Sandborn IndianaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Sandborn, Indiana.
1. USS LST Ship Memorial
HISTORIC NAVAL VESSEL
The USS LST Ship Memorial is the last remaining representative of the largest class of ship to ever serve in the U.S. Navy. Visitors can explore this meticulously preserved WWII landing ship tank that participated in several historic operations. The ship offers a unique glimpse into naval history with guided tours showcasing authentic equipment, living quarters, and educational exhibits about its wartime service.
2. Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science
CULTURAL LEARNING CENTER
The Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science houses a permanent collection of more than 30,000 objects spanning multiple disciplines. Visitors can explore diverse exhibits featuring fine art, regional history artifacts, and interactive science displays that appeal to all ages. The museum offers an enriching cultural experience with regularly rotating special exhibitions that complement its impressive permanent collection.
3. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden
WILDLIFE AND PLANT PARADISE
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden offers visitors an immersive experience with diverse animal species and beautiful botanical displays. The zoo features naturalistic habitats including the impressive Amazonia rainforest exhibit where guests can encounter exotic wildlife up close. Visitors can enjoy a full day exploring the carefully designed gardens and participating in educational programs focused on conservation and environmental stewardship.
4. Children's Museum of Evansville
INTERACTIVE LEARNING ADVENTURE
The Children's Museum of Evansville features three floors of educational exhibits designed for interactive learning through play. Young visitors can explore hands-on stations focused on science, art, culture, and health in a colorful, engaging environment. The museum provides an ideal setting for children to develop creativity and critical thinking skills while having fun with exhibits tailored to different age groups and interests.
5. Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
URBAN OLD-GROWTH FOREST
Wesselman Woods is recognized as the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States and has become one of the most visited nature preserves in the region. Nature enthusiasts can explore miles of scenic trails winding through a pristine ecosystem that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The preserve offers excellent birdwatching opportunities along with educational programs at its nature center that highlight the ecological significance of this rare urban wilderness.
6. Angel Mounds State Historic Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN SETTLEMENT
Angel Mounds State Historic Site is nationally recognized as one of the best-preserved prehistoric Native American sites in the nation. Visitors can explore reconstructed buildings and earthen mounds that were part of a thriving Mississippian culture settlement from 1000 to 1450 CE. The interpretive center provides fascinating insights into the daily lives, cultural practices, and archaeological significance of the indigenous people who once inhabited this important historical site.
7. Bosse Field
HISTORIC BASEBALL STADIUM
Bosse Field opened in 1915 as the first municipally owned sports facility in the United States and continues to serve as home to the Evansville Otters baseball team. The historic stadium has maintained much of its original charm while hosting countless games throughout its storied existence, including serving as a filming location for the classic movie 'A League of Their Own.' Sports enthusiasts and history buffs alike can experience the nostalgic atmosphere of this authentic ballpark that has been an important community landmark for over a century.
8. Evansville African American Museum
CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTION
The Evansville African American Museum celebrates the struggles, successes, and experiences of African American culture in the region. Housed in a historic building that was once part of Lincoln Gardens, the first federal housing project for African Americans in Evansville, the museum preserves important stories through compelling exhibits and artifacts. Visitors gain valuable insights into the significant contributions and challenges faced by the African American community throughout the area's rich and complex history.
9. Eagle Slough Natural Area
WETLAND BIRD PARADISE
Eagle Slough Natural Area showcases over 160 species of birds and represents the northernmost point of bald cypress swamps in the United States. Nature lovers can traverse elevated boardwalks through diverse wetland habitats that support a remarkable variety of wildlife in this ecological treasure. The preserve offers excellent photography opportunities and seasonal viewing experiences as migratory birds make this important wetland ecosystem their temporary or permanent home.
10. The Ford Center
PREMIER ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The Ford Center is Evansville's premier entertainment and sports venue hosting major concerts, sporting events, and community gatherings throughout the year. The modern arena features excellent sightlines, state-of-the-art acoustics, and comfortable seating for audiences attending performances by national touring acts and home games of the University of Evansville Purple Aces basketball team. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of entertainment options in this centrally located downtown venue that has become a cultural anchor for the region.
11. Tropicana Evansville
RIVERFRONT CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
Tropicana Evansville offers visitors an exciting gaming experience along with dining, entertainment, and hotel accommodations on the scenic Ohio River waterfront. The casino features a variety of table games, slot machines, and poker rooms designed to appeal to both casual players and serious gamblers seeking Vegas-style action. Beyond gaming, guests can enjoy multiple restaurants, live entertainment venues, and relaxing accommodations that make this a complete entertainment destination in southwestern Indiana.
12. Reitz Home Museum
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE
The Reitz Home Museum stands as one of the finest examples of French Second Empire architecture in the United States, preserving the opulent 1871 mansion of lumber baron John Augustus Reitz. Visitors can tour authentically furnished rooms featuring original woodwork, hand-painted ceilings, and period furnishings that showcase the lavish lifestyle of a wealthy 19th-century family. The meticulously maintained historic home offers guided tours that provide fascinating insights into Victorian-era craftsmanship, domestic life, and the influential Reitz family's contributions to Evansville's development.
13. Victory Theatre
HISTORIC PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
The Victory Theatre is a beautifully restored 1921 movie palace that now serves as home to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and hosts various performing arts events. The venue combines historic architectural elements with modern acoustics and amenities to create an unforgettable experience for audience members attending concerts, ballet performances, and theatrical productions. Visitors can appreciate both the cultural performances and the ornate interior details of this landmark building that represents an important piece of Evansville's entertainment history.
14. Willard Library
HISTORIC HAUNTED LIBRARY
Willard Library holds the distinction of being the oldest public library building in Indiana and is famous for its Victorian Gothic architecture as well as its legendary ghost, the Grey Lady. Book lovers can browse extensive collections housed within the atmospheric 1885 structure, which features original woodwork, stained glass, and period-appropriate furnishings. Beyond its literary treasures, the library attracts paranormal enthusiasts who hope to catch a glimpse of its famous spectral resident during regular tours or through the library's popular ghost cams that stream online.
15. Dream Car Museum
VINTAGE AUTOMOBILE COLLECTION
The Dream Car Museum showcases an impressive collection of classic cars, exotic vehicles, and automotive memorabilia that appeals to car enthusiasts of all ages. Visitors can admire meticulously restored vintage automobiles alongside modern supercars displayed in a spacious, well-designed exhibition space. The museum offers an engaging experience with rotating exhibits that highlight different eras and styles of automotive design, providing both entertainment and education about the evolution of transportation technology.