Boone County: History, Art, and Bike Trails

Boone County lies just northwest of Indianapolis. Historic sites and museums, art offerings, bike trails, and nature parks give a stay a variety of possible focuses. Seasonal events and farm experiences are also part of the mix. When planning your trip, it’s worth keeping an eye on opening hours and event dates: some activities are seasonal, and specific festival dates change from year to year.

History, Art, and Events

The Thorntown Heritage Museum is housed in a residence built between 1863 and 1867 on Thorntown’s original settlement plan. Artifacts and photographs tell the story of Indigenous people, pioneers, agriculture, trade, education, and community life. Visits are possible during the regular season on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours at other times can be requested through the library.

The Boone County Courthouse in Lebanon also offers insight into the region’s architectural history: it was built in 1911 in the neoclassical style. Its features include a monumental limestone facade, tall columns, an art-glass dome, and a clock tower. Its design can thus be described through specific elements, from the facade to the roof structure.

The Munce Art Center showcases art from the local and regional community. Its program includes exhibitions, classes, summer camps for children ages 4 to 17, and workshops for professional artists. Program dates vary. Alongside the historical collections, this offers an opportunity to explore contemporary art offerings and different forms of artistic learning.

For a festival, consider the annual Whitestown Viking Fest at Anson Acres Park. The program features Viking reenactors, Viking villages, arts and crafts, live entertainment, food, mead, and interactive competitions. The Zionsville Fall Festival takes place annually in September and includes rides and games, a parade, a car show, festival food, and additional games and attractions. Specific dates may change from year to year.

Bike Trails and Nature Parks

The Big 4 Trail is a multi-use trail for walking, running, and biking. It runs through Zionsville, Whitestown, Lebanon, and Thorntown in Boone County. For purpose-built cross-country trails, there’s another way to experience cycling: the Stone Eater Bike Park in Lebanon has 5 miles of all-weather trails. The park also includes a children’s trail, a pump track, a jump park, and a skills practice area. It serves year-round as a venue for professional races, training, and special events.

Starkey Nature Park encompasses 80 acres of wooded bottomland along Eagle Creek and offers hiking trails as well as opportunities for nature exploration and photography. It connects to the Big 4 Rail Trail, which links to most of Zionsville’s trail network. Creekside Nature Park offers a different experience: the 18-acre park lies along Eagle Creek and includes riparian woodlands and 0.6 miles of ADA-accessible trails. A launch site for kayaks and canoes adds to the opportunities for fishing, wildlife watching, picnicking, and walking. The parks’ different features can help you weigh options for trails, water access, and other recreational activities.

Farm Experiences and Regional Products

Dull’s Tree Farm offers choose-and-cut Christmas trees and wagon rides to the tree fields. These seasonal activities have dates that vary from year to year. The farm also offers educational tours where children can learn through play. Heavenly Acres Farm & Learning Center offers individually arranged tours and activities that include farm experiences, crafts, and encounters with animals; reservations are required. The store sells fresh eggs, seasonal farm produce, and soft, hypoallergenic alpaca yarn. Product offerings may change with the seasons.

Farmers markets are also part of the regional offerings. There you’ll find local produce, homemade baked goods, live music, and products from local growers and artisans. Dates and vendors vary by season. Traders Point Creamery offers pasteurized, non-homogenized milk as well as raw, aged cheeses; its product offerings may also vary.

When planning, check the specific festival dates, seasonal offerings, and whether a tour requires a reservation.

Discover more destinations: Zionsville, Whitestown, Porter, Pulaski County, Rush County, Scott, Putnam County, Miami County.

For the main travel overview: Indiana.