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Question: What types of attractions can visitors find in Southern Indiana?
Answer: Southern Indiana offers a variety of attractions, including arts, entertainment, family fun venues, and grown-up getaways. -
Question: What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Southern Indiana?
Answer: Visitors can spend their days hiking at Patoka Lake State Park or adventuring through Marengo Cave. -
Question: What dining and drink options are available in Southern Indiana?
Answer: Evenings can be spent drinking refreshing craft wines and enjoying authentic Italian meals at the French Lick Winery & Vintage Cafe.
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1. French Lick Resort
Enjoy luxury amenities and savor a romantic retreat in this iconic resort.
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What is the French Lick Resort?
- French Lick Resort is a luxurious resort nestled within the Hoosier National Forest, offering historic accommodations, fine dining, gaming, golf, and more.
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What accommodations are available at the French Lick Resort?
- The resort features two AAA Four-Diamond historic hotels, providing elegant and comfortable lodging.
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What amenities and activities does the resort offer?
- Guests can enjoy a wide range of luxury and entertainment options, including:
- A Vegas-style casino
- Two rejuvenating spas
- Three challenging golf courses
- Numerous event venues
- Fine dining and entertainment
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Does the resort have activities for children?
- Yes! The resort offers KidsFest, a popular children’s activity center filled with interactive games and supervised fun.
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What is the atmosphere like at the French Lick Resort?
- Visitors will find luxurious contemporary comforts blended with old-world charm.
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How far is French Lick Resort from Indianapolis?
- The resort is approximately 2 hours from Indianapolis.
- It is located 105 miles away, accessible via I-69 and IN-37.
Address: 8670 West State Road 56, French Lick, IN 47432, Phone: 812-936-9300
2. Marengo Cave
Explore underground passages and admire unusual formations on a guided weekend tour.
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What is Marengo Cave?
- Marengo Cave is a National Natural Landmark that has been offering public tours since 1883.
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How large is Marengo Cave?
- The cave spans over seven acres and contains nearly five miles of known passageways, making it one of the longest caves in Indiana.
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What can visitors see inside the cave?
- The cave is filled with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites, making it a breathtaking experience.
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What tours are available at Marengo Cave?
- Visitors can choose from two walking tours:
- Crystal Palace Tour – Lasts nearly 40 minutes and covers ¼ mile of the cave.
- Dripstone Trail Tour – Lasts around 70 minutes and covers one full mile of the cave.
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How far is Marengo Cave from Indianapolis?
- The cave is located 2 hours and 15 minutes from Indianapolis.
- It is approximately 117.8 miles away, accessible via I-69 and IN-37/S Rd 37.
Address: 400 East State Road 64, Marengo, IN 47140
3. Patoka Lake State Park
Go boating or hike scenic trails during a relaxing summer trip.
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What is Patoka Lake State Park?
- Patoka Lake State Park is a 25,000-acre park in Southern Indiana, featuring a 9,000-acre lake and a wide range of outdoor activities.
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What types of events and programs take place at the park?
- The park offers guided programs and activities, including:
- Docent-guided walks
- Explorations of the Moery Cabin (a reconstructed historic site)
- Guided hikes to explore local flora and fauna
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What wildlife can be seen at Patoka Lake?
- The park provides habitats for various species, including:
- Bald eagle nesting sites
- Ospreys
- River otters
- Freshwater jellyfish
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What activities can visitors enjoy at Patoka Lake?
- Visitors can take part in a variety of recreational activities, including:
- Camping
- Hiking and biking
- Picnicking
- Hunting
- Swimming and waterskiing
- Fishing and ice fishing
- Cross-country skiing
- Boating
- Archery
- Skill programs like Dutch oven cooking
Address: 3084 N. Dillard Road, Birdseye, IN 47513, Phone: 812-685-2464
4. Culbertson Mansion
Visit this historic home and admire Victorian-era sights on a quick tour.
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What is the Culbertson Mansion?
- Culbertson Mansion is a historic home listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
- It was the residence of William Culbertson, who was once the richest man in Indiana.
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When was the mansion built?
- The mansion was constructed between 1867 and 1869.
- It was designed by local architect James T. Banes.
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What can visitors see during a tour?
- Guided tours take visitors through the mansion’s 25 bedrooms, parlors, dining rooms, and kitchen.
- Guests can admire stunning architectural features, including:
- A carved rosewood-grained staircase
- Hand-painted frescoed ceilings
- Crystal chandeliers
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What events are held at the Culbertson Mansion?
- The mansion hosts several annual events.
- A particularly popular event is the annual Haunted House, which attracts both locals and visitors.
Address: 914 E Main Street, New Albany, IN 47150
5. Angel Mounds State Historic Site
Walk along ancient earthworks and discover Native American history in an affordable setting.
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What is Angel Mounds State Historic Site?
- Angel Mounds State Historic Site is an ancient Native American town that was constructed and occupied between 1100 AD and 1450 AD.
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Where is Angel Mounds located?
- The site is located on the banks of the Ohio River.
- It is one of the farthest northeastern examples of Mississippian culture.
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Why is Angel Mounds historically significant?
- It is nationally recognized as one of the best-preserved ancient Native American sites in the United States.
- The site is designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
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What can visitors experience at Angel Mounds?
- Visitors can explore the site and learn how a thriving Native American community lived over a thousand years ago.
