Trip Ideas

Patoka Lake is Southern Indiana’s #1 recreation area. Experience nature at its finest, enjoying the day in the sun at Patoka Lake and the surrounding area.

Remember to check out our list of events—there may be something going on that you want to be a part of. Also, other things around the lake are available as well, this is just one idea on how to spend your day in the Patoka Lake area.

Morning

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at Deb’s Truck Stop or another local favorite (click here for a complete listing of restaurants).

After breakfast, take a nice nature walk on the Patoka Lake Dam walking trails. Be sure to drive, walk, or bike to the Patoka Overlook for a great picturesque view of the lake. Also, view the dam and watch water pour out of this massive structure. Other Patoka Lake Trails are also available.

Rent a houseboat from Hoosier Hills Marina or pontoon from Gilligan’s Boats or Patoka Lake Marina. Or take a trip down to the beach. On hot and humid days, you will want to beat the heat in the water.

Lunch

Have lunch right by the water at Patoka Lake Pizza and Wingslocated at Hoosier Hills Marina. If on a boat, simply pull into the boat dock at the marina to pick up some pizza. Another option is to pack a picnic or bring grilling materials. There are very picturesque locations around the lake as well as shelter houses for a picnic with many locations featuring charcoal grills. Other restaurants near the lake are also available, feel free to call if you would like to know of other options.

Afternoon

Tour the Patoka Lake Visitor and Nature Center. Different programming is also available throughout the year through the Patoka Lake Visitors Center.

Grab a large cone at the Birdseye Dairy Barn. A reader’s choice in the Best of Indiana magazine, the Dairy Barn will please your sweet tooth with their large soft serve ice cream cones with a large variety of flavors. Be careful in ordering a large cone—it may be more than you can handle!

Evening

Take an evening wine or beer cruise on The Patoka Voyager. Toward dusk, the lake is usually ever-so-smooth and peaceful. What better way to end the evening then kicking back with some wine as a tour is given of beautiful Patoka Lake with the sun close low in the horizon.
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Only a short drive a way, head to French Lick and West Baden. Tour West Baden Springs National Historic Landmark, formerly dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The property has undergone an exciting transformation and is a beautiful place to see. Also, try your hand at the French Lick Casino—lady luck just may be on your side. French Lick also offers great fun for kids with indoor go-karting, miniature golf, big splash indoor water park, and laser tag.

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.
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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.

Spend the day in Huntingburg, a growing community that has been featured in films and is rich with history.

Remember to check out our list of events—there may be something going on that you want to be a part of.

Morning

After breakfast, travel to Charles C. Niehaus Memorial Park and have fun at the driving range. Explore this nice scenic area. If it’s hot and humid, cool off at Huntingburg Municipal Pool located in Huntingburg City Park.

Lunch

Enjoy lunch at one of the unique eateries, many of which are located on Huntingburg Historic 4th Street (for a complete listing of restaurants, click here). Consider Old School Sports Café, Fat & Sassy’s, or one of the local pub’s which offer great lunch and dinner options.

Afternoon

Relax as you stroll down the street of this charming Victorian downtown, known as Huntingburg’s 4th Street Shopping District. Browse over two dozen locally owned and operated antique shops, trendy apparel stores, and specialty and gift shops. Great finds await your arrival. Also, on 4th street, stop in at the Huntingburg Museum located in Huntingburg City Hall and browse historic artifacts as well as mementos from the filming of “A League of Their Own.”

Evening

Stop for a tour at historic Huntingburg League Stadium, built in 1894, and renovated in the early 1990’s. It is the site of the motion-picture film, “A League of Their Own”, featuring Tom Hanks, Madonna, Geena Davis, and Rosie O’Donnell. Original advertisements from the film still remain along the outfield fence. The Stadium also starred in the HBO movie, “Soul of the Game.” Finish the evening rooting for the Dubois County Bombers collegiate baseball team as they play on this legendary field in retro uniforms reminisce of the era showcased in the film “A League of Their Own.” One of the Rockford Peaches beer girls in uniform replicas from the movie will be happy to fill your drink order.

Also, many local facilities and bars supply entertainment at times. Call us for more information.

Discover 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 on 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 “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).