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

From Get Indiana

  1. Calli Nature Preserve: Discover Rock Rest Falls in North Vernon, Indiana
  2. Floyd County Ice Cream Shops: Berry Twist and Polly's Freeze
  3. Discover Military History at the Southeastern Indiana Veterans Museum
  4. 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 ideas

Clifty Falls trails, Madison's historic district, the riverfront overlooks, and the Hillforest mansion in Aurora can each anchor a stop.

A small limestone waterfall spilling over a rock ledge into a green plunge pool, ringed by bare hardwood trees and fallen leaves, at Calli Nature Preserve in North Vernon, Indiana

Calli Nature Preserve: Discover Rock Rest Falls in North Vernon, Indiana

Rock Rest Falls hides inside Calli Nature Preserve, 179 acres of limestone cliffs and hardwood forest just east of North Vernon in Jennings County, Indiana.

Taylor Huff

IN the Parks podcast cover graphic for Whitewater Memorial State Park, showing the park's carved wooden veterans memorial of a bald eagle above a kneeling soldier with the words All Gave Some, Some Gave All

Whitewater Memorial State Park: Honoring Our Veterans

Whitewater Memorial State Park near Liberty, Indiana was built by four counties to honor WWII veterans. Explore its 200-acre lake, trails, cabins, and sandhill cranes.

Allison Martin

An illuminated rimstone formation at Squire Boone Caverns, its terraced flowing stone lit in blue and amber as water cascades over the ledges.

Discover the Underground Wonder of Southern Indiana: Squire Boone Caverns

Tour Squire Boone Caverns, a southern Indiana hidden gem with illuminated stone formations, an underground stream, frontier history and a hands-on working village.

Taylor Huff

IN the Parks - O'Bannon Woods State Park

O'Bannon Woods State Park: Face Your Fears in Southern Indiana

With 23,000 acres, Wyandotte Caves, and a 25-mile Adventure Trail, O'Bannon Woods is one of Indiana's most underrated state parks. Here's the full guide.

Allison Martin

Food Guides in Southeast Indiana

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Madison's Main Street holds the deepest run of restaurants and cafes. The smaller river towns add casual stops worth pulling over for.

The Berry Twist ice cream shop storefront in Floyds Knobs, Indiana, with its red sign, dark awning, and outdoor menu boards.

Floyd County Ice Cream Shops: Berry Twist and Polly's Freeze

Berry Twist and Polly's Freeze are two beloved Floyd County ice cream shops. Their owners share the stories, signature treats, and what keeps locals coming back.

Ryan Miller

Rubbin’ Butts BBQ: A Smoky Hoosier Favorite in Sellersburg, Indiana

Rubbin’ Butts BBQ: A Smoky Hoosier Favorite in Sellersburg, Indiana

Rubbin’ Butts BBQ in Sellersburg, Indiana is a local barbecue hotspot known for its smoky meats, fun atmosphere, and true Hoosier hospitality.

Taylor Huff

Schimpff’s Confectionery: A Sweet Stop in Jeffersonville, Indiana

Schimpff’s Confectionery: A Sweet Stop in Jeffersonville, Indiana

Step back in time at Schimpff’s Confectionery in Jeffersonville, Indiana — one of America’s oldest candy shops, handcrafting sweet treats since 1891.

Taylor Huff

Holtkamp Winery & Vineyards: A Hidden Gem in Sunman, Indiana

Holtkamp Winery & Vineyards: A Hidden Gem in Sunman, Indiana

Holtkamp Winery in Sunman, Indiana offers award-winning wine, brick-oven pizza, vineyard views, events, and a relaxed Southeast Indiana stop.

Taylor Huff

Events in Southeast Indiana

More events

Madison's Chautauqua festival, the Madison Regatta, and small-town fall festivals lead the calendar. River-town weekends fill lodging early.

A red Peterbilt tow truck with a Make-A-Wish banner leads a line of big rigs down a rural Indiana highway during the Southern Indiana Truck Convoy.

Southern Indiana Truck Convoy Rolls Into the Ripley County Fairgrounds

The Southern Indiana Truck Convoy returns to the Ripley County Fairgrounds in Osgood on Aug. 1 with nearly 100 trucks, a live auction and music benefiting Make-A-Wish.

Cheyne Reiter

Don't Miss MadHop Musical Festival in Madison, Indiana 2025

Don't Miss MadHop Musical Festival in Madison, Indiana

MadHop is Madison, Indiana's multi-venue indie and roots music festival, where one wristband lets you hop between historic downtown spaces for dozens of live acts.

Jarred Porter

Evening aerial view of the Swiss Wine Festival midway and food booths in a riverside park in Vevay, Indiana

Sip, Stomp, and Celebrate at Vevay's Swiss Wine Festival

Vevay's Swiss Wine Festival on the Ohio River honors Switzerland County's early Swiss settlers with a wine pavilion, grape stomp championship, and live music.

