This pamphlet explains various architectural styles like Federal, Greek revival, and Italianate throughout downtown Madison. This free self-guided tour pamphlet can be found at the Visitors Center – 601 W. 1st St.

This pamphlet explains Madison’s industrial history. This free self-guided tour pamphlet can be found at the Visitors Center – 601 W. 1st St.

Madison has had the honor of being designated by the Indiana Arts Commission as a Cultural District. This pamphlet takes you through some of the key displays of public art in our town. This free self-guided tour pamphlet can be found at the Visitors Center – 601 W. 1st St.

Despite the small-town feeling of Madison, it hosts many options for those looking for somewhere to explore or get active. There are trails for everyone and every ability. For nature lovers, a State Park with many trails to hike is located right outside town. There are also two primarily paved trails that travel through the woods on the hillside of Madison. If nature is not your thing, the walk along the riverfront is paved and flat. This is great for all ages and abilities. Self-guided walking tour, brochure available at the Visitors Center – 601 W. First Street. Free.

Madison’s charm captured on film is still present today and has been recognized by national publications as the “Prettiest Small Town in America” and the “best preserved town in the Midwest.” Discover its beauty while reliving scenes from the movies filmed here. Self-guided walking tour, brochure available at the Visitors Center – 601 W. First Street. Free.

Madison was the first town in Indiana to receive a railroad, further establishing it as a town of industry. This free brochure walks you through the Eastside of Madison’s historic district highlighting features of industrial development in our town. Pick up your copy at the Madison Visitors Center – 601 W 1st Street or view on the free app PocketSights.

While the riverfront was known for its industry and factories, the inner part of Madison held shops and businesses. They have changed hands many times over the years and many buildings are used for very different purposes now. Despite this, the buildings still retain their historical significance and beauty today. This free brochure is available at the Madison Visitors Center at 601 W 1st Street or on the PocketSights app to follow along virtually.