City in Indiana, United States
Photo: Tim Schapker, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Evansville is the largest city in Southern Indiana and the third-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for the Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois tri-state area. In 2010, the city had a population of 117,000. In 2008 the Evansville metropolitan area was home to 350,000 people.
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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.
Located off of the Riverwalk with an easily recognizable and memorable design, the Pagoda offers a wealth of information about Southern Indiana.
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
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.
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. Walking through the site's 100 acres, visitors view the remains of several Indian mounds and a reconstructed stockade which surrounded the city.
Located on over 50 acres, Mesker Park Zoo has over 600 animals including the oldest living hippopotamus in captivity in the United States. It also has giraffes, lions, zebras, a jaguar, and river otters.
Children's Museum of Evansville
In the former Downtown Central Library building with 18,000 square feet of exhibits, it hosts four main galleries, plus a multimedia theater entitled the ’Freedom Gallery.‘ ’Work Smart‘ focuses on engineering skill development and the freedom to build and create. ’Live Big‘ provides inquiry into our bodies and promotes the freedom to make choices. ’Speak Loud‘ is the arts area, encouraging the freedom of self-expression. ’Quack Factory‘ contains serious water play and large-muscle activities as it promotes the freedom to explore. Open Wednesday through Saturday 9AM to 4PM and Sunday noon to 4PM.
The Evansville Museum’s permanent art collection of American and European painting, graphic works, and sculpture dating from the 16th through the 20th centuries is exhibited in thematic galleries highlighting landscape, still life, genre works, and portraiture. Additionally, the museum features permanent and changing history exhibitions at the Museum provide a diverse educational opportunity for visitors of all ages. Such as Rivertown U.S.A. in which a sense of life in the Midwest is explored in the ten detailed shops such as the Doctor’s Office of William M. Elliott--a graduate of Evansville Medical College. Lastly the museum includes the historic Koch Planetarium. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. $4 suggested donation.
The exhibitions of EMTRAC interpret transportation in Southern Indiana from the latter part of the 19th century through the mid-20th century. Divided into four areas, visitors first enter River/Rail/Aviation Hall. Highlights of this exhibit include an interactive riverboat pilothouse, an exhibition recalling Evansville’s first contact with aviation, and a turn-of-the-century waiting room that overlooks the museum’s historic railroad. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. $2 admission fee.
Authentic World War II warship open for tours Tuesdays-Sundays. Docked on the Evansville riverfront, it is the last navigable ship of its kind in operation today. Call for hours and special group rates.
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.
formerly Casino Aztar
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.
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.
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.
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.
The athletic program of the University of Southern Indiana, located in an unincorporated area west of the city. The Screaming Eagles compete in 9 men's and 10 women's sports (but not football) and are one of the newest members of NCAA Division I, having left Division II to join the Ohio Valley Conference in 2022. Most USI venues are on campus, and unlike its crosstown counterpart of UE, the men's basketball team plays on campus.
Urban hardwood river bottom nature center.
German restaurant that reflects the town's heritage.
Local craft beer and thin-crust pizza.
Burger bar in a historic former Greyhound Bus station.
Voted Best Chinese Restaurant by Evansville Living Magazine three times in a row.
Live music, famous for double decker pizzas. Live jazz in the evenings (home of saxophonist Monty Skelton).
Local craft brewery and pub.
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.
The best place to go on Sunday nights. Located and thriving in the nearly deserted Washington Square Mall.
A pool hall that is also quite popular with the bar crowd.
The most popular LGBT bar in the area.
On the East Side of Evansville
5 miles from the airport and 8 miles to riverboat gambling.
Minutes from Evansville's main shopping area, Eastland Mall, and 10 miles to historic downtown, Evansville Zoo, Audubon Park and Ellis Park.
Close to casino action, frog follies, Lyle Station and indoor BMX Racing.
Breakfast, fitness center, and indoor pool.
Very nice, clean mid-scale hotel for business or leisure.
On a peaceful lakeside setting, 78 spacious suites offer separate living and sleeping areas, and fully equipped kitchens.
formerly Tropicana Evansville
Offering free hot breakfast, free high speed internet and free parking.
Upscale boutique hotel opened by the casino on the riverfront downtown.
Languishing mall.
By train
There is no passenger train service to this city.
By car
US Highway 41 bisects Evansville. Interstate 69 (formerly I-164) connects Evansville with Interstate 64, 20 miles to the north.
By bus
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.
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Evansville · Regional · EVV
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