Clarksville

Need a fun family road trip destination that's not too far from home? That's where "SoIN" comes in! Southern Indiana is located less than two hours driving distance from Indianapolis, and you'll find a multitude of attractions and adventures here. The Southern Indiana cities of Jeffersonville, Clarksville and New Albany offer many things for families to do, see and eat, with the added bonus that this area of the state sits near the Ohio River -- and a stone's throw from Louisville, Kentucky. You could spend a week in Southern Indiana and still not experience everything there is to experience for families. My family and I spent an amazing winter weekend trying to pack in as much as we could, and we left with the promise that we'd plan a return trip for the summer. In summer, explore Southern Indiana’s top family-friendly experiences and WIN with the refreshed SoIN Fun Trail. SoIN Tourism’s seasonal summer passport program for kids launched 5 years ago, guiding visitors to local favorites like candy-making demonstrations and exploring 390-million-year-old fossils! For 2025, they’ve revamped it with new prizes, trivia check-ins and more. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, participants can use the FREE digital passport to score points and prizes just by visiting attractions on the trail and answering trail trivia. This year’s prizes include a funky insulated water bottle and a squishable plush toy bison! If you're looking to visit Southern Indiana with your children, check out some of the adventures that await you in SoIN! Jeffersonville, Indiana Family Fun in Southern Indiana First stop: The Southern Indiana Visitor Center Located in downtown Jeffersonville, the Southern Indiana Visitor Center should be one of your first stops if you're visiting the area for the first time. This is a great place to get your questions answered by knowledgable staff, find directions, learn tips on local restaurants and attractions, and lots more. It also has a cute gift shop full of fun Indiana-themed items. Walk across the Big Four Bridge + play at the Big Four Station Park How often do you get the chance to be in two states at once? You will when you cross the Big Four Bridge, which connects Jeffersonville, Indiana to Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky. Open all year round, the walk from one side of the bridge to the other is about two miles round trip, so wear your walking shoes! Along the way, you'll be treated to gorgeous views of the Ohio River and the Louisville and Jeffersonville skylines. Explore the history of firefighting at the Vintage Fire Museum This one is for the little firefighter lovers! At the Vintage Fire Museum in Jeffersonville, you can see fire equipment dating back to 1756, including restored fire engines, pumps and lots more. Children can also learn about fire safety, and what to do in the event of a fire at home. Jump and play at Xtremenasium Trampoline and Ninja Park A trip with kids means finding a place to burn off some energy. We found that at Xtremenasium Trampoline and Ninja Park in Clarksville! This indoor park features multiple trampolines, ninja warrior courses, a video arcade and a playground for little tots. It's the perfect place to get the wiggles out for an hour or two! Learn about the area's riverboat history at Howard Steamboat Museum At the Howard Steamboat Museum, you can learn about the story of the Howard family of Jeffersonville, who created the largest inland shipyard in the country, located off the shores of the Ohio River. See artifacts and recreations of their famous riverboats, tour the mansion where the family used to live, and watch a video detailing the history of this unique part of Southern Indiana's past. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Howard Steamboat Museum See a candy-making demonstration at Schimpff's Confectionery Did you know: Indiana's oldest candy store can be found in Jeffersonville? Family owned since 1891, Schimpff's Confectionery is a candy store, candy museum, soda fountain and candy-making kitchen all in one sweet spot. The highlight of the visit is seeing candy made right in front of you on century-old equipment (and then getting to sample some!). Be sure to call and make a reservation if you want a tour of the museum or to see a candy-making demonstration. Immerse yourself in local art at Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center Housed in the historic Carnegie Library building, the Floyd County Carnegie Library Cultural Arts Center is a hub for local arts, culture and history. Best of all, it's free to visit! The center offers rotating art exhibitions, so check their website to see what they'll be featuring when you plan to visit. The center's permanent exhibits, "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage: Men and Women of the Underground Railroad" and "Remembered: The Life of Lucy Higgs Nichols," highlight New Albany's connection to the