Visit Cumberland Marion Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Cumberland in Indiana and experience the Grand Canyon of the Midwest. The Marengo Cave is a beautiful experience cave with fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. There are numerous outdoor activities in the area such as kayaking, hiking and horse riding. The place also offers a beautiful atmosphere for local art and culture.
To be honest, before I tell you about the real highlights, I have to lay the foundation for a short time: Cumberland, Indiana, was born in 1837 as a small railway hub named after the English Duke of Cumberland, and grew up to a typical suburb of the “Middle-America” thanks to the nearby Indianapolis center. I have the feeling that the city still carries the old headstone pavement feeling in the blood, although the modern suburban houses water the image somewhat. When you arrive by car, take the I‐70 – this is the fastest way to catch the “Cumberland-Feeling”, and a short trip to the US‐40 takes you to the heart of the city where I usually park because parking here is almost a local ritual.
I don't quite understand the hype around the small cafés here, but the “Morning Brew” next to the old station is really great – a place where you can almost taste the history of the city at a latte while inhaling the scent of freshly ground coffee. And yes, the old railway museum is a bit cheesy, but the originals from the 1900s give you a good impression of why the railway was the backbone of Cumberland. If you're still doing a detour to the nearby White River State Park, you realize that nature is not just a background, but a real balance to the suburban everyday. I think this is the true “Cumberland Sights” experience: a mix of history, light buckling snack and a pinch of local serenity that you only find here.
So, next time you go to Cumberland, let's go first Cumberland Community Center stop – this is my personal favorite place because the swimming pool is almost a sanctuary here. I swear the water is colder than my humour on Monday morning, but that makes the kick. Parking is usually a Klacks, except Saturdays, when the center suddenly becomes a hotspot for families and you have to go through between strollers and yoga mats. I once fished a 5-kilo carp from the pool there – no joke, that was a real “Catch of the Day” for the kids.
Directly next to the center, the Monon Trail through the neighborhood, a piece of the old railway corridor, which is now populated by cyclists, joggers and one or other dog owners. I don't understand the hype by long, straight paths, but here there are enough trees to filter the sun, and a few old station buildings that still let a bit of history breathe. If you ask where you can turn off your bike: a simple metal stand at the entrance is completely enough as long as you don’t pass by the local pub “The Rusty Nail” on Friday night – then the part is quickly overrun by beer bottles.
A short walk further Cumberland Park, a small green piece that has more charm than some big city oasis. The playground is a bit worn out, but it just makes it authentic; I practiced my first stunts there as a child on the climbing scaffold and today I see my nies repeating the same spooky attempts. There's a small lake where ducks are shaking, and a few benches that are perfect to eat a sandwich while you're watching. Practical: Parking is an open field behind the car park, so just push in if you don't want to be too late for the next attraction.
If you want to sniff a little culture, look at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church an – a real jewel from the 1950s, which with its brick facade and the colourful glass windows almost already looks like a film set. I have seen a concert from a local jazz band there; the acoustics was surprisingly good, and the church has gathered after the piece to a small coffee stick. The entrance is free, and the best thing: you can go in at any time because the doors are almost always open – a small bonus for nightwarmers who are looking for a long day a bit of rest.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Cumberland Library. It is not only a place to roll books, but also a community hub with readings, art workshops and occasional film evenings. I remember an evening where they hosted a retro film series and I talked to a group of students about the “good old time” of the VHS cassettes – that was almost nostalgic until the air conditioning dropped out and we all sat in sweat. Parking is available directly in front of the building, but be warned: On Saturday afternoons, the places fill faster than a popcorn bucket in the cinema.
And yes, if you have a list of Cumberland Attractions search, then you have almost everything here – from sports activities to green oasis to cultural corners. I could tell even more, but that would spoil the charm you only feel when you stroll through the streets, buy an ice from the local stand and hear the quiet sum of the city in the background. So what are you waiting for? Pack the things and experience the real cumberland, not what guides promise in thick brochures.
I have to admit that the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the area around Cumberland, Indy 500 temples – yes, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is. I once tried to run a few rounds, just to see that parking on Saturday night is a real nightmare; otherwise it is surprisingly uncomplicated, and the huge oval almost lets you forget that you actually only take a short trip from the suburbs. The smell of gasoline and hot rubber is almost nostalgic, and if you're lucky, you'll get a training that offers more drama than any Soap Opera.
A short detour to the north leads you to White River State Park. There is more green space than one would expect in a suburb, and the shore of the White River is actually walkable – no joke. I made a picnic there while some joggers loudly discussed their playlist. Parking is usually free except when a festival takes place in the park; then you have to decide between a full parking lot and a walk through the city.
Directly next to the park Newfields – Indianapolis Museum of Art. I was there on a rainy afternoon and I almost ran into the sculpture gallery because the signs were more artistic than practical. Nevertheless, this is worth it: the collection is impressive, and the terrain itself is a small park that invites you to stay. If you want to sniff a little culture without entering a museum, just go to the garden – there is more rest than in most suburbs.
A few blocks on, almost imperceptibly, the Canal Walk through downtown. I once tried to extend my morning jogging round, only to establish that the tourists with their selfie sticks are more obstacles than the actual boats. Nevertheless, the path is well illuminated, the water glistens in the sunlight, and parking is not a problem thanks to the many public garages – as long as you don't arrive there on Friday night after a concert.
Just a stone's throw away Indiana State Museum. I was there because I thought there was a special exhibition about the history of the railway, and indeed – the exhibition is solid, though not exactly spectacular. However, the museum has a good café, which serves surprisingly delicious sandwiches, and parking is almost always available thanks to nearby street parking.
If you are looking for a place where you can feel small, then that is Soldiers and Sailors Monument That's right. I took a photo that I later posted on Instagram, just to see that the monument was covered in the background by a huge banner for a local restaurant – a real case of “art meets commerce”. Nevertheless, the viewing platform offers a magnificent view over the city, and parking is not a problem thanks to the surrounding car parks.
A bit further south, in the heart of Indianapolis, lies the Indianapolis Zoo. I spent a day there because I thought the Pandas were the highlight – and they were, but the giraffes impressed me more because they so elegantly strolled over the grounds. The zoo has a well-organized parking system, but on weekends it can be filled quickly; a little tip: Come early, you almost have the animals for yourself.
Just a short walk from the zoo, the Eiteljorg Museum, which specializes in American native art and the Wild West. I was there because I thought it was a bit cheesy, and was instructed for a better one – the exhibitions are profound and the atmosphere is surprisingly calm. Parking is usually easy, except when a special event takes place, then you have to arrange with the residents.
At the end of my small tour through the surroundings of Cumberland I recommend the Monon Trail. The cycle path leads you through picturesque suburbs and small towns, and I once made a spontaneous stopover in a tiny café that consisted only of an old wooden shed. The trail is well signposted, parking at the access points is usually free, and it offers a welcome change to the crowded streets of downtown.
Whether you’re looking for a motorsport fan, art lovers, nature lovers or just a bit of a change from the suburban life – the surroundings of Cumberland have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. These Cumberland Attractions show that a short trip from everyday life can lead to real highlights that appeal to both the spirit and the salmon muscles.
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