Visit Winfield Lake Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Winfield, Indiana: A small local adventure! Experience the old railway and mill history in the state's "Little Nashville". Visit the "Winfield Milling Company Museum" and explore local history at the "Winfield Historical Society Museum". Enjoy traditional dishes in the "Diner 50's" or at Lakeside at sunset. A wonderful weekend for lovers of old times and authenticity!
Honestly, if you ask yourself why anyone should talk about Winfield at all, let me start with a bit of history: in 1830 pioneers founded the small village on the edge of the then still wild Lake County, and the railway network, which cut through the Winfield Township in 1850, made the town a shorthand to the point for farmers who sent their harvest to Chicago. I have the feeling that the old brick houses on Main Street still carry the whispers of those early times, while the modern suburbs look like a clumsy attempt to “improve the whole”.
I usually drive the I-90, then a short detour to the US-20 brings me to the heart of Winfield, where I like to keep at the small bakery – no joke, the cinnamon chicks are almost legendary, although I cannot fully understand the whole hype about the “historical” city tours. Nevertheless, if you look for a real piece of Indiana, look at the old churches in the township; they are not only architecturally interesting, but also a good example of how the community holds together here when the weather is unpredictable again.
A short descent to Lake, Indiana, is practically around the corner, and there you can enjoy the calm waters of the nearby lake – perfect to let the soul dangle after a day full of Winfield attractions while thinking about whether you prefer to go to Chicago next time or stay a little longer.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Winfield is not the hip café around the corner – this is almost a cliché – but the old one Winfield Town Hall, which is in the middle of the historical core and has seen more stories since 1905 than I can count in my entire life. When you arrive there, you'll best find a parking space at the end of Main Street; that is usually a Klack, except on Sundays, when the church and the museum simultaneously attract their visitor flows and you suddenly stand in the traffic jam between a tractor and an oldtimer. The building itself is a real jewel of red brick, which with its small clock in the tower almost looks a bit overridden because it tells you that time is still a bit slower.
Right next to the town hall Winfield Historical Society Museuma tiny but fine place where you can admire old school books, photos of horse cars and a few dusty tools. I don't understand the hype for interactive exhibitions, but here the quiet amazement is enough to understand why the city is proud of its name. The museum does not have a large parking lot, so you park best on the small courtyard behind the town hall and then swell through the cobblestone – that gives you the feeling of walking in another era.
A short walk leads you to Winfield Community Parkwhere there is a small lake and a playground for the kids. I once tried to make a picnic, and was attacked by a horde ducks who had apparently decided that my sandwich is their breakfast. Practical: Parking is free at the park entrance, but if you are on Saturday morning Winfield Farmers Market if you want to come early – otherwise you have to fight between a tractor and a van. The market itself is a colorful mix of local farmers, handmade soaps and a stand that allegedly offers the best corn bulbs in the region. No joke, the corn bulbs are really good.
If you're looking for a place where you can find some rest, look at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on. The 19th building The century has an imposing bell tower that sounds every morning at 9 a.m. – a sound that reminds you that you are not alone in this small town. I have seen a concert there where a local choir made an old hymn book from the cellar; that wasn't what I expected, but it made the acoustics of the room perfectly appreciated. Parking is available directly in front of the church, and this is usually a free place as long as you don't come to the Sunday Mass.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Winfield Public Library. It is part of the Hamilton County Library system and at first glance looks like an ordinary building, but the staff there knows every regular guest by name and always has a good book recommendation. I found an old diary there, which belonged to a former Winfield citizen and which dates back to 1882 – a real find for historians. Parking is at the rear end of the building where a small parking space is available for visitors; that is usually problem-free except when the school has a project and the parents put their children there.
For those who want to do some sport, there is the Winfield Golf Club. I must admit that I am not a big fan of golf, but the green here is surprisingly well maintained and the view of the surrounding fields is really beautiful. The club is private, but on some Saturdays they open the facility for visitors who just want to enjoy the fresh air. Parking is at the clubhouse, and this is usually a free place as long as you don't come during a tournament – then you have to share with the members.
Last but not least, a little hint for those looking for a quick overview: If you ask yourself what's all to see here, simply tap “Winfield Attractions“in your search engine and you’ll get a list that’s probably just as confused as me because most entries only repeat the same five places. My advice: Do not let lists lead you, but follow your belly and explore the city as I have done – with a little curiosity, a pinch of cynicism and the firm belief that every small corner has a bit of history to tell.
The first stop after leaving the sleepy main road of Winfield inevitably leads to the huge green piece of Eagle Creek Park, which, like an untamed piece of nature, fits directly to the city boundary. I once tried to arrange a picnic, just to be overrun by a horde duck – a real natural experience that cannot be planned. The park offers more than 140 km of hiking and cycling trails, and parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you do not meet the families from the suburbs on Saturday night, then this becomes a little patience game.
A short detour to the north leads to glittering Spirit Reservoir, which is lovingly called “the blue mirror” by locals. Here you can not only rent a boat – I once found myself in a folding kayak that made more noise than an old diesel tractor – but also sneak a cool drink at the small beach bars. The water is surprisingly clear, and parking at the main entrance is free as long as you are there early enough, otherwise you have to dive into the secondary parking spaces that mean a bit more walking distance.
The Monon Trail is what I would call the “backbone route” of the region. He slings through fields, small villages and past old railway stations, which today serve as cafés and art galleries. I once discovered a spontaneous street musician who enchanted passersby with an old guitar and a voice that sounds more rough than an old tractor. The trail is completely free, and the Indianapolis bike rental system can be easily borrowed at several stations along the way – a real plus point for spontaneous adventures.
A bit further east Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, an open-air museum that offers more than just dusty history. I remember the day that I tried to start an old loom project in a rebuilt 19-year-old barn – the result was a knotted cloud and a broad grin of the guides that commented on the whole with an eye-catcher. Admission is not free, but parking is usually easy, and the terrain is designed so that you can easily stroll from one attraction to the next without running.
Only a short drive south is the imposing Fort Harrison State Park, a former military area which today serves as a recreation area. I spent a weekend exploring the historic fort and was surprised how well preserved the old bunkers and barracks are – a real look at the military past of Indiana. In addition to hiking trails, the park also offers a swimming pool and a small museum that keeps the history of the place alive. Parking is usually sufficient, except for the hot summer days when the visitor numbers are shooting up.
For art lovers Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields a must, although there is a piece outside the actual city. I visited the sculpture gallery there and I almost run because the paths are so labyrinth-like – a bit like a modern maze garden, only with more art and less minotaurus. The entrance is free for outdoors, and parking is paid at the main building, but there are free parking on the edge, which can be reached with a short walk.
No visit to the region would be complete without a trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. I don't understand the hype around the Indy 500, but the museum itself is a real treasure box for motorsport fans and offers a deep insight into the history of racing. Parking is well organised at the Speedway, but it can be traffic jams on race days, so better get early if you don't want to drive in circles.
Whether you're looking for nature, history or a bit of adrenaline – the environment of Winfield has more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. From vast parks to interactive museums to iconic racetracks – here everyone finds something that enthuses him or at least brings him to the sneak. So the next time you take the road to Winfield, you should Winfield Attractions not only as a marginal note, but as an actual reason for the trip.
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