Visit Gaston Delaware Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Gaston, Indiana: Discover the little natural paradise! Recreation at Hoosier National Forest and Wild Water Tours in White River. Visit the Marengo Cave or the Holliday's Caverns. Delicatessen from the Amish area enjoy great popularity.
Gaston sights do not attract me with sparkling neon lights, but the story of this little town in Jefferson Township, Allen County, has its own, slightly slanted charm. Founded in 1854 as a railroad shy, thanks to the nearby railroad, it grew up to a tranquil trading venue – a bit like a forgotten secondary character in a Western, which suddenly takes over the leading role when you look more closely.
Honestly, if you arrive from Fort Wayne, take the I‐69 until exit 302, then follow the US‐30 towards the west; this is the fastest connection, but a short detour over the road gives you the feeling to really land in the Middle West. There, between the old barns and the few but proud shops, you can feel the echo of 19-year-old war veterans who once stopped their crates. I don't quite understand the hype about big cities, but the quiet drive on the main square, the occasional ringing of the church bells and the quiet murmuring of the nearby river – that's the true “Gaston feeling” for me. And yes, the annual autumn festival is not a joke: there are more pumpkins than people, and this is kind of liberating.
A short detour to the old railway station, which today serves as a café, is almost a compulsory program for me – not because it is historical, but because the coffee is really great there and you can hear the quiet sum of the city that is otherwise only found in the big metropolis.
I have to admit that what I love most about Gaston, Indiana is the old city administration – the creeping brick building on Main Street, which looks as if it had survived the first cars. Just a must for anyone who believes that history is only in museums. I once experienced a spontaneous meeting with the mayor, who offered me a piece of cake between two file folders, because the office is supposed to be “always too full”. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly “Gaston Meeting of Pensioners” takes place in the hall and everyone is looking for a place.
Go on to the Gaston Community Center, which not only has a swimming pool that smells like chlorine rather than water, but also a small gym where you can feel like you're working out of the 80s in a gym – complete with squeaking devices and a poster by Arnold Schwarzenegger, which has been hanging there for decades. I did a yoga-hour exercise there once; the teacher was so relaxed that I almost forgot that I was there because of the free shower. A real secret tip for those looking for a cheap workout that sprays a bit of nostalgia at the same time.
If you have enough swimming pools, stroll to the Gaston Public Library. This is not some library, which is the heart of the city, where you can sit between shelves full of local history and a small café serving the best coffee wide and wide. I once found a book about the history of the St. Joseph River, which I never wanted to return because the story of an old steam ship, which is here 100 years ago, totally tied me up. Here’s Wi-FiSo you can post your Instagram story while you feel like a real historian.
A short walk takes you to the old school building, which today houses the Gaston Historical Museum – a place that I personally consider to be the true treasure chamber would call. There are old class photos, an original wooden chair from 1902 and a dusty shield with the inscription “Gaston School – 1885”. I remember walking around with my grandfather as a child, and he told me that the school used to serve as a meeting place, otherwise there was no place where people could meet. Practical: The museum is barrier-free, and parking right in front of the entrance is free as long as you are not there at the same time as the annual “Gaston Heritage Day”.
Of course, you cannot leave the Gaston sights completely without a trip to the local diner. The “Gaston Diner” is a small but fine restaurant that has been serving the same burgers since the 60s – and with a portion of pommes that is so crispy that you almost hear the sound when eating. I tried a milkshake there that was so sweet that I almost lost my teeth, but it was worth it. The service knows you by name as soon as you get in the second time, and parking behind the diner is always free because most guests prefer to walk.
Finally, I recommend a walk along the St. Joseph River Park, which extends right behind the diner. The path is well maintained, the benches are made of recycled wood, and you can often hear a small concert of local bands there in the summer – a bit of indie rock, a bit of country, and all of this outdoors. I once made a picnic with my friend, while an older couple played chess next to us and loudly discussed the “good old times”. A perfect placeto let the day end before you throw yourself back into the car and drive home.
I have always made my first steps to Gaston with a short trip to Muncie – yes, this is not exactly a secret tip, but the city is practically behind the corner and offers a few sights that you cannot overlook. The first stop was the David Owsley Museum of Art on the Ball State University campus. I was there because I thought an art museum was always a safe harbour for quiet moments, but the collection of contemporary American art surprised me more than that it calmed me. Parking is usually a Klack on the main building as long as you don't come on Friday night after a lecture – then the car park becomes a battlefield.
A short walk further leads to Delaware County Historical Museum. I must admit, I was skeptical if a small history museum has anything to offer in a rural area. However, the exhibition on the railway and agricultural history of the region has completely tied me up with original tools and old photographs. I remember how I lost myself in a corner with an old tractor and almost forgot the exit, because an older gentleman enthuses me the story of the first field work in the 19th. Century told.
If you have enough of dusty relics, that is Muncie Civic Theatre a real light look. I accidentally saw an amateur production of “Our Town” there – no joke, the piece was better than some Broadway hit I experienced in larger cities. The theater is located in a renovated old building, which used to be a department store, and parking is almost always free at the back entrance, except when the local college hosts a big event.
Another highlight I do not miss every year in spring is the Muncie Farmers' Market Saturday morning. There are fresh strawberries, handmade jams and a stand where an older gentleman sells his self-baked apple chips – a taste that I have not forgotten until today. The market is right in the city centre, so there are enough public parking spaces, but if you come by car, you should be there early enough, otherwise you are standing in traffic between the stands.
For those who prefer a movement, the White Riverwalk worth a short trip. The path stretches along the river, offers a few benches and a few small information signs about the local flora and fauna. I once made a picnic there, while a duck couple curiously inspected my bread remains – a moment that reminded me that nature and city coexist surprisingly well here. Parking is usually easy at the adjacent parking lot of the Muncie Community Center as long as you are not there with a whole family on weekends.
A little off but definitely worth a detour, this is Municipal Aviation Museum. I was there because as a child I always dreamed of flying a plane, and the museum has a small but fine collection of historical propeller planes and a few interactive exhibits. The entrance is free, the staff is friendly, and parking is right in front of the museum – a small, inconspicuous parking space that is rarely full, unless there is a special event.
Whether you love art, history, theatre, fresh food, nature or aviation, the surroundings of Gaston have something to offer for everyone. The mix of small, authentic experiences and surprising highlights makes the region an underestimated treasure for travellers who want more than the usual tourist paths. So, Gaston Attractions seeks, becomes fertile here – and this with an eye-catcher that the locals understand as well as nobody else.
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