How many reasons are there to visit Southern Indiana? At least 500 or so.Other Hoosier hotspots include Conner Prairie in Fishers, a living-history museum that re-creates an Indiana frontier town, populated by actors who play village residents (circa 1836). And don’t overlook the Crowne Plaza hotel in Indianapolis, which is housed inside a railway station (where you can actually slumber in one of 26 authentic Pullman train cars).
If you’re an architecture buff, consider a drive to Columbus, where city planners showed considerable foresight in hiring some of the 20th century’s most notable contemporary architects — I.M. Pei, Eliel and Eero Saarinen, and Cesar Pelli among them — to design the library, city hall and other civic structures.
If National Historic Landmarks are your thing, the tiny town of Madison showcases more historic homes per square block than just about any other. Head first to the Lanier Mansion, a renovated 1844 Greek Revival beauty — complete with lush gardens — that’s labeled the “crown jewel” of Madison’s Historic District.
For fans of tunnel boat races, the “Roar of Thunder” riverboat regatta at Lesko Park lake in Aurora is a must. Every August now for 10 years, the lake has been a stop on the Powerboat Superleague points circuit.
And dedicated shoppers shouldn’t miss out on Nashville, with more than 90 specialty and craft shops, a half-dozen antiques stores, 10 art galleries, and dozens of restaurants and food shops. (Nearby is the terrific Brown County State Park and Abe Martin Lodge, a great place to stay overnight.) Or you can sample Metamora, a once booming canal town that’s evolved into an arts-and-crafts mecca featuring dozens of antique and knick-knack shops.
Here are some other destinations in Southern Indiana to contemplate:
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
On the road with your children? Then don’tmiss the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, perhaps the biggest and best children’s museum in the world. Next to the Indy 500, it’s the city’s biggest draw. Major attractions include the SpaceQuest Planetarium and the Lilly Center for Exploration, designed by teens for kids to explore a variety of topics. Whether the kids love dinosaurs, carrousels, model trains or magnets, the Children’s Museum has an interactive exhibit or science display to please.3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. $12, $7 for children 2-17 and seniors 60 and older (free on Christmas Eve, Dr. Martin Luther King Day and other select holidays). (317) 921-4000 or childrensmuseum.org.
This community features authentically costumed interpreters who guide you into the past. Eli Lilly, president of the Indiana Historical Society, purchased the house and property of William and Elizabeth Conner back in the 1930s with the idea of creating this open-air, living history museum. Divided into five areas on the prairie’s 1,400 acres, Conner Prairie explores how Indiana residents lived in the 1800s. Visitors can chat with doctors, innkeepers, schoolmasters, cooks and the like.13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $11, $7 children ages 5-12 (free to 4 and younger), and $10 for seniors 65 and up. (317) 776-6006 or connerprairie.org.
Formerly Caesars Indiana Casino/Hotel, the re-branded Horseshoe Casino Hotel Southern Indiana offers a fresh gambling experience. Located a few miles from Louisville, Horseshoe is one of the world’s largest gaming vessels and — after a $50-million renovation — offers more than 2,000 slot machines, as well as 80 table games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps tables and poker room.11999 Casino Center Drive SE, Elizabeth (off Indiana Highway 111), (866) 676-SHOE or harrahs.com.
This facility focuses on the furnishings, social history and heritage of Indiana. The collection includes objects that have had a significant economic or technological impact on Hoosiers, as well as agricultural displays. The building itself is an exhibit, as well, with 92 sculptures representing the state’s 92 counties built into the exterior. A six-story IMAX theater screens films in 3-D.650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. $7, $4 children, $6.50 seniors. Combo ticket for both museum and IMAX film $12.50, $8 children, $11 seniors. (317) 232-1637.
There’s that little auto race each Memorial Day Weekend, sure, but also consider a visit anytime to see the Hall of Fame Museum, a tribute to the sport and its top winning cars and drivers. Some 75 vehicles in the collection include the Marmon “Wasp,” which won the inaugural Indy 500 in 1911, the Boyle Maserati, the Duesenberg #12 Murphy Special, the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special, Dave Evans’ #8 Cummins Diesel Special (the first car to complete the Indy 500 without a pit stop in 1931), plus four cars driven to victory by A.J. Foyt Jr. Bus tours of the 2.5-mile oval depart from the museum’s front doors.4790 W. 16th St., Indianapolis. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. $3, $1 children ages 6-15, children 5 and younger free. Track tours are an additional $3, $1 children ages 6-15, children 5 and younger free. (317) 481-8500 or indy500.com.
From Siberian tigers and polar bears to whales and dolphins, just about every species can be found here. The adjoining White Water Gardens, meanwhile, show off thousands of flowers and plants on 3.3 acres that include the Hilbert Conservatory.1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Combo admission to both zoo and gardens $13.50, $8.50 for kids 2-12 (children 1 and younger free), and $8.50 seniors 62 and older. (317) 630-2030 or indyzoo.com and whiterivergardens.com.
Before you dismiss Southern Indiana as all flatlands, consider Perfect North Slopes. This popular resort offers snow skiing and tubing all day and night, plus a ski school for novices, racing clinics and racing camps.19074 Perfect Place, Lawrenceburg. In season, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Lift ticket $40 (ages 13-59), $35 (ages 7-12 and 60 plus). Tubing $20, $10 for 6 and younger. (812) 537-3754 or perfectnorth.com.
Union Station
While other states have turned their historic railroad terminals into museums and malls, or allowed them to be shuttered altogether, Indianapolis’ Union Station is now a fully functioning Crowne Plaza hotel, where you can sleep in one of the more than two dozen Pullman train cars parked on the tracks.123 W. Louisiana St., Indianapolis. Open daily 24 hours. Room rate for train car is $169. (317) 631-2221 or crowneplaza.com.
Southern Indiana’s only urban state park, White River is located in the heart of downtown and encompasses Victory Field (home to the Indians AAA ball team and named bySports Illustrated as the “best minor league ballpark in America”). The River Promenade offers bicycle rentals, while the Governor’s Lawn is the site for various civic events, such as the Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival and for rock concerts.801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Dawn to dusk hours. Free. (317) 233-2434.