Summer is here, so you already know my summer activity gears have been turning. What should we spend our summer doing? I have road trips on the brain, so I thought it would be cool to share my brainstorming with you. Each of these day trips from Evansville are within a 2-hour drive because sometimes getting away for an entire weekend isn’t always possible (or desireable).
I’ve been to half of these destinations before and they are each definitely worth mentioning because I would go back in a heartbeat. The rest are on my “I really hope we can find time to do this” list for the summer.
Here we go, let me know what you think in the comments!!
13 Day Trips From Evansville
(within 2 hours)
1 hour from Evansville
Holiday World tops our summer bucket list each and every year. Holiday World has amazing rides, wonderful amenities (free sunscreen, free parking, free unlimited soft drinks, allows you to bring your own food/snacks, etc), and the park itself is super-duper clean.
Check out my tips for visiting Holiday World here.
10 minutes from Evansville
Audubon State Park is one of our favorite local places to hike. A quick jump over the bridge from Evansville and you are there. They offer several different trails to choose from. We usually bring our dog Penny along and hike the pet-friendly trail. There is a public restroom located in the main parking area, which is super handy (not a fan of the forest squat). They also have covered picnic areas available for rent. Audubon State Park is a great place to spend an afternoon with the family.
Plan your visit to Audubon State Park here.
9 minutes from Evansville
Grab the family and catch a horse race. Probably not someplace you want to go every weekend, but definitely worth at least one visit a summer just for the experience.
Also, one day each summer they have their Weiner Dog Races where local dachshunds race each other down the track. All proceeds to go local animal shelters. Super cute, super fun!
Plan your visit to Ellis Park here.
1 hour 30 minutes from Evansville
Marengo Caves is about a 90-minute drive from Evansville. Once you arrive you wind your way through the park, driving past all sorts of campsite areas and cabins. Once you reach the caves you have 2 options for walking tours. One tour is 40 minutes, and the other is 90 minutes. You can choose to do one or both during your visit. They also have other fun stuff to do, such as a mega maze, pedal cars, and more. Check out their website here to see all they have to offer!
Plan your visit to Marengo Caves here.
1 hour from Evansville
I haven’t been to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Park since I was in elementary school on a field trip (and I think possibly during a Girl Scout outing?). However, since its only an hour away from Evansville, it’s a good place to check out on a family daytrip outing!
There is a Visitor Center with maps, guides, and information about the park, a living historical farm to see first-hand how daily life was in the 1820s, and a few trails to choose from. After you can head over to the Lincoln Amphitheatre and see who is performing!
Plan your visit to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial here.
2 hours from Evansville
The Louisville Zoo is pushing the 2-hour drive time limit of this post, but it is definitely worth mentioning. It’s a wonderful zoo with lots of beautiful exhibits. There is even a water park for the kids smack dab in the middle of the zoo, so pack your swimsuit and towel too!
I definitely recommend loading up a wagon/stroller with a small cooler full of snacks & drinks because outside food and drink is allowed in this zoo.
Plan your visit to the Louisville Zoo here.
2 hours from Evansville
An easy drive just inside Louisville is the Louisville Mega Caverns. Ziplining through a cave! Grant and I visited several years ago and it was a lot of fun!
We are waiting until both of our kids are old enough to do everything they have to offer because you do have to be 7 years old at and least 55lbs to do the Mega Zips and/or the Walking Tour. However, there isn’t an age restriction on the Mega Tram.
Plan your visit to Louisville Mega Caverns here.
35 minutes from Evansville
I don’t know if you can consider the Holiday Drive-In Theatre in Reo a “day-trip” since you go there in the evening, but I’m counting it anyway. Pack your snacks, your blankets, your bug spray, lawn chairs, drinks, and hit the road! It’s about a 45-minute drive to the Holiday Drive-In Theatre, which isn’t too bad. I suggest arriving at least 30 minutes early, if not more, to get yourself settled into your parking spot. I also highly recommend bringing an additional speaker to make hearing easier. I have found that solely relying on the vehicle speakers makes it difficult to hear sometimes.
You pay 1 entry fee but can stay for 2 movies if you want.
Plan your visit to Holiday Drive-In here.
30 minutes from Evansville
New Harmony is a small historic town with lots of things to do and see. Rent a golf cart for the day and tour this cute little town. See the Labyrinths, the Tree of 40 Fruits, the Roofless Church and Playtopia.
Plan your visit to New Harmony here.
1 hour 45 minutes from Evansville
Wilstem Wildlife Park has been on my list FOREVER!! I am hoping we will find time to check this place off of our bucket list over the summer.
Plan your visit to Wilstem Wildlife Park here.
1 hour 30 minutes from Evansville
Big Splash Adventure is an indoor waterpark in French Lick, IN. They have day passes available, but they also have lodging for anyone who wishes to stay longer!
Check out a few tips for visiting Big Splash here.
1 hour from Evansville
I’ve never been here, but Grant has. A great place for spending a day in nature, hiking, walking in streams, etc. However, DO NOT FORGET BUG SPRAY! Last time Grant went he came home with at least a million chigger/mosquito bites and was miserable from the itchies for the next 2 weeks!
Plan your visit to Shawnee National Forest here.
1 hour 40 minutes from Evansville
Indiana Caverns has cave walking tours, escape rooms, a single rail zip coaster, and more. There are age, weight, and height restrictions on the different activities, so be sure to check that out before you go. I think my family will wait until my daughter (who is 5 now) is at least 7 so that all 4 of us can participate in the walking cave tour, the escape room, and possibly the zip rail (depending on weight).
Plan your trip to Indiana Caverns here.
WantTo Drive Farther?
Last summer we went on two different weekend getaways. One to St. Louis, MO, and one to Horse Cave, KY. Both trips were so much fun and only about a 3-hour drive from Evansville.
So, if you are feeling a little saucy and want to make a 3 hour trip, consider St. Louis, MO and Horse Cave, KY. Read about our trips here:
Also, before you hit the road, be sure to print out a Travel Bingo printable to give you and your kids something fun to do during the drive!
Great trip ideas. But unfortunately Wilstem is not a good place to support.
https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/feds-fine-wilstem-wildlife-park-over-critical-welfare-violations-cruel-killing/
Oh my!! Thank you for sharing, Megan! I was not aware!
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