Things to Do...
Midwest Living Magazine ranked Madison Number 4 in the Top 100 Small Towns to visit. Charles Kuralt called Madison, “The most beautiful rivertown in America.” Madison boasts the largest historic district in Indiana and perhaps the nation with over 133 blocks in the National Register of Historic Places, 3 Historic Landmark properties and most recently was designated a National Historic Landmark District.
From golf courses to sports complexes to outdoor recreation, you can find it all in Jefferson County. The City of Madison operates 12 parks comprising over 220 acres, including the 160-acre, 18 hole, par 72 Sunrise Golf Course. The Town of Hanover's 20-acre park features a community center, swimming pool, three baseball/softball diamonds, tennis courts and picnic facilities.
In 1920, Clifty Falls State Park was established in Madison to preserve some of the most spectacular scenery in the state. This lush 1,400-acre state park boasts the third highest waterfall in Indiana, towering limestone cliffs, camping facilities, hiking trails, tennis courts, cultural arts programs, and a nature center. The recently renovated Clifty Inn, overlooking the Ohio River, is open 365 days per year and offers 67 sleeping rooms, two large conference rooms, dining facilities and an indoor pool/spa.
Madison’s Riverfront Park, a favorite spot for locals as well as visitors, features brick walkways, benches, period lighting, picnic areas, overlooks and bandstands. Many festivals showcase this community, including the Madison Chautauqua of the Arts, a juried fine arts show, and the Madison Regatta, a nationally recognized unlimited hydroplane race. Other events include a blues and barbeque festival - the Madison Ribberfest, Ohio River Valley Folk Festival, Canaan Fall Festival and the Chelsea Jubilee, which is Indiana’s oldest festival. Visitors also can enjoy annual garden and private home tours.
Other action packed attractions include Belterra Casino & Resort, with a Tom Fazio designed 18-hole championship golf course and, the 60,000-seat Kentucky Speedway hosting the exciting annual "Kentucky Indy 300". Both are located approximately 30 minutes east of Historic Madison Indiana.
Visitors and residents experience Vintage Madison and enjoy wine tastings and tours at three award-winning area wineries: Lanthier Winery, Madison Vineyards and Thomas Family Winery.
Hanover College offers a Community Arts & Cultural Series.
Visit the Madison Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for more detailed information.
