I always love to visit a county seat to get a look at the courthouse. Each is so unique and Wabash has the distinction of being the first electrically lighted city in the world. At the Wabash County Courthouse, you’ll find one of the original lights inside that was installed in the courthouse tower in 1880.

Spend the Night in a 1903 Gothic-Style Church

When you are looking at lodging options, consider a stay at The Sanctuary of Wabash. This beautiful former church is a great spot for groups because it has a large sitting area, a large dining table and a huge kitchen with commercial-grade appliances. Each of the rooms on the main floor features stunning stained glass and it’s a peaceful spot within walking distance of downtown.

See Some Waterfalls

You’ll find a total of seven public waterfalls in the county, two of which are within city limits. Visit Salamonie Falls in Salamonie State Park where you can also do some hiking, fishing, or camping, or make your way to Charley Creek Gardens where there are no hiking boots needed to see a lovely waterfall surrounded by beautiful flower gardens.

Do Some Shopping

The quaint downtown has a number of charming boutiques and unique specialty shops, lovely cafes and eateries, and a collection of painted elephants on the street in honor of a famous elephant who once escaped from a circus show and roamed the town for several days. Artisan-made and local products can be found in the gift shop at the Wabash County Visitor Center.

Take a Trolley Tour

Trolley No. 85 offers a number of fun experiences during the year with different themed rides that include a historic homes tour, a kids farm tour, a wildflower tour, the Boos and Brews tour, and Fright Night, and the Jolly Trolley Tour. With a vintage look, you’ll feel like you’re traveling in a time long ago, but with modern comfort.

Attend Bluegrass Festival

Held at the Rustic Barn at Hopewell, this festival in July includes food trucks, trolley rides, spirits, and lots of lively music.

Sip Cocktails at a Speakeasy

A newly-restored building along the Wabash River serves as a social hub for the Lagro community with a family-friendly dining room upstairs serving pizza, sandwiches, salads, and sharable and a different vibe in the lower level where you can sip among dark timbers original to the building with photos of outlaws lining the walls. Be sure to visit 950 Speakeasy where there’s also a relaxing patio space to spend time outside or on warm days.

Bike the Wabash River Trail

Hop on the Wabash River Trail in Lagro and follow along into Wabash. It’s a great place for biking. There are new bathroom facilities and a pavilion in Lagro and you’ll find a new bridge installed spanning Kerr Lock. Also, join in on September’s Dam to Dam Ride through the county that is held in conjunction with a four-day festival that features one of the area’s largest car shows.

See a Movie or Show at the Eagle Theatre

The historic Eagles Theatre is part of the Honeywell Foundation and is now a cultural hub for the arts with a stunning ballroom, space for arts education, a 49-seat state-of-the-art theatre with comfortable seating with swivel trays, and the main theatre with balcony suites and a retractable screen to host both live theatre and movie screenings. The foundation also operates a nearby drive-in movie theatre.

Visit the Wabash County Historical Museum

Learn about the local history at this treasure. First, watch a video with background on county history and then explore the exhibits that cover the development of the Wabash Erie Canal, the Big Four Railroad, early industry, influential businesses, notable locals, and more.

See the Public Art

Tour the county in search of 15 art wraps on traffic control boxes, more than a half-dozen outdoor murals, and painted miniature elephants honoring Modoc, the circus elephant who went on a rampage through town in 1942. Other unique pieces include the Riverwalk Water Fountain, the Living Tree, the Riverwalk Lightbulb sculpture, and the Abraham Lincoln statue.

Stop at the Carnegie Library

More Carnegie Libraries were built in Indiana than in any other state. The libraries were built between 1890 and 1917 with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie and 164 were built in Indiana, including the Wabash Carnegie Public Library built-in 1903.

To learn more about Wabash County, go to visitwabashcounty.com.

