Spring Break and warm weather are upon us! What an ideal time to travel to Lawrence County in Southern Indiana. Experience the gently rolling hills, scenic landscapes and limestone formations. Discover why Limestone Country is an outdoor playground of caves, forests and rivers. The Bluespring Caverns and Spring Mill State Park are must sees. Plus, our charming towns showcase a variety of downtown boutiques, delicious dining and comfortable lodging. A trip to Lawrence County is perfect remedy for cabin fever. Let us help you plan your stay. Below you will find our spring break trip ideas!
Fun Adventures:
Bluespring Caverns
Blue Spring Caverns will be opening for the season on March 16th! This unique underground experience is the perfect activity for your spring break trip. Bring a jacket! At a cool 53 degrees year-round and 100 feet below the surface of the earth, you will explore an underground river for an unforgettable adventure. Tour guides pilot custom-made boats along the subterranean river for over a mile, pointing out native rare Northern blind cave fish and blind crawfish. During the tour, you’ll learn about the natural forces that are still at work creating enormous caverns and caves below the rolling hills of southern Indiana. In addition, three-hour kayak tours can be scheduled to explore America’s longest navigable underground river.
Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park is an expansive state park located in Mitchell. This state park offers so much to discover. From easy to rugged, there are numerous paths for hiking or biking. Featured on the scenic trails are breath-taking Southern Indiana rolling hills and natural limestone. The Pioneer Village stages authentic life from the early 1800s with a working limestone Grist Mill and 20 restored historic buildings to explore. Open from 10am-5pm daily, the Nature Center is filled with park natural history exhibits and live animal displays. For the true adventurer, registration is required in advance to explore the many caves within the park.
Lawrence County Astronauts
Did you know Lawrence County is the home to three United States astronauts? Kenneth D. Bowersox and Charles D. Walker are both from Bedford. Mitchell is the hometown of Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, the second American in space. During your spring break trip, the entire family will love exploring the Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom Memorial and the Grissom Boyhood Home.
Dedicated to the Hoosier astronaut, the Gus Grissom Memorial is located inside the Spring Mill State Park, and showcases hundreds of artifacts from Grissom’s life and the NASA space program. This interactive experience will be an exciting way to learn about one of our most famous Hoosiers.
On the lawn of Mitchell’s City hall, is a Virgil I. Grissom Monument, which is a 44-foot, 28-ton limestone statue of the Titan II Rocket.
Downtown Boutique Shopping
Lawrence County is filled with chic boutique shopping around every corner. These shops are bursting with the latest styles and trends, charming home décor and gracious Hoosier hospitality. Spring and summer fashions have just arrived. Here is a long list of charming boutiques. With personal and friendly customer service, these shops are the perfect place to find unique and adorable clothing or chic accessories you’ll find nowhere else. Likewise, adorn your home with decor you won’t find in big box stores.
Dining Discoveries:
Court Room Sports Grill
Court Room Sports Grill is a great place to watch the college basketball tournament games or bring the entire family during your spring break trip! With a mix of “Midwest Favorites” and “New Orleans Flavor”, your taste buds will be wondering why you’ve never been here before! Enjoy your next meal at a place where Indiana and Louisiana become besties.
While we recommend that you try everything once (at least!), some of the local favorites are the Cajun Eggrolls, the NOLA Chicken burger and the Voodoo fries!
Salt Creek Brewery
Called one of the most unique breweries in the state, you’ll want to give this a try. Salt Creek Brewery is located in a restored old service garage, just outside Bedford. Take a seat at the bar and sip one of Salt Creek’s award-winning beers. Weather permitting, sit outside in the covered patio or on picnic tables over-looking rolling hills and valleys. Look around at the brewery’s large and growing collection of vintage beer pieces and advertising memorabilia, some of which date back to the 1800’s, such as the Pabst Bottle or the Schlitz Brewery Keg. Kids are welcome.
Railroad Cafe
The Railroad Café is the perfect classic, home-style restaurant to dine-in or carry out on your spring break trip. The Railroad Cafe pays homage to Indiana’s rich transportation heritage, serving up home-style food just like grandma made it. Try favorites like the Covered Hopper (biscuits and gravy), and the Hoosier classic, tenderloin sandwich with chips, fries or onion rings. With such a home-style and varied menu, you’re whole family will find something they love.
Sweet Treats:
During your trip we are recommending sampling local bakeries for home-made treats that smells as good as they are to eat! Huckleberry’s Bakery, Magic Morning Bakery and The Mix all bake fresh and decadent delights. Indulge in a variety of cupcakes, cookies, donuts, cinnamon rolls and much more!
If ice cream is what you’re after, spot by either Jiffy Treet or Dairy Bell.
Who doesn’t love ice cream? Bedford’s Jiffy Treet is the most delicious and unique ice cream joint in Southern Indiana. Want to try Lucky Charms marshmallows in your ice cream? Okay! Or maybe you’d prefer the classic, but delicious Butter Pecan? With such an exotic variety, the whole family will love their many delightful choices.
Dairy Bell provides a creamy cool refresher. Our soft-serve ice cream, milk shakes, floats and snacks will satisfy your adventurers after hiking and exploring. Located just outside Spring Mill State Park, it’s the perfect place to stop for a family pick-me-up.
Comfortable Stays:
Spring Mill Inn
If you are looking for a peaceful, away-from-it-all place to stay during your spring break trip, the Spring Mill Inn is your place! Located in the historic Spring Mill State Park, Spring Mill Inn has 73 rooms, an indoor pool, meeting rooms, a dining room and a gift shop. Relax with a coffee beside the fireplace in the dining room or watch the birds outside on the patio. Take a lovely stroll by the lake and watch the sun set after having a delicious home-style dinner in the Inn’s dining room.
Holiday Inn Express
This 64-room hotel features an indoor pool, guest laundry service, a fitness center and meeting rooms. A hot breakfast is included with every stay. This is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for a quality lodging experience for everyone in the family.
Hampton Inn
The Hampton Inn in Bedford is Lawrence County’s newest hotel. With a free hot breakfast, you can begin your day’s adventures ready to go! The free Wifi, indoor pool and fitness center will give you reasons to stay and play.
To learn more about Lawrence County, click here.
