Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Anderson, Indiana

Situated approximately 30 miles northeast of Indianapolis, Anderson derives its name from the Delaware Chief William Anderson, who established a village along the White River in the late 18th century.

A significant chapter in Anderson’s development commenced in the 1880s with the discovery of natural gas during the Indiana gas boom.

The abundance of natural gas allowed it to seep freely from the ground, facilitating the growth of industries such as glass-making and inciting a surge of construction until the resource was hastily depleted in 1912.

Today, visitors can immerse themselves in Anderson’s historical and vibrant downtown, an area teeming with restaurants, museums, and performing arts venues.

When you venture east from the city, the banks of the White River feature an array of picturesque and historically significant parks.

1. Mounds State Park

Located near the eastern borders of Anderson along the White River, this state park preserves ancient mounds constructed by the indigenous Adena culture over 2,100 years ago.

These ten earthworks, now partially enveloped in woodland and accessible via trails, were likely utilized for religious rituals and exhibit considerable scale.

The Great Mound, the largest of these earthworks, covers nearly 400 feet in diameter and features a central platform measuring 138 feet across. Excavations conducted in the 1960s revealed multiple layers of clay and ash, suggesting varied periods of use.

At the visitor center, educational displays elucidate the significance of the mounds, while the nature center showcases fascinating wildlife exhibits, an observation area, and interactive features.

The park also offers camping facilities, a swimming pool, and a boat launch on the White River, catering to canoe and kayak enthusiasts.

2. Downtown Anderson

The bustling commercial heart of Anderson is embodied in its downtown area, which is home to a variety of bars, restaurants, cultural institutions, and frequent community gatherings, particularly during the summer months.

As you explore these streets, you can trace the evolution of the city from its late 19th-century roots through to the mid-20th century.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2006, Downtown Anderson boasts 32 contributing structures.

In this section, we will highlight notable attractions such as the Paramount Theatre, Carnegie Library, and Gruenewald House. Other noteworthy sites include the Art Deco Tower Hotel (1930), Anderson Bank Building (1928), and the Union Building, which was the largest office edifice in the state upon its completion in 1902.

Dickman Town Center, opposite the Paramount Theatre, serves as a prominent venue for outdoor events during the summer, including the Anderson City Market.

3. Paramount Theatre

A striking landmark in downtown Anderson, the Paramount Theatre first opened in 1929. This historic movie palace was part of the Publix Chain of theaters, owned by Paramount Pictures, from which it derives its name.

Designed in the atmospheric style, it features a Spanish Revival aesthetic, with the auditorium beautifully resembling a courtyard in a Spanish village adorned with a starlit sky.

The theatre faced demolition in the 1980s but was salvaged and restored to its original 1929 glory through the efforts of local residents.

Presently, it serves as a magnificent venue for classic films, live performances, and concerts by the Anderson Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, the Festival of Trees gala auction, a beloved Anderson Christmas event, takes place here annually.

4. Anderson Museum of Art

Housed in a distinguished Beaux-Arts Carnegie library constructed in 1905, the Anderson Museum of Art specializes in contemporary works and showcases art from Indiana.

The museum’s origins date back to the 1960s, with a key benefactor being Nellie Alford Hill, whose family moved to Anderson during the gas boom of the 1890s.

A diverse array of exhibitions is hosted throughout the year, including thematic displays from the collection, regional competitive exhibits, and annual showcases like the Art Association of Madison County’s fall exhibition.

Additionally, the museum actively engages in educational initiatives, offering classes and workshops for both adults and youth in the Anderson community.

5. Oakley Brothers Distillery

Indiana’s ample grain supply makes it an ideal state for whiskey production. Located in Anderson, the Oakley Brothers Distillery operates within a historic factory building downtown, producing handcrafted spirits.

Established in 2018, the distillery utilizes grains sourced exclusively from Indiana farms for a range of products including bourbon, rye, and corn whiskey.

In addition, they produce artisan limoncello, vodka, blackberry liqueur, agave spirit, and Indiana moonshine, with further offerings in development.

The distillery features educational programs centered on distillation and fermentation, and the cocktail bar is open Tuesday through Saturday for tastings of their creations. Visitors can also enjoy live music on weekends, a varied food menu, and recreational games such as shuffleboard, cornhole, and Jenga.

6. Harrah Hoosier Park Racing & Casino

A significant entertainment venue in the Indianapolis region, Harrah Hoosier Park originated in 1994 as a harness racing track and is now owned by Caesars Entertainment.

From April through November, live harness racing remains a popular attraction, highlighted by the annually celebrated Dan Patch Stakes, which at the time of writing featured a prize pool of $325,000.

In the 2000s, the facility expanded into a year-round racino, marked by the addition of an extensive single-level casino floor.

Open 24 hours, this establishment houses 2,000 cutting-edge slot machines, accommodating denominations from one cent to $100. A high-limit gaming area is also available, offering new multiplayer electronic blackjack, premium slots, and video poker options.

7. Museum of Madison County History

This charming museum, hosted in a mid-century building in downtown Anderson, is managed by the Madison County Historical Society and staffed by dedicated volunteers.

Visitors might be astonished by the extensive array of artifacts and historical narratives, making it the perfect starting point for those curious about Anderson and its surrounding region.