The post 12 Things To Do in Wabash County appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

Pokagon State Park – Bluebird Hills Trail
Moderate / 1.8 miles

Famous for its winter toboggan run and home to several of the glacier-formed kettle lakes that define this northeastern Indiana region, Pokagon sits just a few miles shy of the Michigan state line. The Bluebird Hills Trail (Number 7) bursts into gorgeous bloom in the springtime, especially the spectacular dogwood trees, rolling out a colorful backdrop of grasses and wildflowers for looping hikes through an open meadow and a wetlands restoration area.

This trail begins below Hell’s Point off Trail 3 and ventures deep into the park confines, reconnecting to the start point after almost 2 miles. In addition to the bluebirds and other avian friends, you might also spy deer, rabbits, and other animals just waking up from their winter slumbers which makes it the perfect location for a scenic hikes

Prophetstown State Park
Trail 2 – Moderate / 1.9 miles
Trail 3 – Moderate / 3.5 miles

Located near Battle Ground where the Tippecanoe and Wabash rivers converge, Prophetstown was a Native American village established in 1808 by the mighty Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, the legendary “Prophet” himself. This storied landscape teems with wildflowers and native plants each spring, a vibrant welcome mat for hikers of all skill levels. Trail 2 spurs off of the easily navigable Trail 1 north of the Blazingstar picnic area, traveling through tallgrass prairie, along the banks of Harrison Creek, past a fishing pond, and over a boardwalk into the fen — a wetland habitat created by seeping calcium-rich groundwater.

Feeling spry? Keep the journey going by continuing onto Trail 3, gravel/dirt path terrain that leads right up to the river’s edge. Grab a quick breather at the wildlife viewing area, and make sure to stop for a minute and appreciate the wetlands restoration and replacement tree plantings (a joint project of the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Department of Natural Resources) before hugging along the Tippecanoe River back to the pond. Trail 3 sometimes floods during heavy spring rains, so be ready to alter your route if needed.

Indiana Dunes National Park – Heron Rookery Trail
Moderate / 3.3 miles

To round up our list of scenic hikes, we have Heron Rookery Trail. At one time home to as many as 100 nests, the straight-line Heron Rookery Trail along the Little Calumet River that runs through Indiana’s newest national park served as an active nesting ground for these majestic birds for 60 years. Although the herons have since moved on to greener pastures, many bird species continue to make their dwellings here, including kingfishers, woodpeckers, and migrating warblers.

Avid birdwatchers will want to pack a pair of binoculars for closer observation. Add in a dazzling natural carpet of sunlight-dappled trillium, hepatica, mayapples, Dutchman’s breeches, and other native wildflowers, and you’ve got all the makings of a memorable spring hiking adventure. For the most color, plan to visit when the flowers are at their peak between late April and mid-May.

The post Explore The Top Five Most Scenic Hikes in Indiana appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

Forget the fruit! This family-run business assembles customized gift bags and baskets of all sizes full of Hoosier-made items suitable for any occasion. College basketball season, Indianapolis 500, housewarmings, birthday parties, Secret Santa exchanges, thank yous, or baby shower gifts — the options are limitless in this unique gift store.

Customers can place orders by phone or online, or stop by and browse the in-store selection of books, candles, collectibles, housewares, sports items, bath and body products, snacks, and candy galore to find tried-and-true classics, or maybe even discover a few new favorites.

How about pairing a jar of flavored B. Happy peanut butter with crunchy Tell City pretzels, or stocking up on Fort Wayne-based DeBrand chocolate race cars? Just Pop In! popcorn, Albanese gummi bears, Scholar’s Inn Bakehouse granola, Soups of Success, Sechler’s pickles, St. Elmo’s world-famous spicy shrimp cocktail sauce — if you can’t satisfy your Indiana cravings here, there’s just no hope.

For hours and more information about A Taste of Indiana, click here.

The post This Unique Gift Store Offers A One-Stop-Shop For All Things Made in Indiana appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

This article first appeared in the Indianapolis Monthly. Written by Amy Lynch. 

