Group Itineraries

Patoka Lake is Southern Indiana’s #1 recreation area.

Enjoy this 2 day tour through the rolling hills of Dubois County where you are sure to create a memory to last a lifetime!

Remember to check out our list of events—there may be something going on that you want to be a part of. Also, this is just one idea on how to spend your time in Dubois County – there are many other attractions to see as well!

Day 1

Your tour begins with a visit to the Dubois County Museum, one of the largest county museums in the state of Indiana. It showcases the rich German heritage and history of Dubois County, its German immigrants, and other interesting facts.

Enjoy lunch at The Mill House, built in 1947, featuring homemade soups, barbeque specialties, and desserts.

After lunch, see the workings of the Jasper City Mill, recently built to resemble the former mill that once stook along the Patoka River.

Before enjoying the evening festivities, a visit to our “Faithful Watchman over Jasper”, St. Joseph Church, is necessary. The beautiful 1880 Romanesque old-world church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features priceless German stained glass windows, Austrian designed mosaics, and marble statues.

After learning about our German heritage, go aboard the “Spirit of Jasper” Train for a Ride & Dine Excursion. Ride in style on beautifully renovated, climate-controlled lounge cars complete with restrooms and comfortable seating. Each car is exquisitely decorated and maintains its own unique design and ambiance.

Enjoy the scenic countryside while dinner is served by The Schnitzelbank, a Southern Indiana premier German Restaurant serving authentic German entrees.

Day 2

Day two begins with a tour of Best Home Furnishings, one of the largest furniture manufacturing companies in the world. Learn how furniture is made from start to finish, witnessing first hand what is involved in making some of the world’s best and uniquely-designed upholstered furniture.

Next, visit the recently restored, Monastery Immaculate Conception, also known as the “Castle on the Hill” in Ferdinand. It is home to one of the largest communities of Benedictine women in the nation. Enjoy a guided tour by Sister Christine and learn the history of the majestic domed church. Don’t forget to browse “For Heaven’s Sake” gift shopwhere you can find “Simply Divine” bakery items and other great gift ideas! Enjoy lunch at Harvest Moon Bed & Breakfast, where Ruthie, owner and chef prepares entrees along with homemade soups and sandwhiches, desserts and breads, a true southern Indiana hospitality.

Following lunch, sit back and enjoy Dr. Ted’s Musical Marvels. Millie, your cheerful guide will take you on a delightful tour showcasing a magnificent collection of restored mechanical musical instruments, including nickelodeons, orchestrions, street organs, and player pianos.

Begin your holiday festivities in Dubois County at the Christkindlmarkt. Voted a Top 100 Event by ABA in 2012.

Day 1

Your tour begins with a visit to the Dubois County Museum, one of the largest county museums in the state of Indiana. It showcases the rich German heritage and history of Dubois County and during the Christmas season offers a collection of over 1,500 santas and a Christmas Tree collection decorated by local decor shops.

Begin your holiday shopping spree in the Downtown Jasper Shopping District, where you will find a variety of decor, clothing and other specialty shops around the square. Eat lunch at one of the places located near the square.

Wind down with a visit to our “Faithful Watchman over Jasper”, St. Joseph Church. The beautiful 1880 Romanesque old-world church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features priceless German stained glass windows, Austrian designed mosaics, and marble statues. After learning about our German heritage, enjoy an authentic German meal at Southern Indiana’s premier German Restaurant, The Schnitzelbank while listening to live entertainment by local musicians!!(optional)

Day 2

Wake up to Dr. Ted’s Musical Marvels where Millie, your cheerful guide will take you on a delightful tour showcasing a magnificent collection of restored mechanical musical instruments, including nickelodeons, orchestrions, street organs, and player pianos. Make your way to Santa Claus, Indiana whever eveyone feels like a kid on Chrismas morning. After getting in the Christmas spirit, stop at  Huntingburg’s 4th Street Shopping District, a victorian downtown, where you can browse over two dozen locally owned specialty, antique, and gift shops. Take a break back at the hotel before the Opening Ceremonies, Christkindl Angel appearance and Eve dinner, located at the Monastery of Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand. (Reservations needed for Eve Dinner)

Day 3

Enjoy the day partaking in festival events! Browse over 100 bavarian shopping stalls and take a FREE tour of the Monastery Immaculate Conception, home to one of the nation’s largest communities of Benedictine women. Also, enjoy entertainment including a Marionette Theater, live glockenspiel, celebration singers concert and other live entertainment throughout the day!! Oh and don’t forget about the great food booths and wine tasting!

Jasper is filled with history, great food, and vitality. Explore the town’s heritage and create a memory that will last a lifetime.

Remember to check out our list of events—there may be something going on that you want to be a part of. Also, other attractions are available as well—this is just one idea on how to spend your day in Jasper. If you are just going to be here for one day, you may want to look over the day in Dubois County itinerary to encompass even more things in a short time.

Morning

Start your day right with a quick breakfast at a café such as Azura’s Café or Winkler’s Natural Food Store for some great muffins and their expresso bar. For a heartier breakfast, Dad’s Diner, Shoney’s, and Denny’s are well known for their selection (for a complete listing of restaurants, click here).

