Vincennes' small-town charm makes it ideal for raising a family or enjoying a vacation with your brood. Despite being a small town, there are plenty of local activities you can appreciate with your kids. Here are some of the fun family-friendly activities you can enjoy in Vincennes.
Ride Bikes Along the Riverwalk
Take your bikes downtown and ride along the Riverwalk, a three-mile concrete path stretching along the Wabash River from Main Street to Hart Street. There's access at either end, so park where you please and set off. It's a nice wide path that rarely gets too busy, but make sure your kids are mindful of pedestrians. Take time to stop to admire the views from the observation deck or watch the fish jumping in the river. The path is well lit at night, so you can enjoy it any time of the day or night.
Location: Main Street to Hart Street.
Hours: Never closes.
Cost: Free.
Check Out the Indiana Military Museum
If you have kids fascinated by items of war, they'll love visiting the Indiana Military Museum. The large tanks and historic planes, including a Vietnam War-era F-4 Phantom and Huey helicopter, are big draws for kids. They'll also get a thrill checking out the military weapons, ranging from metal-tipped arrows used by the Native American tribes of the Great Plains to rifles and pistols from Afghanistan. If you can, time your visit to coincide with one of the remembrance events, which include historical reenactments.
Location: 715 S. 6th St.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily March 1 to December 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday during winter.
Cost: $8 for adults, $7 for veterans, active military personnel, and seniors 62+, $5 for children 5 to 17 years, and free for younger children and World War II veterans.
Enjoy a Picnic in Gregg Park
With 40 acres of green space, Gregg Park is one of the best places for picnicking in Vincennes. Grab a picnic table, or rent one of the shelters if you're eating with a large group. Enjoy a round of horseshoes or a game of pickleball, if you can drag the kids off the playground equipment. Bring your swimsuits when the weather's warm, as Gregg Park is also home to Rainbow Beach Aquatic Park. This small water park features four swimming pools, waterslides, a climbing wall, and more.
Location: 2204 Washington Ave.
Hours: Open daily.
Cost: Free.
Get Ice Cream at I Hart Ice Cream
You don't need to wait for warmer weather to enjoy scoops of ice cream at I Hart Ice Cream. Its hand-scooped ice cream is delicious any time of year. Classic flavors like chocolate and cookies and cream always please the kids. I Hart Ice Cream also caters to more discerning adult tastes with flavors like seaside caramel, bananas Foster, and Mackinac Island fudge. Enjoy ice cream in a cup or a homemade waffle cone, or get yours in a banana split or milkshake. There's more than ice cream here too, with brownies, cake balls, and nachos all on the menu.
Location: 1885 Hart St., Suite D.
Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: $3 for a regular scoop, $2.50 for a kid's cup.
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Charlie's Candy
While you're indulging your cravings, why not stop by Charlie's Candy? Charles and Lorethea Hamke launched their home business in 1955, after strangers began requesting tins of the homemade caramel corn they gifted their friends. While the couple sold the business to friends, it still operates from the original Hamke family home. The current owners also make their candies using the Hamkes' original recipes. And in case you were wondering, the caramel corn is just as popular with Charlie's Candy customers today. Charlie's also sells tasty chocolate candies, including truffles, clusters, and chocolate cherries.
Location: 427 N. 2nd St.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Cost: Prices vary, starting at $5.99 for candy and $8.99 for caramel corn.
Challenge Yourself at Vincennes Escape Adventures
If your children are 10 years or older, put your wits to the test at Vincennes Escape Adventures. Working together on a special ops mission or expedition to Ancient Egypt is a great way to bond as a family. The special ops mission takes place in a classic escape room, while "Egypt – Wisdom of the Ancients" makes use of the facility's generation-2 premier escape room. Why not try them both?
Location: 2425 N. 6th St.
Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, midday to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Cost: $24 or $26 for 14+ years, $18 or $20 for 10 to 13 years, depending on the escape room.
Have a Game at 1972 KCARC Family Fun Center
Whether you're looking for old-school fun or the latest technology, 1972 has you covered. It offers plenty of classic games including basketball, cornhole, and bocce in the summer. Blacklight putt-putt puts a modern twist on mini golf. Push your body to the limits on the 24-foot rock wall or enjoy a few rounds of laser tag. There's even a game room, with PCs, virtual reality headsets, and game consoles. Let your kids show you the best games on the Nintendo Switch or introduce them to the wonders of the original Atari. It's all here at 1972 KCARC Family Fun Center.
Location: 711 Old Wheatland Road.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Cost: $6 on weekdays and $8 on weekends for admission, $10 weekdays and $12 weekends for unlimited access pass.
These are some of the ways the Uebelhor & Sons Buick GMC Vincennes team has fun with their kids. Have we missed any of your favorite family-friendly activities? Let us know by completing our contact form or visiting us in person at our Vincennes dealership. We're open six days a week for your convenience.