Honestly, if you ask yourself why Paoli sights should be a keyword in your guide-Brainstorming at all, then let me start with a short historical piece: in 1816, the town was named after the Italian politician Pasquale Paoli, because the founders wanted to bring a little romance to their new Indiana territory. The old town hall, which today still forms the heart of the small county, has collected more scratches and stories than some Hollywood star.
I came by car over the Iâ65, then a short trip to the USâ150, and suddenly I was in the middle of the charming chaos of Paoli Township. The road is lined by old barns who look like they survived the first peasant market of 1820 â and that's not a joke, that's really great for a photo you can post later on Instagram while thinking about why you didn't just drive to New York.
People here have a dry humor that is almost as dry as the cornfield behind the County Court. If you're looking for a coffee, take a look at the little diner on Main Street; the staff knows you by name before you open the door at all â a little creepy, but kind of warm.
And yes, if you're wondering where to spend your time, just look around: Paoli's sights hide between the old wooden benches in the park and the quiet conversations of the locals who tell you that the real highlight here is the feeling of not knowing what happens next.
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Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site â 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 Paoli, 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 I couldn't miss was that Hoosier National Forest, which spreads west of Paoli like a green carpet, which you only too much like to roll out. I drove the Trail of Tears there â not because I wanted to unpack a history book, but because the view from Lookout Tower was just too good to ignore it. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't come to the weekend with a horde family from the neighboring village; then the field becomes the battlefield around the last free places.
A few miles away Patoka Lake, the official bathroom in the heart of Orange County. I rented a kayak there because I thought the water was calmer than the conversations in the local diner. Surprise: The waves were as bad as the discussions about the best grill recipe. The boat rental is directly on the shore, and parking is practically free â a rare consolation in an area where otherwise every parking space costs a small fortune.
A short detour to the north leads to Shades State Park. There are not only steep rock gorges, but also a small cafĂ©, which claims to serve the best apple cake throughout the state. I tried the cake, and while it was really good, I don't understand the hype about the ârustic atmosphereâ â the whole thing feels more like an Instagram set that someone took too seriously. The parking lot is small, so it is better to be there early, otherwise you are standing in the traffic between trees and tourists.
A little away, almost hidden between fields, this is Dear State Recreation Area. Here you can fish, camp and even hike a bit without a tourist swarm taking you to rest. I set up a tent there and spent the night under a sky that was so clear that I almost thought I was in space. Practical: The toilets are clean, the water from the tap is drinkable â a small luxury that is missing in many national parks.
For those who do not just want to hok in warmth in winter, there are Paoli Peaks, the only ski resort in the area that is more than just a hill. I've tried the snowboard, although I've only slipped on asphalt since my youth â the result was an elegant fall that brought more laughter than applause. The slopes are well prepared, the lift staff friendly, and parking is directly at the entrance, which makes the whole less an expedition and more a spontaneous excursion.
A little less known, but for birdwatchers a real jewel, this is Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. I saw a rare redhead there that almost left me forgetting that I was here because of the photo possibilities. The visitor center is small, but informative, and parking is generous â a rare consolation considering how often one has to fight for a place in rural areas.
Last but not least a short trip to Cave of the Winds near Corydon. The cave is a bit touristy, but the underground waterfalls are really impressive. I took the lead because I thought that was a safe choice, and was rewarded with a damp footprint on my shoe â a small price for the experience you don't get every day. The parking lot is large enough to hold the whole car, and the entrance fee sign is hardly overlooked.
Whether you are looking for a quiet lake, a wild forest hike or a fast adrenalinkick â the surroundings of Paoli have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. The mix of nature, history and a bit of local nature makes every trip a little adventure. And if you want to summarize all this, they are Paoli Attractions definitely worth a detour.
I have to admit right at the beginning that my favorite place in Paoli is the old, crunching court building â the Orange County Courthouse, which is throning in the heart of the city like a lost king from the 19th century. Century. When you stand there, you almost feel the sum of the old judges who are still discussing imaginary cases. The house is made of red brick, the roof is a little sloping, and the clock in the tower ticks louder than my coffee maker on Sunday morning. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly peasant market spectacle starts.
Just when I left the courthouse, I almost stumbled over the Paoli Farmers MarketEvery Saturday from 7am to 1pm the cityscape turns into a colorful chaos. There are not only fresh apples, but also handmade soaps that you will never need, and some slanted artworks that look more like hobby art project than professional gallery. I don't quite understand the hype about organic flavors, but the homemade apple cakes next to the stand of âGrandmaâs Secretsâ are really great.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Paoli Historic Districtwhere the old shop fronts still spray the charm of past times â at least if you ignore the advertisement for the new fast food restaurant that has nested there. I once discovered an old photo of 1902 hanging in the shop window of a bookstore and thought: âWow, this is almost as authentic as an Instagram filter.â The road is wide enough to push a bike, and most of the shops open only at 10 a.m., so plan your coffee break accordingly.
A bit off the hustle and bustle Paoli Public Library, an inconspicuous brick building that has more to offer than just dusty shelves. I found a rare copy of the local newspaper from 1887 â a real treasure for history lovers. The library has free Wi-Fi, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you are a long-term visitor, even though you have just entered the city. If you're looking for a bit of rest, sit in the reading corner and listen to the quiet sum of the air conditioning that almost looks like a soothing background noise.
For those who prefer to be outside, this is Patoka River State Park a must â yes, it is technically something outside of Paoli, but the short ride is worth it. The river swells through the valley, and the trails are well marked, although I once lost myself because a sign âTrail Aâ suddenly became âTrail Bâ. The water is clear enough to wash your shoes, and the picnic spots are ideal if you are looking for a bit of relaxation after the market. I saw some ducks that were braver than me when I tried to take a picture without scaring them.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Old Jail Museum. The old prison that used to house real criminals is now a museum that tells more about the dark chapters of the city than one would expect. The cells are small, the air smells like old wood, and the guides are so dry that you almost feel you would read a chapter from a history book â but with the difference that you can feel the cold of the cells here. I found an old glove there that was supposed to belong to an infamous robber; if that's true, it's second-ranking, because it's a great photo motif.
If you are looking for a cultural push, take a look at the Paoli Community Center. There are regular art exhibitions, local theatre performances and even a few yoga classes led by a former ballet dancer who now prefers to dance in leggings. I once participated in an âOpen-MicâNightâ where a 12-year-old boy introduced a poem about his cat â that was better than any Broadway show I have ever seen.
And yes, if youâre looking for a quick summary, simply tap âPaoli Sightsâ into your search engine â youâll find that the city has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. But believe me, the real experience is to read between the lines, touch the old bricks and listen to the quiet laughing of the locals, which reminds you that Paoli is small but by no means boring.
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