01
What counties are in Southeast Indiana?
Get Indiana covers Jefferson, Dearborn, Ripley, Decatur, Switzerland, Jennings and Rush counties as Southeast Indiana. Madison, in Jefferson County, anchors the region and is the usual base for a weekend.
Indiana Region Guide
Southeast Indiana Guide
Ohio River towns with front porches and long memories. Madison has one of the best preserved historic districts in the country.
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The short answerUpdated Aug 6, 2026
Southeast Indiana follows the Ohio River through some of the state's best-preserved towns. Madison anchors the region with a long historic district and Clifty Falls just outside town, while Lawrenceburg and Aurora keep their own riverfront character. It is a region built for a slow drive and long lunches.
- Anchor city
- Madison, the region's historic river anchor, in Jefferson County
- Counties
- Jefferson, Dearborn, Ripley, Decatur, Switzerland, Jennings, Rush
- Known for
- Madison's historic district, Ohio River towns, Clifty Falls State Park, Lawrenceburg's riverfront, scenic river drives
- Best season
- Fall for the river bluffs, summer for the Madison Regatta
The region covers Jefferson, Dearborn, Ripley, Decatur, Switzerland, Jennings and Rush counties. Madison anchors it with a long historic district and Clifty Falls State Park just outside town. Versailles State Park handles the bikers, hikers and kayakers, and Brookville Lake is fifty years of walleye and lake life an hour north. The Hillforest mansion in Aurora, Vevay's Swiss heritage sites and the hilltop overlooks above the Ohio carry the rest of the drive.
From Get Indiana
- Falls of the Ohio State Park: Indiana's Fossil-Filled Natural Wonder
- Floyd County Ice Cream Shops: Berry Twist and Polly's Freeze
- Discover Military History at the Southeastern Indiana Veterans Museum
- What’s it like in Oldenburg, Indiana?
Maintained by the Get Indiana team. Reviewed by Nate Spangle. How we use AI
Madison's historic districtOhio River townsClifty Falls State ParkLawrenceburg's riverfrontscenic river drivesMadisonLawrenceburgGreensburgVersaillesVevayNorth VernonThings to doFoodEventsSmall towns
Things to Do in Southeast Indiana
More ideasClifty Falls trails, Madison's historic district, the riverfront overlooks, and the Hillforest mansion in Aurora can each anchor a stop.
Food Guides in Southeast Indiana
More foodMadison's Main Street holds the deepest run of restaurants and cafes. The smaller river towns add casual stops worth pulling over for.
Events in Southeast Indiana
More eventsMadison's Chautauqua festival, the Madison Regatta, and small-town fall festivals lead the calendar. River-town weekends fill lodging early.
Small Towns in Southeast Indiana
More townsVevay, Aurora, and Versailles each reward a stop, adding river history, mansions, and quiet main streets to the drive.
Browse all Southeast Indiana coverage
Search or filter the full regional archive by topic. The guides above stay curated; this is the complete feed.
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Questions
Common questions about Southeast Indiana
Written to answer the thing you actually searched for, not to pad the page.
02
What is Southeast Indiana known for?
Madison's historic district, one of the best preserved in the state, the string of Ohio River towns, Clifty Falls State Park, Lawrenceburg's riverfront, and the scenic drives along the river bluffs.
03
Where should I base a weekend in Southeast Indiana?
Madison, for the historic district, the Main Street restaurants and Clifty Falls State Park just outside town. Then drive the river: Aurora for the Hillforest mansion, Vevay for the Swiss heritage sites, or Versailles for a slower main street.
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