Visit Covington Fountain Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the old town of Covington in Indiana! Historical buildings, parks and a museum for railway fans. The city is located on the Ohio River Tourist route. Eat traditional dishes overlooking the river in the "Covington's River City Grill".
Honestly, if you ask yourself why Covington is on the map at all, you have to travel back to 1826 when a few brave settlers claimed the Wabash River's shore and founded the little town that is still proud in the heart of Troy Township today. I have the feeling that the story here is rather a silent murmur that flies back and forth between the old brick houses and the modern supermarket – not a Hollywood drama, but a real piece of Indiana everyday. The journey is surprisingly uncomplicated: a short trip from I‐74, then a few kilometers across State Road 32, and you are in the middle of the small but charming Covington. I don’t understand the hype around the “small cities with heart”, but here there are some Covington sights that really amaze me – for example, the old County Courthouse, whose movement still ticks as if it had never heard of the digital world. And then there is the annual river festival, which consists more of loud neighbours who share a beer than an organized event; That's kind of authentic, isn't it? If you're looking for a place where you don't lose yourself in a crowd, then Fountain County is just right – a bit of land, a bit of history and enough space to overtake the street without feeling guilty. I have discovered my favorite café on Main Street, where Barista tells you with an eye-catcher that her coffee is stronger than the weather here; this is the true Covington experience that I would put to every traveler who has enough of crowded metropolises. And if you ask yourself how to come back, remember: the same route leads you back to I‐74, where you can ask if you should choose a bigger place next time – but that would be a real contradiction to my own advice, right?
I have to admit that my favorite place in Covington is not some hip-café, but the venerable one. Fountain County Courthouse. The building dominates the cityscape with its red-white dome and the artistic columns – a real photo magnet when you are interested in architecture. I spent a few hours there because I thought the court building was closed, and then I got a small tour through the historical archives – no joke, that was surprisingly exciting. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there is a real problem because the town hall then hosts a pop-up concert.
A short walk further leads you to Covington Historic District, a collapsing maze of Victorian façades, old wooden shops and a few modern cafes that try not to ruin the old flair. I don't quite understand the hype about the “Instagram walls” there, but the small antique shops that are hidden here have really cool finds – I got an original 19-year old radio that is now in my living room.
If you're looking for a place where you can recover from the hustle and bustle, look at the Covington Public Library on. This is not some library, but a Carnegie building from the 1910s, which still radiates the charm of its founding period. I once borrowed a book about local history and, incidentally, discovered a flyer for the next historian meeting – that was a lucky shot because I was able to meet the founders of Covington personally there (well, at least their descendants).
A must for anyone interested in the real history of the region is that Fountain County Historical Society Museum. The museum is housed in a renovated warehouse and shows everything from old land machines to photos showing how the city looked over a hundred years ago. I saw an old tractor that was still functional – that was a real eye-catcher because I thought it was just a decorative piece. Practical: The museum is located directly on the main road, so you can park your car there without long looking for a free space.
Of course you can Wabash River Don't forget, who sounds majestic through Covington. The river is not only a beautiful background for your selfies, but also a popular spot for anglers and kayakers. I once rented a kayak and I paddled down the river, while I tried to outsmart the local ducks – they weren't enthusiastic, but that was a real adventure. On the shore there is a small parking lot, which is usually free as long as you do not come to the high season on the weekend.
Another highlight I have to put to every visitor is the Covington Farmers Market. Every Saturday morning, Main Street turns into a colorful market with fresh vegetables, homemade jams and handmade works of art. I found the best honeyglass of my life there – a local beekeeper who told me that the bees gather here “only the best of the wildflowers of the county”. The market is easy to reach because it lies directly in front of the town hall and parking there is almost always a Klack.
Finally there is the small, but fine Covington Train Depot. The old railway station building is today a mini museum that documents the history of the railways in the region. I was there because I thought it was just an empty building, and was surprised with a collection of old schedules and a restored locomotive. The depot is on the edge of the city, so you have to drive a few minutes by car, but this is worth the effort – especially if you are a fan of steam locomotives.
If you now think that this is too much, let me tell you: Covington sights are not just a bunch of old buildings, but a living mosaic of history, nature and local joy of living. And the best of it? You can explore all this at your own pace without a tourist guide looking over your shoulder.
The first stop I could not miss was the Prophetstown State Park, which is hidden only half an hour north of Covington and at the same time forms the heart of regional history. There is the Prophetstown Museum, which tells more about the 1800s and the same-named Indian settlement than you would find in any guide – and without excessive marketing. I fought with an old leader there for a few hours because he said that the “big battlefield” is only a field path; I insisted that the earth still smells of the traces of conflicts there. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field becomes a parking microcosm.
A short detour to the south leads you to Turkey Run State Park, a place I repeatedly underestimate because it is considered an “Instagram hotspot” in social media. The canyons here are actually impressive, and the hiking trails – especially the “Sugar Creek Trail” – offer enough variety to inspire even the most stubborn city muffle. I remember how I was almost surprised by an oversized rock buck, because I was too busy shooting the perfect photo. The park has several toilets that are surprisingly clean, and the visitor center has a small souvenir shop that sells more surviving muzzles than you would expect.
If you prefer to relax on the water, the Raccoon Creek Park is what you need. The lake is not huge, but the clear water attracts anglers and families alike. I once observed a beaver that bravely pushed a piece of wood from the shore while I tried to throw out my fishing – a picture that I still see in my head when I think of “deceleration”. The parking lot is directly at the entrance, and the barbecue area is usually free, except when the local scout camp is currently hosting its “Koch-Olympiade”.
Another jewel that barely mentions is the Cedar Creek Covered Bridge, a historical building that spans over the brook of the same name and looks almost like a fairy tale book. I crossed the bridge at sunset and used the stick of the wood almost as a soundtrack for my thoughts. Access is free, but be warned: After heavy rain, the wood can become slippery, and I almost have to lay down a fall because I was too busy admiring the old construction. In the vicinity there is a small parking lot, but it quickly becomes full when the local school classes plan their excursions.
A short jump to the east takes you to Attica, where the Attica Depot and the Fountain County Historical Society Museum preserve a piece of forgotten railway history. The depot, a restored wooden building from the 1880s, today serves as a small museum that exhibits old schedules, locomotive models and a few yellowed photos. I met a former locomotive driver who told me that he still has the whistle of the old steam locomotive in his head – a sound he called “the real soundtrack of the Middle West”. The museum is small, but the exhibition is surprisingly well curated, and parking is right in front of the building so you don't have to look for a free space long.
A little away from the well-known paths lies the Wabash River Scenic Byway, a piece of road that leads along the mighty river and offers numerous viewpoints. I spent a weekend fishing and enjoying the tranquility that can only offer a river that has been cutting through the country for centuries. The docks are usually unguarded, so bring your own picnic – and be ready to share some curious ducks who welcome you with their loudly strong calls. The road is easy to travel, but on weekends it can be traffic jams when the local boat clubs stop their regatta events.
Whether you're looking for history, nature or a quiet place on the water – the surroundings of Covington, Troy Township, Fountain, Indiana have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. From the historical paths in the Prophetstown State Park to the wild canyons of Turkey Run to the quiet shores of Raccoon Creek and the charming relics such as the Cedar Creek Covered Bridge and the Attica Depot – everyone finds something that thrills him (or at least brings him to the eye). And if you pack it all together, you get a pretty good picture of why the Covington Attractions in my slightly cynical but passionate view are definitely worth a visit.
Find more vacation destinations near Covington Fountain Indiana using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
