Visit Fairland Shelby Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Fairland, Indiana: An adventure in nature! Experience the huge outdoor family park "Fairview Park" and discover the rare animals in the "Morris-Butler House & Gardens". Feel the tranquility of the "Lake Wanda" and enjoy the local specialities in the adjoining restaurants.
Honestly, if you ask me, Fairland is not exactly what you have in mind with the word “city history”. Founded in 1855 by a few land pionists who thought a piece of Indiana was the new Paris, the city has since seen more field shafts than bright lights. I once fought through the dusty archives and found out that Fairland was once a hub for the railway – a short upswing before the trains just went on and left the city, like a forgotten piece of luggage.
I don't quite understand the hype around the old railway stations, but the small depot next to the main road has a charm that looks almost romantic when you look at the rusty tracks in the evening light. And yes, you can take the train to the next major city and then return by bus – this is practical if you don't want to sit in the car all day.
A walk through the historic centre is like a trip through a museum that no one operates. The old wooden houses that still carry their original windows tell stories of people who had more patience than me. And if you ask where you can really experience sights in Fairland, then look at the small city museum – no joke, this is the heartpiece that holds the city together while the rest of the world continues.
So, if you come to Fairland, the first thing I want to put to you is the honorable Townhouse – a brick building that has more stories to tell than some big metropolis. I was there on a rainy Tuesday when the city administration was holding a meeting on the new garbage can strategy and secretly sneaked into the small exhibition in the entrance area. The original door clans from the 1920s are still there, and the sign “Welcome to Fairland” almost looks like an ironic joke because the city has hardly more than a few hundred inhabitants. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village flows into the “Stadthaus-Biergarten”.
A short walk further (about three blocks, so no reason to torture the car) leads you to Public library. I don't quite understand the hype about hip co-working spaces, but here there is a cozy corner with an old reading chair that has more character than my favorite couch. The shelves are full of local history books, and I randomly found an old photo album that documents the foundation of the city in 1852 – a real treasure for curious. Wi-Fi is not the fastest, but it doesn't bother if you just want to dive a bit into the past.
If you have enough of dusty books, see the Fairland Community Park on. I made a picnic with friends there in the summer, and that was no joke: The BBQ was fully occupied, but this has only made us look a bit further behind a shady place where we enjoyed the best sausages of the year. The playground is small, but the slide is still in one piece – a sign that is not constantly being renovated here, but what works remains simple. And the best thing: there's a small lake where you can feed ducks without anyone crying the police siren.
A bit further north, almost hidden behind an old barn, lies that Fairland Historical Museum. I was there because I heard it was an original post office from the 19th. Century gives – and yes, that is actually a real post office that still has the original lockers. The curator, a retired teacher, told me with an eye-catcher that most visitors only come because of the old stamps, but he himself loves the handmade wooden chairs from the first half of the 20th. Century. Admission is free because the city prefers to put the money in the street lighting that is a bit too bright at night.
No visit to Fairland would be complete without a trip to Farmers Marketwhich takes place every Saturday morning on the main square. I tried the best homemade applesauce I've ever eaten there – no joke, that was almost better than what I get in my own kitchen. The market is a bit chaotic, because every stand tries to catch the attention with loud posters, but this is part of the charm. Parking is a nightmare here, because most places are occupied by market visitors, so it's better to come early if you don't want to drive around.
Last but not least, if you have some energy left, take a look at the Fairland Community Center. I took part in a yoga course that was led by a former ballet dancer who now prefers to call “flexible relaxation”. The room is small, but the atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed, and the staff is always ready to give you a coffee, even if you just want to look past. The center also offers a small gym I rarely use because I prefer to be active outside, but it is good to know that the option is there if the weather suddenly changes.
All this together Fairland Attractions to a mix of nostalgic charm and surprising liveliness – just what I love in small cities as long as you don't waste too much time searching for a car park. And next time you drive over the road, just stop, because there's always something to discover here that will make you sneak.
I have to confess that I acknowledged the first impression of Fairland as soon as I left the dusty road behind me, rather with a sigh than with a loud “Wow!” – the little town does not have the charm of a metropolis, but the surroundings have some real treasures that you should not overlook. Directly north, hardly 15 minutes drive, this is Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. Here you can go to the 19th. Replace centuries-time without buying a museum ticket that costs more than a good dinner. I tried to milk a horse there on a sunny Saturday afternoon – the result was a sticky sweat film on my hands and a broad grin because the villagers patiently explained to me that the milking is more of a show act today. Parking is a bit messy at the weekend, but a free place is almost always to be found when you drive a few minutes along the main road.
A short trip to Shelbyville leads to Shelby County Museum, which offers more than just dusty exhibits. The collection of local artefacts is surprisingly well curated, and I found an old diary that was handwritten by a farmer from the 1880s – a real eye-catcher for anyone who likes to dive into the history of the region. The museum is located directly on the main square, so parking is practically on the sidewalk; only on the first Saturday of the month when the “Heritage Day” event takes place, it can become a bit fuller.
If you have enough of historical relics, that is Hoosier Heritage Village in nearby New Castle a welcome contrast. There are reconstructed buildings from the founding period, a working mill wheel and even a small cinema from the 1920s, which occasionally shows old Western. I was there in autumn when a light fog crawled over the field – the image was almost too beautiful to be true, and I had to force myself not to take a photo every time because the light was so perfect. The entrance is free, parking is a huge, unconsolidated parking lot behind the visitor center, and this is usually a lucky case because you never have to look there for long.
A bit further south, about 30 kilometers from Fairland, this is Shakamak State Park. The lake there is crystal clear, the water cold, and the trails lead through dense forests that offer a pleasant green in the summer. I spent a weekend fishing there – I didn't catch a fish, but I saw some very convincing ducks that made me feel I was in the national park. The car park is small, but sufficient, and if it is full, there are still enough free parking spaces on the edge of the lake where you can park your car to take a short walk.
For those who do not want to miss the urban flair, this is Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum A must. Yes, this is a bit further, but the ride over the I‐74 is worth it, because you can see not only the history of racing, but also a few of the most famous cars in the world from close proximity. I remember dreaming of sitting in one of the racing cars as a child, and there I finally stood with a wide grin while a guide told me why the “Indy 500” is more than just a race. The museum has a spacious garage that is usually empty, except for the big weekends when the whole Indiana comes together.
A short trip to the heart of Indianapolis leads to White River State Park. There are not only beautiful walks along the river, but also the Indianapolis Art Center and the Eiteljorg Museum, both of which offer an interesting mix of modern art and Indian culture. I spent an afternoon there while a street artist completed a huge graffiti – that was a real eye-catcher, and I had to ask myself why I didn't come here more often. Parking is well signposted at the main entrance, but on sunny Saturdays it can be a bit full, so it's better to come early.
Another highlight I cannot leave is the Indianapolis Canal Walk. The path stretches through the city centre and offers a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. I once discovered a small boat rental where you can rent a rowing boat to see the city from a different perspective – that was a real secret tip that I hardly betray anyone. Parking is practical because there are several small parking spaces along the canal, which are usually free as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime.
Whether you are looking for a history fan, nature lover or just a bit of a change from everyday life – the surroundings of Fairland have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. From interactive history experiences to scenic lakes to fast-paced motorsport museums – here everyone finds something that enthuses him. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the Fairland Attractions in my heart take a special place.
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