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Southeastern Indiana-Back Roads and Small Towns
©2006 Article and Photos by Nancy S. Tardy
If your new mantra is “relax and slow down”, then southeastern Indiana back roads and small towns are for you. You can begin by flying into Indianapolis, Cincinnati, or the Louisville airport if you’re further than a comfortable driving distance. If you arrive at Indianapolis airport, plan to stop in Bloomington, home of Indiana University on your way. This quintessential college town provides numerous and varied lodging options, from chain motels to two charming inns, Scholar’s Inn and Grant Street Inn. However, if possible, stay at the Indiana Memorial Union, the largest student union in the country-complete with its own hotel. Though not plush, its location is central and within walking distance to restaurants and events on or near the campus. The campus Calendar of Events as well as the local and campus newspapers can guide you. This 40,000 student university skews the average age in this small town downward; bringing the advantages of fun and funky restaurants, a jiving music scene, museums and cultural activities usually found only in large cities. To avoid the car and pedestrian traffic, try to visit on a weekend or holiday. Grab a cup of coffee or bottle of water at one of the many shops and cafes along Kirkwood and Indiana Avenues and stroll through the picturesque, wooded old campus that dates back to the early 1800s. Bronze statues and gardens greet you along walkways from the Sample Gates at the main entrance of the campus on Kirkwood to the Indiana Memorial Union; continue around Showalter Fountain and through the Arboretum to the Herman B Wells Library at 10th and Jordan.
Continue the winding down process by heading east from Bloomington to visit the small village of Nashville. Home to a thriving art colony for over 70 years, this charming town contains over 300 shops, restaurants and lodging alternatives. For a unique perspective book a balcony room on the second floor of the Artists Colony Inn and watch the world go by. For lighter fare than the trademark country fried chicken, steak, mashed potatoes and deep fried biscuits with apple butter served by many Nashville restaurants, try either the Overlook at the Salt Creek Golf Club or the Story Inn Restaurant, located approximately 20 minutes away in hamlet of Story. A recent addition to Nashville is the Chateau Thomas Winery Tasting Room located near downtown. Open everyday, the low-key staff offer tasting options, local information, and cheese trays to accompany you at your outside table, should you wish to tarry after making your decision. Take time to drive some of the small highways and back roads; you will be rewarded with little or no traffic, possibly a view of a double covered bridge, bird and wildlife sightings, and trees arching over the road to form green tunnels. These scenes cry out to be memorialized on canvas-no wonder this small area of Brown County has attracted artists and artisans for years.
Only 15 miles further is Columbus, Indiana; if possible stop to visit “The Athens of the Prairie”, so named because of its many buildings designed by famous architects. The downtown Columbus Area Visitors Center can provide touring maps and a wealth of information about the architecture and area. Numerous lodging and dining options are available in this charming town, located along Interstate 65.For a step back in time, continue on to Madison, located on the banks of the Ohio River. When the railroad came to this old river town in the 1800s, it stopped at the edge of a steep bluff overlooking it, essentially preserving the original town at this period in time. Stay, eat, shop, and tour along the historic Main Street. If it appears that the buildings are color-coordinated, your eyes are not deceiving you. The community makes grants of paint available to home or business owners beginning an exterior repainting project; but only in approved colors. The Lanier Mansion gardens are a visual treat and a comfortable place to stop and sit before continuing your stroll.
Head east along the Ohio on a designated scenic highway to enjoy views along the river until you reach Vevay in Switzerland County. Its original settlers hailed from Vevay, Switzerland, arriving around 1800. It’s a quaint place where the weekly newspaper comes in two versions; the Reveille-Enterprise, giving the Republican perspective on the editorial page, and the Switzerland Democrat allowing the opposite viewpoint equal space; otherwise, the two newspapers are identical. Since deaths and funerals are an important fact of life in small towns, the local funeral home compensates for the lack of a daily newspaper by erecting a triangular sign in front of its establishment giving pertinent details when a death occurs. The Switzerland County Museum is located in the former Presbyterian Church, providing an elegant and hospitable setting; adjacent is the excellent Life on the Ohio River History Museum. Both are worth a visit.If you wish to stay in town and enjoy this trip back in time, you may choose between two elegantly restored inns. The Rosemont Inn overlooks the Ohio, and the Schenck Mansion perches halfway up Vevay Hill, overlooking the town.If you yearn for more action, drive about 7 miles further east and find an astonishing 15-story hotel tower, belonging to the Belterra Casino and Resort rising over the adjacent corn fields. One of several casino resorts along the Ohio River (additional casinos are located in northern Indiana), the décor is light and airy, with a full spa, golf course, pool and two excellent restaurants to fill your time and tummy. Since Indiana prohibits gambling on land; a long hallway, complete with useful area visitor information, leads imperceptibly out to the Ohio River, where the casino, built in old riverboat style, is docked.
Less than 15 miles further east (and north) along the Ohio, the old river town of Rising Sun is currently being revitalized. The main street of Rising Sun is home to elegant Italianate and Federal style buildings, housing new businesses including a bookstore/coffee shop, gift shops, art gallery and restaurants. Uniquely, the main street does not parallel the river, as in most other waterfront towns; rather it intersects it at a ninety degree angle where an outdoor performing arts area overlooks the Ohio. In addition to enjoying the history of the area and watching the handcrafting of harps, you can try your luck at another Ohio River casino, The Grand Victoria.Enjoy this slow-paced, picturesque slice of southeastern Indiana for a week, and you will return home relaxed and renewed.
Contact Info:
Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau 2855 N. Walnut St. 866.333.0088 www.visitbloomington.com
Grant Street Inn 310 N. Grant St. Bloomington 812.334.2353 www.grantsinn.com
Scholar’s Inn 801 N. College Bloomington 800.765.3466 www.scholarsinn.com
Indiana Memorial Union Hotel and Conference Center 900 E. 7th Bloomington 812.855.2536 www.imu.indiana.edu
Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau Main and Van Buren Steets, Nashville 800.753.3255 www.browncounty.com
Artist Colony Inn and Restaurant Corner of Franklin and Van Buren Sts. Nashville 800.737.0255 www.artistscolonyinn.com
The Overlook Restaurant at Salt Creek Golf Retreat 2359 SR 46 East Nashville 812.988.7888
The Story Inn and Restaurant 6404 S. SR 135 800.881.1183 www.storyinn.com
Chateau Thomas Winery and Tasting Room 225 S. Van Buren in Coachlight Square, Nashville, IN 888.761.WINE www.chateauthomas.com
Columbus Area Visitors Center 506 5th St. 800.468.6564 www.columbus.in.us
Madison, IN Visitors Bureau 601 W. 1st St. 800.559.2956 www.visitmadison.org
Switzerland County Welcome Center 800.435.5688 www.vevay.com
The Rosemont Inn 806 W. Market St. Vevay 812.427.3050 www.rosemont-inn.com
The Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast Inn 206 W. Turnpike St. Vevay, IN 47043 812.427.2787 or 877.594.2876 www.schenckmansion.com
Belterra Casino and Resort 777 Belterra Dr. Belterra, IN 47020 888.235.8377 www.belterracasino.com
Rising Sun/Ohio County Convention and Tourism Bureau 120 N. Walnut St. 888.776.4786 www.enjoyrisingsun.com
Grand Victoria Casino and Resort 600 Grand Victoria Dr. Rising Sun 800.GRAND.11
Southeast Indiana Tourist Information www.downthelazyriver.org
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