After breakfast, tour the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Designated as the “Faithful Watchman over Jasper”, St. Joseph Church is an 1880 Romanesque old-world church listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Priceless German stained glass windows, Austrian designed mosaics with 50 million stones, and marble statues are just a few of the details that make this historic landmark a truly heavenly place. Behind the church explore the Grottos at the Providence Home.

If you want to experience history first hand you won’t want to miss out on The Dubois County Museum, a German heritage cultural center and one of the largest county museums in Indiana, featuring early settler history, religious history, sports memorabilia, its very own life-size log cabin, antique farm machinery, murals covering the walls, a train room with a unique setup of model trains, a play area for children, and a main street that showcases old-time shops and history.

Lunch

Enjoy lunch at one of our unique eateries in Jasper (for a complete listing of restaurants, click here). A wide selection is available including ethnic cuisine, small deli’s, local pubs, and home-style restaurants. A lunch or supper favorite of Jasper is southern Indiana’s premier German restaurant, the Schnitzelbank, winner of Indiana’s super sandwich competition during Superbowl XLVI.

Afternoon

Visit the Jasper Downtown Shopping District and the area around the square. This beautiful area of Jasper is filled with vitality, history, and a variety of shops. Be sure to not forget some homemade fudge or other desserts from Chocolate Bliss.

Tour the Jasper City Mill that has been recently constructed to resemble the former mill that once stood near the Patoka River, watch the workings of the waterwheel, browse the gift shop and embrace the serenity of the Patoka River while relaxing at the plaza/rest area. Afterwards, take a walk on the 2.1 mile paved path of the Jasper Riverwalk.

Dedicated to the sport of baseball and its Indiana heroes, the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame, located on the Vincennes University Jasper Campus, showcases memorabilia from high school, collegiate and professional athletes throughout the Hoosier State. Located across this facility, delight in the variety of artwork on display at the Krempp Art Gallery.

Evening

Enjoy one of the many performances by area musicians at the Jasper Arts Center. You may also enjoy a backstage (pre-arranged) meal while being entertained. Please check current performance listings before visiting, but also note that special entertainment can be arranged.
OR
All aboard the new “Spirit of Jasper” Train for a “Ride and Dine”. Ride in style on beautifully renovated, climate-controlled lounge cars complete with restrooms and comfortable seating. Each car maintains its own unique design and ambiance. Enjoy a buffet meal to accompany the scenic train ride. (Other excursions are also available besides the evening “Ride and Dine.”)

Also, entertainment is sometimes available at local facilities and bars and taverns. Give us a call, if you have any questions.

Discover the local heritage, historic and architectural structures, and beautiful nature in the charming town of Ferdinand and other towns close by.

Remember to check out our list of events—there may be something going on that you want to be a part of. Also, other attractions are available as well—this is just one idea of how to spend your day in Ferdinand. If you are just going to be here for one day, you may want to look over the day in Dubois County itinerary to encompass even more things in a short time.

Morning

After enjoying breakfast at one of the local eateries, explore nature at the Ferdinand State Forest, one of the most beautiful forest lakes in the state. This 7,640-acre area includes primitive camping, picnic areas, shelter houses, grills, playground, fishing, hiking, boating, a swimming beach, and more. Between mid-April through October rent a canoe or rowboat and enjoy a morning on the lake (you could even pack a lunch and cooler and have lunch while experiencing the scenic beauty).

Lunch

Another option as opposed to packing a lunch would be to eat at one of the great local eateries and pubs in this charming town—many of which are located right off Main Street.

Afternoon

Tour Ferdinand’s Monastery Immaculate Conception, known as the “Castle on the Hill” and home to one of the nation’s largest communities of Benedictine women. Experience the sisters’ serene lifestyle with a guided tour of the recently restored majestic domed church and Lourdes Grotto, then browse the “For Heaven’s Sake” gift shop for great gift ideas.

Stop by local shops such as Tin Lizzie’s, House of Flowers, Ferdinand Antique Emporium, Horseman’s Paradise, Hilgeman’s Antiques, and All-Star Sports for some great shopping.

Only a 15-minute drive, tour Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Founded in 1854 by monks of the Abbey of Einsiedeln in Switzerland, the Saint Meinrad Archabbey is one of only two Archabbeys in the United States. Today, more than 135 monks of the community live by the Rule of St. Benedict, and with the motto Ora et Labora (To Pray and To Work).

Evening

Only minutes away from St. Meinrad Archabbey, tour and taste at Monkey Hollow Winery. Monkey Hollow Winery is a family-owned and operated winery nestled in the rolling hills of Southern Indiana. Enjoy a complimentary tasting of their award-winning wines and browse their selection of locally made arts and crafts.

After everyone has their fair share of wine, continue south and have dinner at New Boston Tavern (17 miles from Ferdinand). A favorite of Southern Indiana, New Boston Tavern has great steaks and more to enjoy. If you want to stay more locally in Ferdinand, there are many other options to enjoy as well (click here for a complete listing of restaurants).