Many great restaurants have humble beginnings, but not every restaurant has a great story behind it. While restaurants often pop up in former stores, it's not often that a library transforms into a restaurant. But that's just what happened in Carmel, Indiana, in this historic former library building...
Woody's Library Restaurant is a staple in Carmel, Indiana which pays homage to its literary roots. The historic structure formerly served as the Carnegie Library of Carmel from 1914 to 1971. But in 1998, this incredible building was transformed.
Indiana is a state that gets so much less credit than it deserves. Where some folks see nothing but flat farmland, I see endless opportunities for adventure. If you've been a reader for any length of time, you'll definitely know that I have a penchant for road trips of all kinds, such as some truly jaw-dropping waterfall road trips, spooky abandoned places road trips, and so on. So, I've decided to do something a little different today: here's a shortlist of ten iconic sights to seek out on your next road trip - a road trip scavenger hunt, if you will. Here are nine things you ought to look out for on your next adventure!
Jug Rock is a strange and fascinating natural wonder hiding in the woods near Shoals, Indiana. It's a bit of a local icon, with the high school mascot being, well, the rock. Formed from millions of years of fascinating geological processes, this weird little natural landmark is a must-do on any road trip that brings you anywhere close to it.
Of all the oddball places in Indiana to enjoy, the giant ball of paint is perhaps one of the most interactive items on this list. It is, after all, an enormous ball of paint originally started in 1997 as a layer of paint applied to a baseball that is now covered in tens of thousands (if not more) of coatings of paint. Add your own for the ultimate fun.
Hidden in Columbus is one of the most beautiful public art installations in Indiana that makes for an awesome sight on any scavenger hunt. Artist Dessa Kirk originally created it for the 2006 Sculpture Invitational and was so beloved by the town that it was ensured it would stay forever. Lucky them!
Fun fact for history geeks: Johnny Appleseed's grave is right here in Indiana. Yes, he was a real person - and he died here in the Hoosier State in 1845. You can find him in Fort Wayne at the Johnny Appleseed Park, where his grave is marked with elegant surroundings worthy of an American icon.
The incredible mansion known as Grouseland was once the home of President William Henry Harrison during his time as a governor and remained in his family until 1850. Should you take a tour (which I definitely recommend), you'll see that the whole place is gorgeously furnished and contains art, furniture and other trinkets worthy of learning about. This historical landmark makes for a fun spot to cross off the list.
Fun fact: the Warm Glow Candle Company is home to the world's largest candle... or, rather, a candle replica. It's fun to stop and pose in front of it for a selfie, but it's even more fun to head inside and check it out. With delicious, long-lasting scents that stick around for a while, you'll find it tough not to leave with an armful of new candles. And even if you do... I'm not here to judge.
The awesome Indiana moon tree is quite literally just as spectacular as it sounds: it's a Sycamore tree grown from a handful of seeds taken to the moon and back - very literally - by astronaut Stuart Roosa in 1971. It was planted at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis on April 9th, 1976, and today it's one of four moon trees that still live in the Hoosier State.
Who says you need the ocean to spot a lighthouse? The amazing Michigan City Lighthouse is nothing short of breathtaking and makes for an iconic view over Lake Michigan, especially during sunset, when the sky comes ablaze with color and the waves lapping the shoreline are reminiscent of the sea. It makes for an amazing addition to any northern Indiana road trip... and for a day trip in and of itself.
Our final item is the dinosaurs living outside the Indianapolis Children's Museum that manage to attract their own crowds day in and day out. Every so often, the statues are modified to fit a theme or event going on inside, so if you show up the and the dinos are dressed up, you know some fun's going on. This incredible museum is the largest in the world of its kind, and it, too, makes for a spectacular day trip - but if you're on a time pinch, just be sure to seek out the giant reptiles.
So, there you have 'em: nine delightful items to add to just about any road trip. This road trip scavenger hunt is a fun thing to do solo or with friends and/or family, and it's a blast! Need somewhere to stay while you're out and about? Check out all the deals from our buddies at Hotels.com.
Quick fun fact (at least for those who are into bridges): Indiana is home to 86 covered bridges, most of which are historic and all of which are, without a doubt, pretty cool to explore. Of these nearly 100 bridges, it only follows that one of them must be the oldest of the bunch - and in our case, it's still standing! The Cades Mill Bridge is located in Fountain County and stands closer to 200 years old than 100. Built in 1854, this bridge is a photogenic testament to just how awe-inspiring our state's history is. Come check out the oldest covered bridge in Indiana - you'll love it!
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Cades Mill Covered Bridge is found, perhaps predictably, on Cades Road crossing Coal Creek.
It was built in 1854 - making it the oldest covered bridge in Indiana, despite what other sources might claim. This is THE oldest bridge in the state, and unfortunately, its age began to show some years back.
A bypass route saw the closure of the bridge to street traffic in 1979, more than a century after the bridge was initially built.
In 2019, an assessment of the bridge was conducted and it was found that, frighteningly, there was a huge issue: a broken chord threatened the very being of the entire bridge.
And, well, I'm thrilled to report that it went well! After all these years of hustling for the funds to repair the old bridge, the money has been raised - and restoration efforts will be underway as of this spring (2024).
Once upon a time, Fountain County was home to six covered bridges. Today, it's only got three.
And while Parke County, Indiana, is considered the covered bridge capital of the world, the folks here in Fountain County are happy to lay claim to the single eldest of them all.
Thanks to the efforts of the local history buffs, it looks like Cades Mill Bridge will be here to stay for at least another century or two.
If you're like me and you find old historic landmarks to be fascinating, I think you'll adore a trip to this old bridge - even if just for a day trip. For even MORE covered bridges that I'm sure you'll love, check out ten more of the best covered bridges in Indiana. If you're going to road trip it, then you can't do without our ultimate road trip snack packing list.
Do you have a favorite covered bridge in Indiana? Tell me about it!
