Visit Clermont Marion Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the beautiful small town of Clermont in Indiana! See the great lake Spirit Reservoir and visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Guests can also enjoy local cuisine in the downtown area. # TravelIndiana #ClermontIN
Clermont sights have fascinated me since my childhood because the city somehow balances between rustic history and modern flaute, and that's exactly what I love at small mid-flight places. Honestly, in 1823, when the first settlers broke up their camp here, this was still a wild forest, and today it is a suburb that proudly sells itself as “Gateway to the Ohio River”, even though the only wild animals you still see are the squirrels in the city park. I came by train to Indianapolis and then grabbed Highway 40 – a short trip that feels like a little trip to the past, because the road still has the same potholes that my grandparents complained at that time.
If you're looking for a place where you can lose yourself between a café with overpriced lattes and an old quarry, you're right here. I don't quite understand the hype around the historic town hall, but the small library next to the town hall has a surprisingly good offer of local chronicles – no joke, that's a real treasure for history fools. And then there's the Riverfront Park, where you can see the Ohio at sunset and ask yourself why you shouldn't just buy a house on the water, even though the real estate prices here are rather “real great” for asparagus.
A short trip to the local brewhouse, which serves more beer than water, completes the picture. I take the bus back to the center, because parking here is a little adventure, and while I travel along the road, I think: “Clermont sights – more charm than you suspect at first sight. ‘
So if you ask me, this is first what I want to show you, the small jewel on the Ohio River – the Riverfront Park View of Clermont. I tipped a beer out of the local brewery on a lukewarm summer evening, while the sun snuck over the water, and I swear that was almost the only time I felt really relaxed without thinking about the next construction site. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole town comes to barbecue. The path is well signposted, you simply follow the signs “Riverfront” from the main road, and you are in the middle of the green that is almost too beautiful to be true.
Directly next to the park, the Historic Downtown – a few hundred meters walk, but a whole universe of small shops that have more charm than an Instagram filter. I don't understand the hype about the vintage boutiques, but the handmade soaps of “Suds & Co.” have really knocked me around, and that's not a joke. If you're hungry, take a look at the diner at the corner; the breakfast there is so good that I almost forgot I actually wanted a coffee.
A short detour leads you to St. Mary’s Catholic Churcha stone relic from the 19th century. Century that still holds every Sunday Mass, although the municipality is barely larger than a few dozen. I once saw a concert there – a small string quartet that played in the crypt, and the echo was so intrusive that I almost thought the building would whisper a secret to me. The entrance is free, you just need a little respect for the sticking wooden benches.
If you have enough of quiet churches, that is Clermont County Fairgrounds your next stop – yes, this is technically seen in the district, and yes, there is something there all year round. I was there in autumn when the local pumpkin festival took place, and the crowd was so loud that I could not hear almost my own thoughts anymore. Parking is a labyrinth from field roads, but if you arrive early enough, you will find a place that is not blocked by a tractor.
A bit further north, almost on the edge of the city, this is Clermont County Public Library. Sounds like a place where you can only borrow books, but that's a bust – the library regularly organizes readings, craft workshops and even small film evenings. I once saw a documentary about the Ohio-River industry there, and that was the only time I volunteered to learn about the local economy. The building is barrier-free, and Wi-Fi is faster than you can say “Clermont sights”.
Finally, a little secret tip: The Ohio River Overlook at the end of the Riverfront Trail. I took a walk there in autumn, while the leaves were lit in all colors, and suddenly an older gentleman stood next to me, who told me that he met his fiancée here 40 years ago. That's what Clermont is – not the big attractions, but the small, almost forgotten moments that remind you that every city has a bit of magic when you just look closely.
I must confess the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the area around Clermont is the great neon lights of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – yes, that is not exactly a secret tip, but the hectic there is a real contrast to the quiet country roads that I cross every morning. I was there for the first time when a friend wanted to persuade me to see the “race of the year” and I stood in the middle of the hustle, while a cricket in my hand was almost as loud as the engines. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday night – then the field turns into a labyrinth of buses and crowded parking spaces, and you almost have to bring a GPS signal for the car.
A few miles further, away from the Asphalt jungle, this is Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers. Here you can finally feel like a real pioneer without suffocating in a dusty museum. I took part in a demonstration where we drove through the terrain with a real steam locomotive – that was a bit like a time travel roller coach, only without the annoying safety belts. The entrance is free when you use the annual “Family Day” event, and parking is right next to the main entrance where an old tractor serves as an art work (I have made almost a selfie with the thing before a visitor locked me the way).
If you're looking for a place where you can finally recover from the city noise, then Fort Harrison State Park That's right. I spent a weekend there because I thought a bit of hiking would calm my soul – and I was surprised with a 12-hour storm that swirled the trees like a wild hairbrush set. Nevertheless, the trails are well marked, and the visitor center has enough toilets that you do not have to do in the forest “emergence”. A small tip: The lake is ideal for canoeing as long as you don't paddle with the families from the neighborhood that play their picnic playlist loudly.
Another jewel I always like to visit is Eagle Creek Park. The name sounds like a romantic place for birdwatchers, and that’s it – if you’re not just overtaken by a group of joggers who are loudly discussing their podcasts. I remember a sunny afternoon when I fed some ducks and suddenly a little girl with a huge ice cup stood next to me and asked if I could give her the water from my river cup. Practical: Parking is free at the main entrance, but the places fill up quickly when the weather is good, so better come early.
For art lovers who are interested not only in paintings but in all landscapes, this is Newfields – Indianapolis Museum of Art A must. I spent a day there because I thought a bit of culture would pop my Instagram story. The sculpture gardens are a real eye-catcher, and the museum itself has a café that serves surprisingly good vegan pastries – a small comfort when you are looking for something sweet after a long walk through the gardens. Parking is paid at the museum’s main building, but there are a few free places on the edge that can be reached with a short walk.
A short detour to Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is more intended for families, but I put up with my nephew, because I thought a little bit of childish curiosity could stimulate my creativity. The museum is huge, and the interactive exhibitions – from dinosaur bones to space simulations – are really impressive. Practical: Parking is free at the main building, but the entrances can be quite full on weekends, so bring some patience.
Last but not least, if you're looking for the real Indiana feeling, look at it. Indianapolis Canal Walk on. I made an evening walk there when the lights glittered over the water and a street musician played an old blues song. The path is well illuminated, and there are several stops where you can turn off your bike if you're on the bike. Parking is usually easy as long as you are not there at the main traffic time.
Whether you're looking for the moaning of the motors at the Speedway, the quiet nature at Fort Harrison State Park or the cultural highlights of Newfields – the surroundings of Clermont offers a colourful mix of experiences that can surprise any traveler. And if you are looking for a compact overview, these places are definitely the Clermont Attractionsthat I would put to everyone who wants to experience the real Indiana.
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