Visit New Amsterdam Harrison Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. ReiseTip: New Amsterdam, Indiana - Discover You the old wood town! Experience the charming streets and historic buildings. Don't forget to try the Delicious Cream Pie by The Sugarcreek Bakery!
What makes New Amsterdam so special is the almost ironic silence that surrounds you when you first enter this tiny community in the heart of Washington Township, Harrison County. I remember getting out on Highway 135 with my suitcase, seeing the sign “New Amsterdam” and immediately thought: “Here you will surely have a museum full of glamour and glamour.” Instead, I found some old farmhouses, an abandoned post office from 1832 and the quiet marble of the nearby Ohio River-Ufer. The history of this place is simple: German and Dutch settlers named the village after the old New Amsterdam, because they had a bit of a long-distance blow to New York – a bit cheesy, but somehow suitable for a piece of Indiana that offers hardly more than a few fields and a single cemetery.
I don’t understand the hype about “New Amsterdam Sights” because there are no huge attractions waiting here, but that’s what makes the charm. If you like to cross the rural roads by car, you can easily turn over State Road 135 to Corydon and then drive a few minutes on land roads – no stress, no crowd, only the occasional mowing of a cow. And if you like to sit in small cafes with self-breasted coffee and watch the local peasant while driving the tractor, this is the ideal setting. No joke, the real Indiana experience is right here, between history, field road and the silent promise that the next adventure will only wait a few miles further.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the sleepy Kleinod New Amsterdam, which lies between endless fields and the leisurely flowing Wabash. I have to admit, I was never the guy looking for “small places” until I crossed the old wooden bridge over the river for the first time and suddenly had the feeling of discovering a secret that no tourist brochure is owed.
The first stop I put to every newbie is the New Amsterdam Bridge. It is not exactly an architectural marvel, but the creeping wood and the slightly sloping road give it a charm that can only be found in rural areas. I remember standing there with a friend in the fall, while the sun dipped the water into a flaming gold – a picture I don't get out of my head until today. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole neighborhood comes together to grill.
Only a few destinations surprise their visitors with such a sober but still lovable New Amsterdam Attractions- List, like the old town hall. The Town Hall from the 1880s looks more like a dusty warehouse from the outside, but inside there is a small museum that traces the history of the city from the first settlers to the present. I found a yellowed photograph where a horse car is standing in front of today's supermarket – a real eye-catcher for historians who not only want Instagram posts.
A short walk leads you to New Amsterdam Cemeterythat is more than just a place to remember. The artfully worked tombstones tell stories about families who have lived here for generations. I once met an old veteran who told me that his great-grandfather led the first train to Indianapolis – a conversation that reminded me that each tomb contains a small chapter of Indiana history.
If you're looking for a place to let the soul go, then that's Riverfront Park That's right. The park is small, but the meadow on the shore is perfect for a picnic, and the noise of the river is almost therapeutic. I have sung my favorite songs there several times because the environment offers so little distraction – no joke, that has almost become a ritual.
Another highlight I like to mention is the former New Amsterdam School, which today serves as a community center. The old classrooms were converted into studios, and every second Friday there is a small art market. I bought a handmade wooden toy there that my nephew still enthuses – proof that even in a city with less than 600 inhabitants, creativity flourishes.
Lastly, the New Amsterdam Fire Department not missing. The red brick building from the 1920s is not only a symbol of the sense of community, but also houses a small museum with old firefighters and a crunching but still functional extinguishing hose. I once watched the firefighter during training and had to laugh when he tried to unwire a hose while a curious dog looked at him.
All in all, New Amsterdam is a place that does not overwhelm you with bright lights or loud music, but with honest encounters and a pinch of rustic romance. Next time you drive through Indiana, stop, cross the cracking bridge and let yourself be enchanted by the small but fine details of this city – I promise you will not be disappointed.
The first stop I always recommend is that Corydon Battlefield, where the Battle of Tippecanoe took place in 1811 – a place that smells more like dusty history lessons than tourist crowds. I once chatted there with an old veteran from the area, who told me that parking on weekends is almost impossible because the local history clubs hold a reenactment every year. Otherwise there are enough free pitches on the edge of the field, and the visitor center has issued some old weapons that impressed me more than most museums in Indianapolis.
A short trip across the road leads you directly to the Lincoln State Parkwhere the trees are so dense that you feel like walking in another time. I made a picnic there while a squirrel tried to steal my sandwiches – no joke, the animal was three times. The lake is ideal for fishing, and the water is surprisingly cool in the summer, so don't forget to take your swimwear with you if you want to swim spontaneously. The parking lot is large enough, but on holidays there can be a small mess because the families with strollers block the access routes.
Further north is the Hoosier National Forest, a huge forest area that extends over several counties and is famous for its hiking trails. I tried the Trail of Tears – a 10-mile path that runs through mossed rocks and small streams. The path is well marked, but the signs can be somewhat weathered in some places, so a GPS device or a map from the visitor center is advisable. The air here is so fresh that I almost forgot that I am in Indiana and not in the Rocky Mountains.
Only half an hour further south Patoka Lake, the largest reservoir in the south of the state. Here, sailors, boaters and families just want to enjoy the sun. I once rented a small boat and drove all day over the water, while an older couple fished next to me and told me stories from the 60s. Parking is well organised at the main entrance, but on the weekend it can come to long snakes because the campsites are quickly booked out.
A little off but definitely worth a detour, this is Harrison-Crawford State Forest. The trails here are less overrun than in the Hoosier Forest, and I discovered a hidden waterfall that can only be reached through a narrow path – a real secret tip for those who do not want to be overrun by tourists. The parking spaces are small but sufficient, and the Waldamt has always friendly Rangers who like to show you the way when you are lost (which has happened to me after a few hours in dense underwood).
Back to the city, but not in the center, this is Corydon Capitol State Historic SiteThe old government building where Indiana passed its first laws. I made a tour there with a very self-contained historian who spoke more about the old toilet facilities than about the constitution – a bit dry, but really entertaining. The building is well preserved, and parking right in front of the entrance is free as long as you do not come on Saturday night, then the terrain is overrun by a local market.
If you prefer not to stop the car too often, just drive Ohio River Scenic Byway along. The road winds along the river and offers breathtaking views, especially at sunset. I made a road trip with my friend there, and we stopped at a small viewpoint to make a spontaneous photoshoot – the light was so perfect that we almost forgot the whole equipment because we were so excited.
Whether you're looking for a history fan, nature lover or just a bit of a change from everyday life, the surroundings of New Amsterdam have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. From historical battlefields to dense forests to glittering lakes – there is something to discover for everyone. And if you pack all this together in a trip, you have the best New Amsterdam Attractions that make this region an underestimated jewel.
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