Greater SoIN
Experience the pinnacle of wilderness, exploration and quality family time with the activities and parks greater SoIN has to offer. From ATV rides in the forest of Starlight, to a weekend camping trip at one of the state’s best camping grounds, Deam Lake, located in the Clark State Forest. For those who are a little less adventurous, check out some of the best dining, nostalgic excursions and sweet treat spots in SoIN!
Outdoor Recreation
Charlestown State Park
Charlestown State Park has hiking, camping, wildflowers, birding, education programs and group hikes, and a boat launch on the Ohio River. Enjoy the scenic outdoors with miles of trails and views along the Ohio River and Fourteen Mile Creek.
While visiting, hike the steep downhill on Trail 3 to the remains of Rose Island. A once-thriving resort and amusement park in the 1920s, some of its structures can still be seen on this mile-long loop. Want to know more? Check out our Charlestown State Park blog for all the details.
Charlestown Family Activities Park
Play miniature golf, enjoy water fun at the sprinkle pad, swing and slide at the pirate-themed playground and skate at the roller-skating rink.
Greenway Park
Located in the center of downtown Charlestown, amenities include a walking trail, basketball courts and an inclusive, forest-themed playground. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, “Charlestown Christmas City” is one of Southern Indiana and the region’s most festive holiday light displays.
Clark State Forest
Visit Indiana's oldest state forest with 7 fishing lakes, hunting, shooting range, camping, hiking, and horse trails, and access to the Knobstone Trail, the state’s longest hiking trail.
Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Deam Lake State Recreation Area is part of the Clark State Forest mentioned above. With 1,300 acres of forest and trails and an impressive 104-acre lake, you can enjoy a variety of activities including camping, cabin rentals, hiking (horse and mountain biking trails and access to the Knobstone Trail), swimming beach, paddle boat rentals, education center and more. Want to know more? Check out our blog for all the details about Deam Lake.
Covered Bridge Golf Course
Nestled into the rolling hills in Sellersburg, Covered Bridge is a Fuzzy Zoeller/Clyde Johnston-designed, 18-hole course in SoIN. Each hole has been laid out to emphasize the natural beauty of the landscape and panorama.
Champions Pointe Golf Club
Carved through the gorgeous landscape of Southern Indiana, Champions Pointe is a Fuzzy Zoeller/Clyde Johnston-designed 18-hole golf course. Each hole of this par 72 layout offers a new and exciting challenge from tee to green. Champions Pointe is a demanding, yet fair test for every golfer.
Mount Saint Francis
“The Mount,” as it’s known locally, is a retreat center, nature sanctuary and artist community. Find serenity on the walking trails and paths of the nearly 400 acres that belong to the Mount Saint Francis Sanctuary adjacent to the Center for Spirituality. Check the calendar for upcoming events including outdoor concerts, the Monarch Festival at MountFest and art classes.
Valley View Golf Club
One of SoIN’s 6 public golf courses, Valley View is 6,900 yards, 18 holes, par 72 course nestled in a beautiful hillside. Pro-tip: plan a trip for October for amazing fall foliage views.
Garry E. Cavan Park and Seviren Lang Disc Golf Course
Located in Georgetown this championship-caliber course has a balance of short technical holes and long bombs. This is a great course for beginners with short pads on every hole.
The Woods ATV Adventures
Explore over 500 acres of classified forest in Starlight Indiana. U-Drive ATVs allow you to take hold of your adventurous side on a guided sightseeing experience! Make lifelong memories with family and friends or work on team building during a larger corporate outing. The repurposed and refined logging trails rise and fall offering a natural roller-coaster ride through rolling hills topped off with stunning views. Take the wheel to drive your own adventure or ride along with a trail boss. Either way you’ll be treated to a thrilling ride and breathtaking views.
Dining
Below are a few of the local favorite places to grab a bite or a sweet treat in SoIN.
1894 Lodge
Be treated like a local at 1894 Lodge. Located in an old church in New Washington, The Lodge takes pride in supporting local farmers and the area community filling their menu with fresh local cut steaks and dishes made with homegrown produce and herbs. The restaurant was also featured in the Netflix show “Wrestlers” spotlighting the region’s own wrestling organization, OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling).
Charlestown Pizza Company
This pizza shop offers an incredible beer selection and one-of-a-kind pizzas like the Super Fly Thai and The Mashed Potato Pie. Check Facebook to see the restaurant’s latest funky dessert!
Berry Twist
A Floyds Knobs tradition since 1978, Berry Twist serves your favorite ice cream treats! Berry Twist has a reputation for having the best sherbet around, with over 24 flavors, three offered daily. Check Facebook for the daily flavors.
812 Pizza Company
Enjoy handmade fresh pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, wings and salads. “The Beau” is a must-try, topped with meatballs, banana peppers, and fresh basil or sample them all at their lunch buffet.
Village House Coffee
Grab some coffee or breakfast with a side of Hoosier Hospitality! Tucked away in an adorable downtown Georgetown building, Village Coffee House’s motto is “serve great coffee, with happy faces.”
Farm Experiences
Just 30 minutes from downtown Louisville, you’ll find Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant, Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyard, and Starlight Distillery. Learn more about each property on our Huber’s page.
Huber's Orchard, Winery & Vineyards
Things to do at this year-round family-fun attraction include wine and spirits tastings, distillery and winery tours, shopping at the farm market, and grabbing a bite to eat at Starlight Cafe. Seasonally, enjoy live music, let the kid's play at the Family Farm Park or partake in one of their most popular activities—you can handpick everything from apples, strawberries, blackberries and peaches to pumpkins and even Christmas trees!
Starlight Distillery
Located on the Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards property, Starlight Distillery produces quality, award-winning, family-crafted and distilled spirits including bourbons, liqueurs, vodka, brandy, rum, and gin. Distillery tours and tastings are available.
Joe Huber's Family Farm & Restaurant
Joe Huber’s is one of the best places to get good, made-from-scratch country cookin'. The biscuits with apple butter, along with the fried chicken, are both signature menu items at Joe Huber’s. Dinners are served family-style (some are, not all!). Joe Huber's offers its own u-pick experience. These experiences are, of course, seasonal. So check the u-pick schedule before you visit. Along with the restaurant and u-pick, there is a Barnyard Playground for kids, a stocked pond so kids can feed the fish, a farm market, a gift shop, and a soda pop shop.
Nostalgic Stops
Polly's Freeze
Enjoy the simpler things in life with a visit to Georgetown. Follow the bright neon parrot to Polly’s Freeze for dinner and dessert. This local ice cream shop and restaurant serve up delicious treats in an authentic 1950s atmosphere. The Upside-Down Elvis is a must-try!
Georgetown Drive-In
Then head down the street to Georgetown Drive-In for a nostalgic night of fun. It's one of the few drive-in theaters still in operation in the U.S. Check out our blog of tips for your visit to the Georgetown Drive-in.
