Visit Lizton Hendricks Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Lizton, Indiana: Discover the beautiful nature of Putnam County and visit the Historic Hoosier Hills Scenic Byway!
Honestly, if you ask me, the first thing I like about Lizton is the story that hardly anyone mentions, because it is so unspectacular that it almost seems charming. The city was built in 1852, when the railway line from Indianapolis moved to Lafayette here, and was named after a little well-known railway officer – a namer who probably had more to do with rails than with glamour. Since then, the tranquil town has hardly changed: a few farms, a central street-cross and a steadily growing commuter-kiloentel that flicks to Indianapolis to work there and land here again in the evening.
So if you arrive by car over US‐52 – this is practically the only thing that brings you here, because public transport is a myth – you can feel the heart of the city: a small place, surrounded by a few shops that offer more charm than choice. I don't understand the hype about the “small city markets”, but the weekly peasant market event next to the town hall is really great if you like local apples and a bit of chatter.
A short detour to the south leads you to the nearby spirit – a small lake that is more intended for anglers than for sun worshippers. And yes, this is one of the few points that I have to Lizton Attractions would count because they have at least something to tell while the rest of the city is more in the background.
So, next time you think about Indiana, let's first talk about Lizton's old town hall – that's my favorite attraction, and I swear that's not just a dusty brick house you'll find at every corner. The building from 1910 is in the middle of the center, and when you come from the main road, you will immediately see the original bricks and the small bell game, which is ringing every morning at 9 a.m. (I never missed it because I was too lazy to be on time). Parking is usually a Klack, except when the annual city festival starts – then you have to hit between the cars and the crowded picnic tables. I don't understand the hype about modern glass facades, but here the old wooden staircase has a charm that you can only find in small towns.
Directly next to the town hall is the Lizton Community Park, a place I like to call “Mini oasis for stressed city people”. The park has a playground that has more squeaking climbing stands than an amusement park, and a few baseball fields where the local teams fight for predominance every weekend – I once tried to throw a game, and was short-hand appointed a substitute player because they urgently needed someone to catch the ball at all. There are enough parking spaces, but if you're there on Saturday night, you'll have to run between families with strollers and dog owners who run their four-legged people. And yes, that's exactly what makes the park so authentic.
A short walk further leads you to Lizton Library, which is part of the Hamilton County Library System. I spent more time there than I want to admit, because the WLAN is faster than that in my own apartment, and the reading rooms are so cozy that you almost forget that you actually wanted to borrow a book. The library regularly organizes readings and small workshops – last year there was a course about the incorporation of jam, which I visited from pure curiosity and at which I went home with a glass of strawberry jam that I could never use again. Parking is a children's game here because the small car park is right behind the building, and the staff is always friendly as long as you don't ask for the latest bestseller they obviously don't have in stock.
If you get hungry, that's Lizton Diner the only address I can give you the heart. The diner is a real piece of Americana – vinyl mill, a polished chrome counter and a menu that offers more pancake variants than you could eat in a whole year. I was there on a rainy Tuesday, ordered the “Lizton Special” (a combination of eggs, bacon and homemade maple syrup) and was asked by the waitress whether I wanted to take the food “for the way” while I had just taken a seat. This was a little indication that the staff here treats every customer like an old friend – as long as you don't talk too loud about your diet.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Lizton Farmers Market. Every Saturday, when the sun has not completely risen, the streets are filled with stalls that offer fresh vegetables, handmade soaps and homemade breads. I once met an old farmer who told me that he has grown the same tomato varieties since 1952 – that is almost a historical relic that you don't see every day. The market is easy to reach because you just pass the town hall and then bend right; parking is usually sufficient there as long as you are not lucky to park there at the same time as the local high school football team.
And because I must not forget everything: Lizton Community Center is an underestimated jewel I discovered when I was looking for a place to make my yoga sounds, because the weather suddenly turned around. The center not only offers courses for seniors, but also a small cinema that shows movies in the evening – I saw a classic from the 80s and was surprised how good the acoustics is, although the building looks more like a large multipurpose room. Parking is right in front of the entrance, and the staff is always ready to give you a key to the gym if you should spontaneously decide to balance a few weights.
So if you think about “Lizton Sights” the next time, don’t forget that these small, slightly chaotic places are the true heart of the city – they’re not perfect, but that’s what makes them so damn lovable.
I have to admit that I was never really a fan of exaggerated city plans – the card of Lizton is hardly larger than a postcard section, and yet there are a few highlights here that you can't just overlook when you push the car out of the court and have a little pleasure in the surrounding area. The first stop I always recommend is that Hendricks County Historical Museum in Danville, just a few minutes east of the main road. The building itself is an old, crunchy prison that is now full of dusty artefacts from the pioneering period. I once met my grandfather, who told me that her great-grandfather worked here in the 1880s as a guardian – that was a real moment that suddenly made the whole “museum thing” alive. Parking? Mostly a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday night after the weekly peasant market, the field will be before the entrance to the battlefield.
A short trip to Westfield leads you to Grand Park, a huge green piece that has more to offer than a few benches and a playground. I had a picnic with friends there, while a local jazz trio improvised in the background – that was really great because you rarely find such a relaxed culture in the middle of the suburbs. The lake is not deep enough to swim, but the paddle boat rental thing is a nice pastime if you are looking for a short break from the auto cinema. And yes, parking is free, but you have to hit around with a few bikes in the entrance area that seem to never be cleared away.
If you feel that you have enough of quiet parks, then that's Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway the next destination – this is not just around the corner, but a short highway trip of about 30 miles, and the adrenaline is worth it. I don’t understand the hype around the “Indy 500” completely, but the museum has a few old racing cars that look like they survived the time to show us how fast people could really drive earlier. Practical: The main parking spaces are huge, but on racing days the whole thing will come to a labyrinth of pedestrians and sales stands, so better early if you don't want to be stuck in the backdrop of your own anticipation.
A bit further south, almost in the heart of Indianapolis, lies this Newfields – Indianapolis Museum of Art. I was there on a rainy afternoon and lost myself in the sculpture gallery, while I tried to decode the meaning of a huge metal construction that looked like a baker had formed a dough ball of metal. The café there serves a cappuccino that is almost as strong as the art itself, and parking is a bit more expensive, but you get a free shuttle that takes you directly to the main entrance – a small comfort if you want to get back to your car after a long walk through the gardens.
It extends right next to Newfields White River State Park, an urban green that has more to offer than a few walks. I once saw a small concert in the amphitheatre played by a local indie band, and that was a real sound because you suddenly mix the sound of the river with guitar reef. The river itself is walkable with canoe, and the rental system is uncomplicated: you simply log on to the kiosk, pay a few dollars and paddle. Parking is usually free, but it can be done on weekends, so better get a bit earlier if you don't want to be stuck in the backdrop of your own anticipation.
A short detour to the north leads you to Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, where fairs, exhibitions and the annual folk festival take place all year round. I visited the “Farmers Market” there for the first time in autumn and was surprised how many local producers offer their fresh products – from corn to handmade jams. The terrain is huge, so plan enough time to not run; Parking is usually well signposted, but at the big events the whole becomes a small mess that you have to face with a smile.
All in all, the surrounding area of Lizton offers a colourful mix of history, art, motorsport and nature, which allows every modern traveler to experience a little more than just the usual “Small City Flair”. Next time you plan your route, don't forget that these places – from Danville's Museum to White River State Park – are the true ones Lizton Attractions are the hearts of the region.
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