Visit Jamestown Boone Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the old wooden town of Jamestown in Indiana! Experience the historic centre with department stores and traditional craft shops. Eat regional specialities such as Korn- or Sojaburger in the local restaurant. Walk in the parks along the Wabash River. An unforgettable experience!
Honestly, if you ask for Jamestown, Indiana, you probably think of some sleepy place that only appears in the history book – and that's not completely wrong. The city was founded in 1830 by a few pioneers who probably thought a piece of land in the middle of the West would be a good place for a new “Jamestown”. Today, the town has about 2 500 inhabitants, a few old brick houses and a historic city centre that has more charm than an Instagram filter.
I don't understand the hype about the small, dusty museums, but the old railway depot that serves as a café today is really great. You sit there, sneak a latte and listen to the silent rats of history – at least if you imagine the image in your head. When you arrive by car, take the I‐65 north and bend at US‐421; The ride takes about 30 minutes from Indianapolis, and that's faster than you think you're here.
A short trip to the Jamestown Riverwalk along the White River is a good example of how the city tries to sell something green that is actually just a narrow path. I have seen some local families fishing there – no joke, this is the true “Jamestown Sights” experience when you stay away from the tourist traps. And if you accidentally catch a bus to Lebanon, you can take a taxi from there that takes you directly to the heart of the city where the real life pulsates, not the exaggerated brochures.
So, next time you think about Indiana, let me give you the old railway bridge in the heart of Jamestown – this is the true heart of the city for me. I came past a lukewarm Saturday night, because I supposedly wanted to drink a beer after sunset, and suddenly I was standing in the middle of a small crowd that sneaked around an improvised campfire. The sound of the old rails that crawled over the water has something almost romantic, but I swear the whole thing also looks a bit like a film set for historians who have too much free time. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then all “Instagram hikers” will appear there.
Right next to the bridge lies the Jamestown Carnegie Library, a building that looks like a Victorian architect had a bad day and then decided to season the whole with a pinch of modernity. I borrowed a book about local history there – no joke, the book was actually better than most guides I've ever read. The library has free Wi-Fi, so after reading you can immediately put yourself in a café and process your newly won facts in a blog post. And yes, the staff is friendly, but they have a light "we-are-here-since-100-years-and-du-bist-neu‐hier"-view that welcomes you at the same time and intimidates you a bit.
A short walk leads you to Old Town Hallthat is now a small museum that tells more about the city than you could find out in a single day. I remember being a kid with my uncle there and discussing the old city clock, which is supposed to always go five minutes too early – a perfect example of how Jamestown measures the time a bit different. The museum has no entrance fee, but you should take off your shoes, because the floor is made of old wood, which gives a quiet fool of itself every step – this is almost an acoustic souvenir.
If you're hungry, you have to local visit on Wednesday. I have eaten the best corn bread of my life, baked by a granny that told me that she has not changed the recipe since 1942. The market is not just a hotspot for tourists, but this means that you will find real Jamestown attractions such as handmade honey glasses and self-knit scarves that you won't get anywhere else. Parking is available behind the town hall, and this is usually an empty parking space, as long as you do not come to the main selling time (after 4 p.m.).
A little further outside, on the edge of the city, lies the Riverfront Park. I made a picnic there while I tried to feed the ducks that seem to have a better sense for people than most locals. The park is ideal if you are looking for a bit of rest, but it is also the place where the Jamestown Summer Festival takes place every year – an event that I personally don't fully understand, because I prefer to drink a good beer in the city centre, but the live music and the fireworks are actually quite impressive. Access is free, and parking is best regulated by the small entrance on the main road, because the main road itself is often blocked by vans.
I do not want to historical Main Street forgot that swells through the center like an old, slightly weathered river. Here you will find the Café “Bean & Barrel” that I visit almost every morning because her espresso is strong enough to rip you out of sleep, and her cake is so good that you ask yourself why you were not here before. The street is lined with small shops that offer everything from vintage dress to handmade wooden toys – a perfect place to find a souvenir that is not found in any souvenir shop in Indianapolis. And yes, this is one of the few places where I can really recommend the “Jamestown sights” because they are authentic and not exaggerated touristic.
I must confess that I chose the first stop of my little Odyssey not in the heart of Jamestown itself, but rather a bit further outside – the McCormick’s Creek State Park. The place is not exactly a secret tip, but the first steps on the well stepped path to the “Twin Falls” make me cheer a little bit childish every time. I remember how I was plucked in autumn with a group of friends over the moss-covered stones while a light fog was hanging over the water – that was almost too cheesy to be true. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field becomes a small battlefield from SUVs and campers.
A short detour to the north leads directly to Turkey Run State Parkwhere nature sets its own, somewhat rough accents. The ravines here are not only an Instagram filter dream, but actually walkable wonders. I once tried to run the “Sugar Creek Rim Trail” just to see that my new hiking boots had more mud than I expected all day. Nevertheless, the panorama from the viewpoint over the hollow path is a real eye-catcher, and the sound of the brook looks like a natural soundtrack to my inner monologue.
If you have enough of trees and water, it is worth a detour LebanonThe charming district town of Boone County. The city center is a mix of old-fashioned shops and modern cafes that all claim to bake the best cake in the region – I tried the apple cake in the “Old Mill Café” and can honestly say that it was actually better than most hip variants in Indianapolis. The town hall with its imposing dome is a popular photo motif, and parking right in front of the square is almost always free, except when the annual Lebanon Fall Festival starts.
A few streets on, hidden between the brick houses, this is Boone County Historical Society Museum. I learned more about local history than I would have ever thought possible – from the early pioneers to the scrupulous stories about the “Moonshiners” of the 1920s. The exhibition on old agricultural equipment is particularly fascinating because you can actually hear the old tractor noise that reminds me of my childhood every time I drove over the fields with my grandpa. Entrance is free, and parking is a small but well signposted parking behind the museum.
For those who prefer the water instead of the land, the White River at the Jamestown Dam an underestimated paradise. I rented a kayak there in summer with a friend and we enjoyed the calm flow for hours while the sun glittered over the fields. Fishing is also popular here – I caught a huge bass that was almost as big as my bike. The docking of the boat is uncomplicated as long as you do not arrive at the weekend, then it can be a bit fuller at the dock.
A little further south, almost into the metropolitan region, lies the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I don't understand the hype around the race track, but the adrenaline you can feel when you look at the Grand Prix boxes from the outside is really impressive. I once followed a race live there and was surprised how loud the audience can be – a bit too loud for my taste, but that makes the charm. Parking is a separate chapter: There are huge parking spaces, but you have to be there early, otherwise you end up on the street.
Whether you're looking for nature, history or a bit of speed, the surroundings of Jamestown have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. My personal highlights – from the moss-covered paths in the McCormick’s Creek to the loud getaway of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – show that Jamestown Attractions are a versatile package of relaxation and adventure that satisfies every modern traveler.
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