Here’s your guide to the weird and wacky in Southern Indiana! Explore abandoned ruins, architectural wonders, geological phenomenon, and unique museums. These offbeat hidden gems are sure to spice up your visit to Southern Indiana!
Rose Island
Explore an abandoned amusement park from 1920s inside Charlestown State Park on the Ohio River in Charlestown, Indiana. Visitors can hike through the ruins on their own or with a guided hike. You’ll find remnants of a once flourishing destination that has been abandoned for almost a century.
Santa Claus, Indiana
One of Southern Indiana’s quirkiest places is town the of Santa Claus, where you’re sure to see jolly St. Nick around every corner! One must-visit site is the towering 22-foot tall Santa statue at Santa Claus Museum & Village. The statue was dedicated in 1935 “to all the children of the world.” The museum is home to a collection of original town buildings dating back to 1856, and kids can even write a letter to Santa from the town’s first post office!
Other can’t-miss sites in Santa Claus include Santa’s Candy Castle, Santa’s Reindeer Ranch, and of course Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari!
Geode Grotto
Photo by Lee Lewellen
Italian born Father Phillip Ottavi used thousands of geodes to create the Mother of God Grotto in Jasper, Indiana. Beginning in the 1950s, he spent 12 years constructing this unique blend of religious site and folk art. Rugged on the outside and beautiful on the inside, Father Ottavi believed geodes were an apt representation of man’s body and soul. This beautiful half-acre structure is a must-see landmark in Jasper.
Eighth Wonder Of The World
The famous glass dome atrium of West Baden Springs Hotel was called the Eighth Wonder of the World when it was built in 1902. Soaring 100-feet high and spanning 200 feet across, this historic beauty is a can’t-miss sight. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the atrium during the day or take a history tour for an in-depth look at the hotel. You can even book a room with a balcony overlooking the dome!
Rothrock’s Mill Ruins
This hidden gem is definitely off the beaten path! Rothrock’s Mill was built in the early 1900s, and you can visit the ruins by taking a full-day excursion with Cave Country Canoes. The 14-mile route is one of the most beautiful journeys on the Blue River, and you’ll get the opportunity to stroll through these long-forgotten ruins from Southern Indiana’s past.
Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy
The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy in Vincennes celebrates the life and legacy of a Southern Indiana native and one of America’s greatest comedians. Through colorful displays and entertaining films, this vibrant, fully interactive museum focuses on Red Skelton’s life and characters. Expect lots of fun and laughs for the whole family.
Squire Boone’s Grave
In 1790, Daniel and Squire Boone discovered caverns in Mauckport, Indiana near the Ohio River that are now known as Squire Boone Caverns. The caverns stay 54 degrees year round and feature underground rivers and waterfalls. Squire lived here with his family and built a grist mill which still operates at this site over 210 years later. He was laid to rest inside the cavern, and you can even spot his coffin during the tour!
The Big Peach
A 20 foot peach and scaled down replica of the Washington Monument mark The Big Peach, a unique farm market just north of Vincennes, Indiana. These unique roadside statues were built in 1954 by the market’s first owners, Wilbur and Doris Yates, as a tribute to the Trylon and Perisphere of the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Stop by this farm market for a quirky photo op, and then head inside for farm fresh-veggies, melons, sauces, cider slushies, and you guessed it… lots of peaches!
Whispers Estate
Are you brave enough for a ghostly overnight adventure? Whispers Estate in Mitchell, Indiana, has a tragic history, and many guests have experienced unexplained happenings. Fans of the paranormal can book an overnight session to explore and investigate the historic home.
Orangeville Rise and Wesley Chapel Gulf
Photo by by Indiana Karst Conservancy
Wesley Chapel Gulf and the Orangeville Rise are two unique geological features related to Southern Indiana’s karst landscapes of caverns, gulfs, and underground rivers. Located 2.5 miles apart, these two National Natural Landmarks provide a rare above-ground glimpse of the subterranean Lost River. During low water periods, visitors will be treated to stunning azure blue pools, quite a unique sight in the forests of Southern Indiana!
Willard Library
Evansville’s historic Willard Library has been famous for its Grey Lady ghost since she was first spotted in 1937. Staff and patrons have experienced unexplained activity over the decades, and mysterious images have been captured on the library’s ghost cams. Ghost hunters and thrill seekers can book an After-Hours Paranormal Investigation to explore the haunted halls of one of Indiana’s oldest libraries.
Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Diorama
French Lick West Baden Museum in downtown French Lick is full of quirky exhibits, and the highlight is definitely the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus diorama. Filling up an entire room, this exhibit is the world’s largest circus diorama. The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus wintered and trained in West Baden, and this 1,100 square foot diorama brings this colorful local history to life. Plan to stay a while to admire the detailed scenes comprised of over 150,000 pieces!
Giant Sasquatch
Visit French Lick Cabins at Patoka Lake and you’ll meet Meet Otis, the 25 foot tall Sasquatch created by local artists from Bear Hollow Wood Carvers. This fishing Sasquatch is truly a work of art and makes for a great photo op! French Lick Cabins at Patoka Lake has 13 beautiful rental cabins if you’re looking for a charming place to stay near Patoka Lake or French Lick.
Daviess County Museum Funeral Exhibit
The Daviess County Museum in Washington, Indiana stands out among county museum for its unique Gill’s Funeral Exhibit. One of Indiana’s most unusual museum exhibits, you’ll learn about early funeral practices in Indiana. See antique coffins, embalming equipment, funeral displays, and more. You can only enter this exhibit with a volunteer guide, so let them know you’re interested in seeing the space.
Falls of the Ohio State Park
At Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, visitors can explore 390-million-year-old fossil beds and learn about the creatures that lived there when Southern Indiana was under a shallow sea. Inside the park’s 3,000 square foot Interpretive Center, you’ll find incredible exhibits about Southern Indiana’s unique geography and history.
