Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Richmond, Indiana

A city celebrated for its well-preserved architecture and significant role in the early recording industry, Richmond is situated in east central Indiana, bordering Ohio.

The early history of Richmond is closely associated with the National Road, which, upon its opening in 1833, facilitated the passage of numerous immigrant families through the city and Wayne County on their extensive journey westward.

In the subsequent years, Richmond evolved into the most populous city in the state and became a hub for industry and the arts. It was in the late 19th century that cinema pioneer Charles Francis Jenkins invented his Phantoscope.

During this period, Richmond attracted a number of prominent Impressionist artists, and, in 1923, it was here that the very first recording featuring Louis Armstrong was produced by Gennett Records.

1. Historic Depot District

A few blocks north of downtown Richmond lies an intriguing, evolving commercial district abundant with elegant architecture dating back to between 1875 and 1910.

The focal point of the district is the porticoed Pennsylvania Railroad Station (1902), designed by Daniel Burnham’s architectural office, noted for the Flatiron Building in New York and the Rookery in Chicago. At its peak, this station welcomed over 25 passenger trains daily.

Home to the Model T Ford Museum, the Historic Depot District creates an atmospheric setting for a walking tour, thanks to its impressive brick buildings that once accommodated businesses crucial to the area’s development.

Today, these structures house a variety of vibrant independent enterprises, including galleries, pubs, eateries, and shops offering books, records, flowers, and furniture.

2. Richmond Art Museum (RAM)

From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, the city became synonymous with art, especially within the American Impressionist movement.

Although it lacked formal structure, the Richmond Art Group featured notable figures such as Charles Fremont Conner, John Elwood Bundy, and Maude Kaufman Eggemeyer.

Many of these artists were connected with the Art Association of Richmond, which became the Richmond Art Museum in 1898. This esteemed institution is part of an intricate Colonial Revival complex that also comprises the Civic Hall Performing Arts Center and Richmond High School.

The museum’s extensive collection includes works by Walter Shirlaw, Frank Duvenick, Henry Mosler, William Aitken Walker, and William Wendt, among others.

A remarkable piece is William Merritt Chase’s self-portrait, created for the museum in 1915. A noteworthy event is the juried Annual Exhibition by Indiana and Ohio Artists, which has been held for over 120 years.

3. Wayne County Historical Museum

This exceptional local history museum is located on a campus surrounding the Hicksite Friends Meetinghouse, established in 1865.

The building was donated to the Wayne County Historical Society in 1930, marking the beginning of many contributions that resulted in a remarkable collection of artifacts and buildings.

The campus features seven structures, including the county’s oldest log schoolhouse (1812) and a two-story log cabin constructed in 1823.

Among the numerous displays are the first Davis airplane from 1929, steam-powered tractors, early automobiles manufactured in Richmond, and one of the city’s two Ancient Egyptian mummies, dating back 3,000 years.

Authentic 19th-century items include a genuine Conestoga wagon, clothing, art furniture, industrial tools, and various everyday objects that recreate life in a print shop, loom house, bakery, and blacksmith.

4. Model T Museum

Richmond serves as the headquarters for the Model T Ford Club of America, the largest assembly of Model T Ford enthusiasts globally.

While the city does not have a manufacturing history linked to this vehicle, it provides an ideal location for a museum dedicated to Model T Fords, given the abundance of early 20th-century architecture in the Depot District.

The collection spans two buildings and offers insight into the primary production years of the Model T, from 1908 to 1927.

Visitors can view the 294th Model T produced on Ford’s famous assembly line, along with various intriguing adaptations, including a race car, fire truck, snowmobile, and mail delivery vehicle.

Additional compelling exhibits feature a range of Fordson tractors and a reconstructed machine shop equipped with belt-driven tools.

5. Glen Miller Park

Richmond’s premier public park, established in 1885, is named after railroad executive Colonel John Ford Miller. The term “glen” refers to a geographical valley characterized by gentle slopes.

A unique feature of Glen Miller Park is its natural freshwater springs, which are noted for their high iron content.

Situated in a traditionally elegant section of the city, Glen Miller Park is part of the East Main Street–Glen Miller Park Historic District, which will be covered later.

One significant monument within the park is the Madonna of the Trail (1928), located at the entrance, erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution to honor the spirit of pioneer women in the United States.

Regarding amenities, the park includes a splash pad, tennis courts, various shelters, a rose garden, and a spacious area that was previously a municipal golf course.

6. Hayes Arboretum

East of Glen Miller Park is a magnificent 466-acre managed nature preserve, established in 1914. The Hayes Arboretum originated from a series of acquisitions by Stanley W. Hayes, aimed at preserving tracts of old-growth beech-maple forest.

The arboretum contains approximately 60 acres of old-growth forest, with some trees estimated to be as old as 450 years.

In an effort to restore the ancient woodlands that greeted early pioneers, Hayes also conducted reforestation projects, including the Oak-Tulip Experiment initiated in 1922-23.

A nature center housed in a dairy barn from 1833 provides extensive information about Indiana’s native flora, along with a sensory room, live honey bee exhibit, and a birdwatching room.

The Hayes Arboretum features 16 miles of trails, of which approximately half are designated for mountain biking activities.

7. East Main Street–Glen Miller Park Historic District

Along the route to Glen Miller Park, East Main Street is distinguished by a series of stately residences from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This area, sometimes referred to as Millionaire’s Row, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

A noteworthy landmark is the Henry and Alice Gennett House (1898), showcasing a theatrical Colonial Revival design.

