Things to Do in Southern Indiana

If you ever find yourself visiting the southern Indiana area, there are a few fun places you should be sure to check out. Caves are popular in the southern Indiana region and there are many to choose from, including the three listed in this article. There are also interesting villages and even a town named after Santa Claus! If you love roadside attractions then southern Indiana is a great place to visit, in between the stops below you are sure to find other fun hidden treasures.

Squire Boone Caverns & Village
100 Squire Boone Rd SW
Mauckport, IN 47142
Harrison County

Squire Boone was the younger brother of Daniel Boone. Squire happened upon a cave in southern Indiana in his younger years. That place is now a huge tourist attraction. The cave is enjoyable and even boasts itself as the burial place of Squire Boone himself. It is an education tour in the creation of these underground caves as well as in the family lineage of Squire and Daniel. But the cave is not the only fun things to visit at this village. The gift shop is full of fun souvenirs. Include authentic fox tails. There is a candle maker building where you can make your own hand dipped candles and/or buy some already made ones, including votives and holders. There is also a soap maker building where authentic lye soap is still being made, and available for purchase. The lit log cabins that each "business" is in are fun and rustic. There is also a rock shop and a restaurant.

Bluespring Caverns Park
1459 Bluespring Cavern Rd.
Bedford, IN 47421
Lawrence County

The difference about Bluespring caverns is that instead of taking a walking tour underground you get to ride in a boat. These is an awesome river running underground in Bedford and Bluesprings takes you on a tour of this magnificent waterway. You get to see how differently the caves look with so much water in them. And you get to relax after the long walk down into the cave.

Gasthof Amish Village
6659 E. Gasthof Village Rd
Montgomery, IN 47558
Daviess County

This Amish villages main draw is it's fabulous restaurant. All you can eat home cooking Amish style. All they ask is that you eat what you take, which shouldn't be hard since the food is wonderful. Vegetables, meats, stuffing, potatoes and even desert. You will walk out stuffed.

To be sure that you can shop you should eat last. Gasthof Village is full of little shops with everything you can imagine. You will find country decor, wood items, furniture, antiques and even jewelry.

Marengo Cave US National Landmark
400 E. State Rd 64
Marengo, IN 47140
Crawford County

Is one of the older caves in the area and has a couple different tours available, a shorter one and a longer one. In this tour there are areas where you can touch the stalactites and stalagmites. You will find yourself in the pitch dark and see how there is no light in certain areas and you will even hear the sounds and echos of the inside of this massive caves. Look for bats hanging out in the exit way as you head back up to the gift shop.

Santa Claus, IN

Holiday World/Santa Claus Museum

If you are a fan of the jolly guy in red then you will definitely want to visit Santa Claus. The museum is a neat trek into the history of Christmas, where you can even read letters to Santa that are decades old. The most popular souvenir is the Santa Claus one dollar bill. This is a real dollar bill with a picture of Santa covering up good old George.

Another place to visit in Santa Claus, for the adventurist, is Holiday World. This theme park is entirely themed around the Holidays. If you like roller coasters you can ride "The Legend" (think of the headless horseman) or "The Raven." If you are looking for something milder you can try the "Gobbler Getaway", "Liberty Launch" or even the "Star Spangled Carousel".