What makes Santa Claus sights so special is the unique mix of cheesy Christmas flair and rustic mid-Germany feeling that you hardly find in another place in Indiana. I remember the first time I came across the dusty road from Spencer – a short trip from US-Route 41, then a few kilometers across the County-Road 84, and suddenly I stood in the middle of the small village, which has been famous as Santa Claus in the Carter Township of Spencer County since 1854. The story is simple: a post office that took the name “Santa Claus” in 1856 because the letter carrier had a little humor – and since then the village has developed into a magnet for Christmas enthusiasts, although I cannot fully understand the hype around Santa Claus.
A walk through the main road feels like walking through a lively advertising poster – light chains, a huge wooden sled and a shop selling more tannins than food. For travellers coming by car, the driveway through Interstate 64 and then a short trip to State Road 66 is the most convenient option; the next train stops in Evansville, from there a short bus ride to Spencer and a taxi takes you to the heart of the village. I must admit that the “Santa Claus Sights” are not only a highlight for children – the ironically overtrial decoration offers enough photo motifs to inspire even the most cynical Instagrammer. And while most of them are looking for Santa Claus, I find the real attraction in the small local cafés that serve the best coffee far outside the tourist paths.
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The first stop I couldn't miss was that Lincoln State Park south of Spencer – a piece of Indiana that smells more tranquil than tourist crowds. I remember strolling over the old oaks in a lukewarm afternoon, while an older gentleman in the angler hat told me that once Abraham Lincoln himself spent his youth years; that was more romantic than fact, but the story gives the place a certain charm. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with the families from all the Middle West – then the field full of SUVs becomes a patience test.
A short detour to the east leads to Patoka LakeThe largest reservoir in the south of Indiana. For the first time I tried to slide over the mirror-smooth surface with a small kayak, just to see that the flow is much stronger than one would close out of the brochures. The anglers on the shore seemed to enjoy this, and I had to admit that the pleasing of the waves seemed almost hypnotic. A simple barbecue area is enough for a picnic, and the food tastes better there – maybe it's the fresh sea wind.
If you have enough of the water, it's worth a detour Hoosier National Forest – a forest that offers more than just trees. I made a hike on the trail “Cave Springs Trail” which led me through moss-covered rocks and over plundering streams. Once I stumbled over a small waterfall, which completely soaked me, and a friendly Ranger helped me dry my wet socks by handing me a dry T-shirt out of his pocket. This was not planned, but that is exactly what makes such places: unexpected encounters that make the day unforgettable.
A little further north lies Angel Mounds State Historic Sitean archaeological jewel that illuminates the pre-Columbian history of the region. I was skeptical if a prehistoric hill can be really exciting, but the guided tour through the reconstructed villages and the well-preserved tomb hills taught me a better one. The guide told about the Mississippian cultures that lived here over a thousand years ago, and I could literally hear the sounds of the old marketplace – a bit too much imagination, but that makes the experience alive.
A short trip to Carter Township leads to Spencer County Historical Museumthat is small, but with its collection of local artifacts offers a real time window. I found an old diary that was handwritten by a farmer from the 1880s – a fascinating insight into the hard life that once prevailed here. The museum does not have a large parking lot, but a small courtyard behind the building is completely enough if you are ready to walk a few steps.
At the end of my small tour I must not Santa Claus Christmas Store Forgot that is in the heart of Santa Claus, but as a conclusion of a tour through the surroundings is almost obligatory. I found a handmade wooden ornament there that reminds me of the many small details that make up this region – from rustic artisans to the great natural wonders.
The Santa Claus Attractions searches, will quickly realize that the true magic lies not only in the festively decorated town, but in the surrounding landscapes, historical sites and the small, unexpected encounters that make the heart of a traveler beat higher.
The story of Santa Claus, Carter Township, begins long before the bright lights of the Christmas market, and I must confess that only a few years ago I discovered the true heart of this sleepy place – a place where the whole year lies in the air over a hint of fir green, but people meet more with a pinch of cynicism than with sugar casting.
My personal favorite spot is Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. I came there on a hot July-Saturday when the queues for the roller coasters were longer than my patience in waiting for Santa Claus in the post office. Nevertheless – the adrenaline that you have on the first drop of the Voyage Feeling is almost as liberating as opening a gift you packed yourself. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem; then you have to decide between the parking lot and the parking lot, as with a bad relationship. The park is huge, so wear comfortable shoes – this is not a walk through the snowy village square, but a marathon through wood, steel and water.
If you're looking for something that tastes less for sugar cane and more for history, look at this Santa Claus Museum & Village on. Here you will find the first Santa Claus Post Officethat still carries the famous red stamp. I wrote a letter to my nephew and was surprised how fast he came back – that was almost as fast as the delivery times at Amazon, just with more charm. The exhibition is small, but every exhibit has a story that reminds you that this place is not just made of advertisements. And yes, this is one of the Santa Claus AttractionsI put to every visitor's heart because they convey the true "Santa feeling" without cheesy lights.
A short detour to Santa’s Candy Castle is almost obligatory if you want to feel the sweet heart of Indiana. The building looks like a child from Lego stones built a castle and then forget to close the door. I bought a caramel candy there that was so sticky that I almost lost my hand – a real test for your fingermaking. The store is small, the staff friendly, and parking is right in front of the door, which is practical if you need a quick sugar rush after a long day in the amusement park.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is that Santa Claus Christmas Store on the main road. I found a handmade wooden ornament that reminded me of my childhood when I took a new piece of the tree every year. The store is a bit like a museum for cheesy Christmas decoration, but with less grelle neon light and more heart. If you're lucky, there's a small seating area where you can rest while you think about whether you really need the ornament – I bought it because I wanted a little self-iron in my living room.
Back in the village center there are every year in December the Santa Claus Christmas Parade, a spectacle that offers more local peculiarity than Hollywood. I stood there, with a cup of hot cocoa in my hand, and watched how the residents in oversized reindeer costumes pulled the street. It's not exactly what you'd expect in a guide, but that's exactly what makes the charm – a bit slanted, a bit warm, and totally unfalsed. If you miss the parade, there is still the Christmas Lights along Main Street, which get a bit more shine every year, because the city tries to boost tourism.
At the end of the day, when the lights are dimmed and the last piece of popcorn still cracks in the park, I like to sit on a bench in front of the post office and think about how Santa Claus, Carter Township, is a place that has more to offer than just a red robe and a sleigh. It is a mix of nostalgia, a bit of exaggeration and a decent portion of local peculiarity – just what I love in small American cities. So, next time you're going to Indiana, stop, let's get you out of the Santa Claus Attractions surprise and do not forget to bring a bit of cynicism – this is almost a tradition here.
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