In the heart of Huntingburg there is a piece of Indiana that is hardly found in travel guides, and yes, the Huntingburg sights are more than just an advertisement. I like to sit in the old café on Main Street and tell you that the city was founded in 1845 as a “Huntingburg”, named after the early settler Jacob Hunting. The railroad came in 1880, brought coal and a bit of urban flair, which is still noticeable in the brick buildings.
Patoka Township, which embraces the city area, looks like a silent observer: field paths that are explored by bicycle, while the sun glitters over the gentle hill of Dubois County. I must admit, I do not understand the hype around the “rustic idyll” – until I have experienced the scent of freshly mowed hay and the distant ratter of a tractor. This is the real Indiana, not what Instagram filters.
If you arrive by car, just follow US‐231, then a short branch to State Road 64; the signage is hardly overlooked because it is crowned by an old wooden sign with the word “Welcome”. I have the feeling that everyone who comes here is breathing a bit slower at once – a subtle indication that the time here ticks a little different.
And yes, if you ask yourself why I always mention the Huntingburg sights: because they form the backbone of this small but proud community that I like to call my second home.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Huntingburg, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first place I have to mention is Patoka Lake – the sparkling heart of Patoka Township, which attracts more visitors than a free Wi-Fi hotspot in the city centre. I once rented a kayak that had more holes than a Swiss cheese, and still enjoyed the quiet water surface, because the panorama over the surrounding hills was simply too beautiful to ignore it. Parking is usually a Klack, except on Saturday night, as the small parking lot turns into a battlefield of caravans and barbecue smoke.
A short trip from the lake leads to the Patoka Lake State Park, where I threw myself in the sand on the beach on a sunny afternoon – yes, Indiana actually has beaches, and they are not of concrete. The sand is fine-grained, the water cool, and the noise of the trees is almost like a natural soundtrack. I have made a campfire there, although the parking staff strictly observes that only permitted fire sites may be used; that gave me the feeling of being a real pioneer, only without the risk of breaking the law.
If you have enough of swimming, the Patoka Lake Marina is the next station – a place where you can rent boats that look like they survived the 80s. I grabbed a small inflatable and I drove over the water, while an older gentleman, beside me, chatted loudly about the “good old time” of fishing. The marina has a small kiosk that serves surprisingly good fish tacos – no joke, that was the highlight of my day.
For those who prefer to stay on solid ground, there is the Patoka Lake Golf Course, an 18-hole paradise that offers more green spaces than an average suburb. I played a game there with my friend who claimed he was a “Pro”, but after the third hole it was clear that he was more of a hobby man. The course is well maintained, the clubhouse has a bar that has amazingly favorable beer prices, and the impact area offers a view over the lake that is almost as inspiring as a painting.
A little further east lies the Hoosier National Forest, a huge forest area, which lies like a green carpet over the landscape. I tried the Pine Ridge Trail, a trail that leads through dense jaws and small streams – perfect to escape everyday life. The path is well marked, but if you don't look after the signs, you can easily drift into another path and suddenly stand in front of an abandoned hunting lodge replica. This was my personal “Lost-in-the-Woods” moment, and I held it with a selfie that now shines in my Instagram feed as “pure nature”.
For water sportsmen who prefer to flow with electricity, the Patoka River is an underestimated jewel. I rented a kayak there and tried out the rapids that do not reach the Grand Canyon, but nevertheless produce enough cheeks when the water suddenly swaps over the knees. Access to the river is simple, a small parking lot on the shore is enough, and the locals like to give tips on which places are particularly suitable for beginners.
Last but not least, the annual spectacle in Dubois County Fairgrounds is not missing. The County Fair is a colourful mess of rides, cattle shows and local food stands that turns the region into a temporary festival every year in August. I tried the famous “Fried Chicken Sandwich” there, which, according to locals, is better than any fast food restaurant within 50 miles. The parking lot is huge, but on the main days you can easily stand in traffic, so better get early if you don't want to spend the whole day in the car.
Next time you spend your free time in Patoka Township, look at these spots – from glittering lakes to dense forests to local festivals. They all show that the surroundings of Huntingburg have more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. And yes, all that belongs to the Huntingburg Attractionsthat you should not miss.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the slanted-harmant world of Huntingburg, as if after a long working day, we would put ourselves in the only city of Indiana that still has a little heart.
I prefer to start with the Huntingburg Depot an – the old railway shed, which today serves as a museum. The place still smells like old wood and a bit of rust, and that's exactly what I love in small cities: no artificial splendour, just honest history. At the last visit, I almost sneaked into the old locomotive because I thought I could bring home a little bit of “Old-Timer-Feeling”. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field before the depot becomes a battlefield from parked SUVs.
Directly next to the depot, the Historic Downtowna quarter that feels like a living history book. The facades made of brick and the headstone paver tell about a time when the city was still an important hub for freight transport. I once met an old baker who told me that he baked the same croissants after a family recipe since 1972 – no wonder that people still swear on the “good old times”.
A short walk further St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The Gothic architecture is not exactly what you expect in Indiana, but the high windows and the creeping wood of the benches have something calming. I have seen a Sunday concert there, where a local jazz pianist improvised – a bit shrill, but somehow matching the blend of tradition and modernity that Huntingburg makes.
If you have enough of walls and churches, the path leads to Patoka River State Park. The river winds through the area and offers both quiet fishing spots and wild speeds for adventure lovers. I rented a kayak there and almost have to paddle the whole route because I fell in love with the peaceful environment. Parking at the main entrance is free, but on hot summer days the small field fills up quickly – a good sign that you are not alone.
Back in town, you can Huntingburg Public Library not overlooked. The building is a real piece of jewelry from the 1920s, with high ceilings and a library manager that looks almost like an art work. I borrowed a book about the local history that later I visited the Huntingburg Museum (worn by the Historical Society). The museum is small, but every exhibit has a story, and the friendly volunteers tell them with a mix of pride and light spotting about the “big cities”.
Another highlight I always like to mention is the Huntingburg Attractions as part of the weekly Farmers Market. Every Saturday morning, the streets are filled with fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a selection of local craft stands. I once met an old man there who told me that he has grown the same tomatoes every year since 1955 – and that he never wants to reveal the secret because it is “only for the family”. This is the true heart of Huntingburg: people who live their traditions without posing too much.
Finally, a short note Huntingburg Golf Club. The place is not just a paradise for professionals, but for a relaxed afternoon with friends it is perfect. The greens are well maintained, and the clubhouse serves a solid burger, which after a long day appears almost sacred on the green. Parking is possible directly at the clubhouse, and the staff is always ready to lead a bit of small talk about the weather – a small but fine finish for a day full of discoveries.
So, next time you ask about Indiana and ask yourself if there is something else to discover here, remember: Huntingburg may be small, but his Characteristics and Stories are big enough to keep you a little longer – and that's exactly what I appreciate on this spot earth.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
