Visit New Market Montgomery Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the charming place New Market in Indiana! Experience the historic old town and traditional festivals like the Apple Dumplin' Festival. Enjoy local specialities such as the famous Apple dumplings and grain cake.
Honestly, if you think “New Market Sights” is just another place in the Middle West, then let me briefly explain: This tiny village in Union Township, Montgomery County, has more history in its base area than some major cities throughout its skyline. Founded in 1835 by a few brave pioneers who probably thought a market in the middle of nowhere was the best idea of bread cut, the town has since developed into a quiet retreat that still sprays a bit of charm – if you look closely.
I usually come by car over State Road 19, because the bus here is more a myth, and that's not even so bad: the country roads give you the feeling you're going through a lively history book. On your way to the center you stumble over old barns who tell more stories than most guides, and a few friendly faces that give you a smile that almost reminds you of the good old times. When you finally arrive in the heart of New Market, you quickly notice that the true “New Market Sights” are not in shiny shop windows, but in the small cafés, the weathered wooden benches on the marketplace and the quiet sum of the fields that reminds you that there are still real people who love their home – despite all the small macks that you find here and there.
So, if you're going to New Market for the first time, let's go with the Main square start – this is my personal favorite place because it is the heart and the annoying center of the city at the same time. I mean, here is the old town hall from the 1900s, which somehow still looks like a relic from another era, and the surrounding cafes that offer more Latte Art than a Hipster blog. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturdays, when the whole city comes together and you would rather find a parking space in the backyard of your grandmother.
A short walk on (I tried this once in a rainy afternoon because I was too lazy to take the bus) leads you to Old Mill Park. The old water mill complex is no longer in operation, but the ruins give you the feeling that you would land in a film by David Lynch – only without the confusing script. There is a small playground for the kids, and this is practical because you don't have to balance your coffee cups all the time while you try to photograph the panorama. I saw a squirrel that was braver than I was trying to make a selfie.
If you'd rather stay inside, then it's New Market Public Library an underestimated jewel. The library not only has a huge window that filters the light so beautifully that you almost feel you are in an Instagram post, but also a small café in the basement that serves the best apple cake in the city – no joke, that is better than what I find in larger cities. I once borrowed a book about local history and, by chance, a flyer for the next New Market Attractions-Rundgang discovers what gave me the idea to shoot a little later.
Another must is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. I don't always understand the hype around churches, but here the building has an amazingly well preserved stained glass window that throws a kaleidoscope of colors into the street at sunset. The pastor is, by the way, a real character – he offered me a free coffee at the Sunday worship service because he thought I was a new community member. Practical: The church is located directly on the main road, so parking is not a problem as long as you do not come to the fair at 10 a.m., then there is a small crowd.
For those who prefer to be active, there is Riverfront Trail. The path winds along the river and offers a few quiet places where you can throw out your fishing – I once caught a pike that was almost as big as my bike. The trail is well signposted and you can reach it from the old railway bridge, which now serves as a pedestrian path. I ran there last time in autumn because I thought I could be a little “Fit‐Like‐a‐Pro” and then stumbled over a loose stone – that was a real reality check.
Last but not least, if you happen to be in town in summer, you should Corn Festival do not miss in the market district. Yes, this is an event, but the terrain itself – a big lawn with an old barn that has been converted into an improvised concert venue – is a real attraction. I once tried a local beer that is supposed to be brewed from corn, and that was actually better than what I find in most pubs in Indianapolis. Parking is a bit chaotic here because everyone tries to get as close as possible to the stage, but when you arrive early enough, you get a place that is not blocked by a tractor.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was the venerable Crawfordsville Bridge, a real piece of Indiana story spanning over the Sugar Creek. I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the whole hype about “forgot” bridges, but here the old wood has an almost tangible patina that gives you the feeling of standing in a movie from the 30s. Parking is usually a Klack on the edge of the park, as long as you do not meet the families from the surrounding area on Saturday night – then this becomes a small crowd.
A short walk further leads to Riddle Place Museum. The house that once belonged to the Riddle family is now a museum that illuminates the scrupulous peculiarities of the region. I was there because I had heard that the old family recipe for apple cake is still kept in the cellar – a rumor that turned out to be half true, because the current curator actually served me a piece that was sweet enough to recover my childhood, but with a touch of dust that reminds of the old library.
If you have enough of dusty antiques, a trip to the campus of the Wabash College. The old brick buildings and the striking clock tower almost look like a Mini‐Ivy League campus in the middle of the West. I spent a few hours there because I thought college was just another place to study – no, that's a living place where students still discuss loudly whether the new café on campus is better than the old diner in the city. Practical: The campus car park is free, but you have to come early enough, otherwise you will be moved by the students into the narrow streets.
A little further south, Hoosier National Forest. There are more trees here than people, and this is exactly what I need on a hot July afternoon. I tried the “Pine Ridge” trail – a light way that leads through dense jaws and occasionally strolls past small streams. Parking is free at most trailheads, but at weekends it can come to a small mess when the families move with their caravans.
Only half an hour drive away, but a whole lot more, the Turkey Run State Park. The ravines here are really impressive, and I almost like a 19th explorer. Century feels when I walked down the steep paths. The famous “Box Canyon” is a must, and the water at Little Raccoon Creek is so clear that you can almost see your own mirror image – a rare pleasure considering that the water here is never “contaminated” by a leisure park. Parking is available at the main entrance, but they fill up quickly, so better be there early.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, Monon Trail a real life savior. The cycle path stretches through several small towns, including Crawfordsville, and offers a welcome change to the dusty rural roads. I tried the section from Greencastle to Lafayette – flat, well maintained and with enough shields that you do not suddenly land in a field. Most sections have free parking on the trailheads, but on sunny Saturdays you can experience a bit of crowd here as well as on the Creekside Park.
Last but not least a short trip to Montgomery County Historical Society Museum. The museum is small, but it houses an amazing collection of artifacts that trace the history of the county from the early settlers to the modern. I was there because I had seen an old photo of my great-grandfather that is supposed to be in the archives – and indeed, the picture was there, framed next to an old map. Parking is always a children's play at the museum because the terrain is hardly visited, except for the rare special exhibitions.
So if you take the small town of New Market as the starting point, the surrounding New Market Attractions a surprisingly wide range – from historical bridges to charming museums to forest-rich paths and well-developed cycle paths. Anyone looking for a bit of adventure, history and nature will find it here and all without the usual tourist crowds found in the larger cities.
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