"It is good people who make good places"
- Anna Sewell
Madison, Indiana… A quiet city nestled in a valley along the Ohio River in southern Indiana. While many may know it for its famed Regatta racing held there every year, it is even more likely overlooked. This little town has bigger neighbors of Louisville, KY and Cincinnati, OH right next door. However, I can assure you, if you are overlooking it, you are overlooking one of the gems of Indiana.
This calm town of around 12,000 people sits pristinely along the Indiana/Kentucky state line of the Ohio River and feels undisturbed from modern influences. A town founded in 1809, as you enter you see many houses and structures built in the same time period welcoming you into the downtown area. As you walk, drive, or ride through Madison, the history and historical brick buildings take you out of the fast-paced word of electronics and gadgets, and into a time where people still talked to their neighbors and showed hospitality.
Hospitality seems to be the key word in this community because no matter where we went, we were greeted with a smile, a hello, and many times conversation. It was like finding an old friend you had never knew you lost. Madison makes you feel right at home in a close-knit community, and not just because its buildings and views are warm, but because the people of this community make you feel like you’ve been there forever, even when you have just arrived.
So in town of only 12,000 people what can there really be to do? Well let me tell you… a lot. As mentioned, the biggest event is the Madison Regatta boat race that will be held next weekend (July 1-3) which draws attention from all over the U.S., but that is not all. Besides the obvious, there are many theaters, festivals, fairs, and parks to go to in the downtown area. Not to mention some of the many dining options, including what is now one of my favorite restaurants “Crystal & Jules”. It is upscale dining on the west side of downtown where the spices and food are hand prepared by the chef there. I will tell you, the sides are savory and the entrees are exquisite. I highly recommend treating yourself to a meal there if you’re in the area!
So if you are looking for something to do this summer with your friends, family, or just yourself, I highly recommend taking a weekend to go explore and discover Madison, Indiana. While it may not have all the attractions of a bigger town, it still has plenty to do. And with the kind of environment it provides, it will give you the kind of rest, relaxation, and restoration you need to return to the fast paced life come Monday morning.
LOCATION: Madison, Indiana
SERVICE: Hiking, fishing, theater, wine tasting, dining, boating, much more!
PRICE: Walkways and many city parks are free. Food ranges depending on stlye. (Crystal & Jules ranges form around $11-$31)
Website: http://www.visitmadison.org/