Featuring a two-story Ionic portico, this residence belonged to Henry Gennett, president of the Starr Piano Company and founder of Gennett Records, and is currently available for events.

The architect of this structure, John A. Hasecoster (1844-1925), designed numerous homes in Richmond, including his own Queen Anne-style residence at 1907 E. Main Street, constructed in 1895.

These houses represent just a portion of over 80 other contributing buildings showcasing styles ranging from Italianate to Queen Anne, Classical Revival, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, and American Craftsman.

8. Thistlethwaite Falls

At the southern end of Springwood Park, a picturesque waterfall cascades down a series of ledges along the West Fork of the Whitewater River.

Soaring to a height of twenty feet and stretching sixty feet in width, Thistlethwaite Falls is an artificial formation named after Timothy Thistlethwaite, a sawmill owner.

In the mid-19th century, he dammed the river for his mill, causing the water to flow over this rocky terrace. During the summer months, it becomes an ideal location to refresh on a warm day.

The waterfall is also a notable site for discovering Late Ordovician fossils dating back approximately 450 million years.

9. Joseph Moore Museum

A compelling reason to visit the Earlham College campus is this excellent free museum, dedicated to the fascinating natural history of Indiana. The museum’s origin can be traced back to a collection assembled in the 1870s by Joseph Moore, a professor at the college.

This began as a small cabinet but quickly expanded into a full room after the acquisition of a partial mastodon skeleton discovered in New Paris, Indiana, in 1873.

Among the key attractions are live iguanas and snakes, one of Indiana’s three Ancient Egyptian mummies, the Randolph mastodon (uncovered in 1895), and the Ralph Teetor Planetarium.

10. Gennett Records Walk of Fame

Founded by Henry Gennett in 1917, Richmond’s Gennett Records produced some of the earliest recordings by numerous jazz and blues legends.

These artists include Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Bix Beiderbecke, Charley Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Jelly Roll Morton.

Visitors can explore the site of the studio located next to the Whitewater River, where an interpretive trail highlights the previous location of the studio and honors the many artists associated with the label.

The most renowned artists are commemorated with medallions embedded in the path, designed to emulate 78 rpm records.

11. Amish Country

Richmond and Wayne County possess a notable Amish community, which becomes apparent while traversing local roads, as encounters with gray-topped buggies are common.

It is highly beneficial to locate the numerous Amish-owned enterprises in the vicinity. These establishments may range from exceptional furniture makers to greenhouses offering herbs, perennials, annuals, and vegetable plants.

Located in Fountain City, just ten minutes north of Richmond, the Fountain Acres Amish Store provides a variety of products, including cheeses, traditional baked goods, fresh produce, candies, log furniture, flowers, and homemade ice cream.

12. Rose Garden

Richmond has long been recognized for its roses, stemming from a renowned nursery established by E.G. Hill in 1881, situated around what is now Glen Miller Park.

The operation expanded significantly, and by the 1940s, the Hill Flower Products Company boasted over 1,000 acres of farmland in the area, supplemented by greenhouses totaling approximately 1,250,000 square feet of glass.

For many years, this rose legacy was celebrated through a Rose Festival, which gradually faded in the late 1990s. However, a corner of Richmond continues to honor this heritage at the Richmond Rose A.A.R.S. Garden, cultivated about 35 years ago on the south side of Glen Miller Park.

Visitors can now appreciate over 100 varieties of All American Selections roses, complemented by perennials, blooming annuals, and ornamental trees.

13. Middlefork Reservoir

Located at the northern edge of Richmond, this 177-acre reservoir, constructed in the 1960s, continues to supply nearly two-thirds of the city’s water requirements.

This expansive body of water is part of a 400-acre park that has recently received considerable attention from the Richmond parks department

Equipped with four shelters and abundant greenery, it serves as an excellent venue for family gatherings and reunions. The lake remains the focal point, providing opportunities for fishing and boating.

If you do not have your own boat, rentals for paddle boats, row boats, canoes, or kayaks are available at the service center. Additional facilities include concessions, a cabin, a bait shop, docking areas, an RC airplane field, and Richmond’s sole designated dog park.

14. Old National Road Welcome Center

Located off U.S. Route 40, close to the Indiana-Ohio border, is a visitor center designed to help maximize your experience in Richmond and Wayne County.

The Old National Road Welcome Center operates six days a week, offering a 24/7 information foyer just inside the entrance for access to maps and brochures at any time.

This center serves as an essential first stop for exploring the area, guiding visitors toward diverse attractions ranging from Amish businesses to antiques and a unique selection of local chocolate shops.

The store features an extensive array of Indiana-made products, local crafts from pottery to candles, as well as memorabilia celebrating Richmond’s jazz and blues heritage.

15. Antique Alley

Richmond boasts a considerable number of antique shops, malls, and emporiums that the Richmond/Wayne County tourism bureau has established a dedicated trail to help navigate.

Currently, there are around 1,200 dealers in this region, and for convenience, Antique Alley is divided into western (Trail #1) and eastern (Trail #2) segments.

To the west, Cambridge City should be on your antiquing radar, featuring ten shops and centers for antiques within just two blocks of downtown.

Crossing the Indiana-Ohio border, your venture into bargain hunting may lead you to Lewisburg, where Brick Rhod Antiques & Bistro houses 21 dealers under a single roof.