- Numerous artifacts discovered at the site provide insight into the culture and daily life of its former inhabitants.
Address: 8215 Pollack Avenue, Evansville, IN 47715
6. Squire Boone Caverns
Explore deep caves and enjoy cool attractions perfect for adventurous kids.
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What is Squire Boone Caverns?
- Offering one of the most spectacular underground adventures in America, Squire Boone Caverns comprises a cave and surrounding village that was first discovered by explorer brothers, Daniel and Squire Boone, when they were hiding from Native Americans in the late 18th century.
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Who discovered Squire Boone Caverns?
- The caverns were discovered by the Boone brothers, Daniel and Squire Boone, while they were hiding from Native Americans in the late 18th century.
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Why is Squire Boone buried at the entrance?
- Squire Boone loved the caves so much that he returned to live nearby and requested to be buried at the entrance after his death.
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What can visitors explore inside the caves?
- Visitors can explore the caves with experienced guides and see sights such as an underground stream, a large waterfall, several unique rock formations, and massive stalactite and stalagmite formations.
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What attractions are in the surrounding pioneer village?
- The village includes an old-fashioned candy shop, hand-dipped candles, and soap that is made by hand using lard.
Address: 100 Squire Boone Road SW, Mauckport, IN 47142, Phone: 812-732-4381
7. Spring Mill State Park
See pioneer buildings and walk forest trails during a peaceful fall visit.
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What is Spring Mill State Park?
- Spanning 1,358 acres, Spring Mill State Park is a beautiful natural sight with many cultural attractions housed within it.
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Why do visitors come to Spring Mill State Park?
- Visitors from all over flock to the park to see the several caves found there, many of which are open for guided tours.
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What is special about the Twin Caves boat tours?
- The Twin Caves boat tours are a popular option where guides pull boats through stream passages, allowing visitors to view unique cave formations and cave animals that reside there.
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What other interpretive facilities are in the park?
- In addition to the boat tour, the park features three interpretive facilities: the Nature Center, Pioneer Village, and Grissom Memorial.
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What can visitors see inside Pioneer Village?
- Pioneer Village includes 20 historic buildings, including an 1817 limestone gristmill that still grinds cornmeal today.
Address: 3333 State Road 60 E, Mitchell, IN 47446, Phone: 812-849-3534
8. George Rogers Clark Memorial
Admire grand architecture and learn about American history in this easy stop.
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What is the George Rogers Clark Memorial?
- The George Rogers Clark Memorial is a stunning architectural feat constructed between 1931 and 1933, honoring the frontiersman George Rogers Clark and his leadership.
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Where should visitors start their tour?
- Begin at the Visitor Center, where you will get a background on George Rogers Clark, view exhibits, and watch a 30-minute orientation movie titled Long Knives.
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What can visitors see inside the memorial rotunda?
- Inside the memorial rotunda, visitors will see a Hermon MacNeil statue of Clark, depicting him as a brave frontiersman leading his men.
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What murals are displayed in the rotunda?
- The walls of the rotunda feature seven 28-feet-tall murals that visually depict Clark’s expedition story.
Address: 401 S. 2nd Street, Vincennes, IN 47591, Phone: 812-882-1776
9. Evansville Museum
Discover art, science, and history exhibits perfect for a family outing.
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What is the Evansville Museum?
- Located on the Ohio riverfront in the downtown area, the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science is a general interest museum filled with many fascinating artifacts.
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When was the Evansville Museum founded?
- The museum was founded in 1904 and now holds a permanent collection of over 30,000 objects.
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What can visitors see at the museum?
- Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits, including fine art, historic artifacts, decorative ornaments, photographs, and historic documents.
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What is a unique feature of the museum?
- One of the museum’s main attractions is a built-in semblance of a 19th-century American rivertown street, complete with shops and homes visitors can walk through.
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How diverse are the museum’s exhibits?
- The permanent exhibits range from 16th-century artwork to informative science demonstrations, offering a wide variety of subjects to explore.
Address: 411 SE Riverside Drive, Evansville, IN 47713
10. The Henager “Memories and Nostalgia” Museum
Look at quirky memorabilia and enjoy unusual pop culture stuff.
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What is The Henager “Memories and Nostalgia” Museum?
- Enjoy a stroll down memory lane at The Henager “Memories and Nostalgia” Museum, which showcases a vast collection of artifacts and memorabilia.
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When was the museum officially opened?
- The museum officially opened in 1996 and now holds a collection of over 20,000 items.
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Where do the museum's artifacts come from?
- Many of the artifacts and memorabilia were donated and have come from all across the nation.
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What topics are covered in the museum’s exhibits?
- The museum features a diverse range of exhibits, including Abraham Lincoln’s Legacy, Smokey Bear, Western Movie Stars, Santa’s Workshop, American Music, Automotive Heritage, and a Veteran’s Exhibit.
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Does the museum offer classic movie screenings?
- Classic movies are played at the museum throughout the year and are free to watch with general museum admission.
Address: 8837 S. State Road 57, Buckskin, IN 47613, Phone: 812-795-2230
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. French Lick Resort
- 2. Marengo Cave
- 3. Patoka Lake State Park
- 4. Culbertson Mansion
- 5. Angel Mounds State Historic Site
- 6. Squire Boone Caverns
- 7. Spring Mill State Park
- 8. George Rogers Clark Memorial
- 9. Evansville Museum
- 10. The Henager “Memories and Nostalgia” Museum