What makes Georgetown sights so special is the way history is pulsating not only in dusty plaques, but in every cracking Dielenbank and every old church tower. I remember the first time I drove over the old railway bridge, which once formed the backbone of the region, and immediately the quiet sum of the 19th. Century industry heard – a sound that can only be found today in the stories of local historians. Georgetown is located in the heart of Georgetown Township, nestled in the rural Floyd County, and you can feel it right away by walking along the country roads lined by corn fields and small family farms.
A short trip by bus from New Albany takes you to the village where the main road is lined by old brick buildings that have more charm than any Instagram filter campaign. I don’t understand the hype around the “small city vibes”, but the cozy café on the corner that sprays the scent of freshly ground coffee every morning is really great. And if you're honest, there's hardly anything better than sitting after a walk through the historic neighborhood in the old town hall and watching the sunset over the gentle hills of Floyd County – a picture you don't find in guides because it's just too beautiful to describe it.
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Advantage:
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was the Big Four Bridge, this rusty giant, who likes a sloping smile over the Ohio and connects New Albany to Jeffersonville. I stood there on a lukewarm summer evening, the light of the city glittered in the water, and thought: “No joke, that is better than any Instagram location I have ever seen.” If you come by bike, you will find parking at the New-Albany end almost always, but on Saturday night, the field behind the café turns into a battlefield of tourist roller skates and selfie sticks – it will be narrow.
A short trip down the road leads to Falls of the Ohio State Parkwhere the fossils from the Ordovizium period seem almost a bit too good to not believe that a dinosaur museum could be hidden here. I played there with a small child who was thrillingly crawling over the ancient layers, while I tried to ignore the technical terms that the Ranger constantly overwhelmed. The entrance is free, but the visitor center always has a small shop where you get a sandwich for a few dollars – practical if you are hungry after the fossil-sniffing.
Further north, almost like a secret club for everyone who likes to stand above things, this is Floyds Knobs Scenic Overlook. The name sounds like a pub seat, but the view is anything but flat. From here you have a panoramic view of the Ohio Valley, and I felt there for the first time that Indiana has more to offer than corn fields. Parking is a small field behind the view tower; on weekends it is full, but a short walk through the forest section is enough to find a free place.
A couple of miles on, that's how New Albany Riverfront Park with its redesigned promenade, which moves like a band of concrete and green through the city. I made a picnic there while a street musician played on a guitar that he apparently stole from a second hand store. The Fountain shows in the evening are a bit cheesy, but they bring a bit of shine to the otherwise sober cityscape. Parking is available near the museum, but they are quickly occupied when the weather is good – a small walk from a few blocks is then the better choice.
If you look for the urban flair, the path leads to Jeffersonville Historic District. The old brick buildings, the small boutiques and the café, which supposedly serves the best latte throughout the state, have something from a dusty film set that suddenly wakes to life. I discovered an old bookstore where an owner told me he had the building since 1920 – a real character that fills the neighborhood with its history. Parking is a labyrinth of narrow alleys; a few coins for the meter parking meter are usually enough, but on Friday night the whole thing becomes a small adventure.
A short trip to Clarksville brings you to Clarksville Covered Bridge, one of the few preserved wooden bridges in the state. I stood there in the fall, the laub rushed under my shoes, and thought that this bridge radiates more romance than any Hollywood scene. Parking is practically directly on the river, but the sign “Only for pedestrians” is often ignored by cyclists – a bit of caution never hurts.
Last but not least, if you feel like having enough of Indiana, you just cross the bridge to Kentucky and dive into the Louisville Mega Cavern. This is not a typical tourist spot, but a huge, rebuilt stone quarry lab that today serves as an adventure park. I took part in a zip line that shot me over a dark vault – an adrenalinkick I had not expected but definitely not regret. Parking is well signposted at the entrance of the Cavern, and tickets can be booked online to bypass the queue.
Whether you are looking for historical bridges, fossil treasures, breathtaking views or urban cafes – Georgetown, Georgetownship, Floyd, Indiana has something to offer for everyone. The mix of nature, history and a bit of crazy adventure makes the region an underestimated jewel in the Middle West. So next time after Georgetown Attractions searches, these seven highlights should put on the list – they are anything but boring.
This guide invites you to look a little behind the simple facade of Georgetown, where the real pleasure is to overlook the obvious.
I must confess that my personal favorite spot Georgetown Methodist Church is a stone relic dating back to 1880, which in spite of its refusal to soften the modern spirit of time. When you first step through the cracking wooden door, it smells like old wood and even older sermons. The benches are so hard that you almost feel like chewing a piece of history when sitting. Parking is usually easy as long as you are not there on Sunday morning when the community turns the building into an overcrowded Friday neighbourhood.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Georgetown Schoolhouse, a former classroom that now serves as a community centre. I once participated in a summer camp where the children learned more about the exchange of chalk than about mathematics – a real eye-catcher for those who appreciate nostalgic school bank memories. The old boards are still visible, and the roof snores at every wind blow, as if we want to remember that once generations of students have lost their homework.
If you are wondering where to find some rest in Georgetown, look at Georgetown Riverfront Park. The small green strip at the Ohio River offers a surprisingly good look at the passing ships that make more noise than a weekly market in the city centre. I have thrown out my fishing several times – without success, but for that with a lot of time to think about life while the sun slowly sinks in the river. The park area is freely accessible, but on hot summer days, the few parks that exist are quickly occupied by picnic families who claim the green as their private oasis.
Another must for those who like to go to the past is that Georgetown Cemetery. Here are the tombs of the pioneers, the country in the 19th century. Century settled, and the inscriptions tell stories that are not found in any guide. I once discovered an old tombstone, where there is a man who never knew the word “excuse” – a hint that the inhabitants of Georgetown were not just famous for their courtesy. The area is well maintained, and parking is usually without problems at the edge of the cemetery as long as you are not there on the day of the annual memorial.
For those who want to breathe the real “Georgetown feeling”, I recommend a detour to Georgetown Town Hall. The building is a little like an old family photo: a bit dusty, but full of character. I once participated in a public meeting where the discussion about the new garbage collection was almost as exciting as a thriller – until someone suggested to delete the garbage cans in rainbow colours. That was the highlight of the evening. The town hall has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually free, except when the weekly market event takes place nearby.
A short trip over the old railway bridge, which today serves as a footpath, offers a surprisingly good view of the surrounding landscape. The Georgetown Bridge is not exactly an architectural miracle, but it has this rustic charm that you only find in small American towns. I took a photo there that was later titled in my blog as “The bridge that knows more stories than the city itself”. Access is free, and parking is practical at the foot of the bridge, as long as you don't plan a picnic there on weekends with a group of bicycle tourists.
A little away from the known paths lies the Georgetown Farmers Market, a seasonal market that takes place every Saturday morning at the municipal centre. Here there are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and the one or the other stand where an older gentleman claims he has the best maize bread of the state. I once tried a piece of pumpkin cake there, which was so dry that I almost thought it was a piece of tree bark – but the company was so warm that I still took a second piece. Parking is available at the rear end of the center, and they are usually sufficient as long as you do not show up with the entire village at the same time.
If you summarize all these places, you will get a pretty good picture of the Georgetown Attractionsthat offer more charm than glamour. I don't quite understand the hype about big cities, but here, between church, school, cemetery and a bridge that has more stories to tell than some expensive tourist attraction, you'll find a piece of real Indiana – rough, honest and a bit ironic, just like me.
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