Visit Brookville Franklin Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Brookville in Indiana! Experience the historic centre with the old court building and the old railway station. Walk in the Brookville Park or visit the Yager Museum Garden. Enjoy traditional dishes at the local restaurant "The Depot".
Honestly, if you're looking for a place that combines history and a little rural charm, then you're right at the “Brookville Sights”. Brookville was founded in 1808, shortly after the Indiana Territory boom, and has since then more than just a few old wooden houses to offer. The town is located in the heart of Brookville Township, which in turn is part of Franklin County – yes, the same county you know from history lessons, only with less dust and more river views.
I don't understand the hype about the big metropolises, but here, on the banks of the Ohio River, you can feel the real Indiana feeling. The old stone bridges still carrying the traffic of State Road 1 tell stories of pioneers who had more courage than money. And if you ask yourself how to get here, just take the I‐65 south and follow the signs to Brookville – the ride is not a joke, the landscape is really great.
A short trip to the neighboring Franklin, which is just a few minutes away, gives you a taste of the rural life that has not yet been overrun by tourists. And yes, if you look around for a cozy café, you will find that the locals here prefer to have a good conversation than post a selfie. So, that was my first, slightly cynical tour through the Brookville sights – and I promise next time it will be more personal.
So, if you think about Indiana the next time, don't let us race to Indianapolis – I want to tell you about my favorite place in Brookville, Whitewater Canal. I stood there for the first time when the sun was just above the water and the old wooden skeleton glittered in the light, and I thought: “Here you could walk around almost all day without anyone asking why I am here.” The canal is not just a relic from the 1800s, it is a real walk that swells through the heart of the city, and the best thing: parking is usually a slag, as long as you don't plan a picnic on Saturday night with the whole city there.
A short trip from the Canal leads you to Brookville Historic Districtwhere the houses look like they wrote a little too much love letter to the Victorian era. I visited the old town hall there – a building that has more stories to tell than my uncle at family celebrations – and I had to laugh because I don’t understand the hype about “historical brick buildings” but the lovingly restored facades are really an eye-catcher. If you're lucky, you'll get the weekly street music event that's almost traditional there.
Now comes what I would call the “secret jewel”: Brookville. I discovered him when I was looking for a long day at the lake for a short snack and suddenly stood on a narrow path along the White River. The way is not just a broad boulevard, but it makes him charming – you can almost hear the noise of the water here while you walk past a few old fishing boats. Practical: There are a few small parking spaces at the beginning, but they are quickly occupied, so they prefer to come early.
Of course, Brookville Lake that is the water paradise of the region. I rented a kayak there and I paddledled over the glistening water for a few hours, while a few anglers spoke loudly about their “big catches”. The lake is huge, so there is enough space to recover from the hustle and bustle of the city. The beach area is well signposted, and the swimming ban applies only to the northern part – this is practical because you don't have to look for life jackets there all the time.
If you're looking for a little action, look at this Brookville Lake Marina on. I rented a small boat there that had more rust than paint, but that was part of the charm. The marina offers not only boat rentals, but also a small shop where you get an ice cream that is almost too sweet to eat it – but hey, this is Indiana, here everything is a bit exaggerated sweet. Parking is best at the rear end, because the front places are often occupied by locals who have been storing their boats here for years.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Brookville Farmers Market. I bought a pumpkin there that was so big that I could almost not carry it through the door – that was a real “Brookville Sights” moment, because the locals here are really proud of their products. The market takes place on Saturdays, and parking is a bit of a gambling: There are some free places behind the town hall, but if you're too late, you'll have to arrange yourself between a tractor and an old VW bug.
Finally a short note: The Brookville Public Library is not only a place to read, but also a small meeting place for local artists. I once experienced a reading from a regional author who wrote about the life of the White River – that was surprisingly inspiring, because I never thought that a small library building could radiate so much culture. Parking is always a bit short here, but this is a small price for the rest you find between the shelves.
The first place I look at in the vicinity of Brookville is the huge Brookville Lakethat stretches like a silent mirror over the hills and attracts thousands of visitors each year to unpack their boats, kayaks or just their picnic blankets. I once tried to start a canoe there, just to realize that the water on a sunny afternoon is suddenly so cloudy that you can hardly see your own feet – a small joke of nature, which did not stop me from spending the day on the shore. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the families with barbecue equipment flood the shore.
A short trip down the lake leads to Whitewater Canal Towpath, a historical waterway that today serves as a hiking and cycling path. I don't quite understand the hype about old canals, but the quiet atmosphere, the occasional ploughs of the canal and the well-preserved sluices make the way to a surprisingly pleasant walk. Once I ran out and almost landed in a small museum, which was randomly housed in an old warehouse, where an older gentleman told about the days when the trucks were here.
Only half an hour further Hoosier National Forest, a forest area that extends over several counties and is known for its dense beech and pine. I spent a few hours on a narrow path that suddenly led to a viewpoint from which you can see the valley of the Whitewater River. The path is not signposted like a tourist path, so you should have a GPS – I almost caught myself in a thorn bush because I was too busy enjoying the silence.
A bit further south, almost in the neighboring county, this is Brown County State Park, which is often referred to as the “Bergwerk der Indianaer” because in autumn it offers a game of colours that impresses even the most incarnated nature lovers. I made a picnic with friends there, while we discussed the fact that most visitors here only take photos of the deciduous trees and completely overlook that there are also excellent mountain bike trails. Practical: Parking is well signposted, but during the weekends, waiting times can come if you want a place close to the visitor centre.
A short jump to the north leads to Versailles State Park, a small but fine park with a lake that invites you to fishing and swimming. I once tried to catch a few trouts there, just to realize that the anglers here pay attention to the calm water strikers rather than to the catch themselves – a relaxed place to escape the hustle. Access to the lake is free, and parking is usually easy as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime when the families with children make the parking.
To finish a trip to the historic town Versailles, which is only a few kilometres from Brookville and with its well-preserved 19-century buildings is a real timepiece. I discovered a small antique shop where an owner told me that the building was once used as a post office and was now remodeled as a café – a perfect example of how the region keeps its history without being stiff. The main road is easy to find, and parking right in front of the store is usually free as long as you don't come at the weekend.
Whether you're looking for a quiet lake, a historic canal, a dense forest, a colorful autumn paradise, a relaxed sea park or a charming little town – Brookville's surroundings have something to offer for everyone. The diversity Brookville Attractions makes every trip a small journey of discovery that you should not miss.
Find more vacation destinations near Brookville Franklin Indiana using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
