Things To Do In Richmond, Indiana

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Places to visit in Richmond, IN.

Richmond, Indiana, is situated in eastern Indiana, close to the Ohio border. Richmond is the county seat of Wayne County, Indiana, and had a population of 35,817 in the 2021 census. This Midwestern city offers a plethora of things to do and see. In addition, you’ll find several attractions that are fun for the whole family.

One of the best things to do in Richmond, Indiana, is to visit the Wayne County Historical Museum. This museum features artifacts from the early pioneers of the area.

Best tourist attractions in Richmond, Indiana

Thistlethwaite Falls in Richmond, Indiana

You’ll want to visit Thistlethwaite Falls in Richmond, Indiana, if you love waterfalls. The falls are located on the West Fork of the Whitewater River. They are known for their cascading whitewater and calming roar. There’s also a stairway to the base of the falls.

You can get to the falls from the south side of Waterfall Road in Richmond. Parking is relatively straightforward. Make sure you bring bathing suits and towels. Also, don’t forget your camera and a net.

The falls are part of a trail in Whitewater Gorge Park. The path is about three miles long and leads to the river. While visiting the falls, you’ll be amazed at the many ancient fossils on the river bank. In addition, you can find the history of the dam and gorge at an information kiosk.

Richmond Rose Garden

The Richmond Rose Garden is in Glen Miller Park, and features over 1,000 rose plants of varying varieties. This garden is maintained by a small army of volunteers always looking for new recruits.

It is also open Monday through Sunday, and you can get involved in the process by adopting one of the many beds. This is the place to be if you’re the type that likes to learn about other people’s interests. You may even be able to partake in some good old-fashioned rose staking.

The Richmond Rose Garden also boasts some of the city’s most beautiful and whimsical sculptures. Among these are the most magnificent statues of William Henry Lee, a gentleman who served in the army during the war of 1812. Another fine specimen is the magnum opus The Magaw’s of Boston, a masterpiece of the early twentieth century.

Wayne County Historical Museum

The Wayne County Historical Museum in Richmond features early pioneer history. It also offers visitors a look at the industrial and agricultural heritage of Wayne County. Located on U.S. 40 in Richmond, this museum is a landmark for this small town.

Throughout the site, visitors can find an outdoor village complete with log cabins and a car wing filled with beautiful automobiles. There’s even a gift shop where you can get some exciting memorabilia.

Best places to visit in Richmond, Indiana

In addition to a fascinating history, the museum features artifacts from around the world. You’ll also discover some incredible exhibits in early film.

Another exhibit you’ll want to check out is the mummy. Two mummies from Egypt are on display. One is in a beautifully painted coffin, while the other rests in a casket in the basement.

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site is a place of inspiration for anyone facing injustice today. The site features a story of the nineteenth-century Quaker abolitionists who helped thousands of escaped enslaved people.

When enslaved people wanted to escape to the North, they could hide in the homes of anti-slavery supporters. They could also travel the Underground Railroad. But few settlers actively assisted fugitives. As a result, the Coffins were committed to helping freed people no matter the risk.

The Coffin House was an essential stop on the Underground Railroad and was a haven for many fugitives. In addition, the Coffins provided a way station for more than 1,000 freedom seekers for twenty years.

Throughout the years, the Coffins worked to provide educational opportunities and job skills for the formerly enslaved. However, they were also concerned about the legal consequences of their abolitionist practices.

Hayes Regional Arboretum

Hayes Regional Arboretum in Richmond is a public educational facility that provides a variety of ecological studies. The arboretum contains several natural habitats, including floodplain forests, wooded areas, slope forests, and prairie plants.

Hayes Arboretum was conceived as an educational resource for research, education, and recreation. The Stanley W. Hayes Research Foundation manages it. This organization owns 466 acres of property in Wayne County, Indiana.

Places to go in Richmond, Indiana

In addition to being a research and educational facility, Hayes Arboretum is also a nature preserve. A large cattail marsh and several woodland creeks are found on the arboretum’s land. There are also numerous younger woodlands in various stages of development.

The Hayes Arboretum is located in the eastern portion of the Whitewater Gorge, just south of the East Fork of the Whitewater River. Gravel Pit Road and U.S. Route 40 border it. On the north side of the arboretum, a floodplain forest forms along Culmer’s Run.