Southern Indiana

Clarksville is home to the Falls of the Ohio State Park, where the 390-million-year-old exposed fossil beds steal the show. The Falls is the site where explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark met before embarking on the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition. The Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center features exhibits with state-of-the-art audio, video and interactive elements. The George Rogers Clark Home Site is located west of the Falls of The Ohio. Known for almost 200 years as “Clark’s Point,” it allows for spectacular views of the Falls and the Ohio River.

Looking for some fresh air and exercise? The Ohio River Greenway is a seven–mile stretch of pathway along the edge of Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and New Albany that can be explored by bike or foot. Right around the corner, you’ll find the Widow’s Walk Ice Creamery. This charming bright yellow Victorian-style home serves up sweet treats and is a great place to relax and take in the riverfront views.

Be entertained at Derby Dinner Playhouse, one of the oldest and largest continually operating professional dinner theatres in the country. Play some pickleball at Goodbounce Pickle Yard, where you can also grab a tasty beverage.

A short walk across the Big Four Bridge will land you in Jeffersonville at the Big Four Station Park, which features green space, fountains, a pavilion, and a playground. Grab a bite at TOWN, an Italian-American pub with eclectic menu items. For craft beer and pub fare, there’s Red Yeti, Upland Brewing Co., and Pearl Street Taphouse. Pizza and craft beer go hand in hand at Parlour with its expansive outdoor patio. For Mexican, there’s La Catrina Tacos & Tequila. NoCo Arts & Cultural District is a hub for creativity. The 22-block area is home to an art center, artist studios, a private maker space, and museums, including the Vintage Fire Museum. Stop by Schimpff’s – one of the oldest, continuously operated, family-owned candy businesses in the United States. For more sugary treats, you can find delicious cakes and other bakery goodies at Sweets by Morgan, or frozen yogurt at Pearl Street Treats.

Take a step back in time to the Great Steamboat Era with a tour of the Howard Steamboat Museum, which offers a treasure trove of models, photographs, paintings, and other artifacts.

RiverStage – Southern Indiana’s premier outdoor entertainment venue – is a great place to catch a concert.

Unwind at Match Cigar Bar where you can sit on a leather chair, listen to jazz on vinyl, and sip on a fine Bourbon or a handcrafted cocktail. Across the street, you’ll find the Southern Indiana Visitor Center, a helpful resource with staff ready to answer questions and a gift shop filled with souvenirs, art, and memorabilia curated by Regalo.

Head to MESA, A Live Dining Show, where you can converse with some of the area’s hottest chefs as they prepare meals right before your eyes. Try Dragon King’s Daughter for an Asian-fusion experience. For small plates and big steaks, there’s Brooklyn and the Butcher. Be sure to check out their speakeasy while you’re there. For tacos, margaritas, and a great river view, there’s Agave & Rye. Try the rustic-chic gastropub The Exchange Pub + Kitchen, or try Board and You Bistro & Wine Bar for charcuterie and a full dinner menu. For dessert, head to the colorful Sweet Stuff Bakery for a cookie or pastry.

The area is also home to several breweries, including Floyd County Brewing Company, New Albanian Brewing Co. Pizzeria & Public House, and Donum Dei, New Albany’s only “brewstillery.”

For stylish clothing and accessories, shop the racks at local favorites Dress & Dwell, Him & Her Boutique, or House of K. For gifts, there’s Regalo and The Wildflower, and for home décor, there’s Madhouse.

For art and history lovers, there’s The Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center, a museum and contemporary art gallery. Take a tour of the historic Culbertson Mansion, which tells the story of an influential dry goods merchant and one of Indiana’s richest men. Have a family-friendly good time at River Run Family Waterpark. For those in search of mystery and magic, visit J&B Magic Shop and Theater or The New Albany Wicked Walk. For skateboarders, New Albany Flow Park is a one-of-a-kind skateable work of art. Old-school pinball and vintage arcade games can be found at Recbar 812.

Feeling lucky? Just 20 minutes west of Louisville is Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino, which hosts concerts and is home to a hotel, restaurants, golf course, and nightclub. In the mood for fried chicken and all the fixings? Starlight, Indiana, is the site of Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant, about a 20-mile drive from downtown Louisville. You could spend the entire day here or at neighboring Huber Winery & Vineyards and Starlight Distillery. Charlestown State Park, located near Charlestown, is a 5,100-acre park with interpretive programs, hiking, camping, and a boat launch on the Ohio River. Enjoy the scenic outdoors with miles of trails and views along the Ohio River and Fourteen Mile Creek. Charlestown State Park is also home to the historical Rose Island, an abandoned resort and theme park. Access Indiana’s longest trail and enjoy a beach at Deam Lake State Recreation Area.