What's on the SoIN Fun Trail?
One thing that surprised me is how many options the trail has and how varied they are. It covers a lot of ground. Even as someone who serves as a guide to local living, I discovered new spots! You can use the passport to explore: sweets shops and local eats, parks and trails, museums and local arts, plus experiences you can only find in Southern Indiana. The list of locations is great for those “what should we do today” moments. Just pick and go!
My family tried out Mochi Wren and Recbar 812 for the first time and it was fun to do a little pre-dinner treat, walk around downtown New Albany, and then end the night at Recbar for games (you get 10 free tokens with the pass!) and great food.
The Downtown New Albany Morning
Best for: Families with young kids or anyone who wants a laid-back half-day with easy parking and walkable stops. This would also double as a cute girls’ day out. On Saturdays, stop at the New Albany Farmers Market. Several locations are closed on Mondays, so save this itinerary for Tuesday through Sunday!
Stop 1: Park by Mochi Wren (opens 11 a.m.) - Start here for boba and a treat. Everything you order here is Insta-worthy. The boba is good, the pastries are good, and the 10% off your order offer with check-in makes it an easy yes. It's also a natural first stop on any downtown New Albany route since it's pretty central and opens at a reasonable hour. I tried the Ubi Matcha and our family shared a Biscoff Cheesecake!
Stop 2: Walk around the corner to New Albany Sugar Shoppe - 100+ jars of candy and a free chocolate-dipped Oreo at check-in!
Stop 3: The Whimsical Cookie (Fri and Sat only) - It’s worth planning this trip on a Friday or Saturday specifically to hit this one. They’ve been selling out lately, so take that into account!
Stop 4: Walk further into town to Wimsatt Soap and Soy Candle Bar - This is a beautiful stop. The candle bar smells amazing and the buy 2 get 1 free offer is genuinely a sweet deal.
Stop 5: Walk over to New Albany Flow Park last. End with the waterfront, let the kids run, no time pressure! This one is just a check-in, but hey get those easy points!
Bonus Stop: Recbar 812 – This was actually my first time here! It’s equal parts arcade, bar, and restaurant, which means it genuinely works for a family with young kids or for an adult night out. The 10 free tokens at check-in give the kids an immediate reason to be excited, and the food is solid enough to make it a full dinner stop rather than just a quick one.
The Jeffersonville & Clarksville History and River Day
Best for: A weekday when the museums are open and crowds are lighter. Also works as a date day.
Stop 1: Howard Steamboat Museum - The 1894 mansion alone is worth the admission, and the steamboat museum upstairs is genuinely fascinating. $2 off adult admission at check in is included with the pass. Howard Steamboat Museum closes at 3 p.m., so I’d get there before lunch.
Stop 2: Schimpff's Confectionery (about 10 minutes away; closed Sundays) - This one has been operating since 1891, and it shows - in the best possible way. The candy-making demo is the centerpiece, and watching them pull and work hot candy while they explain the history is genuinely entertaining for both kids and adults. Watch the candy demo, grab something from the shop, and check in for your free Billie the Bison sticker. The free sticker at check-in is a cute touch, but honestly checking out the shop alone is worth the stop. It's also just a really beautiful old candy shop that feels like a time capsule. I was surprised by the variety they had!
Stop 3: Parlour - Plan to stop here for lunch! Conveniently located right near the Big Four Bridge, free breadsticks when you check in, and outdoor seating.
Stop 4: Big Four Bridge and Big Four Station Park – Take a post-lunch walk on the bridge, let everyone stretch, and take in great views of the Ohio River. If you have kids with you, there is a playground at Big Four Station Park!
Stop 5: Falls of the Ohio State Park - Drive over here to end the day at the fossil beds if the group still has energy. People who have lived in SoIN for years sometimes forget this is here, which is wild because it's genuinely one of the most interesting geological sites in the entire Midwest. The 390-million-year-old fossil beds are just sitting there at the edge of the Ohio River, and the Interpretive Center does a great job making it accessible and interesting for all ages.
Bonus Stop: The Widow’s Walk Ice Creamery is on your way to the Falls and is on the pass. It’s worth a stop before or after for a little pick-me-up!
The Family Farm Day
Best for: Saturday or Sunday when Joe Huber's is open and you want a full outdoor experience. Joe Huber's is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Stop 1: Head to Joe Huber's Family Farm and Restaurant. Plan two hours minimum for lunch and hanging out. This is a fun food and experience stop if you're going with kids. The barnyard alone has a 40-foot tunnel slide, corn pit, and farm animals. It’s a fun spot to hang out before (or after) dinner. Then you sit down for a family-style meal with fried chicken, honey ham, and fried biscuits with apple butter. Everyone goes home full and tired.
Stop 2: Drive down the road to Huber's Orchard and Winery (about 5 minutes away). This is a great follow-up stop. The Farm Market is beautiful, and there is typically some form of U-pick year-round. My kids LOVE the Family Farm Park, so you could just stop there to burn off energy. With the passport, you get $1 off Farm Park admission!
