Visit Laurel Franklin Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Laurel, Indiana: Small American town with charming charm! Experience the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or the Holliday Light Nature Preserve. Eat traditional midwest specialities like Pork Tenderloin and Hoosier Pie. An unforgettable travel experience guaranteed!
Honestly, if you're wondering why I'm even smiling about a tiny little spot called Laurel in Franklin, Indiana, then let me loose with a little story: Founded at the beginning of 19. The village was originally a hub for livestock farmers who drove their flocks across the ancient paths from Indianapolis to Cincinnati. The whole “Laurel Township” has hardly changed since then – a bit more asphalt, a few new housing estates, but the basic structure remains a quiet, slightly sleepy retreat in the heart of Johnson County.
I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but there's something I really think is great: the way the old wooden houses stand next to modern bungalows, as if they wanted to outdo each other who looks more authentic. If you come by car from Indianapolis, take the I‐65 south, then the Exit 57 to Franklin – this is the fastest route, and you have the feeling that you have discovered the true Indiana before the tourist flows arrive at all.
A short detour to the city centre of Franklin lets you feel that life is still pulsating at a leisurely pace. And yes, if you ask yourself what you can see here at all – the “Laurel Sights” are fewer museums, more these little, almost overlooked moments: an old barn window that glistens at sunset, a rustic diner where the coffee is stronger than the city talk, and a cemetery that whispers stories that no one mentions in the guides. This is the true flair that I recommend to anyone who is looking for something other than the usual highway frame.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Laurel is not some hip-café, but that Laurel Historic District – a tiny strip of Main Street, which looks like he survived the 1920s because nobody here had the trouble to modernize him. The old brick buildings with their sloping shop windows tell more stories than I could hear in a museum all day. If you're honest, you'll notice that the charm here isn't from Instagram filters, but from pure, unfailed little town everyday. I once saw an old man in a devastated suit, who explained to me that the city has not had a bigger change since 1905 – and that was for me the most beautiful “behind the scenes” experience I ever had.
Located next to the historical core, Laurel Town Hall, a building that looks as if it had designed an ambitious carpenter from the 1910s and then forget to delete it. The town hall is not only an administrative building, but also the heart of every community event – from the annual picnics to the rather dry city council meetings, where I always feel that the discussions about the new sidewalk project are more exciting than some Netflix series. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village comes together to the “Laurel Fest”.
If you're looking for a place where you can recover from the hustle and bustle, look at the Laurel Community Park on. The park is small, but it has a playground, a few baseball diamonds and a small lake where ducks roam – no joke, the ducks seem to have a better social life here than I am. I once made a picnic with my neighbor, and we fought to see if the new barbecue was really necessary. Spoiler: It is because grilling here is almost a ritual.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Laurel Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library in a city that is more connected to corn fields and tractors. The library is part of the Hendricks County Public Library system and offers not only books, but also free computer use and occasional readings. I heard a lecture on local history where the speaker spoke more about the old mills than I ever knew about my own family members. And the best thing: the staff is so friendly that they even recommend a book that you would never read, just because they think it fits your “rustic” taste.
For those looking for a little spirituality or just a good photo motif, the Laurel United Methodist Church A must. The church ship of red brick with a pointed tower is not only an architectural statement, but also a place where the church meets every Sunday – and yes, that means that you always get a bit of noise from children's choir and organ music. I took part in a church service once, because I had run away, and discovered that the church offers an amazingly good cake buffet here.
A little away from the center lies Laurel Cemeterya quiet place that reveals more about the history of the city than any museum. The tombstones range from simple, weathered slate boards to artistically crafted monuments from the early 20th. Century. I once discovered an old veteran cemetery where the names of the fallen are engraved in a way that looks almost poetic. It is a place where you can stand still and think about the transience – or just about why the city still has the same family names.
And because I don't just want to mention what's to be seen here, here's a short hint for those who googles to "Laurel Sights": Most of these places are within walking distance when you dare to cross the main road, and parking is usually not a drama as long as you do not come to the main event of the year. I have experienced all this myself, and every time I come back here, I find a new detail that reminds me of why I like this little spot Indiana so much – despite (or just because) his vivid boredom.
The first stop I never miss is the glittering Brookville Lake – a bit like a bath in the cool Indiana freshwater, only without the crowded beach bars found in Florida. I once tried to catch a huge pike, and after three hours in the mud, the only thing I took home was a wet hat and the realization that the water is deeper here than most locals want to admit. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the parking lot turns into a battlefield of SUVs and caravans.
A short descent towards the south leads to Hoosier National Forest, more precisely to the section around the Shades State Park. There are more trees per square meter than in any Instagram filter, and the noise of the leaves is almost as soothing as the sum of a defective refrigerator. I remember when I was lost in a maze from Kieswegen and only after half an hour, thanks to a friendly joggerin, found the exit – a real test for the orientation feeling that was learned after too many city walks.
The Constitution is what one could call “the green lung of Indianapolis”, although it actually sounds through several small communities, including the vivid Laurel Township. I like to use it to sort my thoughts while I jog back and forth between field roads and old railroad tracks. Practical: Most sections have free bike stands, but at weekends it can suddenly be fuller than a flea market in downtown.
An absolute must for anyone who wants to feel the heart of Indiana is that Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Yeah, that's the famous racing-track-Mekka that attracts thousands of fans every year – and I don't understand the hype completely, but the adrenaline that you feel when driving through the famous "Brickyard" is real. I once watched a race from the grandstand, while a barbeque stand alongside me served the best hot dogs in the city; that was a culinary highlight that I will never forget. Parking is a separate chapter here: The official parking spaces are huge, but the driveway can become a real marathon if you don't get off early enough.
For culture hungry Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields a place where you get art and nature in a package. I spent more hours exploring the sculpture gardens than visiting the actual exhibitions – that is not to deny, the lawn areas here are simply too inviting. Practical note: The entrance is free if you want to visit only the outdoor facilities, and parking is usually easy as long as you do not come to the special exhibition “Modern Masterpieces”, then the car park becomes a battlefield quickly.
A short trip to the city centre of Indianapolis leads to White River State Park. The Indianapolis Zoo, the Eiteljorg Museum and the Indiana State Museum are hand in hand. I spent one day feeding the flamingos while trying to get a selfie with a little otter – the result was a slightly blurred picture that my friends still laugh. Parking is usually sufficient, but on holidays it can be as full as on the Speedway.
When you explore the surroundings of Laurel, you can quickly discover that the region has more to offer than just small shops and quiet country roads. From the calm waters of Brookville Lake to the forest paths of the Hoosier National Forest to the pulsating attractions in Indianapolis – each Laurel Attractions has its own charm and a bit of own life that makes the visit an unforgettable experience.
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