Summer often seems short, but for students it’s a long time between lessons. To keep the learning going all summer long, explore these Southern Indiana destinations. These experiences will keep young minds learning while your kids will think they are just having fun! Send them back to school enriched and ready to build on the knowledge they gained all summer long.
Vincennes, Indiana
Founded in 1732, Vincennes is Indiana’s oldest city. Vincennes State Historic Site includes tours of several destinations and buildings dating back to when Indiana was a US territory, prior to statehood. Families will learn about the fur trade, early territorial government, and freedom of the press while they “attend class” in Indiana’s first public school, Jefferson Academy. In the Original Indiana Territory Capitol Building, visitors use real quill pens to “sign documents.” Explore pioneer living a stone’s throw from the Wabash River.
Next door at Grouseland, explore the presidential mansion of William Henry Harrison, learn about his Indiana leadership and short presidential term. There is so much state history packed in this site, everyone in your group will learn something new!
Princeton, Indiana
Lyles Station Historic School and Museum is part of the community of Lyles Station, one of the last remaining African American settlements in Indiana. Lyles Station was founded by free black men in the mid 1800s. At that time, it was a self-sustaining community of approximately 800 residents. Discover the history of this community and why it came to be. During your visit, you will experience a day in the life of Lyles Station School students in the early 1900s.
Evansville, Indiana
Experience three floors and 20,000 sq. feet of interactive exhibits designed to inspire play-based learning at cMoe – Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville. From crustaceans to construction, and from climbing to creating, this museum offers a day full of learning disguised as fun. If you’ve got an animal lover, check out Evansville’s Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, clocking in at 45 acres and over 700 animals!
Evansville is also home to a fascinating historical experience. Called the ship that won the war (WWII) by Churchill, the LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) were essential in sea-to-land invasions. Many were built in Evansville. Visit the USS LST-325 Memorial WWII Landing Ship Tank, and tour the floating piece of important war history that was actually on site in Normandy on D-Day. It is located downtown right on the Ohio River. There is even more WWII history to discover at the Evansville Wartime Museum. There you will learn how Southern Indiana made such a big impact in WWII efforts.
On the Evansville riverfront, you’ll find the Evansville Museum of Art, History and Science. The museum is packed with exhibits about history and science and features numerous art galleries. The Koch Immersive Theater houses a 40-foot diameter domed screen with 360-degree digital projection featuring astronomy and science programming. Outside, you’ll find the Evansville Museum Transportation Center (EMTRAC) featuring transportation artifacts from the late-19th through the mid-20th centuries and even vintage train cars you can explore.
Washington, Indiana
Throughout the Daviess County Museum, various exhibits demonstrate the local lifestyle in the early 1900s. Discover a wide variety of turn-of-the-century artifacts from Daviess County and throughout Southern Indiana including household items, uniforms, and sports memorabilia .
Don’t miss the authentic school room replica to experience what being in school was like over 100 years ago!
Petersburg, Indiana
Hornady Park offers so many ways to experience the outdoors including a fishing pond, splash pad, wilderness trail, and playground. The wide-open spaces allow for nature discovery and pretend play. While you are there, explore the historic Peter Brenton cabin.
Lynnville, Indiana
Coal continues to be an important natural resource. The Museum of the Coal Industry examines the coal industry in Indiana, and how it fuels and impacts the area.
Jasper, Indiana
The Old Jasper District located along the Patoka River is the heart of Jasper and includes the Jasper City Mill, Schaeffer Barn, Alexander one room schoolhouse, and the historic Spirit of Jasper train ride. The Schaeffer Barn is a hand-hewn log structure originally built in the 1800s. Originally built in 1820, the Alexander School is now located near the Schaeffer Barn making it easy to visit both during the same trip. Here you’ll discover how early settlers lived, particularly German immigrants. Visit the Jasper City Mill to tour a working river mill and learn about how these important buildings worked.