YOU WON’T FIND Hawkins on any legitimate Indiana map, but it is possible to access the Upside Down through a Bloomington portal in the middle of Kirkwood Avenue. The Graduate Bloomington unveiled its two-room Stranger Things suite last fall designed by the brand’s in-house team after scouring eBay and local thrift stores for decor.

Hardcore fans of the show—and guests of a certain age—will find quirky Easter eggs galore throughout the adjoining accommodations, from walkie talkies and a Clash cassette in the working tape player to Nancy’s Trapper Keeper school folder and a nail-studded baseball bat for battling any demon dogs that might appear. Collector room-key cards depict Hopper, Dustin, Barb, and other iconic characters from the show.

Room 320 has been painstakingly reimagined as Joyce Byers’s living room decked out with Christmas lights, Will’s monster drawings sprawled across the walls, and retro crocheted afghans on the love seats. Eleven’s pink dress, Will’s purple Dungeons and Dragons cape, and Steve’s Scoops Ahoy uniform all hang in the wardrobe for The Graduate Hotel guests who want to cosplay. In keeping with the overall vibe, a small Sears television sits in the corner. (It doesn’t work, though, so plan on signing into Wi-Fi if you want to watch anything via streaming service on your own devices while you’re there.)

Room 318 next door holds a wood-paneled Wheeler basement replicated right down to the quilt-tented hideout, shelves full of old-school board games, and a Hawkins pennant. Just be forewarned, the spider-like shadow figure that hovers above the king bed might disrupt solid sleep. Staying in here feels like a sleepover in your best friend’s basement rec room circa 1983, although the king bed is way more comfortable than a sleeping bag on the floor. The full bath is the only hint of modern style, but the one in 320 features slightly dizzying red penny-tiled walls—a nod to Eleven’s frequent nosebleeds?

Mind flayer slayers gotta eat. If the triple-decker, candy-sprinkled Eggo Extravaganza sandwiched with whipped cream sounds like a little too much sugar to stomach, there’s also an Upside Down burger, a Scoops Away sundae with locally sourced Chocolate Moose ice cream, and a strawberry Demogorgon smoothie to consider at the ground-level Poindexter cafe (along with the regular menu of sandwiches, coffee, and breakfast fare).

The Graduate Hotel’s Stranger Things suite stays start at $359 for midweek visits and includes passes to Wonderlab, bike rentals, and the use of a Polaroid camera to document your visit. Might want to book yours now before reservations fill up ahead of the Stranger Things Season 4, Volume 1 release on Netflix on May 27, or book for Volume 2 coming later, on July 1. 210 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, 812-994-0500, graduatehotels.com/bloomington

The post Stranger Things Have Happened At The Graduate Hotel appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

Held two weekends on June, 11-12 and 18-19, visitors have the opportunity to tour private gardens that are otherwise not open to the general public. And the cherry on top … the gardens are in Madison’s National Historic Landmark District.

Because of Madison’s location right on the Ohio River, it quickly became one of Indiana’s most important cities in the early to mid-1800s. Both the steamboat and railroad eras brought great wealth to the area and the architecture proves it.

Three sites in Madison, the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, the Shrewsbury-Windle House, and Historic Eleutherian College are designated National Historic Landmarks. Downtown Madison has been awarded a National Historic Landmark District, joining Savannah and Charleston as national treasures.

During the Madison in Bloom weekends, visitors are welcome to tour the various other historic sites in town and truly get a feel for the history that made this town what it is today.

Before you visit, be sure and check out dining and shopping options in Madison. With all there is to do, visitors can easily make it an overnight trip. Click here to book accommodations!

Tickets for Madison in Bloom are $25 for adults and children 12 and under are free! Call the Jefferson County History Center at 812-265-2335 or go to www.MadisoninBloom.com for tickets.

The post Madison in Bloom! appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

The Grave in the Middle of the Road

This Johnson County landmark definitely fits the description of one of the Stranger Things in the Hoosier state. For 185+ years, Nancy Kerlin  Barnett’s remains have been buried near Franklin and a country road goes right around her on both sides! Road work in 2016 led to the discovery of a total of seven bodies buried at the spot! 

