Things to do IN The Uplands Of Indiana

Bartholomew County, Indiana is home to Columbus which is one of the few small cities to blend world-class architecture, art and attractions well. With 80+ noteworthy buildings and public art installations, Columbus (pop. 45,000) ranks 6th in the U.S. for its architecture. Columbus is also a great place for families. Everyone’s a kid at Zaharakos Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor, a 1920s soda shop preserved to its original charm (and deliciousness). You can go fishing at Mill Race Park or start at Blue's Canoe Livery for a canoe or kayak adventure on the beautiful Driftwood River. Find your next adventure in Bartholomew County.

Brown County, Indiana, is home to thousands of acres of majestic forest, a quintessential downtown bursting with great places, and countless one-of-a-kind accommodations. Attracted by its natural beauty, famed Hoosier Group impressionist artist Theodore C. Steele (1847-1926) settled in Brown County, now called the “Art Colony of the Midwest”. Visitors can take a trip to the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, or take a heart-pumping zipline tour around Brown County at eXplore Brown County. There is so much more in Brown County waiting to be discovered.

Greene County, Indiana’s sprawling countryside is still alive today. With thousands of acres of wooded rolling hills and lakes, there is no shortage of scenic views or opportunities for outdoor recreation. For nature lovers, the county’s 8,034-acre Goose Pond Fish & Wildlife Area is one of the largest, most successful wetland restoration projects in the country, and for adrenaline-junkies, there is the Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area which was made on an old coal mine and has miles of trails for all levels of skill. Find your fun in Greene County!

Music fans have to visit Jackson County, Indiana; there are tons of things to do. Known for one of his hits, “Born in a Small Town,” there’s a John Mellencamp Mural at The Old Guitar Music Store in his birthplace of Seymour, IN! The legend visited and signed the mural himself. Hunt, fish and just enjoy the wildlife at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge! The Refuge Visitor Center features interactive exhibits on wildlife, wetlands, and the history of the area. Right next to Muscatatuck, Batar was rated the best restaurant in Seymour! It includes beautiful gardens, a cafe, a sweet shop and more. There is so much more to find IN Jackson County.

Known as the Limestone Capital of the World, Lawrence County has tons of things to do. Its rural countryside, stone terrain, and national forests are dotted by small homes and farms in close-knit communities. Visitors can enjoy an abundance of natural features like Bluesprings Caverns and Spring Mill State Park, home to the Virgil I. Gus Grissom Memorial, which honors the Mercury Seven astronaut who was the second American to fly in space. Locally-grown persimmons, harvested each autumn to make Indiana’s famous persimmon pudding, are celebrated at a festival every September. 

Students and faculty from across the country and the world flock to Monroe County, Indiana and to IU (Indiana University) in Bloomington. On Campus, the Lilly Library is an internationally-revered collection of millions of cultural & literary artifacts. Special artifacts that can only be found at the Lilly Library include a New Testament of the Gutenberg Bible. Not far from campus is Lake Monroe. This is Indiana’s largest land-bound body of water. Visitors can enjoy camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, boating and so much more. So much more is waiting to be discovered IN Monroe County!

Owen County, Indiana is home to Indiana’s largest waterfall - Cataract Falls State Recreation Area. It’s a nature lover's paradise that also includes Lieber SRA and Cagles Mill Lake. You’ll also find Indiana's First State Park, McCormick's Creek State Park. Enjoy 10+ miles of hiking trails and check out the Canyon Inn for a good night’s sleep. Connect with nature in Owen County!