Visit Bluffton Wells Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the charming streets of Bluffton, Indiana! The historical village offers you an insight into the old time and is a paradise for lovers of old houses. Don't miss the Bluffton Antique Village and the Historic District!
Honestly, if you ask yourself why Bluffton exists at all, you have to travel back to 1838 when a few brave settlers decided to camp on a small but steep hill on the White River – and the whole thing was named after the place that is today our tranquil town. The whole thing is located in the heart of Harrison Township, in well-stocked Wells County, and has survived more than just a few old barns ever since. I tipped off the train from Indianapolis for the first time, but today almost everyone is driving over the I‐69, which is almost like a red thread passing through the middle country, and then a short trip to the US‐30 takes you to the center where the true life pulsates.
I don't understand the hype about the small Main Street shops, but the mix of historical brick architecture and modern cafés is really great – a place where you feel almost guilty when you drink the coffee too quickly. And yes, the “Bluffton Sights” are not only the old town hall, which somehow still works, but also the hidden graffiti walls at the end of Main Street, which I rediscover every time I cross the city by bike. So if you want to inhale a bit of Indiana charm, grab your car, follow Highway 30 and let this little jewel surprise you.
I have to tell you about the first stop of my Bluffton tour – the old Wells County Courthouse, which is throning in the heart of the city, as if it were the only thing that matters here. The massive brick building dating back to 1889 has more character than some hipster café in Berlin, and the best thing: parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't come up with your whole clique on Saturday night, then it becomes a real problem.
Right next to the court building, the Main Street, a little time trip I like to call “Historic Downtown” because the signs announce it so loudly. Here you will find antique shops that have more dust than customers, and a few cafes that try to be “artisan”, although their coffee tastes more like instant mix. Nevertheless, a short stop for a cappuccino is almost a duty here, because you otherwise feel like missing something – and that is what I love about Bluffton sights: the quiet whisper of history that reminds you of the present at the same time.
A few blocks further Bluffton Carnegie Library. I don't quite understand the hype about libraries, but this old-honored house has something magical. The high ceilings and the huge window make the light so beautiful that I almost feel guilty when I borrow a book there and then immediately get out to hunt the next target. Practical: The library has free Wi-Fi corners, and the staff is so friendly that they almost convince you to stay longer – a real comfort when the weather is just a bit too “Indiana Mitte”.
If you have enough of dusty shelves, open up to St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The church is not only a place to pray, but an architectural statement from the 19th century. Century that impresses even the most sceptical visitor. I once saw a concert there – a local choir that sang “Amazing Grace” while the sun fell through the colourful glass windows. That was a moment I won't forget so fast, and parking is almost always free here as long as you don't come to Sunday Mass.
A short walk leads you to City Parkwhere a small lake and a roundabout are waiting to be explored by you. I made a picnic with friends there on a hot summer day, and we made fun of the “big” attractions of the city while we fed ducks that seem to get more attention than most of the shops on Main Street. The park is well signposted, and the entrance gate is always open – a perfect place to let the soul bangle when you have enough of historical façades.
On Saturday, when the sun does not go too early, the city center turns into the Bluffton Farmers Market. There are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a few handmade soaps that you will probably never use, but still want to take home because you feel a bit like a real local. I once met an old peasant who told me he's been here every year since 1952 – this is a real Bluffton story, right?
At the end of my little excursion I recommend a trip to Bluffton Community Center. The building is not particularly spectacular, but there are regular art exhibitions and small concerts that keep the cultural life of the city running. I was there with a local band that played a few old rock covers, and the audience – a mixture of teenagers and pensioners – was more than happy. The entrance is free, and parking is usually a Klacks as long as you do not want to visit the concert and the market at the same time.
The first stop I always recommend is the imposing Huntington Courthouse Square, which is only half an hour drive from Bluffton and with its red-white dome almost a mini version of the Capitol already works. I once caught a spontaneous street festival there – a few local bands, a barbeque stand that produced more smoke than food, and an elderly man who told me that the town hall has been the heart of the city since 1884. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field in front of the town hall becomes a battlefield from cars.
A short detour to the east leads you to Wabash River Heritage Trail. The path stretches along the river and offers more green space than one would expect in this area. I made a picnic there in the autumn, while a few canoeers spoke loudly about the best fishing spots – a real Indiana charm. The trail is well signposted, and if you have a bike, you can reset the 12 km without any major effort; for pedestrians there are shady places where you can breathe briefly.
If you have enough of nature, Grissom Air Museum near Peru a must. The museum is located directly on the Grissom Air Reserve Base and houses a collection of military aircraft that tell more stories than any history book. I remember when I was a kid standing on the rolling field and hearing the moaning of an old C‐130 – that was for me the loudest “willingness” ever. The museum is free, but parking can be a bit tight on holidays, so it's better to be there early.
A few miles further south lies the Miami County Museum in Peru, which is surprisingly well curated. There is a small but fine exhibition about the beginnings of the railroad in Indiana, and I even found an old diary that was handwritten by a railroader from the 1900s. The museum is small, but the atmosphere is authentic – no exaggerated tourist stuff, only real local history. If you're there, look at the side event in the basement that sometimes presents local craftsmen.
Another highlight I rarely mention is that Wabash & Erie Canal Lock No. 2 Huntington. The old lock complex is a relic from the time when channels formed the backbone of transport. I took a photo there, while a tractor crossed the old lock – an image that somehow squeezes the time together. The access is free, and the terrain is ideal for a short photo stop as long as you are not there in the rainy season, then the water quickly becomes a small swamp.
For a little rest on the water I recommend the Lake George, a popular lake about 20 km south of Bluffton. The lake is not huge, but the clear water and the few boats make it a quiet retreat. I once rented a small boat and enjoyed the sun over the lake, while a few anglers in the background loudly discussed the best baits – a typical Indiana experience. The bathing animal is well visited in the summer, so better be there early if you want a quiet place.
Last but not least, a short note on Huntington County Fairgrounds. The place is a collection point for local events all year round, from tractor competitions to handicraft markets. For the first time in summer I experienced a small concert played by a local country band – the mood was easy, the beer cheap and the people friendly. Parking is almost always sufficient at the fairgrounds, except during the big annual fair, then it becomes narrow.
So, if you travel to Bluffton the next time, don't forget that the environment has more to offer than just the city itself – from historic places to nature trails to aviation history. These Bluffton Attractions show that the heart of Indiana not only strikes in the streets of the city, but in the small, often overlooked corners that make up the real life here.
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