New Amsterdam IndianaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near New Amsterdam, Indiana.
1. Ohio River Scenic View
HISTORIC RIVER GATEWAY
The Ohio River Scenic View offers visitors a peaceful overlook of the historic waterway that was crucial to New Amsterdam's early development. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the river that once served as the main transportation route for migrating settlers and traders. The riverside location provides excellent opportunities for photography, bird watching, and appreciating the natural beauty that has shaped this tiny historic town.
2. Summit Lake State Park
SERENE OUTDOOR RECREATION
Summit Lake State Park encompasses a beautiful reservoir surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests, offering a peaceful retreat for nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking along the park's well-maintained trails that showcase the diverse ecosystem. The park also features excellent bird watching opportunities, especially for viewing bald eagles and other waterfowl that frequent the area.
3. Quakertown State Recreation Area
LAKESIDE NATURAL ESCAPE
Quakertown State Recreation Area provides visitors with access to the beautiful Brookville Lake and its surrounding natural landscapes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and camping in this picturesque setting that spans thousands of acres. The recreation area also features hiking trails that wind through forests and along shorelines, offering glimpses of local wildlife and spectacular views of the lake.
4. Historic National Road
AMERICA'S FIRST HIGHWAY
The Historic National Road, also known as U.S. Route 40, was America's first federally funded interstate highway and passes through southern Indiana. Travelers can explore historic sites, monuments, and quaint towns along this scenic byway that played a crucial role in westward expansion. The road offers a fascinating glimpse into America's transportation history with its historic mile markers, bridges, and roadside architecture dating back to the early 19th century.
5. Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
INDIANA'S FIRST CAPITAL
The Corydon Capitol State Historic Site preserves Indiana's first state capitol building, a limestone structure built in 1816. Visitors can tour the historic building and learn about early Indiana politics, the state's constitution, and daily life in the early 19th century. The site includes a museum with artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Indiana's transition from territory to statehood and Corydon's important role in that history.
6. Harrison County Fairgrounds
COMMUNITY EVENTS CENTER
The Harrison County Fairgrounds hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the popular Harrison County Fair with its agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and live entertainment. The spacious grounds feature exhibition halls, an arena, and outdoor spaces that accommodate everything from livestock shows to concerts and festivals. Visitors can experience authentic rural Indiana culture and traditions that have been celebrated here for generations.
7. O'Bannon Woods State Park
WILDERNESS ADVENTURE PARADISE
O'Bannon Woods State Park offers over 2,000 acres of forested hills, ravines, and access to the scenic Blue River and Ohio River. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that wind through diverse ecosystems home to abundant wildlife. The park features a working pioneer homestead and interpretive center where visitors can learn about early settlement of the area and traditional farming practices.
8. Squire Boone Caverns
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Squire Boone Caverns invites visitors to explore stunning underground passages discovered by Daniel Boone's brother in the late 18th century. The guided tour showcases spectacular formations including flowing waterfalls, delicate stalactites, and massive stalagmites created over millions of years. Above ground, the site features a pioneer village with demonstrations of traditional crafts, a working grist mill, and scenic hiking trails through the surrounding woodland.
9. Indiana Caverns
SUBTERRANEAN RIVER EXPERIENCE
Indiana Caverns is part of the extensive Binkley Cave system, offering visitors an extraordinary underground adventure through one of the longest cave systems in the United States. The tour includes a boat ride on an underground river, views of massive flowstone formations, and glimpses of rare blind cave fish and other subterranean wildlife. The attraction also features interactive exhibits about cave geology, paleontology, and the fascinating history of cave exploration in the region.
10. Battle of Corydon Park
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD
Battle of Corydon Park commemorates the only Civil War battle fought on Indiana soil, where local militia faced Confederate forces during Morgan's Raid in July 1863. Visitors can explore the battlefield with interpretive markers explaining the progression of the battle and the strategies employed by both sides. The site includes a memorial to the fallen defenders and provides insight into how this small but significant engagement affected the people of southern Indiana during the Civil War.
11. Hayswood Nature Reserve
PRISTINE ECOLOGICAL SANCTUARY
Hayswood Nature Reserve encompasses over 300 acres of diverse habitats including forests, meadows, wetlands, and streams in Harrison County. Visitors can explore several miles of well-maintained hiking trails that showcase native plant species, wildlife habitats, and scenic overlooks of the surrounding countryside. The reserve offers excellent bird watching opportunities, educational programming about local ecology, and peaceful natural spaces for reflection and recreation.
12. Constitution Elm Memorial
HISTORIC TREE MONUMENT
The Constitution Elm Memorial preserves the site where delegates gathered under a massive elm tree to draft Indiana's first state constitution in 1816. Though the original tree died in 1925, its trunk is preserved within a sandstone memorial building at the site. Visitors can learn about this pivotal moment in Indiana history through interpretive displays and appreciate how this natural landmark became an important symbol of the state's founding.
13. Turtle Run Winery
LOCAL VINEYARD EXPERIENCE
Turtle Run Winery offers visitors a chance to sample unique wines produced from locally grown grapes in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. Guests can tour the vineyard and production facilities while learning about the wine-making process from the passionate owners who emphasize sustainable practices. The winery features a charming tasting room where visitors can sample a wide variety of wines ranging from dry to sweet, along with beautiful grounds perfect for relaxing with a glass of their favorite vintage.
14. Harrison Crawford State Forest
VAST WOODLAND WILDERNESS
Harrison Crawford State Forest encompasses over 26,000 acres of rugged, forested terrain along the Ohio River in southern Indiana. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore an extensive network of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding that wind through diverse ecosystems including hardwood forests, limestone outcroppings, and scenic ravines. The forest offers excellent hunting and fishing opportunities, primitive camping areas, and spectacular views of the Ohio River valley from elevated ridges.
15. Zimmerman Art Glass
HISTORIC GLASSBLOWING WORKSHOP
Zimmerman Art Glass continues a family tradition of hand-blown glass artistry that dates back to the early 1900s in southern Indiana. Visitors can watch master craftsmen create beautiful glass pieces using traditional techniques and tools in their working studio. The adjacent shop displays and sells a colorful array of handcrafted items including paperweights, vases, ornaments, and other decorative pieces that showcase this historic American craft.