Travel Guide: Terre Haute, Indiana

If you are traveling to or around Terre Haute, Indiana, you may think it lives up to it's nickname "Nowhere, USA", dubbed by Steve Martin back in the 1970's. But this isn't the case. It all depends on what you are looking for. If you are an adventure fan, somebody who thrives on climbing mountains and the likes, then yes, you wouldn't want to come to Terre Haute.

But to an average person who likes sightseeing, small-time hiking, parks, and shopping, Terre Haute has a lot to offer. But first, here's some interesting history.

-Terre Haute is home to the Coca-Cola contoured bottle. Because the basic bottle originally produced could be confused with imitators, the company set out to find a new design, back in 1915. Introduced in 1916, the contour was designed by the Root Glass Company and was welcomed passionately. The design was one of only a few packages to receive trademark status by the US Patent Office. Quoted from the Coca-Cola website under the history: "Today, it's one of the most recognized icons in the world - even in the dark!"

-The Terre Haute House was at one time a grand and beautiful hotel. This hotel, once called the Prairie House by Chauncey Rose and is now demolished and reconstructed as Hilton Garden Inn, was privy to the wealthy and famous as well as infamous. The famous outlaw Al Capone was rumored to have stayed at the hotel. But in 1970, it closed down and remained non-operational until it's elimination back in 2005.

-Clabber Girl Baking Powder was produced by Hulman & Company, right here in Terre Haute. Back then; baking powder was made from baked ashes from fireplaces and sour milk, called "clabber". Of course, this is not the case now. In the late 1800's, creator Herman Hulman made a Milk Brand baking powder in which he continued perfecting throughout the subsequent forty years.

That's enough about the history of Terre Haute. I'm sure you can research on it more if you'd like. What does Terre Haute have to offer?

Golf

If it's golf you want, you will enjoy several of Terre Haute's courses. First, there's the Hulman Links Golf Course which offers a PGA Championship course, driving range, clubhouse, dining room and lounge. It is only open March through December 24.

Another golf course is at The Landing at Fort Harrison. It's a challenging course with 6300 yards of play space.

Museums

There are several museums with different topics ranging from the Children's Science and Technology Museum to the Holocaust Museum.

The Children's Science and Technology Museum is located on Wabash Avenue and is a hands-on interactive learning center to teach children about technology and science. The cost is only $3.00 children/seniors; $3.75 adults and is open Tues-Fri 10 am-5 pm; Sat 10 am-3 pm.

The C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum exists to educate children and adults about the effects of hatred and prejudices. The exhibits provide information on the lessons of the Holocaust and provide insight on the families, forgiveness and perseverance of those that experienced this terrible time in history.

There are many more museums such as the Fire-Police Museum, Native American Museum, and the Swope Art Museum and features works from late 19th and early 20th centuries as well as collection highlights including works by American artists Edward Hopper, Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, Andy Warhol, and Robert Motherwell. The museum is closed Sunday through Monday as well as national holidays.

Recreation

If you have children and/or want to find family fun activities, here's a list of such places.

Bogey's Family Fun Center is a place for family and children. It has Go-Kart tracks, miniature golf, Batting Cages, Bungee Trampoline, Tilt-a-whirl, a play land, a climbing wall, an arcade, and a snack bar with prices ranging from $3.75 to $23.00 per person.

Green Gables Equestrian Center is a place that has an inside arena, with top notch instructors that cater mainly to the English sport horse disciplines, but also offer lessons in Western riding. Summer camps are available for children seven years old and up.

There's also Joe's Airboats "Cruisin' The Bash" located at Fairbanks Park. It is a new way of viewing Terre Haute, by water. Learn the river's history and its influence on Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley. There are two ten-passenger boats: Freedom & Independence. Hearing protection and life vests are provided. Half-hour rides are $12 per adult, $10 children 12 yrs and under, no reservations needed. One-hour island trips available every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. It's $25 per seat, reservations required. The airboats are open Tuesday through Sunday from noon until dusk.

The Landing at Fort Harrison, mentioned above, is one of the newest places for recreation. The pool at The Landing offers a relaxing atmosphere with good music and friendly staff. With a 25 meter five lane pool, and zero depth entry, the pool is perfect for the avid swimmer, small children and Handicapped individuals. The one-and-a-half foot baby pool is great for all your little ones. The pool also includes a diving well with two slides and a one-meter board. The Landing offers to the Wabash Valley a recent trend in the bowling industry known as boutique bowling. Boutique bowling caters to small parties or corporate groups and offers more variety for its patrons in addition to food and beverages and an edgy ambiance.

Parks

Some of the parks include Collett Park which is a 21 acre park and is the oldest park in the Terre Haute Park System. It is located in a historic neighborhood. It features a horseshoe court, picnic shelters, enclosed pavilion, playground, and tennis courts.

Deming Park is 177 acres of green spaces to be used for relaxing, shelters for picnics, an enclosed room for rental, a miniature train to ride, and the magnificent Oakley Playground. You'll also find a softball field, tennis courts, and a Frisbee disc course and even a pond for fishing.

Fairbanks Park, also mentioned above, is a place where the Wabash River serves as a backdrop and is 145 acres near the downtown area. Enjoy meandering down the River walk in the park, which will soon be part of the trail system in Terre Haute. Fairbanks is quickly becoming known as the festival park in Terre Haute. Every year at the beginning of Summer, Terre Haute is a focal point for the annual festival featuring plenty of rides, music, and games.

Movies

Terre Haute offers several different movie theaters ranging in size from a two-screen theater to a twelve-screen theater. Meadows Theater is the less expensive way to go to watch a good movie. The cost is $1 for the matinee and $3 afterward.

Showplace Twelve and Honey Creek West Eight are the two biggest movie theaters playing all the latest movies. As the name suggests, Showplace Twelve offers twelve screens, each featuring different movies and Honey Creek West Eight offers eight screens. The average cost is $9 after the matinees.

As you can see, Terre Haute is not just a sleepy town. Almost anyone can find something fun to do. So for your next vacation or getaway, come and visit us.

Sources

-Tribune Star's series called Terre Haute's Top 40

-The Coca-Cola Company website

-Wikipedia- type Terre Haute, Indiana

-www.terrehaute.com