Visit Mount Vernon Wabash Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Mount Vernon in Indiana! Visit the Car and Technology Museum "Popcorn Museum" or experience the beautiful park "Lincoln State Park". Easy to experience adventure and history!
Mount Vernon Attractions attract me every time I think of the history of Waltz Township in Posey County. Honestly, this city is not a Hollywood set, but the settlement founded in 1816 has more charm than some big city farm, and this is not just the Mississippi, which is just about the corner. I like to drive over State Road 141 with the old diesel truck because the rat somehow reinforces the feeling of “first” Indiana.
When I first arrived here, I was surprised how the old wooden houses stand next to modern bungalows – a bit like a time jump, only without the annoying time travel logic. People here like to talk about the “old time” and I don’t understand the hype about the historical plaques, but the flair they radiate is really great. A short detour into the adjacent Wabash Valley lets you feel the wide fields and the quiet country life that has not yet been overrun by Hipster Cafés.
When you arrive by train, just get out in Evansville and take the bus to Mount Vernon – that's faster than you think, and you'll get a first impression of the relaxed atmosphere. And yes, I know that I'm a bit shy here, but that's just my way to show you that this corner of Indiana has more to offer than one would suspect at first sight.
I must confess that my favorite place in Mount Vernon is not some hipest café, but that Riverfront Park on the Ohio River – a piece of nature hidden between industrial plants and a few sloping park benches. I came there on a lukewarm Tuesday night when the sun just slept over the water and a few anglers threw their rods out. Parking was a Klack, as long as you don't want to collide with all the festival visitors on Saturday night; then it becomes a real patience game. The path leads you over a narrow wooden ridge, which is slightly shaking, but this gives the whole the right charm, and you suddenly feel you are in an indie film, not in a small town in the Middle West.
A short walk on (I mean, you don't have to round the whole park to find that) Lincoln Memorial Bridge. I don't quite understand the hype about monumental bridges, but here the whole thing has something almost tacky-patriotic that makes me sneak every time I read the inscription. The view over the river is surprisingly clear, and if you're lucky, you'll see a few boats that move past leisurely – a perfect spot for a quick photo that you can post later on Instagram with the hashtag #MidwestMagic.
Now comes a place I almost always look over because he doesn’t sound so “tourist”: Posey County Historical Museum. The building itself is an old, slightly cracking mansion that used to serve as a courthouse. I found an old map that shows how the area looked over a hundred years ago – and yes, that's exactly what you need when you're interested in the history of the region without rolling a whole book. The museum is small, but the exhibitions are surprisingly well curated, and the staff is friendly as long as you don't talk too loud about the exhibits.
A bit further down the road, almost next to the museum, this is Mount Vernon Public Library. I once borrowed a book about local folklore, which made me think about the strange legends of the area for hours. The library is a real peace of mind, and the staff knows everyone who borrows a book here – that's kind of soothing if you want to withdraw after the hustle and bustle of the Riverfront Park. Parking is usually a children's game here, unless you come to the test time, then the places fill up faster than you can say “Silence”.
If you're looking for something that has a little more “local flair” then look at it Mount Vernon Historic District on. The street is lined with old brick buildings, which are still partly used as shops and restaurants. I discovered a little diner there that serves the best pancakes in the city – no joke, they are really great. The area is not exactly a hotspot for art galleries, but the authentic, slightly rusted flair has something that I rarely find in exaggerated tourist destinations.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Waltz Township Community Center. I once saw a local basketball game where the spectators were more loud than the players themselves – a real spectacle that reminds you that sport is more than just a pastime. The Center also occasionally offers small concerts and art exhibitions, so keep your eyes open when you happen to be in town. Parking? Usually there are enough places as long as you are not there at the same time as the annual summer festival.
And because I don't want to neglect everything, I still have to Mount Vernon Riverfront Trail mentioning that sounds along the Ohio River. I went jogging there on a cool autumn morning and stumbled over a few old shipwrecks that are still in the water – a bit like a museum visit outdoors, only without admission. The path is well maintained and you can stop at any time to enjoy the view or make some selfies. Practical: There are several small parking spaces along the route, but they fill up quickly when the weather is good.
Finally, a short hint that may not mention any guide: If you follow Mount Vernon Attractions search, you will quickly realize that the city has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. The mix of historical architecture, quiet nature trails and a slightly cynical but warm local population makes the visit an experience you don't forget so quickly. And if you drive the next time over the bridge, remember – this is not just a piece of concrete, but a small part of the story you're currently shaping.
The old lighthouse on the Ohio River, which is actually just a rusty metal mast, has more charm for me than some hip Rooftop bar in Chicago – especially when you watch the sunset over the river and hear the quiet circle of the gulls that almost looks like a bad soundtrack.
A short trip down Highway 50 leads to Wabash River National Wildlife Refuge. I once tried to take a picture of a beaver, just to realize that the animal is much better to ignore me than I try to ignore it. The area is huge, about 4 000 hectares, and offers hiking trails that are perfect for people who like to be stuck in the mud, because the weather just doesn't play.
If you have enough of nature, that is Wabash County Historical Museum in the neighboring town of Wabash a must – not because it is particularly exciting, but because it offers the only way to understand the history of the region without being bombarded by a tourist guide. I found an old diary that was handwritten by a farmer from the 1880s; that was almost as exciting as the last chapter of “Game of Thrones”.
Another highlight I like to look at is that Wabash River Lock and Dam #1. Many tourists think that this is just a piece of concrete that keeps water back, but in truth it is a fascinating example of how people try to tame nature. I stood there once in the summer, while a load cock pushed over, and thought to myself: “If this is not a bit romantic, I don’t know. ‘
For those who prefer to travel on asphalt, there is Wabash River Scenic Byway. The road stretches along the river and offers small signs that explain why the water is here “historically significant”. I discovered a small café that serves the best coffee in the area – no joke, that is really better than what you find in most supermarket chains.
A little further south lies Lincoln State Park, a place I visit again and again because he reminds me that Abraham Lincoln actually hunted here once. The park has hiking trails, a lake and a visitor center that tells more about Lincoln's time in Indiana than you can find in the history books. I once saw a squirrel that was braver than me when I tried to take a picture.
A short detour to Cedar Creek Trail is worth walking through a piece of forest that is less overrun by tourists. The path is well marked, but the trees throw so much shadow that you almost feel like walking in a film noir – only without the stylish suits.
I have to finish Mount Vernon Bridge mentioning the Ohio River. It's not exactly an architectural miracle, but it's a symbol that you're still going on here somehow, even if the weather is gray again. I once saw a roadtrip partner there trying to make a selfie while holding the cell phone – a picture for the history books.
Whether you are looking for nature, history or just a good piece of cake – the surroundings of Mount Vernon have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. These Mount Vernon Attractions show that despite its impressive size, the region is full of surprises, which make every easy cynical traveller a little surprised.
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