Orleans IndianaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Orleans, Indiana.
1. Hall Field
LOCAL SPORTS VENUE
Hall Field is a popular sports venue in Orleans that serves as a gathering place for local athletic events. Visitors can enjoy watching baseball games and other sporting events in this community-centered facility. The field represents the town's commitment to recreation and community activities.
2. Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market
LOCAL PRODUCE AND CRAFTS
The Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market offers visitors a chance to purchase locally grown produce and handmade crafts directly from area residents. This vibrant market provides a wonderful Saturday morning activity where travelers can interact with locals and experience the community's agricultural heritage. The market showcases the region's bounty while supporting local farmers and artisans.
3. Monon South Trail
HISTORIC RAILWAY TRAIL
The Monon South Trail follows the original Monon Corridor and will become the longest recreational trail in Indiana when completed. Approximately eight miles of this scenic trail runs through Orleans, offering visitors an excellent path for walking, jogging, and cycling while enjoying the natural beauty of Southern Indiana. The trail honors the historic Monon Railway, which played a crucial role in Orleans' development with the first locomotive arriving in 1851.
4. Spring Mill State Park
HISTORIC PIONEER VILLAGE
Spring Mill State Park features a restored pioneer village centered around a working gristmill from the 1800s. Visitors can explore limestone caves, hike scenic trails, and learn about early Indiana life through interactive exhibits and demonstrations. The park combines natural beauty with historical education, making it a perfect destination for families and history enthusiasts alike.
5. Carousel Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING
Carousel Winery offers visitors a chance to sample locally produced wines in a charming Southern Indiana setting. Guests can enjoy wine tastings, learn about the winemaking process, and purchase bottles of their favorite varieties to take home. The winery provides a relaxing atmosphere where travelers can unwind while experiencing the flavors of Indiana's growing wine industry.
6. Patoka Lake
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Patoka Lake is Southern Indiana's second-largest reservoir, offering 26,000 acres of water and land for outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing, with the lake being home to bald eagles and other diverse wildlife. The surrounding area features campgrounds, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks that showcase the natural beauty of the region.
7. French Lick Casino
HISTORIC GAMING DESTINATION
French Lick Casino combines modern gaming excitement with the elegant ambiance of a historic resort. Visitors can try their luck at slots, table games, and poker while enjoying the beautifully restored surroundings of this landmark destination. The casino is part of the larger French Lick Resort complex, which has welcomed guests since the early 1900s and offers additional amenities including dining, spa services, and golf.
8. Big Splash Adventure
INDOOR WATER PARK FUN
Big Splash Adventure is a 40,000-square-foot indoor water park that provides year-round aquatic fun regardless of the weather outside. Families can enjoy water slides, a lazy river, children's play areas, and private cabanas in a climate-controlled environment. The facility also includes an arcade, restaurants, and hotel accommodations, making it a complete entertainment destination for visitors to the region.
9. Paoli Peaks Ski Resort
WINTER SPORTS CENTER
Paoli Peaks offers winter sports enthusiasts a chance to ski and snowboard on multiple trails designed for various skill levels. The resort features snow tubing, a terrain park for freestyle skiing and boarding, and comprehensive rental services for those who don't bring their own equipment. During the winter season, night skiing opportunities allow visitors to experience the slopes under the stars with specially lit trails.
10. Hoosier National Forest
VAST WOODLAND WILDERNESS
Hoosier National Forest encompasses over 200,000 acres of protected forest land with diverse ecosystems and recreational opportunities. Visitors can explore hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking through rolling hills, dense woodlands, and along scenic waterways. The forest is home to unique geological features, including caves, rock formations, and natural springs that showcase Southern Indiana's distinctive landscape.
11. Marengo Cave National Landmark
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Marengo Cave National Landmark offers visitors the chance to explore an extensive underground cave system with spectacular formations that have developed over thousands of years. Guided tours highlight features such as stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and rimstone dams in this living limestone cave. The site includes above-ground activities as well, including gemstone mining, a maze cave, and hiking trails through the surrounding forest.
12. French Lick Scenic Railway
HISTORIC TRAIN EXPERIENCE
The French Lick Scenic Railway takes passengers on a journey through the picturesque countryside aboard vintage train cars that have been lovingly restored. The narrated excursions educate riders about the region's history, including the importance of railways to the development of Southern Indiana communities. Special themed rides are offered throughout the year, including dinner trains, holiday excursions, and the popular Polar Express experience during the winter season.
13. O'Bannon Woods State Park
RIVERSIDE NATURAL RETREAT
O'Bannon Woods State Park spans nearly 2,000 acres along the Ohio River, offering visitors a diverse range of outdoor activities in a beautiful natural setting. The park features an interpretive center with demonstrations of traditional farm life, including a working haypress operation powered by oxen. Recreational opportunities include hiking trails, mountain biking paths, horseback riding facilities, and access to Blue River for fishing and canoeing.
14. French Lick Winery
LOCAL WINE PRODUCTION
French Lick Winery produces a wide variety of wines using locally grown grapes and fruits in their state-of-the-art facility. Visitors can participate in tastings, tour the production areas, and learn about the winemaking process from knowledgeable staff members. The winery complex includes the Vintage Café, which serves Italian-inspired cuisine designed to pair perfectly with their wine selections.
15. Wyandotte Cave
ANCIENT UNDERGROUND EXPLORATION
Wyandotte Cave is one of Indiana's largest cave systems, featuring massive underground rooms and rare geological formations that have formed over millions of years. Guided tours lead visitors through highlighted sections of the cave, pointing out features such as Pillar of the Constitution, Monument Mountain, and the spectacular Rothrock Cathedral. The cave has historical significance as well, having been used by prehistoric Native Americans, early settlers, and even as a source of saltpeter for gunpowder production during the War of 1812.