Entertainment and Recreation

Southwest Indiana’s historical, educational, architectural and entertainment venues bring in thousands of visitors each year.  With a wide variety of recreational activities, including local festivals and events, river boat gaming, and area parks.

Recreation and Fitness

From kids' rides to family rides to thrill rides, there's something for everyone at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.  Located in Santa Claus, Ind., this is one of the few remaining privately owned and operated theme parks in the world.  Its wooden roller coasters rank among the best in the world. 

Indiana’s largest zoo, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanical Gardens is situated on nearly 70 acres of zoological gardens in Evansville and houses more that 700 animals from across the world. With an $11.4 million, 10,000 square foot South American rainforest called AMAZONIA under construction, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanical Gardens is sure to please the adventurer in everyone. 

With golf ranking as one of America’s favorite pastimes, Southwest Indiana will not disappoint.  There are over 20 beautiful golf courses to choose from, including Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh.  Victoria National ranks #21 in Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses and #25 in Golf Digest's Index of the 50 Greatest Golf Retreats. 

Located on nearly 200 acres of rolling hills in Western Vanderburgh County, Burdette Park features an aquatic center with water slides, three pools, and a snack bar. Burdette offers fun for everyone with a BMX racing track, batting cages, softball diamonds, miniature golf, tennis courts, and locations for fishing. Choose to stay overnight at one of the remodeled chalets or cottages, or meet family and friends at the party houses, perfect for family gatherings or picnics.

Two sections of a planned 42 miles of walking-jogging-biking trails around the city have been completed. A third section, now under way, will connect the first two, wending along the river around a lake and crossing only two streets along the way. 

In each of the four counties of Southwest Indiana there are thousands of opportunities to “join a team!”  The parks and recreations department facilitate more than 1,200 teams with 10,000 players each year, including men’s, women’s and co-ed adult programs in flag football, volleyball, sand volleyball, soccer, softball and basketball. 

Neighborhood Pools operate from June through early August and are staffed by personnel certified in rescue and water safety. Bathhouse facilities include changing rooms, restrooms, offices and a first aid room. Neighborhood pools encourage children to learn swim strokes and participate in swim team activities.  Daily swim hours allow children to exercise and have a cool place to beat the summer heat. 

Goebel Soccer Complex is a state-of-the-art facility – recognized as the best in Indiana – with nine full-size Bermuda grass fields and one artificial turf field. 

If you want to train at a state-of-the-art fitness facility, Southwest Indiana is the place for you.  There are a number of fitness centers to choose from.  The brand-new Dunigan Family YMCA features over 40,000 square foot of family-friendly fun.  

Swonder Ice Arena is a 103,000 square foot ice skating and hockey facility that includes two ice rinks, a track and fitness center. 

Get in tune with nature with a visit to Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, a national natural landmark with over 200 acres of woods, water, fields, and wildlife observation areas.

Spend the day touring Historic New Harmony, Indiana., the site of an early 18th century religious and communal settlement and later a utopian community. Many of the town's historic buildings have been preserved and are open to the public, including a Harmonist dormitory and Thrall's Opera House.