Outdoor Recreation
Fall is the perfect time to visit one of Southern Indiana’s state parks, whether it’s a day of outdoor fun or an overnight camping adventure.
Clark State Forest is Indiana’s oldest state forest. Established in 1903, it offers camping, fishing, hunting, a shooting range and plenty of places to picnic. There are also hiking and mountain bike trails. You’ll find hiking, fishing, birding and camping at Charlestown State Park as well, but this park offers something truly unique — Rose Island, a former summer resort and amusement park. A hike to the abandoned site of this once bustling getaway is a must-do. Lastly, Deam Lake State Recreation Area offers all the amenities for a great outdoor adventure.
Check out our park guides before your next visit:
Southern Indiana Parks Guide: Clark State Forest
Southern Indiana Parks Guide: Charlestown State Park
Southern Indiana Parks Guide: Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Searching for the best fall foliage views in SoIN? We've mapped them out in our Five Stops for Fall Foliage in Southern Indiana blog!
Fall Festivals
Fall festivals are a SoIN staple. Here’s our round-up of can't-miss festivals.
The Monarch Festival at Art on the Parish Green
This FREE event, happening September 12 & 13, 2026, features some of the region’s most talented artists, an immersive butterfly experience, mouth-watering food trucks, a beer & wine garden, children’s activities and music.
Harvest Homecoming
Touted as one of Indiana’s top fall festivals, Harvest Homecoming has brought fun to downtown New Albany for over 50 years. From the parade and pageant to the pumpkin chunking competition, festive bites, and vendor booths, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during Harvest. Booth days are October 8 – 11, 2026. Check out our Harvest Homecoming guide for all the details.
Steamboat Night
See Big Four Station glow during Steamboat Night, October 3, 2026. This free, family-friendly event features carnival rides, live music, tasty bites and local vendors.
Each year, visitors and locals gather at this annual fall festival to enjoy a parade, car show, live entertainment, food, arts & crafts booths, and more. Proceeds benefit Historic Bethlehem, Inc. which oversees the restoration of the 1927 Bethlehem schoolhouse. This year’s festival is October 17 & 18, 2026.
Haunts & Other Happenings
Visit SoIN in the fall... if you dare! Check out these haunted experiences, plus more autumn events and exhibits.
Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site
Take a tour inside the home of William Culbertson, once the richest man in the state of Indiana. With its painted ceilings, carved staircase, marble fireplaces and elaborate plasterwork, the Culbertson Mansion reflects the tastes, ideals and lifestyles of the wealthy during the late 1800s. The mansion and its carriage house are said to be haunted. Thrill-seekers can find extra spooky experiences in the fall on a Haunts & Happenings tour or inside the carriage house, which transforms into House of Anguish the region’s longest running haunt. Check out these 10 scary facts about the Culbertson.
It’s that time of year to shine a light on the shrouded stories of ghosts and other paranormal activities that make up the region’s lore. The New Albany Wicked Walk highlights hair-raising historical events. Make plans to join them for a guided walking tour of downtown New Albany during this scary season.
Fall foliage is a must-see, but make sure you make reservations for a show at Derby Dinner Playhouse. It’s one of the oldest and largest continually operating professional dinner theatres in the country. Experience Heartbreak Hotel, August 12 – September 27. This official Elvis Presley bio-musical, follows the journey of the music icon as his younger self revisits the defining moments that shaped his rise to become the King of Rock and Roll. Featuring more than 40 Elvis hits and classic songs, this unforgettable production is one you won't want to miss. Catch a thriller, Misery, from September 30 – November 8, or take the kids to see Arthur & Friends Make A Musical, (part of Derby Dinner's Children's Theatre season) from October 3 – November 7.
SoIN is home to many unique museums, offering a look at the region’s rich history, arts and culture. They will surely keep you entertained in between fall events or when you need to warm up indoors. Save the date for the Vintage Fire Museum’s annual Muster and Howard Steamboat Museum’s annual Car Show in September.
Look for seasonal exhibits at Bourne-Schweitzer Gallery or Chestnuts and Pearls. The Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center offers a permanent exhibit on New Albany’s connection to the Underground Railroad, plus temporary exhibits like REDEMPTION featuring Jaylin Stewart, running now through October 17.
Farm Experiences
Looking for a countryside escape? Add these farm experiences to your fall itinerary.
