Visit North Vernon Jennings Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of North Vernon in Indiana and experience the historic railway museum located here. A worthy break after the journey through the state!
Honestly, when I throw the word “North Vernon Sights” into the first sentence, it sounds almost like an advertising slogan that I don’t quite understand myself – but that’s the exciting thing about this little Indiana. The city was founded in 1834, named after former governor Vernon, and has survived more than a few old wooden houses and a few yellowed newspaper articles ever since. I like to sit at the cafe on Main Street and imagine how the railway arrived here in 1850 and the small center township suddenly caused a little stir.
A short detour to Jennings County that surrounds the city feels like a jump back into time when you see the old barns and the wide fields – no joke, this is almost romantic. I usually take the US-50 because it leads me directly into the heart of the city, and if I'm not in the car, there's a little Greyhound-stop that is surprisingly reliable.
I don't quite understand the hype about the annual city festivals, but the local ice cream parody next to the town hall is really great and always gives me the feeling that I am home here. And yes, if you ask yourself where to take your next break, just look around – the “North Vernon Sights” often hide in the inconspicuous corners that only a real insider notices.
I must confess at the beginning that my heart is for the old North Vernon City Hall not because it is an architectural miracle (it is solid, but not precisely the Mona Lisa of brick Gothic), but because it is the heart of each of my walks through the city. The 1915 building is proud of Main Street, and every time I walk past it, I feel a bit like a time traveler who accidentally stumbled into a 1920s film set. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don’t arrive there on Friday night after the “Friday Night Lights” football game – then the small car park turns into a battlefield of parking cars and stressed parents.
A few blocks further North Vernon Public Library, a place I like to sign as the “intellectual café” of the city. The library has not only a surprisingly modern interior, but also a small café serving the best coffee in the city – not a joke, that's better than what I've found in Indianapolis. I remember the day I wanted to borrow a book about local history there and was instead involved in a conversation with a pensioner about the “good old time”; she insisted to show me where her husband once set the first post of the city park. Practical: Parking is right behind the building, but the sign “Only for library visitors” is ignored by most, so be ready to walk a few meters.
If you have enough of dusty shelves, I suggest the Riverfront Park to explore – a piece of green on the banks of the East Fork White River, which has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. I once organized a picnic with my mate, while a swarm duck puked us curiously; that was the only time I had the feeling that nature would actually observe us. The path along the river is well developed, and parking is best at the small parking lot at the entrance, which is overrun on Saturdays by families with barbecue facilities. A short walk leads you to a small bridge from which you have a surprisingly clear view of the water – perfect for a quick photo that you can post later on Instagram to show that you were “authentic” on the go.
Of course you can North Vernon Downtown Main Street do not leave out if you are North Vernon Attractions speaks. The street is spiced with small shops that offer everything from handmade soaps to vintage T-shirts. I once discovered an old but still functioning flipper game that the owner proudly called “original from the 80s” – a real treasure for retro fans. The parking spaces along the street are a bit of a labyrinth, but if you're lucky to get a free space, you can put yourself in a café and watch the colorful driving. My personal tip: The small shop “Miller’s Antiques” has a hidden back entrance that leads to a small gallery where local artists exhibit their works – a real secret tip that most tourists miss.
Another jewel I always like to visit is that North Vernon Community. Most of the city's events take place here, from yoga classes to karaoke nights, which are sometimes so slanted that you wonder if this is all part of a secret experiment. I was once in a “80s retro evening” where participants appeared in neon leggings and shoulder pads – a sight I will never forget. The center has a spacious car park that is usually empty, except when a big festival takes place; then you have to adjust to the street parking chaos.
For those who prefer to feel the lawn under the feet, the North Vernon Golf Club a surprisingly good place to turn a few rounds. The course is not just a PGA paradise, but the fair fairways and friendly staff make the game a relaxed trip. I remember a weekend that I was there with my uncle, a former professional golfer; he insisted to show me how to “feel” the ball, and I ended up in the water barrier – a classic moment that we laugh every time. The clubhouse has a small pro-shop where you get cheap golf balls, and parking is right at the entrance, which makes boarding and leaving quite comfortable after a long round.
Finally, for younger (or younger) visitors, there is the North Vernon Skate Park. The park is not huge, but the ramps are well built and regularly attract local skaters who perform their tricks as if they were with the X-Games. I once met a friend who told me that the “Kick-Flip” is his favorite doctor – I tried to follow it, and immediately landed on the asphalt, which led to a brief but intense conversation about the dangers of the skating. Parking is a small, open area behind the park, which is usually free as long as there is no skate competition. So if you're looking for some action, that's definitely a place you shouldn't miss.
The first stop I never miss is that Muscatuck National Wildlife Refuge south of North Vernon – a huge piece of unspoiled land that seems to host more ducks than people. I once observed a young bear there, who just made his first steps on the shore, and that was a moment I will not forget. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole hunting community emerges from the neighboring village.
A short trip to the north leads you to Mounds State Park at Anderson, where prehistoric earth hills from the Adena culture sit above the lake. I don't quite understand the hype about the “Mound Tours” – the hills are just a few meters high – but the panoramic view of Lake Monroe is really great and lets you forget for a moment that you actually only found a parking lot on the edge of the park.
If you're looking for a bit of history, that's it. Lincoln State Park at Lincoln City a must. Here a young Abraham Lincoln hacked wood as a teenager and dreamed about the country he would later lead as president. I visited an old wooden house there, which is a museum today; the leadership was dry, but the feeling of standing in a place where a future president took his first steps has something magical – at least for me.
A bit further south-west lies the Hoosier National Foresta forest that has more trees than any city in Indiana. I spent a weekend in a rustic hut, surrounded by pine trees that were so high that they almost touched the sky. The trails are well marked, the weather was surprisingly warm on a day, and I even discovered a few rare mushrooms – a small triumph for a hobby mycologist like me.
For those who want to question the image of Indiana as a flat grain field, this is Brown County State Park a real eye opener. The hilly landscape, the artistic colony and the many artisan shops nearby make the place a small cultural hotspot. I made a picnic on a hill, while a bear in the distance was looking for honey – no joke, that was real.
Just a few miles west of North Vernon is the historic town Vernonwith its old court building and the charming antique shops a bit like a living museum. I found an old record player who still worked there, and had a conversation with the shop owner who told me that the courthouse is still used for small ceremonies – a nice detail that is otherwise easily overlooked.
Whether you're looking for wild animals, prehistoric hills, historical depth or just for a quiet forest walk – the surroundings of North Vernon offers a colorful mix that delights every modern traveler. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the North Vernon Attractions have more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
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