Looking for a unique road trip stop in Indiana that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the wild? Let me introduce you to one of the state’s best-kept secrets: the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Center Point, Indiana. This hidden gem is home to over 100 big cats – including lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars – who now live their best lives in a safe, spacious sanctuary.
Not Your Average Zoo Visit
Unlike a typical zoo experience, the Exotic Feline Rescue Center is all about creating a natural habitat for these incredible animals. The center is dedicated to rescuing and providing lifelong care to big cats that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. Walking through the sanctuary, you’ll feel less like a tourist and more like a guest being welcomed into the cats’ own neighborhood.
And let me tell you – the neighbors are anything but ordinary. You might hear the deep rumble of a tiger’s chuff, spot a lion lazily napping in the sun, or catch a cougar giving you the side-eye.
Tours That Bring You Up Close
The EFRC offers guided tours where you can safely get up close to these majestic animals. It’s the perfect chance to learn about their stories, personalities, and the important mission of the rescue center. The tour is roughly an hour long, which makes it perfect for an afternoon family activity, a date day with a twist, or a pit stop on a roadtrip.
Why Visit?
Visiting the Exotic Feline Rescue Center is more than just a fun stop – it’s a way to support a meaningful cause. Your visit helps provide food, medical care, and safe housing for the cats. Plus, you’ll leave with a new appreciation for wildlife conservation and a camera roll full of photos to prove you made friends with a tiger (from a safe distance, of course!).
Plan a Trip
The Exotic Feline Rescue Center is open year round only closing on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day, and New Years Eve/Day. Tours run at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. No reservations are needed for parties under 10 people.
If you’re looking for a travel destination in Indiana that’s educational, heartwarming, and jaw-dropping, the Exotic Feline Rescue Center should be at the top of your list. After all, how often do you get to hang out with lions and tigers in the Hoosier State?