Evansville, IN Road Trips

Unlike most of Indiana, Evansville is in the Central Time Zone (same as Chicago.) The River City is known for its southern-style hospitality, economic vitality, and proud German heritage. Evansville's culture is a combination of Midwestern charms and Southern family values, and fairly distinct from the culture of Indiana's other major cities (South Bend, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne) likely as a result of being isolated from them geographically without a major highway to connect them. The strong economic base provided by giant Toyota and AK Steel plants has allowed the city to thrive in the face of the nationwide recession. Additionally, the vibrant growth of the University of Southern Indiana (established in 1965) has resulted in a strong youth presence and an active and enjoyable nightlife. The broad economic base of the region has helped to build an economy which is known for its stability, diversity, and vitality. In 2004 Evansville was named an "All-America City" by the National Civic League. In 2008 it was voted the best city in the country in which "to live, work, and play" by the readers of Kiplinger, and in 2009 the 11th best. Paleo Indians left the Angel Mounds in the area as evidence of their distant civilization, and French explorers performed obeisance in calling the area La Belle Rivière.

Evansville Riverwalk. Sometimes called the "front door to the city", the riverwalk follows the Ohio River and connects the Casino Aztar entertainment district to the downtown area and Sunset park. (updated Dec 2017) The Pagoda Visitor Center. Located off of the Riverwalk with an easily recognizable and memorable design, the Pagoda offers a wealth of information about Southern Indiana. (updated Dec 2017) 1 West Franklin Street. Historic Franklin Street is home to many great events including Mardi Gras Franklin Crawl and the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival, one of the largest street festivals in North America. Restaurants include Gerst Bavarian Haus, Lamasco Bar and Grill, Maidens Brewery and Pub, PG Cafe, Smitty's Italian Steakhouse, Hagedorn's Pub, Thyme in the Kitchen (updated Dec 2017) 2 Haynie’s Corner Art's District. Adjacent to the Ohio River in downtown Evansville Indiana, a creative community of 4 neighborhoods (Riverside, Culver, Goosetown, Blackford’s Grove) define the Arts District. The heart of the Art District is a unique “corner” defined by a shift in the cities grid, multiple arteries meet at a fountain. Haynie’s Corner is a symbol of community, advocacy, preservation, and regeneration its future sits with art, design, and architecture. (updated Sep 2019) 3 Angel Mounds State Historic Site. The Visitor's Center gives a glimpse of understanding of what life was like from 1100 to 1450, when Angel Mounds was the largest Indian community in what would become the state of Indiana.

1 Bosse Field, 23 N Main St. Bosse Field is the third oldest baseball stadium behind only Chicago's Wrigley Field, and Boston's Fenway Park. The stadium once played host to the AAA Evansville Triplets, but now is home to the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League. The stadium can be seen in the movie A League of Their Own. (updated Dec 2017) 2 Bally's Evansville (formerly Casino Aztar), 421 NW Riverside Drive, ☏ +1 812 433-4000, toll-free: +1 800 342-5386. A $200-million entertainment facility that includes a 2,700-passenger riverboat casino, a 250-room hotel, several restaurants, shops, and riverfront pavilion. is a must-do when visiting Evansville. (updated Dec 2017) Evansville Purple Aces. The athletic program of the University of Evansville, competing in 8 men's and 9 women's sports (but not football), mostly in the Missouri Valley Conference. While most venues are on campus, the men's basketball team plays downtown at the Ford Center. Fall Festival. The second largest street festival in the United States. Games, rides, bands, talent shows, and food booths line the street during the first full week of October. The festival is best known for offering unusual cuisine such as the signature Brain sandwich. (updated Dec 2017) 3 Ford Center. This arena seats 11,000 and hosts the University of Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team (the women's team has returned to campus) and the Evansville Thunderbolts, hockey team. It has also hosted the men's and women's basketball tournaments of the Ohio Valley Conference, an NCAA Division I league.

1 Gerst Bavarian Haus, 2100 W Franklin St, ☏ +1 812-424-1420. German restaurant that reflects the town's heritage. (updated Dec 2017) Turoni's Pizzery & Brewery, 408 N Main St, ☏ +1 812-424-9871. 11AM-10PM. Local craft beer and thin-crust pizza. (updated Sep 2019) Bru Burger Bar, 222 Sycamore St. Burger bar in a historic former Greyhound Bus station. (updated Sep 2019) 2 Yen Ching, 406 S Green River Rd, ☏ +1 812-474-0181. Voted Best Chinese Restaurant by Evansville Living Magazine three times in a row. (updated Dec 2017) 3 Deerhead Cafe, 222 E Columbia St, ☏ +1 812-425-2515. Live music, famous for double decker pizzas. Live jazz in the evenings (home of saxophonist Monty Skelton). (updated Dec 2017)

Damsel Brewpub, 209 N Wabash Ave, ☏ +1 812-909-1956. Local craft brewery and pub. (updated Sep 2019) Peep Hole Bar, 201 Main St, ☏ +1 812-423-5171. M 4PM-3AM, Tu-Su 11AM-3AM. A nice, chill bar that often draws a good crowd after-work and late night. Located downtown within walking distance of Casino Aztar and the new Ford Center Arena. (updated Sep 2019) KC's Time Out’s Lounge, 1121 Washington Sq, ☏ +1 812-437-9920. The best place to go on Sunday nights. Located and thriving in the nearly deserted Washington Square Mall. (updated Sep 2019) Sportsmen’s, 2315 W Franklin St, ☏ +1 812 422-0801. A pool hall that is also quite popular with the bar crowd. Someplace Else, 930 Main St, ☏ +1 812-424-3202. The most popular LGBT bar in the area.

Comfort Inn East Evansville Hotel, 8331 E. Walnut Street, ☏ +1 812-476-3600. On the East Side of Evansville Quality Inn & Suites, 19622 Elpers Rd., ☏ +1 812-867-1600. 5 miles from the airport and 8 miles to riverboat gambling. Quality Inn East, 5006 E. Morgan Ave., ☏ +1 812-477-2211. Minutes from Evansville's main shopping area, Eastland Mall, and 10 miles to historic downtown, Evansville Zoo, Audubon Park and Ellis Park. Baymont by Wyndham Evansville North/Haubstadt, 12798 Access Road 1250 S, Haubstadt, ☏ +1 812-768-5878. Close to casino action, frog follies, Lyle Station and indoor BMX Racing. Drury Inn & Suites Evansville East, 100 Cross Pointe Blvd, ☏ +1 812-471-3400. Breakfast, fitness center, and indoor pool. 1 La Quinta Inn and Suites, 8015 E Division St. Very nice, clean mid-scale hotel for business or leisure. 2 Residence Inn Evansville East, 8283 East Walnut Street, ☏ +1 812-471-7191. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. On a peaceful lakeside setting, 78 spacious suites offer separate living and sleeping areas, and fully equipped kitchens. (updated Mar 2015) 3 Bally's Evansville (formerly Tropicana Evansville), 421 NW Riverside Drive, ☏ +1 812-433-4000, toll-free: +1 800 342-5386. (updated Dec 2017) 4 Hampton Inn Evansville, 8000 Eagle Crest Blvd., ☏ +1 812-473-5000. Offering free hot breakfast, free high speed internet and free parking. 5 Le Merigot Hotel, 615 NW Riverside Dr. Upscale boutique hotel opened by the casino on the riverfront downtown.

1 Evansville Regional Airport (EVV IATA) (on the north side of the city). Offers over 50 flights daily. Destinations include Charlotte, Chicago, and Dallas on American Eagle, Atlanta on Delta Connection, and Orlando, Tampa, and Destin via Allegiant Air. There are many rental car options, hotel shuttles, and public transportation options. (updated Oct 2024) There is no passenger train service to this city. US Highway 41 bisects Evansville. Interstate 69 (formerly I-164) connects Evansville with Interstate 64, 20 miles to the north. Interstate 69 will eventually provide a direct link to Bloomington and Indianapolis. Downtown Evansville can be reached via bus lines transiting the classic 1938-era Greyhound bus terminal.

Highway 41 and Interstate 69 (formerly I-164) are the primary North-South routes, while Diamond Avenue and the Lloyd Expressway are the primary east-west routes through the city. Only the Lloyd Expressway takes you completely from one side of town to the other and despite its name, has numerous intersections and stoplights.

Evansville is a safe town with very few areas that are unsafe even at night. The southern areas of the town are seen as the most rough but are just low-income residential.