Visit Arlington Rush Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the natural wonders of Indiana: "Arlington - Nature and History in One. Experience the Falls of the Ohio State Park with its own waterfall and wide visibility across the Ohio River. The Abe Martin Lodge offers accommodation and food. Other attractions include Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and George Rogers Clark National Historical Park."
If you're looking for Arlington attractions, you're already in the wrong movie, because the real adventure is the story of this tiny city. Arlington was founded in 1830 by a few brave pioneers who probably thought a piece of land in the heart of Washington Township, Rush County, would be the next paradise – and yes, that was it then, at least for those who had no Netflix at that time. I have the feeling that the old wooden houses and the cracking railway bridge tell more than any brochure, and that's exactly what I love in this place.
A short trip by car from Indianapolis (about 70 miles southwest) is enough to reach the small town; The road is well signposted, and if you're lucky, a friendly tractor driver will let you go a bit further because the GPS here sometimes thinks you're in nowhere. To be honest, this is the real Indiana – not a hipster café, but a place where people still know how to talk about the weather without becoming a podcast.
I don't quite understand the hype about big metropolises, but Arlington has a charm that makes you forget the time while you stroll along the old Main Street and listen to the quiet sum of history. And yes, if you ever ask for Arlington attractions, you will notice that the real highlight is the feeling of touching a piece of past here.
I have to confess that what I love most about Arlington, Town Hall is – a red brick building dating back to 1900, which has more stories to tell than some Podcast. I heard a meeting of the city councillors by chance, because I thought that would be a free talk about local taxes (Spoiler: it wasn't), and suddenly I was in the middle of a debate on the new playground. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night, then the small road in front of the town hall turns into a battlefield of parked vans and curious visitors.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Arlington Public Library. This is not some library, but a real refugium for those who still believe in the rustling of book pages. I once borrowed a book about the history of the railway, only to find out that the shelf, next to the reading table, suddenly houses a small model of a steam locomotive – a real eye-catcher for children and nostalgics. If you're lucky, someone just sits in the corner with a laptop that's silent about the WLAN, and you can undisturbedly move back to the corner. Parking here is convenient because the building is located directly on the main road and there is a small but fine parking.
Go on Community Park, the only place in Arlington where you feel that life consists not only of field work and cornflakes. The park has a small lake, a few baseball fields and a hiking trail that leads around the lake – perfect for a quick run if you feel that you spent too much time in the library. I remember having a picnic with friends there in the summer of 2022, while an older gentleman chatted loudly in the background about the “good old times” of the 8-ball ball game. This is the real Arlington feeling, not a tourist cliché, but what the locals really appreciate.
If you're looking for something historical, you're going to take a trip to the Historic District. The road is lined by Victorian houses that look like they were directly from a film by Wes Anderson. I went there for a walk where I almost forgot the time because I was so deepened to admire the artistic ornaments on the facades. There is no official guide, but the residents like to give information – unless you ask too much about the price for a house, this is not a real estate-openhouse. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the roads are narrow, but a short roundabout leaves you quickly back to the main road.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Arlington Community Center. Small events take place almost every week – from yoga courses to local crafts markets. I was there once at a “cooked evening” where an older gentleman from the neighborhood shared his famous pancake recipe, while a teenager in the background tried to start a Rap-Battle. The center is easily accessible because it is located directly on the main road and a small parking space is available for visitors. And yes, this is one of the few places where you actually hear the word “Arlington Sights” in a conversation, because the city administration likes to promote their favorite places.
Last but not least, I must Fall Festival not to mention that takes place every year in October. It's a bit like a Mini-County-Fair, just that people here are much more friendly and don't cost the prices for sugar cane half of your salary. I won a pumpkin competition there once – well, I found the biggest pumpkin I could wear, and that was enough to get a little gift. The festival attracts many visitors, so plan enough time to find a parking space; Otherwise you have to run a few blocks, which is also a nice opportunity to discover the small shops in downtown.
I have to admit that the first thing that comes to my mind about Arlington is not the tiny cityscape, but the imposing, almost surviving-sized Rush County Courthouse a few miles south. The building is a real pride of the region – a classicist monument of red brick, which looks as if it had designed an architect from the Victorian era with a slope to drama. I once observed a court appointment there (only from curiosity, of course) and was surprised how quiet the halls were, while outside the typical midday of farmers hid the field. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local Schützenverein meeting takes place in the basement of the courthouse.
Directly next to the court building Rush County Historical Museum, which is located in a former bank building. I saw an old carriage there, which had more rust than a rusty bicycle, but that was just what makes the museum so charming – no shiny glass domes, but honest, slightly muffy history. An exhibit that particularly impressed me was a handwritten diary entry from the 1860s, where a farmer complained about the “short” harvest of corn. No joke, that was real, and I almost feel like I could smell the scent of hay while I turned the page.
A short detour leads me to Old Rushville Covered Bridge, one of the few remaining covered wooden bridges in Indiana. The bridge is not only a photo motif for Instagram lovers, but also a perfect place to consider why you still have to run over rivers when you have a highway. I stood there on a sunny afternoon, heard the quiet barns of the bars and thought: “Here you could almost open a café serving only coffee from locally roasted beans.” Practically, this is because there is a small parking lot that is usually free as long as the annual “Bridge Fest” does not take place – then the whole becomes a small mess of picnic blankets and children's noise.
If you have enough of historic stones, the path continues to Big Walnut Creek. The river is not exactly a spectacular wild water park, but it offers solid fishing areas and a few quiet places to canoeing. I once tried to catch a pike, and after half an hour of walking around in the water, the only thing I caught was an old rubber boot that a fisherman had forgotten. Nevertheless, the clear water and the gentle flow are ideal if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. A small note: parking at the main entrance is usually without problems, but on hot summer days it can be full because the families there make a picnic.
A little further, about 15 miles east, lies the charming Knightstown. Here Hollywood occupied a piece of Indiana when the famous basketball scene was shot from “Hoosiers”. I visited the old gymnasium, which still has the creeping wooden benches from the film – a real cult place for sports fans and nostalgics. The place itself is a small museum for everything that has to do with the film, and the city has a few nice cafés that serve “Hoosier Specials”. I have to admit, I don't understand the hype about the whole thing, but the atmosphere is really great, and the staff there is always ready to take a picture with an old basketball.
Back near Arlington there is the Rushville Historic Districta piece of road that looks like it was from a 19. Century film set was stolen. The old brick buildings, the small shops with handmade soaps and the weekly peasant market meetings give the place a certain charm, which is otherwise only found in guides. I met an old watchmaker there who told me that he has been repairing the same mechanical pocket watch for 30 years – a real witness when you ask me. Parking is a bit tricky here, because the narrow alleys barely offer space for cars, but a few free places you will always find when you drive a bit around the corner.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Rush County Fairgrounds. The site is the heart of the annual County Fair, which takes place in August. I was there last year when the rinder Aufritte and the Corn Dog-Stände-Festival ran simultaneously – a true feast for the senses. The fairgrounds also offer smaller events all year round, from old-timer markets to local music nights. It is practical that there are several large parking spaces, which are almost always free, as long as not the big cattle stall takes place.
So the next time you think about what you can do in the vicinity of Arlington, Posey Township, Rush, Indiana, think about the region has more to offer than just a few field routes. From historical buildings to charming bridges to film-ready basketball temples – there is enough fabric for a long road trip. And yes, all that belongs to the Arlington Attractionsthat you shouldn't miss.
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