For a moving adventure and a lesson about transportation, make reservations to climb aboard the Spirit of Jasper for a scenic excursion riding in three beautifully renovated, climate-controlled lounge cars. Dinner train reservations are also available. Finally, the Dubois County Museum in Jasper portrays local history in a 17-room Main Street depicting the late 1800s. Discover local history and German heritage in this 50,000 sq. foot museum displaying nearly 60,000 artifacts.
Lincoln City and Rockport, Indiana
Abraham Lincoln spent his formative years in Spencer County. There are several destinations to explore the life of our sixteenth president. At Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, you’ll learn about the lives of Abraham Lincoln and his pioneer family who lived on this farm site. Through a film and exhibits, the story of the Civil War era president’s 14 young years in Indiana is brought to life.
At the nearby Lincoln State Park, stroll in the woods as young Lincoln did. The park was established as a memorial to Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. Join a guided nature hike or explore the park’s nature center. The Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum in Rockport, just a few miles from the other Lincoln sites, has 13 Lincoln-era replica cabins including a schoolhouse, the Lincoln Homestead Cabin, and a church. Artifacts from that time period provide a glimpse of how Lincoln and his family lived and what may have inspired young Abe to greatness.
Mitchell, Indiana
Spring Mill State Park has a long list of educational offerings including the Gus Grissom Memorial museum, Pioneer Village, caves, scenic trails, playgrounds, plus ponds and streams perfect for creek stomping and frog finding. At this one destination, you’ll learn about the NASA space program through film and artifacts, experience Hoosier life in the-mid 1800s, and explore limestone caves and other Earth science specimens in their natural state. Eager learners might want to bring magnifying glasses and binoculars.
Bedford, Indiana
For over fifty years, Bluespring Caverns has welcomed adventurers of all ages. Guided tours reveal unusual formations in the fascinating depths of the caverns. The tour guides will point out rare creatures that thrive in the dark, dank environment. Find out what created the caverns and where the underground river leads. Bring a jacket or sweater and closed toe shoes. The caverns are a constant 52 degrees year-round.
French Lick, Indiana
At the French Lick West Baden Museum, learn about the healing properties of the French Lick and West Baden sulfur springs and why visitors came from all over the world during the early 1900s. See the colorful and amazing room-sized miniature Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, which was based in West Baden, and learn how this circus impacted the local economy.
Corydon, Indiana
Indiana’s first state capital was along the Ohio River in Corydon. To learn about Indiana’s launch into statehood, visit Corydon Capital State Historic Site. On the downtown square, tour the federal-style limestone building which served as the first state capitol building. Explore Governor Hendricks’ headquarters and home. Find out what happened under the “Constitution Elm.”
While you are in Corydon, take an 80-minute tour to explore underground. The subterranean boat ride at Indiana Caverns is where you’ll discover Ice Age bones, cave formations, and rare creatures. Learn why these formations and fossils are found here. And don’t miss the Harrison County Discovery Center! This unique museum features tons of interactive exhibits about science and history.
Maukport, Indiana
Squire Boone Caverns features can’t miss cave formations and underground waterfalls. The site is also home to a grist mill built by Daniel Boone’s brother Squire Boone. The mill is still operating over 210 years later! Kids can also explore a pioneer village featuring soap making, candle dipping, gemstone mining, and farm animals to learn what life in Indiana was life centuries ago. There is even ziplining for those wanting a more modern adventure!
Clarksville, Indiana
Falls of the Ohio State Park provides the fascinating and unique experience to hike on 390-million-year-old fossil beds. Explore the remnants of the ancient sea that once covered southern Indiana. This state park features an architecturally intriguing Interpretive Center. Exhibits highlight Earth’s history with a commanding view of the fossil beds and Ohio River. The Center is 3,000 square feet of immersive exhibits, an auditorium, rotunda, classroom, wildlife and river viewing rooms, gift shop, restrooms, and water fountains.
This summer, build on what your student has been learning in the classroom. You’ll consider these destinations a field trip. Your young learners will think they are just having a great time over summer break!
Be time zone aware as you travel through Down Home Southern Indiana. The southwestern corner of the state runs on Central Time, while most of the rest of the state is in the Eastern time zone.
More things to do in Southern Indiana.
