Things to Do in Southern Indiana

• 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.
• What accommodations are available at the French Lick Resort?
  • The resort features two AAA Four-Diamond historic hotels, providing elegant and comfortable lodging.
• 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
• 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.
• What is the atmosphere like at the French Lick Resort?
  • Visitors will find luxurious contemporary comforts blended with old-world charm.
• 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

• What is Marengo Cave?
  • Marengo Cave is a National Natural Landmark that has been offering public tours since 1883.
• 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.
• What can visitors see inside the cave?
  • The cave is filled with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites, making it a breathtaking experience.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.
• 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
• 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
• 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

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

• 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.
• When was the mansion built?
  • The mansion was constructed between 1867 and 1869.
  • It was designed by local architect James T. Banes.
• 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
• 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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

Unique Museums:

• 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.
• When was the Evansville Museum founded?
  • The museum was founded in 1904 and now holds a permanent collection of over 30,000 objects.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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.
• When was the museum officially opened?
  • The museum officially opened in 1996 and now holds a collection of over 20,000 items.
• Where do the museum's artifacts come from?
  • Many of the artifacts and memorabilia were donated and have come from all across the nation.
• 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.
• 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