Fall is the perfect time to take one of those classic Sunday drives, any day of the week. Whether you’re looking to just meander along, or you want some specific destinations in mind, the Ohio River Scenic Byway in southern Indiana has just what you’re looking for.
I’ve driven portions of this route at various times of year, and autumn is pretty stunning. Breathtaking views of the Ohio River, with rolling hills covered in trees of every shade Mother Nature produces. Can’t beat it.
If you’re outdoorsy, there are some great state parks along the route that would make excellent stopping points, like Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, Charlestown State Park in Charlestown, Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, and O’Bannon Woods State Park.
If history is more your thing, then check out Hillforest Mansion in Aurora, J.F.D. Lanier Mansion in Madison, the Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville, the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site in Corydon, and Angel Mounds near Evansville.
If you need a break from the road and want to try your luck, you’ll find three casinos along the route: Belterra in Florence, Horseshoe in Elizabethtown, and Casino Aztar in Evansville.
Bringing the kids? Steer yourself toward the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville or Schimpff’s Confectionery in Jeffersonville. In addition to the state parks mentioned above, most towns along the route offer parkland along the river front for your kids to run around and explore. If they’re like my boys, they’ll love watching the boats and barges go by.
You can find complete driving directions here. The route is very well marked and runs along the river from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line.
Follow us: