Miami County Between Nature, Circus, and Music

Miami County offers several points of interest for a trip: landscapes along the Mississinewa, a rail trail through Peru, and circus and music history. There are opportunities for fishing at Mississinewa Lake. If you want to focus your plans on nature, museums, or events, you can give each theme its own weight—each brings a distinct focus to your stay.

Nature by the Water and on the Trails

Frances Slocum State Forest encompasses 515 acres of continuous forest along the north shore of the Mississinewa River. It is for day use only, so overnight stays in the forest are not permitted. A section of the horseback riding trail there runs parallel to the Mississinewa River. The forest and this section of trail offer different options to consider when planning your time outdoors.

Seven Pillars offers another perspective on nature: the limestone formation was shaped by wind and water erosion. The Frances Slocum Trail runs along its upper edge. Here, the focus is on the shape of the rock and the trail’s specific route—unlike fishing at the lake or the forest landscape along the river. This makes it possible to choose an outing that suits your interests.

The Nickel Plate Trail adds a rail trail with a regional focus to these options. It is 46.9 miles long, connects Howard, Miami, and Fulton counties, and passes through Peru. Its total length makes it a trail that extends beyond a single town destination, with Peru serving as a specific point of reference along the route. If you include the trail in your trip plans, you can consider it a distinct theme alongside the natural attractions.

Circus History in Peru

The International Circus Hall of Fame is housed in five original circus winter-quarter buildings. These buildings are designated National Historic Landmarks. The Peru Circus winter quarters were established on the site in 1892. The institution also includes the Circus Model Builder’s Museum. Together, the buildings and the model-building museum point to different aspects of circus history: the former winter quarters and the depiction of the circus in miniature.

The Peru Amateur Youth Circus gives young people from the region the opportunity each year to practice and perform circus acts—from tumbling to the flying trapeze. In mid-July, the program presents a week of performances in a permanent circus tent. The Circus City Parade takes place in Peru on the final Saturday. If you want to plan your trip around these events, check the dates for your chosen year; the mid-July timeframe and final Saturday can help with planning.

Cole Porter and the Museums

Peru is Cole Porter’s birthplace and burial place. The Miami County Museum has an extensive exhibit devoted to his story, art, and memorabilia. Objects on display include Cole Porter’s 1955 Fleetwood Cadillac. A visit to the museum offers a distinct way to explore Porter’s connection to the county, complementing the circus themes in Peru.

The Grissom Air Museum’s collections focus on Cold War-era military aviation. The Air Park houses most of the museum’s static aircraft displays. Tickets for the Grissom Air Museum and Air Park are available at the Heritage Museum reception desk. This information is useful when planning a visit if you want to focus your trip on aviation history.

Another Excursion Highlight

McClure’s Orchard has a small petting zoo with farm animals. This adds an agricultural note to the themes of forest, river, museums, and circus. Which of these aspects you choose to focus on may also influence how you decide to spend your time in Miami County.

Discover more destinations: Peru, Greene County, Dubois County, Delaware, Fayette, Pulaski County, Tippecanoe, Steuben County

For the broader travel overview: Indiana.