Visit Lebanon Boone Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Lebanon, Indiana: Small America with old towns and natural wonders! Experience the Tropical Islands Museum or Deer Creek Park. Good food at the "Old Mill Restaurant"!
To be honest, if you ask yourself why I'm writing about Lebanon, Indiana at all, that's because of its history: founded in 1823, named after the Biblical Lebanon, and since then a small but stubborn piece of Hoosier land, which has never completely torn off its agricultural root. I came here because I took Highway 421 from Indianapolis – a short detour that almost feels like a side pier if you want to avoid the traffic jam around Indianapolis. On the way there are a few gas stations that have more charm than the city center, but that's just what I love in such places.
When I first saw the cityscape, I was surprised how little “tourist” really is here. This is exactly what I appreciate in Lebanon: no crowded places, an authentic town that knows its own rules. I don’t understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here there are a few “Lebanon sights” that you shouldn’t miss – if you can “pass” anything at all. The old courthouse, a relic from 19. Century, almost looks like a silent witness of time, while Main Street with its old brick buildings looks a bit like a set of film from the 30s, only without the glaring light of the cameras.
A short trip to the nearby White River is convenient because you can catch some fresh air there before you return to the city. The bus to Indianapolis travels several times a day if you don't want to put yourself on the wheel – a little comfort for those who prefer to sit and let the landscape pass by.
I have to confess that what I am about Lebanon most dear, the venerable Boone County Courthouse is – a brick building that looks like it forgot the time while we all in the 21st. Rock around the century with our smartphones. I once observed a litigation about an escaped chicken, and that was almost as dramatic as a Netflix drama, only with more dust and less popcorn. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole county meeting takes place in the basement of the court and everyone tries to get a place.
Right next to the court building, the Boone County Historical Society Museum, a place I only know from school projects, but that surprises me every time because it offers more than just old photos of horse carriages. I found a handcrafted sheet metal screwdriver from the 1920s, who is supposed to symbolize the “heart of the city” – no joke that was part of an exhibition on local craftsmanship. If you ask yourself if the museum is open at all, don't stress: the door is usually open as long as there is no special exhibition spicy.
A short walk leads you to Lebanon Public Library, a place I like to call “my second living room”. I have borrowed more than once a book about the history of Indiana, only to find out that I have never finished reading the book, because I rather enjoyed the cozy reading corner with the creeping armchair and the quiet sum of the air conditioning system. The library has free Wi-Fi, and parking is a children's play – a small parking space behind the building, which is rarely full, unless it is exam time for local high school.
If you want fresh air and a little local flair, then the Lebanon City Park That's right. I once organized a picnic with friends that was almost completely ruined by a horde duck – but that is part of the charm. The park has a small lake, a playground and a hiking trail that is great for a quick run before dinner. On weekends there is sometimes a small concert that sounds more like amateur band's session, but that makes it just more authentic.
Another highlight that I cannot conceal is the weekly Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday morning in the heart of Main Street. I don't understand the hype for bio-certs completely, but the fresh strawberries that are sold there are really great and convinced me that I could change my diet at least for a day a month. The market is a bit messy – stalls are pushing each other, and parking is a patience game because most visitors turn their cars right in front of the shops.
And if you ask yourself what else you can do in this little town, just look at Main Street. There are a few cafes that claim to serve the best coffee throughout the county, and an antique store that collects more dust than a museum. I found an old record player there that was still working, and that was the highlight of my day – no joke, I almost completely punched the store because I thought I could take a piece of history home.
Finally, a little hint I almost forgot: if you googlest to “Lebanon Sights”, you will quickly realize that the city is small, but each corner has its own character. I have the feeling that you don't just catch sights here, but rather immerse yourself in the lives of the locals – and this is the true adventure for me.
I must confess that I am the whole hype around the “small town” Lebanon only understood correctly when I went on the way to Eagle Creek Park – a huge green piece that extends about 30 km south over I‐69. There are more water areas than in some larger town, and the noise of the lake is almost the only sound that does not come from a tractor. I rented a kayak there, because the weather was just too nice to stay inside, and was surprised how quickly the parking lot will be filled when the weather is good – a little hint: coming early, otherwise you will fight a place between the families with picnic blankets.
A short trip to Indianapolis (about 35 km) leads you to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Yes, this is the Mecca for motorsport fans, but I find all the glamor a bit exaggerated – the noise scene is loud, the crowds are dense, and the museum is rather a showroom for shiny cars than telling real story. Nevertheless, when you hear the moaning of the motors while you are standing in the shadow of an old grandstand, you can feel the adrenaline that reminds you of why you are even going on a journey.
A few kilometers further north, near Zionsville, lies the Boone County Historical Society Museum. This is not the typical “click and photo” museum, but a lovingly restored building from the 1800s, which has more charm than any modern exhibition. I found an old map that shows how the area around Lebanon once looked – a network of field roads that today only exist as gravel roads. Parking is a children's game because the museum is located in a small parking lot right behind the building.
If you are looking for a place where you can feel the real Indiana landscape, the Hoosier Heritage Village in Hamilton County is a must. It is an open-air museum that shows old farmhouses, workshops and even a working mill plant. I met a local baker there on a Saturday who sold me a piece of freshly baked maize bread – no joke, that was the best bread I had eaten for months. The entrance is free, but parking can quickly be full on weekends, because the families move with strollers.
McCormick’s Creek State Park is located a little further east, about 45 km from Lebanon. The park is famous for its hiking trails that lead through dense forests and small streams. I tried the trail “Twin Falls” and I almost slipped out because a squirrel suddenly jumped over the way – a small but unforgettable moment. The parking spaces are well signposted, and there is even a small kiosk where you get a cool drink if you are thirsty after the ascent.
Back in the city, but not in the center of Lebanon, is the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers. This is a huge open-air museum that lives in the 19th century century, but with modern interactions. I took part in a workshop where we had to rebuild an old farmhouse – that was a bit childish, but the experience of working with real craftsmen was really great. The park area is huge, so plan enough time; Parking is free, but the places fill quickly when the weather is good.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields) is a last tip for those who like to sniff a little culture. It is a bit further away, but the combination of art, sculpture garden and a small café makes the trip worthwhile. I discovered a painting that reminded me of the fields around Lebanon – a strange but beautiful feeling of connecting art and homeland. The museum has a spacious garage that is usually free as long as you don't arrive at the weekend in the afternoon.
Whether you're looking for the motor sound at Speedway, looking for tranquility at Eagle Creek Park or want to experience the rural heritage of the Hoosier Heritage Village – the Lebanon area offers a colourful mix of nature, history and a bit of a big city flair. And yes, I understand the hype about the Lebanon Attractions better now because they all show a piece of the charm I appreciate at that spot Indiana.
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