Visit Princes Lakes Johnson Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights 2025. Discover the tranquil and beautiful nature of Prince's Lake in Indiana. Boating to explore the clear lakes or walk along the shore. A beautiful place for rest seeking travelers!
Honestly, if you're looking for a place that has more charm than an Instagram filter, then you're right at the Princes Lakes sights – and that's been the case since the 1970s when the little town was built from a former farm and slowly developed into a suburban gem. I parked there for the first time because the I‐69 brought me practically in the middle of the heart of Nineveh Township, Johnson County, and I thought a short trip would not be too bad. The story isn't exactly Hollywood-worthy, but that's exactly what makes the appeal: a bit of railroad heritage, a few old barns that are now hosting chic cafes, and a bit the feeling that there's someone else making the clock a bit slower. I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but the small corners here next to the lake are really great, especially if you're looking for a place where you can wind up by bike through quiet residential roads without a truck wanting to overtake you. The bus from Indy to Carmel stops here only every two hours, so I recommend taking the car – this is practical because you are flexible to discover the hidden bookshops and the small beer garden that I personally count to my favorite places. And yes, the weather here is usually friendly, so grab the sunglasses and let the Princes Lakes surprise you while you ask yourself why you were not here earlier.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Princes Lakes is not the hip cafe around the corner, but the original Princes Lakes Park – yes, exactly the lake you find on each map with a tiny blue point and the locals lovingly call our little oasis. I arrived there the first time in the summer when the sun burned so strongly that I almost thought the water was a mirror for the heat wave. Swimming is refreshing, the shore is lined with old trees that have more stories to tell than some tourist guides, and parking is usually a Klacks – except Saturdays, when families with their picnic baskets and the loud stroller turn the field into a battlefield.
A short walk (or a short sprint, depending on the mood) leads you to Princes Lakes Golf Club. I don't quite understand the hype about golf – the hour-long wandering with a small ball that disappears in the water again and again, sounds for me an elegant excuse to rot in the green. Nevertheless, I must admit that the 18-hole plant is surprisingly well maintained here and that the view of the lake is almost meditative during the impact. If you don't have a racket, you can simply visit the Pro-Shop Lounge, where the staff tells you with an eye-catcher that you don't necessarily need a handicap here to enjoy a drink.
Right next to the golf course Princes Lakes Community Center. I once took part in a yoga course that looked more like an improvised stretch session in the municipal house because the heating fell out in the middle of winter. Nevertheless, the center is the heart of the city: here seniors meet for card games, teenagers for basketball and myself when I look for a quiet place to write. The building is barrier-free, the staff is friendly, and the free Wi-Fi works better than in some larger city.
If you prefer to have your feet on solid ground, grab your walking shoes and explore the Princes Lakes Nature Trail. The tour around the lake is about three kilometres long, spiced with information boards that betray more about local flora and fauna than you would expect from an Instagram post. I remember stumbled over a crashed tree in the autumn and caught almost an hedgehog staring at me as if he had read my tourist map. The trail is well marked, and the only “problem” is that it becomes a mudy mud pit during heavy rain – that is, it is better to pack the rubber boots.
A little secret tip I barely betray someone is that Lakeside Café. The restaurant is not exactly a Michelin restaurant, but its homemade apple cake is really great, and the barista knows every regular guest by name. I ordered a latte there once, while I scratched my notes for the next blog post, and the waitress just said: “No joke, this is our best place to observe how the ducks plunder the water.” The café has a small outdoor area overlooking the lake, and parking is almost always a Klack, because most visitors prefer to walk.
If you happen to be in town in July, you should have the annual Princes Lakes Summer Festival do not miss. I was there last year when the local band “The Lake Rats” played a set that sounded more after a spontaneous jam session in the backyard than after a professional performance – but that’s what makes the charm. There are food stands, a small fireworks and a flea market where you can find old vinyl plates that you would otherwise only discover in the basement of your grandparents. The festival attracts a few visitors from outside, but most are locals who just want to get to know their neighbours better.
And yes, that brings me to the Princes Lakes Attractions, which I have summarized here in my small, slightly cynical guide. Every place has its peculiarities, and that's exactly what I love in this city: it's not perfect, but it's real. So, next time you're driving over Indiana and wanting to walk a bit away from the beaten paths, grab your things and come by – I promise you will find at least one place you feel homely, even if you just stop for a short coffee.
The smell of burned rubber is in the air as soon as you pass the driveway to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – a scent that smells more like nostalgia for me than gasoline. The place is a magnet for motorsport fans from all over the world, but I only watched the race from a distance, because parking at weekends is a real battlefield; a small sideway behind the main parking lot, however, offers surprisingly quiet pitches when you are there early enough. The history of the Speedway is impressive, and the museum there makes you almost forget that you spend only a few hours in the area of Princes Lakes.
A short trip south leads directly to Newfields, the former Indianapolis Museum of Art. I have to admit that I do not understand the hype about the huge sculpture “The Thinker” – it stands there because it is there – but the terrain itself is a real secret tip. The vast gardens, which are full of bloom in spring, are perfect for a picnic, and parking is almost always a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then this becomes a little adventure.
Conner Prairie, an interactive history museum, offers more than just dusty relics. I took part in a workshop in which we held in the 19th century. Century cooking style have prepared a stew dish – an experience that reminded me that history lives not only in dusty books, but in taste and smell. The entrance is free when you use the Community-Day ticket, and parking is almost always easy thanks to a spacious area next to the visitor center.
Eagle Creek Park, just half an hour north of Princes Lakes, is what you could call “Indiana version of Central Park” – only with more water and less tourists. I rented a kayak there, and I paddled the lake along, while a swarm duck protested loudly that I occupy her territory. Parking is usually sufficient, but on sunny Saturdays it can become narrow; a small way to the north side of the park usually solves the problem.
If you're ready to go a bit further, it's worth a trip to Brown County State Park, the largest state park in India. The hilly landscape is a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers – I have chosen a route that is supposed to be “fit for beginners”, and after three hours I am still completely exhausted, but happy. The park at the visitor centre is small, but parking at the edge of the park is free and offers stunning views of the surrounding forests.
A short trip to Columbus, about 45 minutes southwest, is a must for lovers of modern architecture. The city is famous for its buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and I fell in love with the First Christian Church – a building that is both simple and overwhelming. Parking in the city center is a bit messy, but a few free places are always found in the side streets if you don't come too late.
Last but not least, a trip to the Hoosier National Forest, which is a bit further away, but with its dense forest cover and well-marked hiking trails is a real retreat. I tried a short trail there, which is supposedly “lightly walkable” and was surprised how fast the silence frees one from the hectic of everyday life. The parking spaces on the trailheads are usually free as long as you do not get to the high season.
Whether you're looking for the Adrenalinkick at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, relaxing in the artistic gardens of Newfields or enjoying the tranquil nature of the Hoosier National Forest – the surroundings of Princes Lakes offer a colourful mix of activities that satisfy every traveler. And if you ask for an overview of the best spots, then the Princes Lakes Attractions a good starting point to discover the diversity of this region.
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