A Local’s Guide to Dubois County
Southern Indiana is full of under-the-radar destinations, but few hit the mark like Dubois County. In Ferdinand, Huntingburg, the county seat of Jasper and even the unincorporated town of Saint Henry, this area offers a perfect blend of unique attractions, small-town hospitality, and some seriously good food.
The Get Indiana crew spent a few days exploring everything Dubois County has to offer. If you're looking for a weekend road trip, this is one destination that needs to be on your radar.
Here’s what to see, eat, and do in Dubois County.
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Where to Stay in Dubois County
We checked into the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Jasper, a riverside stay with a back patio overlooking the Patoka River. It’s clean, convenient, has a great breakfast spread, and is walkable to several of Jasper’s top spots. It’s just a stone’s throw – or in this part of Indiana, maybe a baseball crow hop – from one of the county’s most legendary restaurants.
Where to Eat & Drink in Dubois County
Let’s start with the must-visit: The Schnitzelbank in Jasper. This iconic German restaurant has been serving up schnitzel, beer steins, and its “Wunderbar” salad bar since 1961. This place is worth every sip and bite. Pro tip: do not skip the salad bar.
In Ferdinand, you’ll find Cascade Cafe, a cozy breakfast joint that locals rave about. We now do, too. We went big with the Haystack (a glorious mess of hashbrowns, biscuits, gravy, and eggs), and couldn’t say no to the house-made cinnamon roll for a finisher. Fun fact: the murals inside were painted by one of the owners’ daughters. They’re open Wednesday through Saturday.
St. Benedict’s Brew Works on the Monastery Immaculate Conception grounds in Ferdinand serves up craft beer and appetizers. It’s peaceful, and the toasted ravioli bites are a nice change-of-pace appetizer.
Our lunch at Main Street Bistro was another highlight, especially when we were easily convinced to try the chocolate pie. Housed inside the historic (and possibly haunted) 1903 Wollenmann Home, the bistro is also located on the soon-to-be site of a massive 32-foot-tall German Christmas Pyramid, one of only a few in the United States.
Over in nearby Saint Henry, we hit up The Bungalow Bar. They serve lunch and dinner, but we planned ahead and made it to breakfast, only served twice monthly. We learned that The Bungalow Bar breakfast is a big deal in southern Indiana. It always has specials on the breakfast menu, and we ordered and deleted both this time around – the Southwest Brisket Hash and Cinnamon Roll Pancakes.
Huntingburg brought us to The Huntingburg Grind Coffee & Tea, a newer coffee shop that’s already making a name for itself. The breakfast sandwiches and morning beverages were the perfect fuel before we explored 4th Street. Huntingburg Grind recently went mobile as well with a coffee trailer going to business outings and local events.
If you want to finish with fine dining, block off time for Butcher and Barrel in Huntingburg, and then make plans for a return visit. Located in a former bank and owned by barbecue-loving buddies Jay Maxey, John Patton and John Schroeder, this spot offers standout dishes like filet mignon and double bone pork chops, plus hand-crafted cocktails from one of the best bartenders we’ve ever met (shoutout Amanda!). This place is a gem, start to finish.
Things to Do in Dubois County
History buffs and collectors, find your happy place at Ferdinand Antique & Emporium Vendor Mall. With everything from vintage pop bottles to baseball cards, coins, jewelry and more, it’s easy to lose an afternoon here.
On Main Street in Ferdinand, Tin Lizzie’s Home Decor & Gifts offers a mix of home goods inside a 155-year-old building with a past that includes it being a former butcher shop and home to a resident who went all out for Christmas.
Another cool spot in Ferdinand is Traditional Arts Today, a nonprofit celebrating local artists. They showcase everything from woodworking to pasta making, and offer workshops throughout the year.
The standout in Ferdinand is the Monastery Immaculate Conception. We got a full tour to see the stunning halls and views of this active monastery, home to the Sisters of Saint Benedict. The architecture there is incredible, the history of it dates back to the mid-1800s, and the experience was unforgettable.
If you want to get outdoors, make time for Ferdinand State Forest, 7,600 acres that offers hiking, biking, camping, boating, and a beach that is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. We wanted the best views of the forest, so we climbed the fire tower with Meta glasses on.
In Huntingburg, the crown jewel is League Stadium, home of the Dubois County Bombers. League Stadium isn’t an ordinary ballpark, however. It has been the movie set to parts of “A League of Their Own” and HBO’s “Soul of the Game.” The stadium leans into that “Hollywood of the Midwest” legacy with advertisements on the outfield fence still up from “A League of Their Own.” Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, and a not-so-pleasant Madonna starred in that baseball classic.
As for the Bombers, they are known for running some wild promotions, including the $25,000 Helicopter Cash Drop and Win a Barely Running Used Car Night during the 2025 season. Stadium tours are available as well. Ours was led by Shannon Fuhs, the Bombers’ community relations manager. She was a movie extra in “A League of Their Own” during her high school days.
Sticking with sports history, swing by Huntingburg Memorial Gym, where you'll hear basketball stories that will stand the test of time. There’s a wall mount that details the top 10 games in the gym’s history, and Jasper native and Baseball Hall of Famer Scott Rolen is remembered atop the list with a 47-point performance that wasn’t enough in the 1993 sectional first round against Forest Park. More recently, Shortridge legend Colson Montgomery was a sensation on the hardwood, but he was even better at baseball. The 2021 first-round pick of the Chicago White Sox is now in the big leagues smashing home runs.
Festivals & Events in Dubois County
If you’re in Dubois County during the summer, Huntingburg’s 4th Fridays are a must. It’s a free, family-friendly concert series with food trucks, drinks, games for the kids, and live music.
While our timing was off, Strassenfest in Jasper is a massive German heritage festival held each August. There’s schnitzel, lederhosen, polka music, and enough beer to fill the Patoka River. It’s one of Indiana’s best summer celebrations.
We also just missed out on the Ferdinand Folk Festival, held on the third Saturday of September annually. There’s always a full lineup of live music, plus arts and crafts workshops, food vendors, and environmental presentations and learning opportunities.
The Dubois County festival you maybe haven’t heard of yet? The Red, White and Brauen Music Festival. Held at League Stadium in Huntingburg, the 2025 festival hosted big names like John Michael Montgomery and Randy Houser, and it wrapped up with an epic fireworks show. See for yourself: the Get Indiana crew had an awesome time. Mark your calendar for 2026 and beyond. RWB Fest is worth the trip all on its own.
Final Thoughts
Dubois County delivered in the best way possible. It’s laid-back and welcoming, and there were moments of fun, flavor, and history around every corner. You can catch a baseball game under the lights and experience fine dining in Huntingburg, tour the grounds of the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, and pick from a number of festivals in the area that’ll have you making plans for your next return to southern Indiana.