Jarred Porter

Discovering Freudenfest: Indiana's Hidden German Gem in Oldenburg

Discovering Freudenfest: Indiana's Hidden German Gem in Oldenburg

Explore Freudenfest, a hidden gem in Oldenburg, Indiana, where a small town comes alive with German culture, food, and fun. Discover why this festival is a must-visit event in southeastern Indiana.

Nate Spangle

Small Towns in Southeast Indiana

More towns

Vevay, Aurora, and Versailles each reward a stop, adding river history, mansions, and quiet main streets to the drive.

What’s it like in Oldenburg, Indiana?

What’s it like in Oldenburg, Indiana?

From Freudenfest to a James Beard-winning restaurant, Oldenburg in Franklin County punches way above its 647-person weight. Get the full breakdown.

Cheyne Reiter

What’s it like in Greensburg, Indiana?

What’s it like in Greensburg, Indiana?

Greensburg, Indiana is known for the courthouse tower tree, local food, festivals, and Decatur County history. Here's what to see and know.

Cheyne Reiter

What’s it like in Vevay, Indiana?

What’s it like in Vevay, Indiana?

Vevay, Indiana blends Ohio River views, Swiss heritage, local history, and small-town attractions. Here's what to see and do when you visit.

Cheyne Reiter

What's it like in Brookville, Indiana?

What's it like in Brookville, Indiana?

Brookville, Indiana offers Brookville Lake, Whitewater River scenery, historic downtown stops, trails, local food, and small-town charm.

Cheyne Reiter

Browse all Southeast Indiana coverage

Search or filter the full regional archive by topic. The guides above stay curated; this is the complete feed.

Charlestown State Park: Hiking Through History and Mysteries

Charlestown State Park: Hiking Through History and Mysteries

Allison Martin

Falls of the Ohio State Park: Don’t Take Fossils for Granite

Falls of the Ohio State Park: Don’t Take Fossils for Granite

Allison Martin

Rose Island: Indiana's Lost 1920s Amusement Park

Rose Island: Indiana's Lost 1920s Amusement Park

Taylor Huff

Rubbin’ Butts BBQ: A Smoky Hoosier Favorite in Sellersburg, Indiana

Rubbin’ Butts BBQ: A Smoky Hoosier Favorite in Sellersburg, Indiana

Taylor Huff

Versailles State Park: Creating a Family Culture for Bikers, Hikers, Kayakers, and More!

Versailles State Park: Creating a Family Culture for Bikers, Hikers, Kayakers, and More!

Allison Martin

What’s it like in Vevay, Indiana?

What’s it like in Vevay, Indiana?

Cheyne Reiter

Clifty Falls State Park: Being a Good Neighbor

Clifty Falls State Park: Being a Good Neighbor

Allison Martin

Don't Miss MadHop Musical Festival in Madison, Indiana 2025

Don't Miss MadHop Musical Festival in Madison, Indiana

Jarred Porter

Schimpff’s Confectionery: A Sweet Stop in Jeffersonville, Indiana

Schimpff’s Confectionery: A Sweet Stop in Jeffersonville, Indiana

Taylor Huff

Hatcher Hill Trail: Madison’s Hidden Gem for Nature Lovers

Hatcher Hill Trail: Madison’s Hidden Gem for Nature Lovers

Taylor Huff

Holtkamp Winery & Vineyards: A Hidden Gem in Sunman, Indiana

Holtkamp Winery & Vineyards: A Hidden Gem in Sunman, Indiana

Taylor Huff

Huber’s Orchard & Winery: Southern Indiana’s Largest Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

Huber’s Orchard & Winery: Southern Indiana’s Largest Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Patch

Jarred Porter

What's it like in Brookville, Indiana?

What's it like in Brookville, Indiana?

Cheyne Reiter

Evening aerial view of the Swiss Wine Festival midway and food booths in a riverside park in Vevay, Indiana

Sip, Stomp, and Celebrate at Vevay's Swiss Wine Festival

Jarred Porter

Discover Yoho General Store: A Southern Indiana Classic for Food, History & Small-Town Charm

Discover Yoho General Store: A Southern Indiana Classic for Food, History & Small-Town Charm

Taylor Huff

Small Town Breakdown: Sellersburg, Indiana

What's it like in Sellersburg, Indiana?

Cheyne Reiter

Small Town Breakdown: Lawrenceburg, Indiana

What's it like in Lawrenceburg, Indiana?

Shelby Zellmer

Discovering Freudenfest: Indiana's Hidden German Gem in Oldenburg

Discovering Freudenfest: Indiana's Hidden German Gem in Oldenburg

Nate Spangle

Small Town Breakdown: Milan, Indiana – Home of Hoosier History

What's it like in Milan, Indiana?

Nate Spangle

Questions

Common questions about Southeast Indiana

Written to answer the thing you actually searched for, not to pad the page.

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.
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