Straughn IndianaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Straughn, Indiana.
1. Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
BASKETBALL HERITAGE AND HISTORY
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates the state's rich basketball heritage with memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and tributes to legendary players and coaches. Visitors can explore the extensive collection that showcases the evolution of basketball in Indiana, from small-town gymnasiums to professional arenas. The museum offers a nostalgic journey through Indiana's passionate relationship with basketball, often referred to as 'Hoosier Hysteria.'
2. Summit Lake State Park
SERENE LAKESIDE RECREATION
Summit Lake State Park offers 2,680 acres of natural beauty centered around a pristine 800-acre lake perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming. Nature enthusiasts can explore miles of hiking trails that wind through woodlands and prairies, offering opportunities to spot diverse wildlife, especially migratory birds. The park provides year-round recreation with camping facilities, picnic areas, and winter activities that make it a beloved destination for outdoor adventures.
3. Huddleston Farmhouse
HISTORIC NATIONAL ROAD LANDMARK
Huddleston Farmhouse is a beautifully preserved 1841 Federal-style brick home that once served as an inn for travelers on the National Road. The historic property includes the main house, barn, and outbuildings that have been carefully restored to reflect life in the mid-19th century. Visitors can experience living history through guided tours, educational programs, and special events that highlight the importance of the National Road in America's westward expansion.
4. National Road Antique Mall
VINTAGE TREASURES AND COLLECTIBLES
The National Road Antique Mall houses an impressive collection of antiques, vintage items, and collectibles spread across a spacious multi-dealer facility. Treasure hunters can spend hours browsing through furniture, glassware, jewelry, toys, and memorabilia from various eras. The mall's location along the historic National Road adds to its charm, making it a destination for both serious collectors and casual browsers seeking unique pieces with stories to tell.
5. New Castle Motorsports Park
PREMIER KARTING DESTINATION
New Castle Motorsports Park features one of the finest karting facilities in the United States, with a challenging 1-mile professional track that attracts racing enthusiasts from across the country. The park offers rental karts for casual visitors as well as competitive racing opportunities for serious drivers of all ages. With state-of-the-art equipment, professional instruction, and regular racing events, this world-class facility provides high-speed thrills in a safe, controlled environment.
6. Baker Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUTDOOR RECREATION
Baker Park provides a welcoming green space in the heart of New Castle with playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas perfect for family outings. The park features a popular splash pad that offers refreshing fun during hot summer days, complemented by shade trees and comfortable seating for parents. Throughout the year, Baker Park hosts community events, concerts, and festivals that bring local residents together in celebration of small-town life.
7. Children's Museum of Indianapolis
WORLD-CLASS INTERACTIVE LEARNING
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis stands as the largest children's museum in the world, offering five floors of interactive exhibits that inspire curiosity and learning through play. Young visitors can explore everything from dinosaur fossils and space travel to cultural diversity and scientific phenomena, with hands-on activities designed for various age groups. The museum's extraordinary experiences include a carousel, a massive water clock, and seasonal outdoor sports experiences that make it a must-visit destination for families traveling near Straughn.
8. Indy Walking Tours
URBAN EXPLORATION AND HISTORY
Indy Walking Tours provides guided explorations of Indianapolis that reveal the city's rich history, architecture, and culture through engaging storytelling. Knowledgeable guides lead visitors through the downtown area, sharing fascinating tales about famous landmarks, hidden gems, and the people who shaped the city. These walking adventures offer a personal, intimate way to experience Indianapolis beyond typical tourist attractions, with themed tours focusing on everything from historical events to culinary delights.
9. Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
WOODLAND LAKE AND RECREATION
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area centers around a beautiful 145-acre lake nestled within the Brownstown State Forest, offering exceptional fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. The recreation area features modern campgrounds, rental cabins, and picnic facilities that serve as perfect basecamps for exploring the surrounding woodland trails. Nature lovers particularly enjoy the bird watching opportunities, diverse wildlife sightings, and the peaceful atmosphere that makes this hidden gem a favorite year-round destination.
10. Shades State Park
DRAMATIC RAVINES AND TRAILS
Shades State Park showcases some of Indiana's most dramatic natural landscapes with deep, sandstone ravines, flowing streams, and dense forests that create a wilderness experience just an hour from Indianapolis. Hikers can challenge themselves on rugged trails that feature wooden ladders, rock scrambles, and narrow passages through canyons carved by ancient geological forces. The park's pristine condition reflects its history as a nature preserve, offering visitors a genuine escape into unspoiled natural beauty that changes dramatically with the seasons.
11. Southlake Mall
PREMIER SHOPPING DESTINATION
Southlake Mall serves as Northwest Indiana's largest shopping center, housing over 160 specialty stores, major department stores, and a diverse array of dining options. Shoppers can find everything from fashion and electronics to home goods and gifts, with regular events and seasonal decorations enhancing the experience. The mall's modern amenities, family-friendly atmosphere, and central location make it a popular destination for both serious shoppers and those seeking indoor entertainment on rainy days.
12. England Permaculture Homestead
SUSTAINABLE LIVING EDUCATION
England Permaculture Homestead offers visitors a hands-on opportunity to learn about sustainable living practices and traditional homesteading skills in a working farm setting. The homestead hosts educational workshops on topics like maple syrup production, organic gardening, and renewable energy systems that demonstrate practical applications of ecological principles. Visitors can experience the rhythm of rural life while gaining valuable knowledge about self-sufficiency and environmentally conscious living that can be applied to their own homes and gardens.
13. Arts Scene Gallery
LOCAL ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
Arts Scene Gallery showcases the vibrant creative talent of East Central Indiana through rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media works. The gallery supports local artists while providing cultural enrichment for the community through opening receptions, artist talks, and workshops open to all skill levels. Visitors experience authentic artistic expression that often reflects the region's heritage, natural beauty, and contemporary rural life through diverse perspectives and techniques.
14. Henry County Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION
The Henry County Historical Museum preserves and celebrates the rich heritage of the region through carefully curated exhibits of artifacts, photographs, and documents housed in a historic building. Visitors can explore themed displays that highlight significant periods in local history, from pioneer settlements and agricultural development to industrial growth and cultural milestones. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the everyday lives of previous generations, with knowledgeable volunteers providing context and stories that bring the past vividly to life.
15. Wilbur Wright Birthplace
AVIATION PIONEER'S HOME
The Wilbur Wright Birthplace preserves the humble farm where one of aviation's greatest pioneers was born in 1867, offering a glimpse into the formative environment of the Wright brothers. Visitors can tour the restored home, explore a museum filled with Wright family memorabilia, and view a full-scale replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer that made history at Kitty Hawk. The site provides educational programs and special events that celebrate the ingenuity, perseverance, and scientific curiosity that enabled two bicycle mechanics from the Midwest to change the world through powered flight.