Wineries & Breweries
One of the most popular year-round attractions in Southern Indiana is Huber's. Make the journey to Starlight to enjoy fresh hot apple cider, taste premium wines, bottle your own bourbon, cut down a Christmas tree and shop in their market. Returning this year are their outdoor igloos which can be a cozy way to enjoy Huber's this winter. Reserve yours today!
Looking to enjoy some craft beer with family and friends this winter season? Look no further! We have a variety of selections on tap!
Dining
Once you're done shopping locally, dine locally with yummy carry-out or a delicious dine-in experience. These restaurants even have heated patios: Parlour, Union, Pearl Street Taphouse, Upland Brewing Co. and Drake's.
For an exceptional culinary experience that even your taste buds will thank you for, book a dinner at MESA, A Live Dining Show. You'll get a hands-on demonstration from a superb local chef as well as a 3-5 course meal. Check their calendar for upcoming dinners. Your kids might enjoy a cooking or baking class at MESA Kids Cooking School!
Satisfy your sweet tooth at some of SoIN’s favorite treat spots! Visit Schimpff’s Confectionery to watch a live candy-making demonstration of their famous red hots. During the holidays, you might catch candy canes or ribbon candy in the works. Don’t miss Sweet Stuff Bakery, Sweets by Morgan, Rookies Cookies, and New Albany Sugar Shoppe for even more delicious desserts.
Outdoor Recreation
Bundle up and get outdoors for some winter hiking or walking. SoIN offers some of the greatest trails in the region, and you can access them year-round. Explore our multiple state parks, walk across the Big Four Bridge, take a stroll on the Ohio River Greenway and more.
Love the links? Get out and golf! In our region, the weather can be hit or miss (no pun intended), but we have a good amount of "warmer" days in the winter season. Rates are cheaper, you get to go outside and be active, and we have fantastic courses. What's not to love?
Find more outdoor recreation at The Sporting Club at the Farm, which offers shooting sports, archery, upland game hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities. Nestled along the Ohio River, the Sporting Club offers a new and unique way to enjoy the great outdoors.
Museums
You can always hibernate in your own home, but why not cozy up with art and history inside one of SoIN’s beloved museums? Visit a few historical and cultural museums in Southern Indiana like the Floyd County Library Cultural Arts Center, Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, and Howard Steamboat Museum.
The Carnegie Center's exhibit, Threads of Industry: Labor and Life in New Albany’s Textile Factories, is on display now through January 31, 2026. Explore the Culbertson Mansion and Howard Steamboat Museum in December to see these two magnificent homes dressed up for the holidays. If those don't tickle your fancy, then head over to Louisville, which is just 1 mile from Southern Indiana. Explore exhibits at the Frazier History Museum, Kentucky Derby Museum, Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Muhammad Ali Center and Speed Art Museum.
Nightlife
Southern Indiana comes alive after dark, even in the winter. Enjoy a smoked Old Fashioned on the heated patio at Match Cigar Bar, sing your heart out at The Blue Aux karaoke bar or gather your friends for wine and small bites at the Wine Shop. Click here for more late-night spots in Southern Indiana!
Year-Round Digital Passports
Explore Southern Indiana your way using our Digital Passports. With three programs running all year round, you can choose to participate in our Scenic, Stranger Things and/or Inspired passports - each of which give the user a free way to discover the attractions that fit their interests, all while earning points for prizes! You can get a great overview of SoIN by signing up for our digital passports.
- Scenic SoIN passport is a free guide to some of the outdoor experiences.
- Inspired SoIN passport is a free guide through public art in SoIN.
- Stranger Things of SoIN passport is a free guide to all things quirky and eccentric in SoIN.
Visitors can also take a guided video tour of spooky locations in and around Jeffersonville with Haunted History Jeffersonville: A Boo 812 Experience. For just $10, access 25 minutes of video highlighting stories of paranormal activity at nine different locations.
Learn more and sign up today on our Digital Passport page.
Shopping
Supporting local businesses is easy when you have two delightfully booming downtowns that offer a plethora of local goods at beautiful and unique storefronts. No matter who you’re shopping for, our boutiques and shops have the perfect gifts for everyone.
Holiday Gift Guides:
Holiday Festivities
Winter is the jolliest time of year in SoIN! For the best holiday light displays, check out our “Holiday Lights Events in Southern Indiana” blog. Discover more winter fun and see where you can meet Santa across Southern Indiana in our blog, “Top Holiday Activities and Santa Sightings in Southern Indiana."
There is nothing better than having a delicious meal while being entertained by one of your favorite musicals at Derby Dinner Playhouse. This is the oldest and largest continually operating dinner theatre in the country, and their shows are extra magical in the winter. During the holidays, "A Velveteen Rabbit Christmas" runs November 15 - December 20. Catch another holiday classic next door at the Clarksville Little Theatre when they perform Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” December 5 – 14. Holiday shows sell out fast, so act quickly to secure your tickets!
Look for additional Derby Dinner Playhouse shows in the new year, including "The Bunco Squad Rolls Again," “Hairspray,” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” plus special performances like “Salute to the Rat Pack & Friends" and The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Festive cocktails are SoIN! Experience the Holiday Pop-up bar inside The Exchange Pub and Kitchen in downtown New Albany! Celebrate the holidays in style, savoring expertly crafted holiday cocktails, fine wines, and refreshing beers, all while relaxing in a magical winter wonderland. View all the details here. Follow their Facebook page for more updates.
Downtown New Albany is also home to Recbar 812’s holiday pop-up bar, Spirits Full Tavern, where the entire downstairs has been completely decked out in Christmas cheer. Sip a seasonal drink, soak in the festive atmosphere, and grab some tokens to battle your friends in pinball, air hockey, Pac-Man, and tons of arcade favorites.
For more festive cocktails, head over to O'Shea's in downtown Jeffersonville. Featured cocktails include The Icicle Martini and their house recipe New York Sour, topped with a delicious Pino Noir. While supplies last. Don’t miss out!
