Visit Madison Unveils New Programming for Madison Trolley Line Launching Memorial Day Weekend

Exciting new programming

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Madison, Indiana {May 5, 2025} – The wait is over! Visit Madison Indiana (VMI) is thrilled to announce the exciting launch of new programming for the reimagined Madison Trolley Line, beginning Memorial Day Weekend. With a full lineup of guided tours, free downtown loops, and signature experiences, the Trolley Line is ready to roll—connecting guests to the unforgettable charm of Madison and beyond.

Guided tours will begin Monday, May 26, and run Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays, and Tuesdays with departures at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. These immersive rides offer passengers a narrated journey through Madison’s historic district, landmarks, and stories that bring the city to life. As part of the guided tour experience, each ticket also includes admission to explore the Madison Railroad Station Museum—a beautifully preserved 1895 Pennsylvania Railroad passenger station showcasing Indiana’s first railroad. Guests are encouraged to arrive up to 30 minutes before or stay after their tour to step back in time inside the museum, adding even more depth and authenticity to their visit. Starting and ending tours at this iconic landmark evokes the nostalgic feeling of "waiting for the train" and brings Madison’s transportation heritage to life in a truly memorable way. One Ticket. Two Timeless Experiences.

“We are elated to pick up the baton and build upon the trolley tradition here in Madison,” said Andrew Forrester, Executive Tourism Director at VMI. “This has been a long time coming, and we’re excited to elevate the experience into something that locals and visitors alike can enjoy for years to come. I’m incredibly grateful to the entire Visit Madison team whose creativity, dedication, and hard work made this vision a reality.”

“The partnership between the Madison Trolley Line and the Madison Railroad Station Museum is a perfect blend of history and experience,” said John Nyberg, Executive Director of the Jefferson County Historical Society (JCHS). “It not only elevates heritage tourism in our community, but also brings a little fun and nostalgia to an old-fashioned way of travel. Visitors will feel like they’re stepping back in time—waiting for the train and setting off on a journey through Madison’s rich past. This partnership couldn’t be more fitting for Madison’s transportation story.”

Exciting New Programming Includes:

• Guided Tours: Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays & Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., starting May 26
• Free Fourth Friday Downtown Loops: Starting May 23, hop on and off as you explore the arts, shops, live music and eats of downtown (5:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
• Summer Sunday Loops: Relax with free rides all summer long, starting May 25 through Sunday, August 31^st (Noon - 5:00 p.m.)
• Clifty Days: Enjoy quarterly scenic rides to Clifty Falls State Park, a guided 1-hour tour with the park’s naturalist, and time to explore the grounds, Nature Center, and gift shop. Dates: June 12, September 25, and December 11 (all at 1:00 p.m.). Tickets are $15 per person and include park admission.

Building on past trolley successes like the Taste of Ireland Trolley Crawl, Taco Tuesday Trolley, and the Holly Jolly Trolley, VMI is developing more themed experiences and creative outings to make every trolley ride a memory in the making. Stay tuned to our page and social media for new and fun experiences.

The Madison Trolley Line will also grow in capacity this summer with the arrival of a second, custom-built, ADA-accessible trolley in July, equipped to accommodate up to two (2) wheelchairs. This addition will allow for simultaneous guided tours, public programming, private rentals for weddings and special events, and expanded routes launching this fall to connect Hanover College and the broader Hanover community more directly.

All guided tours will be ticketed through MadTix, the local platform also powering ticketing for other VMI events like Madison Ribberfest and Nights Before Christmas. All ticketing is cashless, and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the time of the tour at the Railroad Museum (pending seat availability).

Guided Tour Pricing: Standard: $19.95 (ages 13+), Child: $12.95 (ages 6–12), 5 & under FREE – fees apply. Every guided tour ticket also includes admission to explore the Madison Railroad Station Museum. To book a private rental, please email trolley@visitmadison.org for availability and pricing. Guided tour riders will also receive a souvenir ticket that serves as discounted admission into the History & Art Center.

“We have so many people to thank for investing in this refreshed experience,” added Forrester. “Their support has made it possible to bring the trolley line back in a way that honors Madison’s heritage while looking boldly toward the future.”

This initiative would not be possible without the support of the Jefferson County Board of Tourism (JCBT), Hanover College, T-Mobile, and the City of Madison, who will maintain the trolleys. We are also incredibly grateful for the operational sponsors: Madison Automotive Group, keeping us fueled, Super Shine, keeping us clean and shiny, and Mason & Mefford, who transported the trolley to Madison, and will pick up the new one coming in July.

To learn more about the Madison Trolley Line, upcoming programming, or to book a tour now, visit VisitMadison.org/MadisonTrolleyLine, and follow our new social media pages @MadisonTrolleyLine on Facebook and Instagram to stay engaged.