Things to do IN West Central Indiana

Tucked-away treasures in every corner are the perfect description of Clay County. With warm and welcoming locals, there’s no lack of fun and exploration. To get the feel and history of the area, pop into the Clay County Historical Society Museum for all the details. While talking history, visit Lynn's Soda Fountain, the place for old-fashioned sodas and ice cream, or Mayberry Malt & Coffee Shoppe for an authentic malted milkshake. In warmer weather, Brazil Farmers Market is the place to visit for fresh fruit and veggies. As for annual events, check the county’s calendar for fun, including the Cory Apple Festival and Clay City Summer Festival.

If off-the-beaten-path exploration is up your proverbial street, Fountain County will not disappoint! Here, you’ll find beautiful escapes from the bigger cities, serene waterways and parks to calm you, and plenty of birding and fishing, too. Portland Arch Nature Reserve packs all of the nature fun into one space, including one of the few natural bridges in the state. If you’re looking for unique, you’ll find it at the Fountain County Courthouse, which is covered with historic painted panels that highlight Indiana’s prominence in western U.S. settlement. 

Montgomery County affectionately referred to as MOCO by the locals, has something for every visitor. If you love antique “picking,” head to Cabbages & Kings Antique Mall for fun, affordable finds. Fan of leisurely drives? Check out Darlington & Deer’s Mill-covered bridges - don’t forget the camera! Art, history, and architecture lovers will want to make pit stops at the Rotary Jail Museum, Athens of Indiana Arts Gallery, Lane Place, and Carnegie Museum. 

Called the Covered Bridge Capital of the World. Parke County is THE county to visit!  With 31 covered bridges in picturesque spots, you’ll witness the beauty of historical covered bridges ranging from the late 1800s through the 21st century.  Autumn is the ideal time to visit for the annual Parke County Covered Bridge Festival throughout 9 festival communities filled with fun, food and photo ops.  For history lovers, there’s no lack of things to do, either.  Vintage Relic Antiques, Chelsea’s General Store and Pickin Post are popular locations for bargains.

Big charm in small-town Indiana defines Putnam County, but there’s plenty more to learn, see, and do. Green spaces, including DePauw Nature Park, Big Walnut Preserve, and Lieber State Recreation Area, are top spots for hiking, biking, watersports, and birding. If you adore quirky learning spaces, the Periodic Museum of the Elements will not disappoint. Those with a need for speed will dig the Lincoln Park Speedway, where you can take a big blanket and watch the power of sprint cars. 

The “Home of Recreation,” with its 26,000 acres of public recreational grounds, Sullivan County is not only ideal for outdoor lovers, but it also earned its title for a good reason. The aqua gem in the county’s eye, Sullivan County Park, offers 500 campsites, a 461-acre lake for fishing and boating, a golf course, a playground, and a basketball court. Perfect for kayaking, The Duggar Unit is a melding of 10 major lakes with calm waters. Combining the outdoors and history is easy when you visit Waapaahsiki Siipiiwii Mound Historical Park, a cultural mound site dating back to the Late Woodland Era. 

Vermillion County is a unique place being situated between the border of Illinois and the Wabash River which allows it to feel like an island of its own. If you are looking for a peaceful place to relax and get away, Aris Farm allows you to escape and get up close and personal with some Alpacas. If you are interested in history, one of the greatest WWII journalists, who was on the frontlines a lot, was born in Vermillion County and his house has been converted to a Museum called the Ernie Pyle WWII Musuem. And if you want to just see the beauty of nature in the midwest, check out the Portland Arch Nature Preserve. Get away and come to Vermillion County IN West Central Indiana.

Diverse and beautiful, Vigo County offers visitors attractions and sights that are both plentiful and worthwhile. The county is all about sightseeing, so pack up the car and get ready to explore via a guided tour or scenic drive. Water thrill seekers will love Deer Park and traversing its whitewater rapids. Love ghost hunting? Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley are known for their paranormal activity and haunted locations. Don’t forget to bring your bike when you visit Terre Haute, the largest city in the county— its Cultural District also offers over a dozen outdoor sculptures to check out!