Visit Kentland Newton Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Kentland, Indiana: An unforgettable adventure and nature holiday! Near Wolfe Lake you will find camping and outdoor activities. Discover the beautiful nature of the Jasper-Pulaski-Forst or visit the Indiana Beach Amusement Park for fun and adventure!
Honestly, if you're looking for "Kentland Sights", you don't expect a glittering guide right away, but a small piece of Indiana, which has been fighting slowly out of the dust of the prairie since its foundation in 1853. The city is located in the heart of Jefferson Township, Newton County, and was originally a hub for the railways, which once sent the grain from the surrounding fields to the vast world. I don't quite understand the hype around the old railway station hall, but the sticky wood and the faded shields have their own charm – a bit like a vintage T-shirt that you only suffer because it still works.
When you arrive here, take Highway 41, which leads you directly to the centre; the car is the most convenient means of transportation, because the bus connections are as spicy as the interest of locals in city trends. A short detour to the historic city square lets you see the old city hall clock, which for decades reliably displays the time – a small miracle in a city that otherwise pulsates at the snail pace. And yes, the Kentland sights include not only the obvious; the local diners where you get a piece of apple cake that is almost as dry as the conversations about the weather are a real highlight. So, grab your curiosity and let this underestimated spot surprise you Indiana.
So if you come to Kentland for the first time, let me give you the old railway station show – this is the heart of the city for me, and I swear, here pulsates more history than in a museum in Chicago. The small brick box on the corner of Main and Railroad Street is a restored depot from the 1880s, which today serves as a mini museum. I once discovered an old telegraph set that still worked – no joke, I actually sent a morse mark to the neighbor, just to see if someone reacts. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly “Railroad-Rendezvous” will take place and everyone from the surroundings will show up with their picnic-dedge basket.
A short walk further City parka piece of green that has more to offer than one would expect from a small town. There is a small lake, a few baseball-diamonds and a playground that is a real magnet for children (and the inner children of adults). I started a spontaneous Frisbee tournament with a few locals there – the high school boys almost ran over the lawn because I made the throw too strong. The park is freely accessible, and the only thing you should bring is a bit of sunscreen because the benches are not in the shade.
If you are looking for a place where you can recover from the noise (or the total lack of it), go to Public library from Kentland. The building is a classic brick house with high windows, and the staff knows everyone who has ever borrowed a book – this is kind of charming and easily scary at the same time. I found an old yearbook from the 1950s that gave me an insight into the life of the city before I was even here. The WLAN is surprisingly good, so you can upload your Instagram stories while you're looking for the next adventure between the shelves.
Another highlight I always mention is that historical museum – yes, this is a separate building, not the depot, although both are operated by the same historical society. There are old maps, tools from agriculture and a few dusty tractors that could almost be thought of as real works of art. I remember trying as a child to start one of the old disc cars; the result was a loud crack and a short moment in which I thought the whole museum would collapse. Today the museum is a quiet place where you can understand the development of the region without anyone laughing loudly about you.
For those who prefer something active, there is Kentland Golf Club. It is a small, nine-hole place that has more charm than a huge, sterile resort run. The fairways are well maintained, and the founders still have the old sign with the inscription “No Cell Phones Allowed” – this is almost a statement against modern distraction. I once achieved a Hole-in-One on the Par‐3 and the crowd (consisting of a few older gentlemen who swing their golf clubs like scepters) cheered as if I were a professional. The Clubhaus snack bar serves the best homemade cookies I've ever eaten – this is a small bonus you shouldn't underestimate.
A little away from the center lies Municipality, a multifunctional space where everything takes place from yoga classes to karaoke finishes. I once participated in a “80s retro evening” where the whole city appeared in neon leggings and shoulder pads – a sight I will never forget. The center is free to enter, and parking is almost always a Klacks as long as you are not there at the same time as the weekly senior dance group.
And yes, if you’re looking for a compact summary, simply tap “Kentland Sights” into your search engine – you’ll quickly realize that this city is small, but each corner has its own small charm I’ve tried to deduse a bit. At the end of the day, when you sit on the veranda of your Airbnb with a cool beer, you will notice that Kentland is more than just a stop on the road; it is a place where history, community and a bit of dry humor come together – and that is the true travel highlight for me.
The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Kentland Crater – a barely respected but surprisingly well-preserved plunge pool that hides around three miles northwest of the city in the middle of corn fields. I stood there once at sunrise, the light broke over the slightly curved trough and let the surrounding fields look like a painting. Parking is practically always a Klacks, as long as you do not want to collide with farmers on Saturday night, who then turn off their tractors.
A short trip to Watseka, about 20 miles east, leads to Iroquois County Historical Museum. There I like to follow the old maps, which show how the area once ranged from prairie to small wooden settlements. I don’t quite understand the hype about the “interactive” exhibition – the tipping on old photo sliders is not fun, but the original artefacts, like a wooden plough built in 1902, are really fascinating. The parking lot is right in front of the main entrance, and the museum is practically barrier-free, which I appreciate during my last visit with my wheelchair.
Only a few miles south over the border to Illinois lures this Kankakee River State Park. I spent a weekend fishing and a little walking; the paths are well marked, and the noise of the river is a constant companion. A little hint: The main camping place area is often full in the summer, but the smaller remote pitches at the Westende are almost always free – a real secret tip for those who do not want to camp in the crowd.
If you have a little more time, it's worth taking a trip to Momence, where that's the Momence Marina & Riverwalk on the Kankakee River. I rented a kayak there once and came down the river, while the sun glittered over the treetops. The Riverwalk is perfect for a relaxing walk after paddling, and the small café on the shore serves the best homemade apple cake I've ever eaten – no joke, that's almost a culinary landmark in the region.
A little off the beaten path lies the sleepy little town Brook, which I accidentally discovered on a road when I was looking for a good place for lunch. There is an imposing, still functioning grain silo from the 1950s, which almost already acts as a work of art. The old school, which now serves as a community centre, occasionally organizes local crafts markets – I bought a handmade wooden toy there, which my niece still loves today. Parking is a children's game because the village has practically no cars, except the one or the other agricultural machinery.
Back near Kentland, but not in the city center, is this Newton County Fairgrounds. I visited the annual autumn festival where local agriculture presents its best products. Rummel attractions are more of the kind you know from the 80s – a bit cheesy, but that makes the charm. The parking lot is huge, so don't worry that you don't find your car anymore as long as you don't camp there in the middle of the night.
Whether you are a geology fan, a history-interested or just someone looking for a quiet place on the river – the surroundings of Kentland offer more than enough variety to satisfy your desire to travel. And if you pack it all together, you get a pretty good picture of what you do Kentland Attractions really.
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