The City Market Catacombs

Have you ever visited the Indianapolis City Market? The market is home to over 25 locally-owned and operated small businesses and is your choice of ethnic eateries, from-scratch snacks, boutique goods, and more, BUT what you might not know about is what’s underneath the market!

Just under the outdoor plaza exists Roman-looking expanses of brick arches, called Catacombs. Back in 1886 Tomlinson Hall, designed by Dietrich Bohlen, stood here. It consisted of a hall that seated 3,500 people and then sadly burned in 1958. Of course, the remains of the building were removed, but the vast basement of brick arches was left intact. You can get a tour of the catacombs between May and October!

The Avon Haunted Bridge

This historical landmark was built in 1906 off County Road 625 East in Hendricks County, about a half-mile south of U.S. 36 for the Big Four Railroad, and is still used today by CSX. The bridge was designed using spandrel arches, by engineer W.M. Dunne. It is reported that the bridge was double-tracked in 1908. While there are several legends about why the bridge is haunted, a few well-known ones exist today. One story that has circulated for years is that of a drunken rail worker who slipped during construction and was buried alive in the wet cement. The tale is that when a train goes over the bridge, people claim to still hear his moaning. A similar story to what my father told me is popular among locals. The story explains that a young mother was walking the tracks to take her sick baby to the doctor. She slipped and fell from the bridge killing both her and her baby. At night, the sounds of the mother screaming for her infant can be heard. The last common legend is of four workers falling to their death into White Lick Creek. People claim to still hear thuds and splashes in the creek. Read more.

Elkhart Civic Theatre (Bristol Opera House)

This 1897 building started as grounds for Bristol’s arts and entertainment. In the early 1960s, it was declining and was to be demolished until the Elkhart Civic Theatre company stepped in, bringing it back to its former glory.

On top of offering arts and entertainment to the community, it is said to be haunted by several apparitions. Staff and theater guests have reported things flying off shelves, small objects levitating, and other incidences. It’s believed that the ghost of Percy, aka Percival Hilbert, resides here. He lived in the basement with his family after being evicted in the Depression era. Some also believe apparitions of his little girls exist here.

Finch Cemetery (Portland, Indiana)

The late-1800s Finch Cemetery at the Jay County Conservation Club is said to hold the grave of a boy named Cinderella. Rumor has it that the gravestones here shift, or disappear. If you count the gravestones on the way to Cinderella’s grave, you will count 13. But on the way back, there are only 11.

The post Hawkins Isn’t Real, But You’ll Find These 5 “Stranger Things” in Indiana appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

It’s located a little off the beaten path in the small town of North Salem (with a population of around 423), but it’s one of those spots that is absolutely worth going out of your way for. Opened in 2011 by Damiana Perrillo, his aim is to prepare dishes at Perillo’s Pizzeria that are fresh, from scratch, and reminiscent of the cuisine of his home country.

A native of Palermo in Sicily, Perillo attended culinary school in Italy and then came to Chicago before settling in Central Indiana. He makes all of the sauces from scratch and you can taste the difference in his marinara and Alfredo sauce from a chain restaurant. Meals simply have to begin with the homemade garlic rolls made fresh daily with the homemade marinara dipping sauce. In a nearby garden, fresh vegetables and herbs are grown to be used as ingredients in the dishes.

The New York-style pizzas are huge in size and huge in flavor, loaded with gooey cheese and fresh toppings. We also tried out the steamed mussels and the meatballs that just melt in your mouth. We also sampled two desserts. You likely won’t have room left after your meal, but desserts are a must – even if you have to just wrap them up to go to enjoy later. We had one of the cannoli, which are made in-house, and also the limoncello cake. Each one was worth every single calorie.

It’s also worth noting that they also serve gluten-free pasta. A couple at the next table shared that they’d ordered it and were very impressed. I love that you can get pasta in half-orders since the servings are massive. They also offer a keto-friendly pizza crust made with chia seeds, almond flour, cream cheese, mozzarella, and Italian seasoning, and a gluten-free cauliflower parmesan crust.