A recent exhibit, titled Before We Were Madison County, featured enthralling displays of fossils alongside indigenous tools and arrowheads found locally at Mounds State Park.

The interactive exhibit WWII County Heroes and Home Front examined local lives and notable military figures during World War II, while a newly established permanent exhibit chronicles the history of the Delaware village that inspired Anderson’s name.

8. Gruenewald Historic House

Located at 626 Main Street in downtown Anderson, the quaint Gruenewald Historic House captures visitors’ attention. Upon approaching its side, you will observe that it consists of two distinct wings.

The simpler east wing, constructed in 1865, contrasts with the grand French Second Empire townhouse that was introduced in 1873.

This property occupies Lot 3 of Andersontown’s original layout and was preceded by a log cabin. Currently, the structure operates as a historic house museum, showcasing 12 rooms filled with furniture and household artifacts from the early 20th century.

A collection of artifacts reflecting Anderson’s early days is displayed in the Dr. J. B. Nicholson Museum Room.

9. Shadyside Memorial Park

This serene park alongside Killbuck Creek originated in 1897 as a private recreational area for employees of the Union Traction Company, an interurban railroad.

In the 1920s, the city acquired Shadyside Memorial Park and dedicated it to the veterans of Madison County. A prominent feature added shortly thereafter was an impressive stone terrace, meticulously landscaped by local nurseryman Milton H. Gaar.

Previously referred to as the Japanese Gardens, this terrace has become a favored location for wedding photography in Anderson.

Furthermore, the park encompasses various recreational amenities including a bike trail adjacent to the creek, a children’s playground, and a series of man-made caves constructed by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression.

10. Indy Scream Park

As the spooky season draws near, one of Indiana’s premier haunted house attractions, Indy Scream Park, is conveniently located just south of downtown Anderson.

This venue features six attractions all within a single location, expertly crafted by professionals with extensive experience in the haunted house industry.

One highlight, Nightmare Factory, immerses visitors in complete darkness as they navigate through a power plant over the gates of hell. Meanwhile, Killgore’s 3D Circus offers a nightmarish experience for those brave enough to enter, even if clowns are not typically their phobia.

Additionally, the Zombie Paintball Assault presents an opportunity to engage in a thrilling simulated zombie apocalypse.

At the time of writing, the Indy Scream Park had introduced a horror-themed beer garden managed by a demonic clown.

11. Bronnenberg House

Adjacent to the visitor center at Mounds State Park stands the elegant Bronnenberg House, a Federal-style residence boasting five bays and four levels, constructed for a local landowner around 1850.

This historic structure is the sole remaining building from a vast farm that originally included a barn, smokehouse, corn crib, summer kitchen, and several additional outbuildings.

Frederick Bronnenberg, Jr., who was responsible for the house’s construction, recognized the historical value of the mounds located on his property, thereby preventing them from being plowed over and protecting them from looters.

Such foresight contributed to a legacy that ultimately resulted in the establishment of the state park in 1930. A provided interpretive board offers information, and the preserved house welcomes tours during weekends in the summer and over the holiday season, adorned with festive decorations.

12. Rangeline Nature Preserve

This 180-acre riverside nature preserve, owned by the city, is positioned just downstream from Mounds State Park. Notably, it features an extensive network of mountain biking trails that optimally utilize the area’s dramatic topography and diverse plant life.

The six-mile black trail is recognized as one of the most technical mountain biking routes in Indiana, incorporating steep drops, narrow sections, log crossings, and teeter-totters.

Additionally, there are intermediate (blue) and novice (green) trails, each three miles and two miles long, respectively. All trails are clearly marked with directional signs.

13. Anderson Speedway

For enthusiasts of stock car racing, a quarter-mile, steeply banked oval track is situated less than five minutes southwest of downtown Anderson.

Throughout the summer season, the Anderson Speedway draws substantial crowds, offering lively Saturday night races that feature multiple divisions, including legends, mini cups, late models, midgets, and both winged and non-wing sprint cars.

This track notably witnessed a world-record lap time of 10.28 seconds set by a winged sprint car in 2010 on its quarter-mile paved oval.

Additionally, there is always a significant celebration for the 4th of July, complete with fireworks and an enticing race schedule that includes races involving school buses and trailers.

14. White River Paintball

Located on the same grounds as Indy Scream Park, White River Paintball holds the distinction of being the largest outdoor paintball facility in the state. Operating for over 20 years, it has become a favored destination for enthusiasts in the Indianapolis area, featuring up to 12 immersive themed fields.

These fields boast evocative names such as Omaha Beach (complete with a full-size landing craft), Skid Row, The Alamo, Jungle, Cambodia, and Airstrip, which showcases an actual Sikorsky helicopter that saw service in Vietnam.

A comprehensive range of rental equipment is available for participants, and open play sessions occur every weekend, facilitating games such as president, capture the flag, medic, ambush, and freeze tag.

15. Anderson City Market

Anderson has maintained a farmers’ market since the early 2010s, operating weekly from May through mid-October.

You can discover a wide array of vendors every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm at Dickmann Town Plaza near the Paramount Theatre.

While the selection evolves throughout the summer, you can generally expect to find local produce, eggs, honey, baked items, coffee, plants, and an assortment of handicrafts.

At the time of writing, a winter market was also being held at Collective Roots Local Market & Cafe, located on the east side of downtown.