Visit Macy Miami Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Macy, Indiana - small village in the Green River Valley: discover the nature and the American country life!
Honestly, Macy's sights may not be what you expect in a guide, but that's what makes the charm of this little town. Founded in 1855, when the railroad crossed the fields of Allen Township, Macy grew thanks to the grain export and a portion of rural tenacity. Today, the city is located in the heart of Miami County, Indiana, and looks like a forgotten chapter from a history book that I like to hit again – just to see how the old brick houses still reject the wind of modernity.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but a short trip to the US-31, followed by a turn to the County Road 200, will take you in a few minutes in the middle of what's happening. The nearest airport, the Miami County Airport, is virtually a field with an asphalt strip, but for a road trip, that's enough. If you're looking for Macy's landmarks, you'll best take a look at the old railway museum – a dusty but honest witness of the founding period – and then stroll to the historic town hall that still beats the heart of the municipality.
Once there, you invite from the friendly faces of the locals to taste a beer in the local diner while thinking about the future of the place. No joke, you can feel the real Indiana pulsating between nostalgia and the quiet drone of the passing trucks.
So, next time you're going to Indiana, let's first stop at the old Macy Depot – that's for me virtually the heart of Macy, and I swear the old railway boat has more charm than some hipster café in Chicago. I made a small tour there the other day, and while I was inspecting the cracking wooden benches, the idea came to me that the museum is actually the only one that still breathes a bit from the real history of the Middle West. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night after the weekly peasant market, then you have to go through between a few tractors and a crowded picnic car.
Right next to the depot is the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, a stone relic from the 19th century. Century I visit for a little quiet admiration. The windows are not exactly Instagram-ready, but that's just what I like – not a buckling snack, just honest craftsmanship. If you happen to go to the Sunday Mass, you get a free look behind the scenes, otherwise a short look from the outside is enough to understand why the locals are still celebrating their weddings there.
A short walk leads you to the Macy Community Center, which has more to offer than one would expect from a “municipal centre”. I did a yoga-hour exercise there – no joke, the trainers are really super, and the swimming pool is surprisingly large for a village with less than 500 inhabitants. The best thing: The center has a small café area where you get a coffee after swimming, which does not taste like cheap instant coffee. A must for those who are looking for a little movement and social interaction without fleeing into the big city.
If you're a bookworm, the Macy Public Library is your next stop. I found an old photo album that shows the city in 1920 – a real treasure for nostalgics. The library is small, but the staff is friendly and knows everyone who borrows a book. Parking is available directly in front of the building, and this is practical because you don't have to push through narrow residential roads.
A bit of green, of course, you also need, and the Macy Park is exactly what you expect: a playground, a baseball field and a few benches where you can rest while the children are dying to heart. I made a picnic with some friends there in the summer, and we talked about the “Macy Sights” while we were fighting over the best BBQ places. The parking lot is well maintained, and parking is free at the edge of the park – as long as you are not there on the day of the annual city festival, it will be a bit tight.
Another highlight that I cannot overlook is the weekly peasant market, which takes place every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm on the small village square. Fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a few handmade wood carvings – this is what I call an authentic Indiana. I bought an old tractor that I now use in the garden as a decoration. The market attracts a few visitors from outside, but most sellers are locals who are proud of their products.
Last but not least, if you want a bit of history, look at the small museum of the Macy Historical Society, which is hidden in the back of the old school building. There are exhibitions about the early settlers, old tools and a few photos showing how the city has changed over the decades. I found an old diary that comes from a farmer from the 1910s – a real find for anyone interested in local history. The entrance is free, and the museum is barrier-free, so no reason to miss it.
The first stop I put to every visitor is that Miami County Historical Museum in Peru – just a short 15 minute drive from Macy. The building itself is a relic from the 1920s, and the exhibitions give you the feeling of traveling through time without losing the comfort of modern toilets. I found an old diary there that belonged to a farmer from the 1880s; that was a real lucky handle because I was allowed to taste a piece of apple cake in the museum café. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on the first Saturday a month, then the cars are stacked like in a flea market.
A few kilometers further, the Wabash River through the landscape, and that is, in my opinion, the best natural experience in the environment. I rented a small kayak there on a hot summer day – not a luxury, but enough to feel the calm flow and annoy some ducks. The docks are well signposted, and parking on the public boat dock is free as long as you do not try to camp there all weekend.
If you have enough of water and history, you should Miami County Courthouse in downtown Peru. The imposing brick building from 1882 is not only an architectural gem, but also houses a small museum that illuminates the legal history of the region. I have once experienced a guided tour with a very dry judge who spoke more about his preference for ties than about the court proceedings – a real laugh when you understand the irony.
Another highlight that I cannot conceal is that Miami County Fairgrounds. Yes, it sounds like a place where you can only push a cow once a year, but the fairgrounds are all year round a magnet for flea markets, old timer shows and even an occasional concert. I heard a spontaneous bluegrass set there in the summer, which was better than any playlist I've ever created. The parking spaces are huge, but on the main days of events there can be a small chaos – so it's better to come early.
For those who prefer to see green instead of gray, is Huber Park in Peru a must. The lake there is crystal clear enough to count the ducks, and the trails are so well maintained that you almost feel they have been rebuilt. I once organized a picnic with friends, which became an improvised Wet‐T-Shirt-Contest thanks to a sudden rain shower – an unforgettable moment that I tell you every time I enter the park.
A short detour to Miller’s Farm Market is also worth it. This farmer's market is located right on Highway 31, just five minutes from Macy, offering fresh vegetables, homemade jams and the best honey I've ever tasted. The owner, a real Indiana type, tells every customer the story of his grandparents who bought the country after the civil war – a bit of romance that is in vain in most supermarkets.
The Wabash and Erie Canal Trail not missing. The cycle path leads through picturesque fields and small villages, and I lost the path there more than once, because the signs are sometimes more artistic than practical. Nevertheless, the experience of cycling over the old canal system is a real highlight for those who are looking for a bit of adventure without deviating too much from comfort. The trail facilities are good, and parking at the entry points is usually easy.
Whether you are a history fan, nature lover or just looking for a good piece of apple cake – the environment of Macy has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. This selection Macy Attractions shows that even a small place in Indiana is full of surprises that can delight any modern traveler.
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