Also on the menu are a stuffed mushroom appetizer calzones, salads, and subs. And they carry two of my much-loved regional soft drinks – the Lafayette-favorite Triple XXX root beer and Kentucky-made Ale 8. There’s also a selection of wine and beers and there’s an outdoor patio to enjoy it on once the weather is consistently warm.

For more information and specials, follow Perillo’s Pizzeria on Facebook. The eatery is located at 5 S. Broadway in North Salem, so stop by and get a taste of Italy.

The post Perillo’s Pizzeria: Enjoy A Taste of Italy In This Small Town West Of Indy appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

On the banks of the Ohio River

This spacious 1884 cotton-mill-turned-boutique-hotel is within steps of the Ohio River. The massive landmark has been exquisitely transformed into a picturesque destination escape.

Natural light graced the machines and floors of the Eagle Cotton Mill in its infancy. Now, light from 200 large, eight-foot-tall windows streams into reimagined spaces.

Relax into history

The hotel rooms and suites are spacious. Room ceilings are 12 feet high on the lower floors and 14 feet on the top floor. “Our hotel is not just a place to lay your head, it is actually a work of art,” says Josh Abbott, sales manager.

The exposed beams, ceilings, and brick are all original to the building. Original wood has been repurposed in the lobby’s bar area. Stones from local creeks make up the center fireplace in the lobby.

A tranquil river scene painting by local artist Eric Phagan graces the front desk area. Old maps and photos from the mill’s prosperous time dot the walls. An original poster from the 1958 movie “Some Came Running” (filmed in Madison) offers a glimpse into Madison’s history.

Local resident Andy Ashbury and his wife Suzi were getting their first look at the hotel. “Fantastic” Andy said, smiling. “I’m so happy for the town!”

The staff of the hotel is a wealth of knowledge. “Everyone is local,” says Macy Lyons, operations manager. Inquire about local history, places to eat, music, and events. Everyone is excited to talk about the hotel and life in Madison.

The hotel features two conference rooms, a spacious banquet hall, a fitness room, and a bar. Weddings and girl’s weekends are popular events at the hotel.

A small building for offices sits at the front of the massive structure. A picker house and machinery room remain behind the main building. The mill originally had its own power plant.

Machinery marks and names carved in woodwork add to the charm of the hotel. Eagle Cotton Mill originally produced low-grade cotton fabric and canvas for laundry carts, wartime sacks, and other products. The mill once employed 300 workers spinning and weaving at 204 looms.

The structure sat abandoned for 40 years. In 2007, interest grew in saving the building. In 2019, the rescue was accomplished. Now, 85 tranquil rooms give homage to the area’s history.

The hotel is part of Madison’s unique 133-block historic legacy. The nation’s largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District also includes three National Historic Landmark sites. The Lanier Mansion Historic Site and Shrewsbury-Windle House face the beautiful riverfront. The historic Eleutherian College is 15 minutes out in the county.

Experience downtown Madison

After a night of rest, watch the sunrise on the Ohio River. Then enjoy a full breakfast, jump in a golf cart and head downtown. Madison features unique stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and a handmade chocolate shop. A year-round farmer’s market in the center of town is a vibrant meeting place for locals and visitors.

The deep sense of history and the amenities of this picturesque riverfront hotel can’t be missed. Stay and relax into Madison’s past, present and future!

The post Madison Indiana: Experience a Stay in an 1884 Cotton Mill appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

The Umbrella Sky Project started in 2011 in Águeda, Portugal, to attract people to local businesses. The creative agency behind it all drew inspiration from Mary Poppins and hoped to bring color and the symbolism of protection to public spaces. After the original project went viral, Umbrella Sky Projects expanded from being in Europe to Japan to now, Batesville, Indiana.

