Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Huntington, IN

  • Published 2023/04/04

If you’re still looking for your next holiday destination, then Huntington, Indiana, should be your choice.

As the seat of Huntington County, this city is its largest city.

It’s also known as Lime City because of the numerous kilns and quarries in the area during the mid-19th century.

The Sunken Garden was planted in a former limestone quarry in the 1920s, becoming one of the city’s loveliest features.

Huntington is also excellent for people who love discovering and appreciating the arts.

Of course, there are also tons of opportunities for fun and excitement for the whole family, such as go-karting, bowling, or playing golf.

You can also sit back and relax while enjoying a delicious and satisfying vanilla buttercream-flavored coffee or a plump strawberry donut.

This city lets you and your family relax and explore its unique offerings that are hard to find elsewhere.

Here are the best things to do in Huntington, IN:

Admire the Sunken Gardens

Aerial view of the Sunken Gardens

Zyra Lee Zhang / Shutterstock.com

There are only two sunken gardens in the entire United States, and one of them is in Huntington.

What started as a stone quarry was later abandoned and became an eyesore.

Thankfully, the Huntington Chamber of Commerce bought the garden and looked into its original beauty.

Golden ragwort flowers at the Sunken Gardens

Zyra Lee Zhang / Shutterstock.com

Not long after that, the Sunken Garden was dedicated to the city and, this time, featured rock falls, fountains, and a gazebo.

Moreover, it has a playground for kids, tennis courts, a basketball area, scenic walking trails, a picnic pavilion, and frisbee golf goals.

One of the must-sees here is the large, horseshoe-shaped pond with fountains and trails that wind through the garden.

It has two stone bridges that get you to the other side.

Moss-covered rocks at the Sunken Gardens

Zyra Lee Zhang / Shutterstock.com

Visit the Huntington County Historical Museum

If you want to learn about Huntington’s colorful past, there’s no better place to visit than the Huntington County Historical Museum.

Travel back in time to pre-history and the Miami Indian and French Voyageur eras, then the pioneer settlement and the current day as you visit this 8,000-square-foot space.

Now located on Courthouse Street, you can check out a drug store/soda shop, a 1940s farmhouse, sports and war memorabilia, and a Victorian parlor.

Among the most exciting works here is the ‘Mural of Memories’ by Robert Fettinger.

For years, the Huntington County Historical Museum has remained true to its mission.

It aims to preserve, collect, interpret, and promote not only the history of the city but also its interest in it.

Each year, the museum receives about 400 Huntington students visiting it during school tours.

Also, new additions to the exhibit are added every year.

Discover the Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center

In case you don’t already know, Indiana has produced numerous vice presidents.

One of them was Republican Dan Quayle, who served as vice president to George H.W. Bush.

He practiced law in the city and finished high school at Huntington North High School.

So, it’s just right to find in the Old Plat Historic District the Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center.

It sits in the converted former First Church of Christ, Scientist.

While the center is located on two floors, a gallery for Vice Presidents is downstairs, each with an artifact.

There’s also a collection of memorabilia from Quayle’s own office, as well as a theater upstairs.

Taste Excellent Wine Varietals at the Two-EE’s Winery

Go classy by visiting a winery in Huntington, the Two-EE’s Winery.

Located south of Fort Wayne, the winery is a 40-acre trail and vineyard on a hillside near Roanoke.

This place is unique because it uses unconventional styles and grapes, including the Traminette, Brianna, Tannat, and Diamond.

Tannat is among the lesser-known varietals you should try, along with the intense Primitivo and the Grüner Veltliner.

If you are a beginner in tasting wines, you should join the guided tasting experience to receive guidance on the right wine to drink from knowledgeable servers.

Enjoy a Shopping Spree at Downtown Huntington

The shops of Downtown Huntington

Logan Bush / Shutterstock.com

Downtown Huntington is a great place for a lot of things.

Among the best things to do here is shopping; the place offers a variety of specialty food items and shops that are designed for ‘foodies.’

You can even indulge in tastings and culinary classes to help you acquire the skills or perfect what you already have.

