Here are some summer rites of passage in the Evansville area
EVANSVILLE – If you want to dodge sky-high prices from airlines and … pretty much everyone else, you’re in luck.
There are plenty of ways to joyously pass the time in the Evansville area. Here are some rites of passage for summer.
Holiday World
Let’s start with the obvious. The well-known, well-traveled theme park in Santa Claus draws about one million visitors per year.
Ride some of the world’s longest wooden roller coasters or cool off in Splashin’ Safari water park.
If you’re going, though, keep in mind that the park recently went cashless. Visitors can pay with their debit cards, Google, Apple or switch their funds into “Holicash” − exclusive park tender guests can load onto a wristband.
Evansville Otters baseball
America's third-oldest operating ballpark is Evansville's Bosse Field, and it hosts the independent, Frontier League-based Otters.
The stadium itself is worth a night out with both its historical and Hollywood appeal (it played a shining role in the Tom Hanks/Geena Davis movie "A League of Their Own"), but the baseball is pretty good, too. Dozens of players have been picked up by Major League Baseball franchises over the years, and a few have even made it to "The Show."
If you want the bigger crowd nights, try "Thirsty Thursday" home games, when the beers are cheaper.
Garden of the Gods
The stunning sweep of cliffs and forest is about an hour-and-half from Evansville. After a short hike, you can stand on rock formations and soak in views that likely haven’t changed for hundreds of years.
But the U.S. Forest Service urges any hikers or campers to exercise caution on the high cliffs. Garden of the Gods has tragically been the scene of multiple falling deaths over the years.
Holiday Drive-In
Opened in 1955, the drive-in theater in Reo, Indiana, is far from a mid-century relic.
After fearing it would have to close when technological advancements threatened to pass it by, it updated its projection system to digital in 2016 and continues to offer both new and classic movies across six screens.
You can hit up the concession stand or bring your own snacks and drinks. According to the website, however, you’re not allowed to plop down your charcoal grill and start flipping burgers. That may sound obvious, but they wouldn’t warn you against it if it hasn’t happened before.
The drive-in is open all week throughout June but could switch to weekends-only in July.
Odds and ends
Food: If you love German food, head to Germania Maennerchor for a brat and kraut balls during Volksfest this August. If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of drive-up burger-and-shake stands throughout Southwestern Indiana, from Evansville’s Zesto, Big Top and Burger Bank to Dairy Master in Loogootee and Bo-Mac’s in Shoals.
State parks: Go camping in Harmonie State Park in Posey County or take a slightly longer trek to see Spring Mill State Park just outside Mitchell. While you’re at the latter, you can also tour a museum dedicated to Apollo astronaut Gus Grissom.
Something weird: If you’re up for a two-hour drive and want to lay eyes on something unique, head to Clermont, Kentucky and visit the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. It features “a family” of wooden giants that perch among the trees and beautiful hiking grounds.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Here are some summer rites of passage in the Evansville area
