Go hiking, jet boating, and beer-tasting in this riverside Bordertown.
Between Louisville and Cincinnati along the Ohio River, Madison sits on the Indiana-Kentucky state line and boasts a number of claims to fame. Start by exploring Madison’s Historic District, the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the US, then hop aboard for a high-speed jet boat ride along the Ohio River—inspired by the legendary Madison Regatta hydroplane race. Cap it off with a beer from one of the two breweries, a nod to the city’s long brewing history. Nearby, Big Oaks Wildlife Refuge is a favorite among birdwatchers, and Clifty Falls State Park is renowned for its wooded hiking trails and waterfalls. The state park campground has primitive campsites and RV sites with 30-amp electric hookups, plus modern restrooms/showers, a camp store, and a dumping station. Alternatively, there’s a city campground and an RV park along the riverside, and several Hipcamps dotted throughout the surrounding countryside.