The Umbrella Sky project was met with so much enthusiasm that the Batesville Area Art Council decided to expand it with the new Sky Color Rain installation.  The Sky Color Rain is rainbow-colored streamers that represent the rainbow after a storm. The streamers actually sway with the wind to produce a sound very similar to light rain, which is really quite cool! 

The Color Rain installation will be up in the town square until mid-July when it will be replaced by another Umbrella Sky Project Installation, which will be up from mid-July through October of 2022. The exhibit is located in the Village Green parking lot west side of downtown Batesville. Its programming is headed by the Batesville Area Arts Council (BAAC), whose board president Ethel Rodriguez was inspired to bring its magic to Batesville.

The Umbrella Sky project planning began in October 2019. The project cost about $55,000, and funding was raised by grants and donations from local businesses. Due to the original agency not being able to travel in the pandemic, Fitzpatrick Construction in Batesville put up the actual structure and umbrellas. The installation consists of 464 umbrellas in total, all shipped from the project’s origin of Portugal.

While the Sky Color Rain is up, the BAAC and other local organizations have planned many events under it, including the Batesville Farmers Market and various concerts from local artists, attracting visitors from Indianapolis to Cincinnati. The exhibit provides a safe place to gather while boosting local business.

“It’s awesome to see people smiling and taking pictures and kids playing,” BAAC President Ethel Rodriguez said. “I’ve talked to people who have come from Cincinnati or Wisconsin or Indy.” She believes the project will also promote local businesses as travelers stop for a meal or shop while visiting the structure.

For a list of all events, visit the Batesville Sky Color Rain website. Be sure to use the official project hashtag to post your photos after your visit: #BatesvilleSkyColorRain #batesvilleskycolorrain!

The post Rain or Shine, This Sky Color Rain Art Installation is A Rainbow Dreamscape appeared first on The Indiana Insider Blog.

Need fun and educational things to do with your kids this summer? Look no further! At Fair Oaks Farms, we have interactive and educational exhibits for your whole herd to explore. 

COME AND LEARN AND PLAY

Begin your Adventure in the Admissions building that’s labeled, “Start Your Adventure Here”. Purchase your day pass, receive your all-access wristband, and schedule your Bus Tours to the Dairy and Pig Farms.

Now that you’re all scheduled, your family is encouraged to explore all four museum-like buildings, filled with tons of activities and information about farming!

• Walk over to the Dairy Adventure and see an in-depth look at our Farm in Stemi’s Lab.
• Climb to the highest peak on the 3-story Ropes Course in the Pig Education Center and
• Learn about the past and present practices of farming and the innovative ways farmers will grow crops in the future, at the Crop Adventure.

There is so much to see and do at Fair Oaks Farms, but the adventure doesn’t stop there! Don’t miss out on experiencing the miracle of life…by watching a live birth of a calf in the Birthing Barn. Keep in mind, the stoplight outside of the Birthing Barn indicates which stage the mom is in, Red- Nothing is happening, Yellow- The Hooves are out, and Green- The nose is showing. Shhh…remember to use your indoor voices while inside the birthing center.

COME AND EAT

While you are exploring our Farm, be sure to stop in the Cowfé for grilled cheese sandwiches made with our award-winning cheeses.  After lunch, bring your kiddos over to our outdoor play area, Mooville. Kids can climb Udder Heights, ride around on the Moo-Choo Train, and slide down Geronimoo, our giant inflatable slide.

COME AND STAY

Thinking about making a weekend of it? Stay in the Fairfield by Marriott Fair Oaks Farms. Where your family can enjoy the heated pool, outdoor/indoor hot tub, and water slide! Our hotel is directly connected to the Farmhouse Restaurant, filled with delicious farm-to-table options even your pickiest eaters will enjoy! Be sure to end your visit with a stop in the BP/ Dairycatessen for a scoop, or two… of our homemade ice cream!!

The Country is Calling, and Fair Oaks Farms has so much to offer…whether you are short on time, looking for a pet-friendly stop on your road trip, or looking for a place to eat. Escape to the country today…we’re always happy to have you! Learn more at fofarms.com

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