About this city
Also known as: The Jewel of the Ohio River
Madison is an exceptionally picturesque, historically preserved river city located along the grand northern banks of the Ohio River, serving as the proud county seat of Jefferson County, southeastern Indiana. Established in 1809, the city thrived during the early 19th-century steamboat era as an opulent port and Indiana's largest early community. Madison boasts America's largest contiguous National Historic Landmark district, featuring over 130 blocks of meticulously intact, breathtaking Federal, Greek Revival, and Italianate residential architecture. Bounded by the deep limestone canyons of Clifty Falls State Park, it perfectly pairs its peerless aristocratic structural heritage with raw, rushing nature scenery.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Tour the breathtaking architectural masterwork and antique collections at the 1844 Lanier Mansion State Historic Site. Stroll past hundreds of intact 19th-century storefronts, fountains, and cafes in the Madison Historic District. Hike to view four spectacular, roaring waterfalls inside the adjacent Clifty Falls State Park. Experience the high-speed thrill of the annual Madison Regatta hydroplane races on the Ohio River.