A special place to enjoy the bounty of fall is Huber's Orchard & Winery. This family-owned Southern Indiana treasure is Indiana’s largest estate-grown winery. A trip to Huber’s in the fall has become a tradition for many. A beautiful countryside, pumpkins, apples, fall decorations, tractor rides, great food, and wine and spirits are all waiting for you. Bring the whole family to pick pumpkins and apples. Kids will love the Family Farm Park, featuring mazes, pedal karts, the Huber's Grain Train and more. Plus, their Fall Festival brings additional festivities every weekend in mid-September through the end of October.
Fall doesn’t mean the end of fresh produce and other local goodies. Three separate farmers' markets, in three welcoming towns - Charlestown, Jeffersonville, and New Albany - showcase Southern Indiana’s bounty and the people who make each place special.
Joe Huber's Family Farm & Restaurant
“Real food” is what’s on the menu at Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant. The fried chicken and fried biscuits with apple butter are legendary. Everything is made from scratch and served family style. Fall is an especially fun time of year to visit with pumpkin picking, wagon rides, a cartoon corn maze and fall treats in the market.
The Sporting Club at the Farm is a 740-acre farmland attraction that will satisfy the need for outdoor adventure. It offers clay shooting, archery and upland game hunting. Members get access to the grounds’ lakes and trails for fishing and hiking. Nestled along the Ohio River, the Farm offers a new and unique way to enjoy the great outdoors.
Fall Bites & Brews
Fall is the perfect time to sip and savor your way through SoIN!
Distilleries
Bourbon has a rich history in this area. A short ride across the Ohio River is Bourbon City a.k.a. Louisville, Ky. Ninety-five percent of the world’s bourbon is made in Kentucky, and Louisville has several distilleries that offer tours and tastings of this true American spirit. The enthusiasm for distilling spirits crosses the river into Southern Indiana. Head to Starlight Distillery for its brandies, bourbons, rye whiskeys, flavored whiskeys, rum and gin. Figure out the week’s special password to access Distillery 64, a micro-distillery and speakeasy located in New Albany. Taste their gins, rums, ryes and vodka straight up or mixed into a cocktail. Both of these award-winning distilleries are masters of the craft.
Craft Beer
The craft beer scene is alive and well in Southern Indiana. The area’s breweries provide spots to relax with friends and family while you enjoy specialty craft brews. Crisp air, patio sitting, ball game watching, beer sipping... pure bliss.
Fall Dining
Treat your taste buds this fall with Red Yeti’s crispy fried chicken and Weisenberger Mill smoked cheddar grits or dig into Board and You’s juicy filet mignon with garlic herb mashed potatoes.
Digital Passports
Discover Southern Indiana in the fall. Fall is perfect for enjoying the FREE Scenic SoIN, Inspired SoIN and Stranger Things of SoIN digital passports. Explore some of Southern Indiana's best sights, creative scenes and oddities with ease while earning points toward rewards and grand prize giveaways!
For $10, you can purchase Haunted History Jeffersonville: A Boo 812 Experience — a digital passport that lets you explore the spooky side of SoIN through a self-guided video walking tour! Visit nine historic sites, from forgotten cemeteries to former speakeasies, and uncover 25 minutes of Boo 812 videos filled with eerie history, ghost stories, and local lore, all on your phone, at your own pace.
Louisville Attractions
SoIN is only a hop, skip, and jump away from Louisville, Kentucky. Check out these can’t-miss fall experiences from our neighbors across the Ohio River.
Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom and Jack O' Lantern Spectacular
Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom and Louisville's Jack O' Lantern Spectacular have joined forces to create one unforgettable fall experience! Stroll through Castaway Creek surrounded by thousands of hand-carved pumpkins and stunning illuminated displays crafted by talented local artists. With immersive scenes, intricate carvings, and plenty of photo-worthy moments, this reimagined event brings two beloved Kentucky traditions together for a magical autumn adventure. Jack O' Lantern Spectacular and Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom will run Wednesdays through Sundays from October 1 through November 1.
Catch the crisp fall breeze and autumn colors from the Ohio River atop the historic Belle of Louisville. Climb aboard the more than 100-year-old steamboat for sightseeing cruises, historic programs, dinners, live music and more. This fall, the Belle is hosting several events, including a Friendsgiving Cruise and a Kids Halloween Cruise.