Top 15 Must-Do Activities in New Castle, Indiana

In this city, located to the east of Indianapolis, you can engage with Indiana’s rich legacy of over 130 years in basketball.

New Castle is proud to host the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame along with the New Castle Fieldhouse, recognized as the world’s largest high school gymnasium, accommodating 9,325 spectators.

Established 200 years prior, New Castle emerged as a prominent manufacturing hub at the dawn of the 20th century. The opening of the Maxwell automobile factory in 1907 marked it as the largest establishment of its kind at that time.

This facility was subsequently acquired by Chrysler, maintaining a significant presence in New Castle until the early 21st century.

For a different facet of transportation history, the birthplace of aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright is located a short distance east of New Castle, featuring an excellent museum dedicated to his early career and the invention of the Wright Flyer alongside his brother Orville.

1. Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

It is evident that basketball holds significant importance in Indiana. The state’s connection to this sport can be paralleled with football in the Southern United States or baseball in New York and New England.

A specific term, “Hoosier Hysteria,” is employed to encapsulate the state’s passion for basketball, particularly the Indiana high school basketball tournament.

Founded in 1962, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame moved to this specially constructed facility in New Castle in 1990.

Notable inductees include Larry Bird, Gregg Popovich, Chuck Taylor, and John Wooden, with particular attention given to the athletes’ high school careers during the induction process.

The accompanying museum is filled with memorabilia, artfully showcased, featuring jerseys, pennants, photographs, letter jackets, game balls, nets, scoreboards, and much more.

2. Henry County Historical Society Museum

The Henry County Historical Society boasts a rich history, tracing back to 1887. Since 1902, this volunteer-operated organization has been located in the General William Grose House (built in 1870), an exquisite 16-room Italianate residence constructed for a prominent Civil War veteran, attorney, and politician.

The museum presents an engaging exploration of the county’s 200-year history across three floors. Visitors will encounter local industrial artifacts, Maxwell vehicles, quilts and textiles of varied styles, military memorabilia from every U.S. war, and collections showcasing local artists.

The society also hosts an impressive genealogy library. Among its treasures is the Thaddeus Coffin Desk, a truly one-of-a-kind inlaid desk comprising over 53,000 individual pieces, which took its creator, another Civil War veteran, 35 years to finish.

3. Summit Lake State Park

A short drive north of New Castle brings you to Summit Lake State Park, encompassing 2,680 acres and a diverse array of habitats. This area includes an 800-acre lake, woodlands, prairie restoration areas, wetlands, and old fields.

In the southwest section lies the Zeigler Woods Nature Preserve, the sole dedicated nature reserve in the county.

The lake serves as a popular fishing destination and features a picturesque beach—clean, spacious, and ideal for summer activities.

Park amenities include 120 electric campsites, three boat ramps, two large open shelters, a beach bathhouse, and rentals for canoes, paddleboards, and rowboats.

With its rich prairies and wet meadows, the park attracts numerous migratory bird species, including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, least bitterns, American bitterns, and black terns.

4. Farmer’s Pike Festival

Every year, for three days during Labor Day Weekend, a continually expanding arts and crafts fair takes place, having been established over four decades ago.

The Farmer’s Pike Festival began in 1980 as a rummage sale and has since grown in both size and variety.

The event now features over 400 vendor spaces selling everything from antiques to artisan jewelry.

Accompanied by a lively lineup of live music, with a focus on genres such as country, gospel, and bluegrass, the festival also offers a wide array of culinary delights to satisfy any taste.

5. Park Restaurant

Situated along Indiana State Road 3 is a family-owned restaurant established in 1944, now in its third generation.

Originally located 20 miles away in Rushville, Park Restaurant has become a renowned establishment in the region, widely acclaimed for its quality service and generous portions. A few specialties worth considering include the hand-breaded tenderloin, biscuits and gravy, and the beef Manhattan. For dessert, there is a selection of homemade pies, ranging from pecan to cherry, along with delightful cobblers.

6. Wilbur Wright Birthplace and Museum

This secluded farmhouse, located eight miles east of downtown New Castle, is the birthplace of an individual who made an immense impact on modern society.

Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) was one-half of the Wright Brothers, credited with inventing, constructing, and successfully flying the world’s first motor-operated airplane at Kitty Hawk, Maine, in 1903.

Wilbur’s family resided on this property for a mere three years, while his younger brother Orville was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1871. The museum provides an enlightening experience celebrating Wilbur’s legacy and depicting rural life in Henry County during the 19th century.

The farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, and grounds have retained their 1860s appearance, while Main Street narrates the various ventures of the Wright brothers prior to their groundbreaking achievements in aviation.

A highlight exhibit features a full-size replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer, meticulously constructed over a decade and designed for flight.

7. New Castle Motorsports Park

Located a few miles southwest of downtown, this karting facility is one of the premier locations in the United States.