Underground Railroad. Explore downtown New Albany's unique shops Downtown New Albany is low-key one of the cutest areas in Southern Indiana. This walkable neighborhood is filled with boutique shops of all kinds, from a shop that sells embroidered products (DMZ Custom Creations) to a shop that specializes in elderberry products (The Elderberry Co.) We especially loved visiting The Odd Shop, a vintage store full of unique antiques, and J&B Magic Shop and Theater, where we were awestruck by magic tricks. Some Japanese pastries and boba beverages at Milo's Boba and Bakery rounded out the visit! Play at Ashland Park Ashland Park has a playground with fun for all ages and abilities. Located along a stretch of Riverside Drive in Clarksville, families can enjoy a beautiful view of the Ohio River and the Louisville skyline from the park. Ashland Park is also considered the gateway to the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center, which is a short half-mile walk, stroll or bike ride north. Don't forget to snap a selfie with the Rosie the Riveter statue, which honor's Clarksville's own semi-celebrity! Explore fossil beds and visit the Interpretive Center at Falls of the Ohio State Park Learn about Earth's history at the Interpretive Center at Falls of the Ohio State Park, where you can interact with exhibits about the ancient seas, the Ice Age and native cultures. Then, step outside and explore the rocky area by the Ohio River to see fossils right at your feet. Admire the public art and murals As we drove around Jeffersonville, Clarksville and New Albany, we couldn't help noticing all of the really cool public art that was around almost every corner of the downtown areas. From the Opera Singer mural in downtown New Albany, to the murals painted all around Jeffersonville's NoCo Arts & Cultural District, you'll be as surprised (and delighted) as we were with all of the fun art around the area. A great way to experience the public art scene in Southern Indiana is by using Inspired SoIN, a digital passport that puts the info at your fingertips and allows you to check into spots you visited and win prizes, too! Family-friendly Restaurants in Southern Indiana Union Restaurant & Gameyard There's fun indoors and out at Union Restaurant & Gameyard in downtown Jeffersonville. During warm weather, hang out in the outdoor space and play yard games. During the colder months, hang out in the restaurant and play pool, board games and old-school video games. With a big kids' menu (get the mac & cheese!) and lots of creative takes on old favorites (like Korean-inspired tater tots and Mexican burrito bowls), there's something for everyone at this laid-back hangout. RecBar 812 This is the place to visit when you're in the mood for grains, games and grub! RecBar 812 is located in downtown New Albany, and offers two floors of fun for all ages. Lean into the nostalgia of your youth by playing some of RecBar 812's more than 200 retro arcade and video games, pinball machines, air hockey, Skee ball, ping pong, shuffleboard, and basketball games in this family-friendly space. Most games can be played for one token (the equivalent of 25 cents), so your money goes a long way. Bonus: The food is great, too! Upland Jeffersonville You've probably visited one of Upland Brewing Co.'s several other locations around Indiana. This restaurant, located in Jeffersonville, has the amazing food and beverages we all love from Upland, with the big perk of overlooking the waterfront of the Ohio River and the Louisville skyline. The kids' menu here is huge and offers favorites like cheeseburgers, tenderloin sliders and fish & chips. Definitely get one of their wood-fired pizzas -- big enough for two or three people to share. Adults can choose from more than 20 taps featuring Upland classics, sour ales and other local beers. Geraldine's Kitchen Located just a few blocks from the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Jeffersonville, Geraldine's Kitchen is a family-owned diner that serves breakfast, brunch and lunch. In this cozy little restaurant, you'll find offerings like biscuits and gravy, omelets and pancakes, plus burgers, salads and lots more. Where to Stay in Southern Indiana If you want to be within walking distance of many of the locations I mentioned in this article (and a short driving distance from many others), stay at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Louisville North. It's centrally located in downtown Jeffersonville, with lots of family-friendly features, including an indoor pool, a board game library, free hot breakfast (make-your-own waffles!) and huge rooms and suites with full kitchens. Free parking and free wifi make this an ideal place to stay when you're in SoIN! TownePlace Suites Louisville North

Clarksville

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Clarksville

A Jam-Packed Family Weekend Trip to Southern Indiana

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