Visit New Pekin Washington Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. New Beijing, Indiana: Unique experiences in the small Amish village! Visit the traditional workshops and farms, enjoy rural life and probier' defige Amish cuisine.
Honestly, if you ask yourself why “New Pekin” is on the map at all, then you have to travel back to the 1850s when a few ambitious settlers from Ohio populated the area in Pierce Township and gave the place an exotic name – without knowing what was going on in China. Today, the town is in the middle of the rural heart of Washington County, surrounded by gentle fields and a few old barns that tell more stories than some city leaders. I don’t understand the hype about the typical “Small City Charm Tours” completely, but the honest friendliness of the locals is really great, and this is the true highlight for me.
When you arrive from Indianapolis by car, simply follow the US-50 until the exit to New Pekin – the shield is hardly overlooked, because it almost looks a bit cheesy, but that fits here somehow. And yes, the “New Pekin Sights” are not summarized in a glossy catalog, but hide in the small shops, the old post office and the weekly farmer market, where you get fresh apples and a little village community to take away. I have the feeling that you need more time here to feel the real life than to flap off every single shield – and that's exactly what I appreciate on that spot.
I have to admit that what I love most at New Pekin is the old school – the venerable New Pekin Schoolhouse, which still watches over the main street, as if it were a defensive relic from a time when the word “air conditioning” did not even exist. I once visited a class meeting of my grandparents, and while I sat on the sticky wooden benches, I heard the echo of chalk scratching on boards, and the distant laugh of children who never had the chance to hold a smartphone. The entrance is of course free because the building is operated by the city as a museum, and the parking is almost always a Klacks – a few empty places behind the small farm, as long as you are not there with the whole village on Saturday night, then this will be a little adventure.
A short walk further New Pekin Community Centerthat I personally call the heart of the little place. Here the locals meet Bingo, dance evenings and the notorious “Pekin Pickle Jams” where more vinegars are present than people. I once took a course in potters – the result was a crooked, but loving vessel that is now proud of my kitchen. The center has a small car park right in front of the door, and the sign “Parking only for visitors” is more a friendly hint than a law, so don’t worry if you’re late for a few minutes.
If you're looking for something greener, look at this New Pekin Park a tiny but surprisingly well maintained spot earth, which is used by local families as a playground, picnic area and occasional place for improvised concerts. I once heard a spontaneous guitar solo that was so bad that it was almost good again – this is the real New Pekin feeling. There are a few benches, a small trampoline and a barbecue area, which is usually occupied by the neighbors, so plan your meal a bit in advance.
A little off the main road, almost hidden between corn fields, stands this old grain silothat you wouldn't find in any guide if you didn't look closely. This massive, rusty monument from the 1950s is a popular photo motif for Instagram users who like to post “retro”. I once made a picnic while a tractor passed and the sound of the grinder seemed like a background shade. The terrain is open to the public, but the entry of the actual silos is strictly prohibited – so stay outside and enjoy the view.
Another jewel I don't want to conceal is that New Pekin United Methodist Church. The church is not only a place of worship, but also an architectural gem with a stone façade and a small bell tower, which ring every morning at 7 a.m. – a sound that immediately reminds you that you are no longer in the city. I once participated in a choir test, and the result was a sloppy, but warm “Amen” that filled the room. Parking is a bit tight, but a few free places are always behind the cemetery.
And yes, I have the word New Pekin Attractions already seen in a blog, but this is nothing compared to what you can experience here if you dare to wander a little off the beaten path. The small cemetery, the New Pekin Cemetery, is a quiet place where the history of the place is told in engraved stones. I once found an old veteran whose grave was handwritten: “Here is a man who fought more than he ever wanted to tell.” It is a place where you can stop and enjoy the silence – and this is a real luxury in a world full of noise.
Last but not least, New Pekin Volunteer Fire Department forgotten, which plays a central role not only in emergency, but also in the annual “Firefighter BBQs”. I once tried a piece of cake that was supposedly baked by the firefighters themselves – to be honest, it was better than what else I find in supermarkets. The building has a small parking lot, and the sign “Only for use vehicles” is more a joke because the volunteers always make a place for visitors.
The old Washington County Courthouse, proudly headed over the main street of Washington, is my first destination when I leave New Pekin – not because I am a fan of marble columns, but because the building is just too beautiful to ignore it. The red-white façade looks like a relic from a time when politicians still wore suits that do not smell after 5 o'clock mid-meeting. I parked in the small parking lot behind the town hall, which is usually free, except on Sundays, when the local senior gang stops their weekly bingo rounds and the places suddenly disappear like ghosts.
A short trip to the Washington County Historical Museum is almost like a time jump, only that time here is not only still, but occasionally also runs a bit backward. I remember how I found an old diary in a dusty closet, which was a pioneer from the 1830s – a real reading pleasure if you like the smell of old paper. The museum is located right next to the courthouse, not an extra way, and parking is a crusade unless you arrive on the first Friday of the month when the local historian club meeting blocks the entrance.
If you have enough of dusty relics, the path continues to Washington County Fairgrounds. I have experienced the annual harvest thanksgiving festival there, and that was a spectacle of corn, carousel and a lot of people who believe that “grain” is an acceptable snack. The Fairgrounds complex is huge, so plan a bit of time to explore the different halls – especially the cattle drink, which have more charm than some urban cafes. Parking is your own adventure: There is a large field full on Saturdays, but on weekdays you will find almost always a free space between the tractors.
For those who prefer nature instead of crowds, the Big Walnut Creek Trail is a real secret tip. The path stretches through gentle hills, past small bridges that look more like art installations than they would be functional. I once watched a frog that was braver than me when he rang in the middle of the way – a real moment that reminded me that life outside New Pekin can sometimes be surprisingly loud. The trail is well signposted, and parking on the trailhead is usually easy as long as you don't arrive at the weekend with a group of families that have discovered the picnic paradise.
A little further south is the southern end of the Hoosier National Forest. I spent a weekend to escape everyday life, and that was a mix of rough paths and cozy campfires. The forest is huge, so you should get a card beforehand – the phone loses the signal here faster than a tourist the interest in a souvenir stand. The campsites are simple but functional, and parking is a children's game because there are hardly any other visitors who have the same goal.
Patoka Lake, about an hour's drive from New Pekin, is another place I can't conceal without losing my credibility. The lake is famous for fishing, boating and the occasional discovery of forgotten boats that tell more stories than some museums. I rented a small boat there and spent almost the whole day walking over the water while I thought about why I didn't come here more often. Parking on the main dock is generous, but on hot summer days it can become full – a good sign that the water is actually a magnet for people.
At the end of my small tour through the surroundings of New Pekin, I still have to mention the charming little town of Salem, which with its historic Main Street and the old town hall looks a bit like a film set from the 1950s. I drank a coffee in a tiny café that has more vintage posters than modern decoration, and that was a perfect conclusion before I drove back to New Pekin. Parking in the city centre is a bit tricky, but a short walk is always worthwhile because you can breathe the real Indiana feeling here.
So next time you think about what you can experience near New Pekin, remember that New Pekin Attractions not only consist of a single place, but a colourful mix of history, nature and a bit of local nature that makes every visit a small adventure.
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