Indiana Region Guide
Southwest Indiana Guide
Evansville sits at the bend in the Ohio River, German heritage runs deep around Jasper and Ferdinand, and Santa Claus, Indiana is exactly as odd and wonderful as it sounds.
Southwest Indiana hugs the Ohio River and the Wabash River, with Evansville as the natural base. From there it is an easy reach to Vincennes and its frontier history, the hilltop abbey near Ferdinand, and New Harmony's quiet streets. Holiday World gives families a full day on its own.
- Anchor city
- Evansville, the largest city in southern Indiana, in Vanderburgh County
- Counties
- Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Knox, Daviess, Dubois, Pike
- Known for
- Ohio River towns, Evansville's riverfront, Holiday World in Santa Claus, historic New Harmony, Vincennes frontier history
- Best season
- Fall for the Evansville Fall Festival, summer for Holiday World
The region covers Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Knox, Daviess, Dubois and Pike counties. Evansville anchors it with the riverfront and a tri-state food scene, while Holiday World at Santa Claus and French Lick's resort corner carry the family and weekend trips. Dubois County is worth its own day for Herrmann Brewthers Bierwerks in Jasper and the Monastery Immaculate Conception near Ferdinand. Bill Bobe's Pizzeria has been hand-tossing in Vincennes for decades, and Harmonie State Park and New Harmony's gardens and labyrinth close the loop.
From Get Indiana
- Harmonie State Park: The Magic of Fireflies
- A Hidden Gem in Southern Indiana: The Carriage Inn
- Step Back in Time at Shubael Little Pioneer Village in Southern Indiana
- What's it like in Odon, Indiana?
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Things to Do in Southwest Indiana
More ideasRiverfronts, Holiday World, the Vincennes historic sites, and New Harmony's gardens and trails can each anchor a day.
Food Guides in Southwest Indiana
More foodEvansville carries the region's range, with a tri-state mix downtown. Smaller towns like Jasper add German-influenced cooking worth the drive.
Small Towns in Southwest Indiana
More townsNew Harmony, Jasper, and Vincennes each reward a stop, adding history, architecture, and quiet streets to a river-country trip.
Browse all Southwest Indiana coverage
Search or filter the full regional archive by topic. The guides above stay curated; this is the complete feed.
What’s it like in Huntingburg, Indiana?
Cheyne Reiter
West Side Nut Club Fall Festival: Dates, Food, Parades & Half Pot Guide
Jarred Porter
What’s it like in Ferdinand, Indiana?
Cheyne Reiter
Strolling Through Time on 4th Street: Discovering the Charm of Huntingburg, Indiana
Taylor Huff
What’s it like in Tell City, Indiana?
Cheyne Reiter
The Story Behind Dick Clark’s Family Restaurant in Princeton, Indiana
Taylor Huff
A Road Trip Through Daviess County, Indiana
Taylor Huff
Dairy Master – Loogootee’s Classic Ice Cream Spot
Taylor Huff
What's it like in Washington, Indiana?
Cheyne Reiter
What's it like in Shoals, Indiana?
Cheyne Reiter
Holiday World: The Nations First Theme Park
Taylor Huff
What's it like in Jasper, Indiana?
Cheyne Reiter
Questions
Common questions about Southwest Indiana
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