Vanderburgh: Nature, History and Family Experiences on the Ohio River

Vanderburgh lies on the banks of the Ohio River and combines river landscapes, nature experiences, museums and unusual attractions. Those planning a trip with children will find ideas here both for active days and for discoveries in changeable weather. A vacation rental in the region can serve as a base for a variety of travel ideas – from trails through wetlands to exhibitions about nature and history.

Nature Between Forest, Wetlands and River

The four-mile Angel Mounds Loop Trail offers a practical way to explore the landscape on foot. The mounds at Angel Mounds State Historic Site are also aligned so precisely that visitors can observe the sunrise at the summer solstice and the sunset at the winter solstice. This gives the visit a special connection between the landscape and celestial events.

Wesselman Woods reveals another side of Vanderburgh. The area contains the largest stand of old-growth forest within an American urban area. Two trails equipped with wooden boardwalks are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers in dry conditions. Those who want to take the weather into account when planning their day can specifically include these trails.

Howell Wetlands also illustrates the diversity of the landscape. The 35-acre urban wetland includes marshland, a swamp area with bald cypress trees, an oxbow lake, a lowland deciduous forest and an upland meadow. Burdette Park complements this natural setting with about 180 acres of forest and hilly terrain in southwestern Indiana. The USI-Burdette Park Trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is also a destination on the American Discovery Trail, which runs through southern Indiana.

Wildlife, Water and Special Family Attractions

At Mesker Park Zoo, animal encounters and educational programs about animal life and behavior take place every day. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden covers 45 acres and includes Amazonia, the Children’s Enchanted Forest and Lake Victoria. For a multigenerational stay, a visit to the zoo can therefore be combined with different areas of interest.

Burdette Park Aquatic Center offers an Olympic-size swimming pool, a family pool and a children’s pool. There are also three water slides and an interactive water-play area. The Upside-Down House in the Magical Garden, by contrast, focuses on an unusual setting: it is an upside-down playhouse.

History and Culture in Evansville

Evansville is an important area for activities within Vanderburgh. The Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science presents exhibitions, educational offerings and family programs along the Ohio Riverfront. Its permanent collection comprises more than 30,000 objects. At cMoe, three floors of interactive exhibits await you in a historic building in the heart of Evansville.

The Evansville African American Museum is located in the historic Lincoln Gardens district within Evansville’s Baptisttown community. The Evansville Wartime Museum focuses on the region’s military history, wartime arms production, veterans from the area and vehicles from the World War II era. Its walk-through galleries and exhibitions provide their own historical focus. By appointment in advance, visitors can also book a ride in the Sherman tank Rosie’s Revenge.

Another special attraction is LST 325. It is the only operational LST in World War II configuration that floats in American waters. The ship makes an annual voyage to various port cities in the American river system. Since 1920, the Vanderburgh County Fair Association has hosted an annual family-oriented event in service to Vanderburgh County.

Which Location Suits Your Trip?

For a nature-focused trip, consider the trails at Angel Mounds, Wesselman Woods, Howell Wetlands and Burdette Park. If you would like to combine culture and regional history, the museums in Evansville offer different areas of focus. Evansville Regional Airport provides air connections to southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky and eastern Illinois. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore primarily decide whether nature, exhibitions, wildlife or water-based activities should be the focus of your stay.

Additional destinations for orientation: Noble County, Fountain County, Posey County, Hancock County, Marion, Huntington County, Floyd County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Indiana.