The main track spans a mile with a high-speed 950-foot back straight, featuring 60 rental garages and an on-site shop, providing multiple configuration options.

As the home of the Kart Racers of America, New Castle Motorsports Park hosts several prominent events, including tour stages for the United States Pro Kart Series.

Open from mid-March to mid-November, spectators can often enjoy high-caliber racing events for free on race days. It’s advisable to check the schedule for rental opportunities on both the road course (minimum age 14) and the Slick Track Oval, which accommodates participants of all ages.

8. Henry County Memorial Park

Situated on New Castle’s northwestern outskirts, this extensive 362-acre public park was inaugurated following World War I and hosts a variety of outdoor events from spring to autumn.

The park features a series of fishing ponds that attract a diverse array of bird species during the warmer months.

Henry County Memorial Park is equipped with at least 18 picnic shelters available for rent, as well as facilities for baseball/softball, soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball.

The western side houses the Memorial Park Golf Course, established in 1926, which complements the park’s activities. Notable events include the annual Henry County 4-H fair every July, along with the July 4th Fireworks Funfest.

9. Henry County Farmers’ Market

Complemented by the historic architecture of downtown New Castle, the Henry County Farmers’ Market is a lively community gathering that occurs on Saturday mornings from late May through October.

Located at the newly refurbished 1400 Plaza on Broad Street, the market was approaching its 10th anniversary at the time of this writing.

Each week features more than 20 vendors, providing an excellent opportunity to engage with local producers and learn more about their offerings.

A typical market day includes seasonal produce, chicken, beef, cheese, eggs, coffee, honey, maple syrup, preserves, baked goods, herbs, plants, organic soaps, and more.

10. Westwood Park

Set along the shores of a 180-acre lake, Westwood Park has provided recreational opportunities since its opening in 1974. The lake aids in flood control for the Big Blue River and serves as an industrial and municipal water source.

Fishing here is exceptional, with various species such as channel catfish, sunfish, bass, and crappie available.

A well-equipped modern campground is located near the water and operates from May to October. The remainder of the park features rolling terrain with multiple habitats, including grasslands and native deciduous woodlands.

Trails are available for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, and the Big Oaks Shelter can be reserved for gatherings.

11. Stacks Pancake House

Located in the New Castle Plaza shopping center in the city’s west, Stacks Pancake House is a family-run establishment that has served the New Castle community for nearly 20 years.

This venue offers classic diner staples in generous portions, featuring pancakes, omelets, French toast, waffles, breakfast skillets, and biscuits and gravy alongside lighter options like fruit oatmeal and scrambled egg whites with mushrooms and spinach.

This restaurant also provides a lunch menu with comforting choices such as country-fried steaks, meatloaf, and hand-breaded fried chicken.

12. Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House

A brief drive west of New Castle leads to an exceptionally rare octagonal house commissioned by widow Jane Ross Reeves in 1879.

This structure is one of only five remaining octagon houses in Indiana and is considered the most significant due to its well-preserved condition over the past 140 years.

Reeves discovered the plans in a publication and compensated the contractor from Fortville up to $2,500, all sourced from silver dollars she had saved in a shoebox.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2001, the restored residence is adorned with local antique furnishings and memorabilia, open for tours on Sundays from April to October.

13. Baker Park

Open since its dedication in 1937, Baker Park is situated near the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in southern New Castle.

The park’s name honors Sidney E. Baker, who served as mayor of New Castle and was instrumental in acquiring these parcels of land to establish the public park.

A fantastic destination for families, Baker Park features an expansive “Fun Park,” a newly constructed skate park, and an Aquatic Center boasting waterslides and various areas for both children and adults.

The park also includes a disc golf course, six shelters, a covered stage area, and facilities for basketball, tennis, and horseshoes.

14. Belgian Horse Winery

Nestled in gently rolling countryside on the route to Middletown is a delightful winery that has emerged on a farm with six generations of history.

Belgian Horse Winery produces a diverse selection of wine varietals, including Chardonnay, Concord, Malbec, Tempranillo, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Catawba, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Additionally, they offer an assortment of unusual fruit wines infused with various fruits such as pineapple, blueberry, cranberry, kiwi, and rhubarb & raspberry.

The establishment also features a menu of craft beers sourced from local breweries, in addition to food options such as wood-fired pizzas and Chicago roast beef sandwiches. Live music enhances the ambiance during spring and summer months, with notifications available on the website for upcoming performances.

15. Westwood Golf Club

Now operating as a public course, Westwood Golf Club traces its roots back to a country club established in 1917.

This relaxed and budget-friendly venue offers a pleasant environment for golfers, set within a parkland landscape characterized by bluegrass and well-maintained greens.

The course presents some challenging par 3 holes that can penalize wayward shots, such as the 6th hole, featuring a green protected by a large bunker.

Additional amenities at Westwood Golf Club include a driving range, a well-stocked pro shop, and a clubhouse equipped with a snack bar for post-game refueling.