What makes Saint Meinrad sights so special is the unique mix of venerable history and an almost cozy lethargy that you rarely find outside the Middle West. The city was founded in 1850 by Benedictine monks, who built a monastery here, which until today forms the heart of the municipality – a bit like a religious heart-lag monitor, only without the loud pep-tones. I have to admit, I don't quite understand the whole monastery hype, but the quiet passages and the creeping wood have something soothing that you really appreciate after a long road trip.
Harrison Township, located in Saint Meinrad, is part of Spencer County, Indiana, and that's what you can feel immediately when you drive along the country roads that are sponsored by I‐64 and US‐231 – a short trip from the highway, and you're in the middle of rural charm, surrounded by corn fields that shine almost to the horizon in summer. I'm lucky that the small train station still serves a few regional trains so you can come here without a car if you want to avoid the stress of the big city.
The people here are just as sturdy as the old brick houses: friendly, a bit blurred and always ready to donate a hot coffee while telling you about the “good old times”. And that's what makes the exploration of Saint Meinrad an experience you don't find in every guide – a bit rough, a bit charming, and definitely worth a detour.
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 Saint Meinrad, 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 stop of my little Odyssey was Angel Mounds State Historic Sitea place where the time seems to be trapped in the layers of the earth. I drove the Kurvige County Road 250, and parking was a children's game – a small, inconspicuous parking right in front of the visitor center, which is overrun by school classes on weekends. There, between the exalted earth hills, one senses the echo of the Mississippian culture, and I must admit that I spent all day rounding the artistic earthworks, while an elderly man with a straw hat told me that the mounds once served as ceremonial centers. No joke, that was a real history fuck that almost made me forget that I had actually planned a short trip from Saint Meinrad.
A short trip to the south leads directly to Lincoln State Park. The lake there is not exactly a crystal clear alpine lake, but it has enough charm to justify a picnic. I left my bike standing at the main parking lot – there are enough seats, except for the hot summer days when families with strollers flood the field. The hiking trail around Lake Lincoln is flat enough that I could even have run it with my suitcase in the tow, and the view of the water that is reflected in the sunset is actually “real great” as I like to call it, although I had to buy a bit of mosquito all day.
Going into the Hoosier National Forest, a huge green piece that extends over several counties and is for me the ultimate counterpart to the tranquil fields of Harrison Township. I chose the trail “Cedar Creek” because it is “light to moderately heavy” – a bit of irony, because after an hour I was completely out of breath, while a jogger next to me was happy. Parking on the trailhead is virtually always free, unless you are on the first Saturday in August, then there is a small mess because a local music festival uses the forest area. Nevertheless, the dense beech and the occasional plunder of the brook make up every effort.
A few miles east Patoka Lake, the largest reservoir in the south of Indiana. For the first time I tried to slide over the water with a rented kayak – the result was a little like an unhappy penguin trying to fly. The parking lot on the southern shore is huge, but on weekends, especially if the weather is good, it can become a small battlefield of caravans and picnic tables. Nevertheless, the clear water and the possibility to catch a few fish (I caught a small cash that almost overlisted me) make the visit worthwhile.
A short jump over the bridge to New Harmony, which is about half an hour drive, leads you to the history of a failed utopia. The New Harmony Historic District is a collection of old brick houses built by early social reformers Robert Owen and George Rapp. I discovered a small café that serves amazingly good coffee – a real light look, considering that the city itself is rather a museum. Parking is usually easy as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime when the tourist flows from the surrounding cities attract.
Back near Spencer, but not in the center, lies the Spencer County Historical Museum in Rockport. The building is an old, charming half-timbered house that has more stories to tell than most guides ever mention. I saw an old carriage there, which was supposedly used by one of the first settlers – I don't understand the hype about such relics, but the museum has a small but fine garden where you can enjoy a cool drink in the summer. Parking is a small, unconsolidated place behind the museum; rarely full, unless there is a local festival.
A last, almost forgotten jewel is that Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden in Evansville, which is about 45 minutes drive from Saint Meinrad. I was skeptical because I'm not just a big zoo fan, but the combination of well-maintained animals and a botanical garden that shows local plants has surprised me positively. The parking lot is big enough that you never have to look for long, and the staff is friendly – a small bonus if you are looking for a long day outdoors a bit of relaxation.
Whether you're looking for a history fan, nature lover or just a bit of a change from everyday life, the surroundings of Saint Meinrad offers a colorful mix of attractions that go far beyond the small town. The places mentioned show that Saint Meinrad Attractions not only the monastery itself, but a whole network of cultural, historical and natural highlights that make every visit a small adventure.
This guide invites you to discover a small spot in the heart of Indiana, which hardly anyone marks on his map – Saint Meinrad. When you come here for the first time over the dusty road, you will immediately notice that the true highlight is not the sign “Welcome in Saint Meinrad”, but the imposing building hidden behind the sign: the Saint Myrad Archabbey. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the silence is almost tangible and the architecture – a mix of neo-gothic simplicity and baroque opulence – immediately attracts everyone who likes a bit of history.
Directly next to the main building Abbey Church, a place I like to call the soul of the complex. The stained glass windows tell biblical stories that even a sceptical visitor can hardly ignore. I remember how I almost slept during a silent devotion, just to be awakened by a sudden choir that dawned from the choir room – a moment that dipped the whole atmosphere into an almost supernatural light. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local community celebrates a festival.
A short walk leads you to Abbey Museum. Here you will find not only sacral works of art, but also a surprisingly well sorted collection of everyday objects from the 19th century. Century. I was particularly impressed by an old measuring cup that seemed to tell more stories than some guides. The museum is small, but each exhibit is carefully chosen – no place for a buckling snack, only the essential that keeps the history of the region alive.
If you are a bookworm, you may Abtei library do not miss. She is one of the largest theological collections in the Middle West, and I spent more hours there than I had planned for a short visit. Once I lost myself between the shelves and almost lost the way back to the entrance hall – fortunately, a friendly monk helped me, who apparently is a built-in GPS for lost visitors. The library is a quiet retreat, ideal for a little spiritual food if you have enough of the loud streets.
Another must is that Abtei gift shop. Here there are handmade candles, prayer books and even local honey glasses that are perfect for souvenirs. I bought a small, hand-carved cross there, which is now in my living room and every time returns a little from the tranquility of Saint Meinrad when I look at it. The shop is small, but the selection is surprisingly diverse – from traditional articles to modern, sustainable products.
At last a look at the St. Meinrad Gardens, a little hidden green piece behind the abbey, which is in full flower in summer. The paths are well maintained, and here you can enjoy the gentle hilly landscape surrounding the whole village with a short picnic. I have often sorted my thoughts there while I heard the sound of the near streams – a perfect conclusion for a day full of discoveries.
All these places together form what I like as the Saint Meinrad Attractions sign. They are not only sights, but experiences that invite visitors to slow down a bit of time and feel the history, culture and silence of this unusual place.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