Buildings along Downtown Huntington

Roberto Galan / Shutterstock.com

Are you into salts, spices, and oils?

They’ve got it here and come from around the world.

If you want to stay on the go during your exploration, you can choose to try the food trucks, where you can grab yourself some delicious corn tortilla tacos.

An alley at Downtown Huntington

Logan Bush / Shutterstock.com

See Huntington’s Art Scene at the Huntington Arts and Entrepreneurial Center

Located on the historic UB Block is the Huntington Arts and Entrepreneurial Center, just opposite the courthouse.

The center combines classrooms, a gallery, apartments, and studio spaces, including the Odd Fellows Hall.

It serves as the hub of culture and arts, focusing on empowerment and education while catalyzing the residents’ advancement and Huntington’s economic development.

Coming here, you will see many free art exhibitions featuring talented artists across different media.

You can also take culinary classes, ceramics classes, and public creative workshops.

Who knows?

Maybe you’ll get the chance to witness artist receptions, drum circles, coffee mornings, and live performances.

Rent a Kayak from the Rustic River Outfitters

If you want to try kayaking in Huntington, you should travel 15 minutes from downtown Huntington to arrive at the Ole Saw Mill in Mount Etna.

You’ll find the Rustic River Outfitters there.

Spanning three acres and sitting against the Salamonie River and the Salamonie Reservoir, Rustic River Outfitters lets you do a lot of exciting and fun activities like paddle boarding kayaking, canoeing, and hiking.

After enjoying the activities and feeling the adrenaline rush, you can visit their merchandise shop that sells various items that change with the season.

You can find items that both local vendors and brands sell.

Test Your Stamina and Conquer the Lime City Trail

One of the fascinating things about Huntington is its network of shared-use trails that are slowly spreading throughout the city.

It’s safe to say that the Lime City Trail is the backbone of this network, which is a paved trail covered in crushed limestone.

Walking on the trail lets you enjoy the sounds and sights of nature along the Wabash River banks.

Moreover, it’s a great and exciting way to look back into the city’s history.

You can view the Schoolhouse, the Nuck House, and Chief Richardville’s home from here.

What can be better than learning history while also doing something healthy?

Get Closer to Nature at the Tel-Hy Nature Preserve

If you want to appreciate the natural beauty of Huntington, the Tel-Hy Nature Preserve is the best place to visit.

Tel means ‘hill,’ while ‘hy’ means life in Hebrew.

This preserve’s name comes from the combination of the two words.

It pertains to a high bluff from where you can admire the beauty of the Wabash River.

You’ll be delighted to see maple trees, beech, willows, sycamores, wood ducks floating on the river, wood thrushes, and even wildflowers.

It’s a great way to relax, free your mind from anything, and live in the moment.

Discover the Historic Forks of the Wabash

The waters of Miami Treaty Grounds below Forks of the Wabash

Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When you come to Huntington, you shouldn’t miss visiting the historic Forks of the Wabash.

This place is not just a regular tourist destination because it also holds historical significance.

This site is where Little Rivers and the Wabash meet on Huntington’s west side.

Likewise, it’s where the Miami settlements and Miami Councils took place back in the 19th century.

Beautiful flowers at Forks of the Wabash

Zyra Lee Zhang / Shutterstock.com

The Forks of the Wabash is designed to pay tribute to the foresters, Miami Indians, and traders who came to bring western goods and ideas to the place.

It also honors those laborers and artisans who built the towns and canal, and the farmers and businessmen who initiated the prosperity of the Wabash Valley.

What can you see here?

See an outdoor museum, the home of Miami Chief Jean Baptiste Richardville, and a schoolhouse dating back to the 1800s.

Devour Delicious Huntington Food at the Brick House Grill

The Brick House Grill is an upscale gastropub where you can devour the best sandwiches in the area, plus steaks, spirits, and seafood!

Pair this with some excellent locally brewed craft beer or their specialty martini.

There’s also pasta for everyone and tons of drinks.

The Brick House Grill is a perfect place to bring the family for a fun family time on a weekend.

