Visit New Richmond Montgomery Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. New Richmond, Indiana: Experience the Naturefriendship of Brookville Lake and the Historic Fort Ancient!
Honestly, if you think you know Indiana, you don't have New Richmond on your card yet. The city was founded in 1837, a bit like a forgotten chapter from the Wildwest-Roman, only that there was more wood and less dust. The first settlers came from Pennsylvania, brought their wrought art and a few old family recipes – and this is still felt today when you sit on a sunny afternoon on Main Street benches and hear the quiet sums of the old factory slut, which have long been reworked to homes.
I don't understand the hype around the big cities, but the small corners here have their own charm. If you come by car from South Bend, simply follow US-31 to exit 5, then a short stroller to County Road 12 – no drama, just a little road that leads you directly to the heart of New Richmond. There are a few cafés that have more personality than some 5 star restaurants, and a historic town hall that looks like a time traveler from the 1900s had brought.
And yes, if you ask yourself what you can see here at all: New Richmond Attractions are not packaged in shiny brochures, but in the stories of the locals who tell you more about life here when chatting about the old mill or the annual autumn festival than any tourist information ever could.
I have to confess to you: what I do New Richmond most dear, is the old town hall – a red brick building that looks like someone stolen from a 1910 film and then moved to the present. I started my first “city discovery tour” there because I thought that was probably the highlight that every tourist must see. And honestly, this is also – at least if you are on historical brick aesthetics and not on hip cafes. The town hall is central, so parking is almost always a Klack, except on Sunday after the worship service, as the cars are stacked like in a bad sitcom.
A short walk further (and yes, this is a walk, no marathon) leads you to New Richmond Community Park. There is a small lake, a few old benches and a playground that has more rust than color – a real charm factor for those who are looking for the authentic “small-city” feeling. I once made a picnic there, while an older couple played chess loudly and at the same time swarmed over the “good old time”. Practical: The parking spaces are right at the entrance, but if you take a barbecue event on the weekend, you will have to expect a few minutes waiting time.
Now comes a place I almost always look over because it is not on the usual tourist lists: New Richmond Library. This is not a huge, modern building, but a cozy, lightly sounding building that houses more books than people. I found an old city archive there that tells the founding history of the city – a must if you want to understand why the inhabitants here are so proud of their “small piece of earth”. Parking is a bit tricky because the library is behind the town hall; a small sideway leads you directly to the free parking lot behind the cemetery.
Another jewel I always like to mention is that New Richmond Cemetery. Klingt morbide, but this is a historical cemetery with artistically crafted tombstones from the 19th century. I once found an old veteran trench that had a handwritten dedication – a real moment to keep you. The cemetery is well signposted, and parking is possible directly at the main entrance as long as you do not arrive at the funeral time on Wednesday morning, then there is a little crowd.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel the real life of New Richmond, go to New Richmond Weekly Market. The market is not active all year round, but in summer the main road turns into a colorful drive of fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a stand where an older gentleman grills his famous corn flasks. I tried a piece of apple cake there that almost made me forget my diet completely – no joke. Parking is a bit an adventure here because the road is locked for vans, but a few free places you will always find a few blocks on.
Last but not least, New Richmond Community Center Forget that beats almost like the heart of the city. Small concerts, art exhibitions and yoga classes take place regularly. I was there with a local band playing old folk songs, and that was surprisingly good – I don't understand the hype about Indie festivals, but it feels real here because people come from the neighborhood and just have fun. The Center has its own parking space, which is usually empty except when a large municipal event runs; then you have to avoid parking at the neighboring supermarket.
So, if you think the next time you want to do your next “small city discovery”, remember: New Richmond has more to offer than just a few old bricks. The New Richmond Attractions are not only sights, they are small stories waiting to be discovered by you – and all without the usual tourist crowd.
The first stop I recommend for every newman is that Coal Creek Covered Bridge, a knorriger relic from 1875, which spreads over the brook of the same name and sprays more charm than some modern café complex. I had a picnic there once in the fall, while a tractor passed and the cow bells sounded like a bad soundtrack – a picture that can be burned when you think of “authentic Indiana”. Parking is easy to find on the edge of the parking lot, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday night, then the field becomes quickly the battlefield of the tractor drivers.
A short detour to the north leads you to Shades State Parkwhere the trees are so dense that you feel like walking in a film by David Lynch. I tried the “Ridge Trail” there and after about an hour I was almost completely surrounded by mosquitoes, but the view from the view tower over the glittering water of Lake Shades compensates for every stitch. The entrance is free, but the visitor center has staff only on working days, so bring a bit of own initiative if you have any questions.
If you have enough of nature, Turkey Run State Park the counterpart – a bit more touristy, but the canyons are truly spectacular. I remember a rainy afternoon that I stuck in the “Sugar-Creek-Canyon” and was almost overtaken by a deer who asked me with a glance if I should not rather visit the Café in Crawfordsville. The parking lot at the entrance is large enough, but at the weekends the entry and exit can become a small patience game.
A short sprint to the east brings you to the heart of Crawfordsvillewhere the Historic Downtown with its restored brick buildings and small boutiques a bit like a mini-Europe – only with more biker helmets. I once discovered a vintage record store that still sells cassettes and asked me if the owners do it from nostalgia or from pure despair. The parking spaces behind the town hall are free, but you have to run a few blocks to feel the true flair.
Only a stone's throw away Wabash College, a small but proud men's college, which is almost a landmark of the region with its historical architecture and the famous Clock Tower. I experienced an open concert in the courtyard on a summer evening; the students were enthusiastic, the professors were rather skeptical – a typical picture for academic events in the Middle West. Visitors can enter the area freely, but the main building has only limited access, so keep on the signs.
Another cultural jewel is that Crawfordsville Opera House, a magnificent building dating back to 1885, which today offers performances and film evenings. I was there in a local theatre production where the actors improvised more than a stand-up comedy, and the audience nevertheless applauded – a proof that every attempt to make art here is taken seriously. Parking is possible right in front of the house, but there are only a few places, so be ready to walk a few minutes.
For history fans Montgomery County Historical Museum in Crawfordsville a must. The collection ranges from old agricultural machinery to personal belongings of the founding families. I found an old diary that was handwritten by a farmer from the 1890s – a real look into the past that reminded me that life was not always as easy as the Instagram posts suggest. The entrance is free, but the museum is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly.
A last tip for those who love the water: The Wabash River Heritage Trail winds through the landscape and offers both cycling and hiking trails. I turned a round there, while a swarm duck pulled over me and a fisherman slapped loudly over the “good old times”. The trail is well signposted and you can park at several places for free as long as you do not block the weekend with a picnic stand.
Whether you are looking for historical bridges, wild canyons, charming small town streets or a touch of academic elegance, the surroundings of New Richmond offer a colourful mix that surprises every traveller. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the New Richmond Attractions more than just points on a map – they are small stories waiting to be discovered by you.
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