Visit New Palestine Hancock Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. New Palestine, Indiana: Small town life in the Amish community! Experience traditional lifestyle and handmade products.
New Palestine Attractions? Yeah, that sounds like one of those Instagram hashtags that you hardly understand, but I'd rather tell you why I land here and again. The city was founded in 1832, a few brave pioneers put the first wooden house in the middle of the Hoosier countryside, and since then the town has hardly torn off its vivid, slightly slept identity – which is exactly the special thing for me. I usually drive over the I‐69 because the highway brings me to the heart of the city faster than I want to admit that I like to be in the traffic jam to admire the passing fields.
A short trip to the historic town hall, which still houses the old wooden building from the 1800s, feels like you're going to browse through a lively history book – and that without a guide imposing boring facts. Right next to that is the small but fine city park corner, where locals run their dogs and I wonder why I can't just make a picnic with a local beer while the kids circle around the old oak.
I don't quite understand the hype about the annual autumn parade, but the combination of crunching corn-piston stands and a band playing old country hits is really great. And yes, if you are looking for a place that is not overrun by tourists, then the New Palestine sights are just the right one – a bit rustic, a bit charming and definitely not overrated.
So if you ask me, the true heart of New Palestine the old town hall – yes, the cracking brick building on Main Street, which has more stories to tell than some bestsellers. I once missed a city meeting night because I thought it was just an empty museum, and instead landed in a heated debate on the new playground. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't arrive on Friday after work, then the field behind the town hall becomes a Mini-Stauparadies.
Directly next to the town hall, the Hickory Creek Trail – a narrow path that winds through fields and a few old barns. I made my morning jogging round there, while a tractor loudly moaned over the bridge, as if he wanted to tell me that the land life never stops. The trail is well marked, but don't forget to take your water bottle; the only drinking stations are an old tap, which a hobby brewer reworks in summer to an improvised beer stand.
A short detour leads you to New Palestine Community CenterI love because it is the only building that really tries to channel youthful energy without completely failing. There is an indoor swimming pool that remains surprisingly cool in the summer – a real blessing if you are looking for a hot day in the field for cooling. I remember how I almost drank when I was swimming because the lifeguard was more busy checking his phone than watching the kids. Nevertheless, the bathroom is clean and the staff is friendly as long as you don't speak too loud.
If you want to swallow a bit of history, look at that. Old Mill Museum in a converted grain mill. I made a tour there with a former miller who knew more about the art of the grain mill than about the current weather – no joke, he could describe the humidity in 1923 more precisely than today's forecast. The museum has no fixed opening hours, so just stop by; the staff usually lets you in as long as you don't touch a huge backpack full of souvenirs.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that St. John’s Lutheran Church – not because I am a church freak, but because the building is an architectural curiosity that fluctuates between Gothic and Mid‐Century Modern. I saw a concert there where the organ was so loud that the neighbors came out of the room and applauded because they thought it was a rock concert. Parking is a bit tricky here because the plot is small, but a short walk from the main road is enough to reach the building.
Last but not least, if you ask yourself what else you can do in this city, then take a look at the local New Palestine Attractions – this is not only an advertising slogan, but a real collection of small shops selling handmade soaps, and a weekly farmer market where you get fresh apples and the best corn bread in the region. I once met an old friend who now runs a food truck and served me a sandwich that was so good that I almost forgot that I wanted to go by for a while.
At the end of the day, when you ask yourself if it's worth it, I'll tell you: Yes, as long as you're ready to accept a bit of chaos and embrace the little peculiarities – this is the true recipe for an unforgettable visit to New Palestine.
I have the old, cracking wood of the Hancock County Courthouse in Greenfield only discovered because I was looking for a parking space for the weekly market – and then I suddenly stood in the middle of a piece of Indiana history that has more stories to tell than most Instagram feeds. The building from the 1890s seems to have survived all the madness of modernity, and that's exactly what I love in such places: a bit of dust, a bit of pride and a lot of space to change, while the locals do their daily business. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you are not there on the first Saturday of the month, then the field before the main entrance becomes the battlefield.
A short trip to Fishers leads you Conner Prairie, a living history museum that offers more than just dusty artefacts. I took part in an improvised potato workshop – yes, there is really – and get the feeling in the 19th. Living the century without the comfort of a WLAN signal. Admission is not free, but this is a small price for what you get: interactive farms, a rebuilt village and a bit of time travel that lets you forget that you were planning only a day trip from New Palestine.
If you're looking for something that tears you out of the little town, then Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis your next stop. The lake there is so clear that you almost feel that you could see to the ground until you remember the many ducks that prevent you from taking a quiet bath. I rented a kayak there and almost paddles the whole route, because I thought I could swallow the whole nature in a day. Parking is easy to find at the main entrance, but if you choose the weekend you should come early, otherwise you fight with the usual camping sites that suddenly become a parking space for 200 cars.
A bit further south, almost a pilgrimage place for car fans, this is Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I don't quite understand the hype about the Indy 500 – the whole spectacle of 500 miles sounds like an endless round that you can hear better on the radio – but the museum there is a real treasure. I found an old racing bike there, which was supposed to be used by one of the early drivers, and that made me think about the crazy history of motorsports while I slept a double espresso in the café. Parking is huge, but on racing days, the whole terrain is going to be chaos, i.e. better outside the main times.
Only a cat jump from the Speedway is the White River State Park. There are more green areas than in most suburbs, and this is a welcome contrast to the concrete walls of the city. I made a picnic with friends there while discussing the latest developments in local politics – a bit of irony, because we were sitting in the middle of the green and still talking about bureaucracy. Parking is usually easy, except when a big festival takes place; then you have to set a few blocks walk.
For those who really want to feel the rural Indiana is a trip to Brown County State Park A must. The place is famous for its autumn colors, but I was there in summer and explored the hiking trails that swell through dense forests and over gentle hills. I even discovered a small café serving homemade apple cake – no joke, that was the best piece of cake I've eaten since my childhood. The parking lot at the main entrance fills up quickly, so better be there early if you don't want to be in jam.
Another highlight that is often overlooked is that Hoosier Heritage Village in New Harmony. This is an open-air museum that has rural life in the 19th century. century. I spent a day there by taking part in an old loom demonstration and almost felt I was trapped in another time. The entrance is free, and parking is right next to the main entrance, which makes the whole very uncomplicated – a small but fine trip that reminds you that not everything in the modern world must be fast.
If you are looking for art and culture, that is Indianapolis Museum of Art – Newfields a place you shouldn't miss. I spent a few hours there to explore the sculpture gardens, and I almost stumbled over a huge abstract metal block that gave more questions than answers. The terrain is huge, so plan enough time, otherwise you feel like a tourist that only covers the main attractions. Parking is free at the main entrance, but it can be done on weekends, so don't hurt a bit of patience.
Last but not least, for everyone who loves animals (or at least pretends) the Indianapolis Zoo a place that surprises you with its mix of exotic and local species. I spent there a day where I learned more about the care of giraffe than I would have thought possible – and that, while I was wondering why the visitors still do selfies with the penguins. The zoo has a large parking lot, which is usually free except for school holidays when families occupy the whole field.
Whether you're looking for history, nature, speed or art, the surroundings of New Palestine offer a colourful mix of experiences that go far beyond the small town. I have compiled my personal favorites here so that you can not only uncover the usual tourist paths, but also discover the hidden treasures that really make up the heart of Indiana. And if you've tried all this, you'll understand why the New Palestine Attractions take a very special place in my head – they are not only points on a map, but small adventures that make travelling here a real pleasure.
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