Explore the Beautiful Yeoman Park

You and your family can enjoy a community park that’s a favorite among locals and tourists alike, the Yeoman Park.

Though relatively small, spanning only nine acres, you cannot underestimate what it’s got in store for you.

With soccer fields, a lighted diamond, pavilion, skateboarding facilities, and restrooms, there are so many activities that can thrill every family member.

As the kids get busy with outdoor activities, you can sit down and relax while imbibing the laidback atmosphere.

Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a relaxing time at Yeoman Park.

Enjoy a Unique Movie Experience at the GQT Huntington Drive-In Theater

Seeing a movie in a new city may not sound like the most exciting thing, but doing it in a drive-in theatre is a unique experience.

Go to the GQT Huntington Drive-in Theater and see a movie on two screens for maximum visibility.

The movies start playing just as the sun goes down, so you need to arrive at the venue before sunset.

You don’t have to worry about your snacks because the drive-in theater has a complete concession stand.

It doesn’t allow patrons to bring in food from outside.

Indulge in Music and Books at Turn The Page Books, Records & More

For music and book lovers alike, you’re summoned by Turn The Page Books, Records & More on North Jefferson Street.

This quaint shop is a perfect destination in downtown Huntington where you can enjoy browsing vinyl records, used books, CDs, jigsaw puzzles, DVDs, and many more.

Gifts and many infinite treasures are here that you can dig into while enjoying the shop’s friendly atmosphere.

Turn The Page Books, Records & More also buys records and books, which it sells in return.

So, if you’re in town, drop by Turn The Page Books, Records & More and enjoy some music and book treats!

Shop for Local Honey and Handmade Products at The Bee Hive

The sweet thing about traveling to Huntington is shopping for local honey at The Bee Hive in Sweet Life Honey Farm.

Many artisanal products made with honey are here for your perusal, including hand sanitizers, soaps, creams, lip tints, lotion, and many other beauty products.

All these would make a perfect, special present for anyone you love, and of course, something to keep and try for yourself as a souvenir from Huntington.

Don’t forget to pick up one or two of its honey specials that are great for your culinary needs.

You can find The Bee Hive at West 200 South.

Get Your Cup of Coffee at JJ Java

Nothing beats a hot coffee in a warm and friendly atmosphere, which is what JJ Java focuses on.

The coffee shop is popular for its delicious latte, mocha, espresso, and many other varieties that you can order hot or cold.

It also serves smoothies, teas, juices, and fresh sweet treats to pair with your favorite cup.

Vegans and vegetarians will also love that the coffee shop offers plant milk as an alternative to dairy.

You can ask for either almond, oat, or coconut milk.

JJ Java is located off Guilford Street.

Read a Book at Huntington City-Township Public Library

The comfortable corners of Huntington City-Township Public Library and its reading nooks make a perfect time for reading.

You can choose from the library’s over 160,000 books, music CDs, movies, audiobooks, e-books, graphic novels, video games, and many other helpful resources.

The library also hosts many programs, workshops, and events for kids, teens, and adults in the community.

It had its humble beginnings in 1874 after school officials formed the organization and called it Public School Library Association.

Today, Huntington City-Township Public Library is located at West Park Drive.

Hike the Pehkokia Woods

One good thing about the State of Indiana is its efforts to protect natural areas, which include the Pehkokia Woods on Flaxmill Road.

You can hike this 1.2-mile loop trail with a mixture of wide and narrow terrain, making it easy for hikers who want to soak in nature with wildlife, plants, and flowers.

The rolling upland woods are filled with oak and hickory trees, as well as several maples, black cherry, and beech trees.

Its scenic ravines are caused by natural erosion, which surprisingly adds to the area’s excellent views to take.

The Pehkokia Woods is among the nature preserves in Indiana through the efforts of ACRES Land Trust.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a holiday destination with something for everyone in the family, Huntington in Indiana does not disappoint.

There is something for everyone to enjoy between museums, galleries, wines, and food.

So, plan your Huntington trip today!

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