Honestly, if you think Indiana is just endless corn fields, you haven't experienced Mitchell yet. The city was founded in 1855, when a few brave railroads decided to tame the “backland” – and the whole is of course in the heart of Marion Township, Lawrence County. I have the feeling that the story here is not in dusty plaques, but in the crumbling halls of the old warehouses, which still emanate the scent of lubricating oil and fresh coffee.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the gentle hills and the quiet fields, one finds a piece of real Indiana. Highway 37 is your best friend when you arrive by car – a short trip from Indianapolis and you are in the middle of the small but charming Mitchell. And yes, the bus only runs sporadic, so better park the car and use the road as your personal guideline.
A walk through the main road is like a time jump: old brick building, a few modern cafes that try to look hip, and the ubiquitous smile of the locals, which almost becomes the attraction. I often wondered why people here are so proud of their “Mitchell Sights” and then I came past the old post office, which still has the same squeaking door lock – this is the real charm you don’t find in guides.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
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 Mitchell, 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 of my little Odyssey was Brown County State Park, which is only half an hour drive from Mitchell and is like a green node for everyone who believes they could escape everyday life. I spent a few hours on a narrow hiking trail that knows more trees than asphalt – a real eye-catcher, if you don't just look for a parking lot, because the visitor center is turning into a mini-suparadies on the weekend.
A short detour to the south leads directly into the Hoosier National Forest. There are more than just a few scattered hiking trails; the area is a collection of ancient pine trees, streams that suddenly float out of nothing, and a lot of shields that give you the feeling that you are in an outdoor guidebook. I remember the day I tried to shoot a photo of the sunset just to be disturbed by a curious raccoon – no joke, the animal seemed to admire my camera.
A little further, almost already in the backyard of Mitchell, the Mitchell Covered Bridge. It is not exactly what you call “must-see” in travel guides, but I understand the charm of the old wooden bridges. The sound of the cracking bars under my feet reminds me of the stories of my grandparents, who once passed by horse-drawn carriages. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field next to the bridge suddenly becomes a hotspot for local barbecue parties.
A few miles away Patoka Lake, an artificial lake that has established itself as a popular fishing and boat place. I once rented a small boat to enjoy the tranquility, only to find out that the water was pierced by a group of kayakers who spoke louder about their “Wilde nature” when they were actually. Nevertheless, the clear water and the possibility to catch some fresh trout make the little trouble forget quickly.
If you are already on the subject of nature, you can Lincoln State Park do not leave, which is about 45 minutes from Mitchell. The park is named after Abraham Lincoln because he worked here as a young man. I have explored a piece of the old path that was supposed to be used by Lincoln himself – a bit cheesy, but the view from the hill that overlooks the valley is really impressive. The parking lot is large enough that you don't have to sleep in the car until the next morning.
A short jump to the east brings you to Lawrence County Fairgrounds. Most of them think of “Fairgrounds” immediately of fair market lights and popcorn, but there are exhibitions, old-timer fairs and even a small art festival all year round. I was there during a local trade fair and discovered a handmade wooden toy that reminded me of my childhood – a real find if you don't just look for the latest gadgets.
Last but not least a detour Bloomingtonwhere the Indiana University with their campus and IU Art Museum offers a cultural counterpart to rural attractions. I spent a few hours strolling through the halls while students rushed past me as if I were a relic from another era. The museum has an exhibition about local artists, which surprisingly fits well with the rustic impressions of the surrounding parks.
Whether you are looking for forest, water or a bit of history – the surroundings of Mitchell have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. The blend of nature, small historical sites and cultural highlights makes the area an underestimated treasure for travellers who appreciate the authentic. So next time after Mitchell Attractions search should not only explore the city itself, but above all the surrounding area – there is the true Indiana waiting.
I have to confess to you: the first thing that comes to my mind when I Mitchell think that's the creeping, but somehow charming Mitchell Opera House. This venerable theatre from 1905 has survived more dust layers than my last three relationships, and yet the building manages to spray a little magic every time the lights start. I once experienced a local jazz concert there – no joke, the acoustics was so good that I almost forgot that the audience was mostly pensioners and a few curious teenagers. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the annual “Mitchell Filmfest” will run in the hall and everyone with his folding combination will try to get a place.
A short walk down the main road leads you to the heart of Mitchell, which I like to call the “unmistakeable Main‐Street-Labyrinth”. Here are antique shops, a tiny coffee shop that claims to serve the best espresso throughout the county, and a few old diners selling more burgers than you could eat in a whole month. I don't quite understand the hype around the “Hip-ster‐art gallery” there – the walls are full of local art, but the price tag lets you back quickly to the diner's tresss where the food still tastes for real home cooking.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel a bit like a local, look at this. Mitchell City Park on. The park is not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it has a small lake, a few picnic tables and a baseball field, which is each weekend tasted by a group of men in flannel shirts. I once made a picnic with my neighbor, and while we complained about the weather, an older gentleman came by and told us about the “big fish” in the lake – of course they were only carp, but the story was still a real icebreaker.
Another jewel I can hardly overlook is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Gothic building from the 1880s stands proudly at the end of Main Street and is a popular photo motif for Instagram users looking for “vintage vibes”. I took part in a Sunday fair, just to see if the famous organ game is really as good as everyone talks about it. Spoiler: It is actually impressive, and the acoustics let you believe you were in a cathedral in Europe – only with less tourists and more villagers who immediately sneak to the diner after worship.
For those who want a little more “culture-cram” there is Mitchell Public Library. This is not only a place to borrow books – here there are regular readings, small exhibitions and even a weekly board game evening, where you can compete against the local chess master (I lost, but that was still a huge fun). The library has a cozy reading room corner that is perfect if you are looking for a long day in the hot Indiana sunshine a bit of cooling.
A little away from the city centre Lawrence County Fairgroundsthat I personally label as the “unavoidable pool for everything that happens in Indiana”. The annual county fair event, cattle shows and a few slanted rides take place here, which have more rust than color. I was there in the summer when a local farmer presented a huge pumpkin that was almost as big as my car – that was definitely a highlight that I don't forget so fast.
Last but not least, Mitchell Community Center not to mention. The centre offers a swimming pool, a gym and a small room where karaoke nights take place. I sung there once with a few locals “Living On A Prayer”, and although my voice sounded more like a circular cat, the audience has spilled me with applause – a clear proof that everyone here has a little kindness in their luggage.
So, if you think the next time you want to insert your next “Road-Trip-Pause”, remember: Mitchell may be small, but the Mitchell Attractions have more character than one would suspect at first sight. And if you're wondering if all this is really the case – I've experienced it myself, and that's enough to prove that this place has more to offer than one would expect from a place with less than 10,000 inhabitants.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
