Honestly, if you think Indiana is only corn fields and endless highways, then you haven't experienced Saint Mary-of-the-Woods yet. Founded in 1840 by the Sisters of Saint Mary, the small village in the heart of Sugar Creek Township, Vigo County, has more history in its air than so many big-city civic walkway. I have always wondered why the sisters built a monastery here – perhaps because the country was so quiet that even the grills whispered quietly. Today you drive by car over the I‐70, take exit 119 and follow a few signs that are hardly more than a weathered wooden board, but they lead you directly into the heart of this place.
I don't understand the hype about the “Saint Mary‐of‐the‐Woods Sights” because the monastery itself is the real jewel, but the small cafes along Main Street have a charm that makes you almost forget that you are actually only “tourist” on the go. No joke, breakfast there is really great – fresh brewed coffee, homemade muffins and a smile that says more than any brochure. And if you're still doing a detour to the nearby Wabash River, you realize that nature has as much to tell here as the story. So, grab your car, let the GPS sprinkle a bit and enjoy the slightly cynical flair of this hidden Indiana pearl quarter.
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You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop I couldn't miss was that Prophetstown State Park – a piece of Indiana that smells more like untamed wilderness than the usual tourist clichés. I went there because a friend had told me about a hidden path that leads directly to the old Indian village; that was less a historical tour, but rather a walk through a field of trees that stretch like old witnesses into the sky. Parking is usually easy, except for the weekend, when the families with picnic baskets and strollers flood the field – then it becomes a real crowd. The view from the lookout tower over the Wabash is as if you capture the whole region in a single, wide breath – no joke, that is almost meditative.
A short trip after Terre skin I was going to Terre Haute Museum of Art. I must admit I was skeptical because I often feel art museums as dusty temples for elitist taste explosions. But the current exhibition on local artists, which transform the city's industrial heritage into colorful canvases, has completely knocked me over. The building itself is an old factory shed that now shines with glass windows – a perfect example of how to not bury history but revive it. The café on the ground floor serves an espresso that is strong enough to wake even the most tired visitor.
A couple of miles further Vigo County Historical Museum, a place where I almost felt like a detective who ran through old files. I discovered an old photo of a fair from the 1920s that reminded me of my own childhood – that was a real Aha moment. The museum has no large numbers of visitors, so you can easily browse the exhibitions; parking is right in front of the entrance, but the places are limited, so better come early if you don't want to park in the circle.
It gets a bit more annoying when you get that Rose‐Hulman Institute of Technology visited. I explored the small arboretum that lies between the laboratory buildings – a green spot that almost looks like a secret garden. The students there are friendly enough to show you the way to the rare plants, and I even had a conversation about robotics with a doctoral student who suddenly ended in a discussion about the best local pizzerias. The campus car park is free for visitors, but you have to ask the code at the reception – a small bureaucratic hook that is quickly forgotten as soon as you have the view from the hill over the city.
If you are looking for a real Indiana experience, Wabash River along the Wabash Heritage Trail explore. I rented a kayak there and I paddled down the river, while the sun went down over the fields – that was almost too beautiful to be true. The trail is well marked, and there are several stops where you can leave the boat safely. On a particularly windy day, I almost had to throw the paddle against the bank, but this has only driven the adrenaline level higher.
Another highlight is the Terre Haute Brewing CompanyI discovered on a lukewarm Friday night. The brewery is located in a converted warehouse that combines the charm of an old industrial hall with the scent of hops. I tried the seasonal beer “Midwest Harvest” there – a light, fruity brew that fits perfectly with the warm evenings. The courtyard seats are free, but parking is scarce when the local football team has a game, so better park a few blocks further and enjoy the short walk.
At the end of my small tour I have to Terre Haute Action Track mention a dirt track track track that makes the heart of every motorsport fan beat faster. I was there when a local racer set a spectacular overhaul maneuver that put the audience in ecstasy. The terrain is easy to find because it lies directly on the main road, and parking is generous – a real plus point when you arrive by car.
Whether you are looking for nature, art, history or a bit of adrenaline, the environment of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods offers more than enough fabric for curious travelers. My personal favorite places show that the region has far more to offer than one would suspect at first glance – and that is exactly what Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Attractions in power.
I must confess that my favorite place in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Motherhouse of the Sisters of Providence is – not because it is a huge monastery, but because it beats the heart of this small, but self-willing town. I came there on a rainy Tuesday because I thought a bit of sacral silence could calm my tired soul, and was immediately greeted by a mixture of Gothic splendour and sober bureaucracy. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly prayer meetings take place and suddenly there are cars that transport more candles than people.
Right next to the Motherhouse Museum of Sisters of Providence. I don't understand the hype about the old sewing machines, but the exhibition on the missionary activity in the 19th. The century is really fascinating – especially the old diary of a sister I found in the cafeteria of the museum. I drank a cappuccino there while I stumbled over the dusty pergamete; that was a moment when I wondered if I shouldn't rather lead a monastery life, just to have such “authentic” experiences.
A short walk leads you to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a women's college that has more charm than most Ivy League campus. The old brick buildings seem to have survived more tests than I have in my life. I took part in a lecture on medieval literature there – only to see that the professor spoke more about her cat than about Chaucer. Nevertheless, the historic mansion, which today serves as an administrative building, is a real eye-catcher, and the small café on the campus serves the best homemade cake I have ever tasted (no joke).
If you have enough of buildings, you should have the Arboretum and nature trail to explore college. I made a run there on a sunny autumn morning and stumbled over a sign that explained that the oaks were over 150 years old – a bit exaggerated, but the trees look really impressive. The path is well marked, and parking is almost never a theme there, because most visitors just walk. I even watched a squirrel that was brave enough to steal a piece of nut while I bred my camera.
Another place I can hardly overlook is that St. Mary-of-the-Woods Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery, but not some – here are the founders of the Sisters of Providence, and the tombstones tell stories that are not found in any guide. I was there on a cool evening when an older gentleman told me that his great-grandmother was buried here and that she once wrote the first school book for the region. This was a moment that reminded me that history lives not only in museums, but also in quiet corners surrounded by Efeu.
A short detour leads you to St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, which I always call “the church with the best bell sound” – not because I am a sound expert, but because the bells actually have a sound that tears you out of sleep when you come too late. The interior is simple, but the stained glass windows tell biblical scenes that I admired during my first visit for a few minutes before I wondered why I should not just drink a beer in the nearby pub.
Last but not least, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Historic District do not forget, which extends over several blocks and offers a mixture of Victorian houses and early 20-century civic houses. I once found a city guide who claimed that every house has a story – and that's true when you're ready to listen a bit. For example, I discovered Mr. Johnson's old house, which used to serve as a post office and has been reworked as a café today; the staff there knows every regular guest by name, and this is a real bonus if you just want to sit back after a long day.
So, next time you ask about Indiana and ask yourself if you shouldn't make a trip to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, remember: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Attractions are not only a bunch of historical buildings, but a living mosaic of faith, education and a bit of slanted charm, which brings you to wonder at the same time – just what I love most about this spot earth.
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