KidsOutAndAbout.com's Family Travel Guide to Evansville
"E" is for Everyone: Visiting Evansville, IN with Kids
by Ella S. Ross
Evansville hugs the Ohio River and brings the value of a city to the beautiful part of the country in which it sits. And while I might get endlessly distracted by the penguins at Mesker Park Zoo and the cats at the River Kitty Cat Café, there’s much more to do in Evansville!
You can experience Indiana’s natural environment at Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, an old-growth forest with a nature playscape where kids can safely experience the wilderness. In the same day, you can see the last fully operational WWII Landing Ship Tank or one of Picasso’s mosaics at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, & Science, both on the aforementioned river.
Whether you plan on traveling back in time in a museum, or living in the moment in nature, Evansville is there for you.
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Children's Museum of Evansville
cMoe is more than a children’s museum! they are a leader in informal education and a convener for joyful learning experiences, committed to providing a safe and healthy place for children to learn, explore, create, and discover. Housed in an historic building on 5th street Downtown, cMoe features three floors of engaging exhibits to inspire play-based learning.
Evansville Museum of Arts, History, & Science
The Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science is situated on the beautiful Ohio riverbend just walking distance to both Haynie’s Corner & Downtown. It houses a permanent collection of more than 30,000 objects, including fine and decorative art, as well as historic, anthropological, and natural history artifacts. Over twenty temporary, regiona,l and international exhibitions are displayed each year in four galleries. The Koch Immersive Theater houses a 40-foot diameter domed screen with 360-degree digital projection featuring astronomy and science programming. Evansville Museum Transportation Center (EMTRAC) featuring transportation artifacts from the late 19th through the mid-20th centuries. On exhibit is a three-car train. The museum is home to a model train diorama of Evansville. The museum also houses one of only two Picasso mosaics located in the United States.
USS LST Ship Memorial
LST-325—the last fully operational WWII Landing Ship Tank (LST).The mission of The USS LST Ship Memorial, Inc. is to educate its visitors to the role of the LST in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. It is our desire to preserve the memory of these ships and all the countless heroic men who died in battle during the service to their country. The names of all who died while serving on LSTs are displayed on the ship. Preserving this priceless piece of American history brings honor to the American ship building industries that produced them, the crews who served and defended them, and those who were carried onto the invasion shores by them.
River Kitty Cat Cafe
River Kitty Cat Cafe is a nonprofit cat cafe with up to 16 adoptable felines on premises at any given time! There is a small fee to spend quality time with the cats to help cover the costs of their care. In the cafe, purchase a fabulous brew along with incredible sweets, wine, and beer!
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
This plot of land is the largest tract of virgin, old-growth forest within any city limits in the United States. As an Indiana Nature Preserve and National Natural Landmark, Wesselman Woods is a surviving remnant of Southern Indiana’s original forests. The mission of Wesselman Nature Society is to preserve and protect Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands for future generations through conservation, education, research, and to provide equal access to nature. Since the inception of Wesselman Woods as a non-profit organization, extensive trails have been created throughout the woods, though the forest remains intact and virtually untouched.
Mesker Park Zoo
Cultivating connections between people and nature that inspire action for our planet happens naturally at Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden. Encounter hundreds of animals representing species from around the globe in Indiana’s first zoo. Enjoy Amazonia, a 20,000 square foot “greenhouse. Tropical trees and palms soar to the 45-foot-tall roof and create a lush tropical setting. Howler monkeys welcome visitors to their treetop homes. A tapir and other exotic creatures wait around each bend in the trail. Visitors are also treated to a rare look at the elusive and majestic jaguar.
But wait, there's more!
- Burdette Park and Aquatic Center
- Deep Blue Indoor Play
- Evansville African American Museum
- Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra
- Fastest Lap
- Angel Mounds
- Birdie's
- Bosse Field (Home of the Evansville Otters)
- Eastland Mall
- Sunset Skate Park
Family-friendly restaurants worth checking out:
Thank you for the wonderful hospitality to the team at Explore Evansville and everyone at the attractions who showed me around!
—Ella
Ella S. Ross is a travel videographer. Interested in having her visit your region? Click here for more information.