Things to Do Essay --- Madison, Indiana: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary

Photos left to right: Main Street in Madison,
Courtesy of Visit Madison, Inc.; The Madison Heritage Trail, Courtesy
of the Madison, Indiana Facebook Page; The Madison Regatta,
Courtesy of the Madison, Indiana Facebook Page (Paul Kemiel);
RiverRoots Music and Folk Arts Festival, Courtesy of Visit Madison, Inc.

Madison offers a wide array of entertaining options for guests visiting the city. Annual events including the famous Madison Regatta, the Nights Before Christmas Holiday Tour, Ribberfest, the RiverRoots Music and Folk Arts Festival, and the Chautauqua Festival of Art bring the community and visitors together to share in music, food, and good times.

Those who want to get out and explore can take a relaxing stroll along the riverfront or down one of Madison’s many tree-lined streets. Browse unique shops along Main Street and marvel at the architecture that led to the town’s National Historic Landmark designation. Many historic properties are open to the public, so stop by and tour the Lanier Mansion, Judge Jeremiah Sullivan House, Dr. William Hutchings’ Office, Schofield House, or the Ben Schroeder Saddletree Factory. The Tri Kappa Tour of Homes and the Madison in Bloom Garden Tour, offered every other year, allow rare views inside private residences and gardens throughout the historic district. For a broader look at Madison’s past, visit the Jefferson County Historical Society Museum, partially housed in an 1894 railroad station, or take one of Cornerstone Society’s or Visit Madison, Inc.’s themed walking tours.

For the more adventurous, Clifty Falls State Park’s hiking trails range in difficulty from easy to very rugged and include breathtaking views of the Ohio River and the waterfall that gives the park its name. The Madison Heritage Trail follows the historic Madison and Indianapolis Railroad tracks from downtown Madison up the hill to the Madison State Hospital grounds. Start at the trailhead at the corner of Vaughn and Vernon Streets to take advantage of the shaded trail for exercise or recreation.

To relax after a busy day, pop into one of Madison’s three wineries or enjoy a bite to eat at a locally owned restaurant downtown. Whatever you choose to do, Madison’s beauty and its citizens’ hospitality should make your stay an enjoyable one!