By Farrah Alexander
As a Southern Indiana local,
you know describing this area as “the sunny side”
is little more than a cute tourism slogan.
If it’s sunny, you better get out and take
advantage because the next day very
well could be rainy, frigid, swampy hot
or just so intensely pollinated you
can’t bear to go outside. Sometimes, we
manage to fit in elements of all four
seasons in the course of one week, much
to the dismay (or delight?) of local
weather forecasters.
But during the spring, the sunny days are truly
beautiful. The lilies and tulips have bloomed,
leaving bursts of color everywhere you turn. The
weather is pristine – not too hot and not too cool
– just the perfect temperature to relax outside.
And we have plenty of wonderful options to
explore the area as a family. So, grab your nasal
spray and let’s go!
The Falls of the Ohio State Park (201 W.
Riverside Drive, Clarksville) is a fantastic place
to spend a nice day. My five-year-old Daniel is
obsessed with dinosaurs, so he loves climbing
over the huge rocks and discovering fossils among
the fossil beds. The park hosts many events with
experts who will guide you through the park and
educate you about things you probably wouldn’t
have noticed. After exploring the park, you can see
several exhibits in the air-conditioned interpretive
center. There are many perfect places to enjoy a
picnic overlooking the Ohio river nearby.
The Widow’s Walk (415 E. Riverside Drive,
Clarksville) is a beautiful Victorian mansion along
the Ohio River overlooking the Louisville skyline.
The Widow’s Walk has an ice creamery, coffee
shop and offers bicycle rentals. You can enjoy
your treats on the gorgeous porch overlooking
the river or explore the beautiful courtyards on
site. They also offer very reasonably priced kidfriendly
lunch items like corn dogs and chicken
nuggets. The bicycle rentals include tandem bikes
and bikes with child carriers attached. The Ohio
River Scenic Byway is right next to the Widow’s
Walk and is a great area to ride.
The Big Four Bridge in Jeffersonville is a
renovated railroad bridge that is open exclusively
to pedestrians. It’s the perfect length for a nice
family stroll with breaks to view the Ohio River,
spotting barges and steamboats. Once you reach
the Kentucky side, the kids can play at one of the
many nearby playgrounds. If you head back to
the Indiana side, there is a plethora of wonderful
restaurants within a short walking distance of
the bridge.
Perrin Family Park (Perrin Lane,
Jeffersonville) is a privately-owned park that is
well maintained and perfect for a family with
young children to explore. A paved walking path
surrounds a lake and is the ideal distance (just one
mile) for a leisurely walk that young children can
handle. At the dock, children can feed the ducks
and geese. There are plenty of picnic tables to enjoy
lunch shaded by the many surrounding trees.
The Farmer’s Market (202 E. Market St.,
New Albany) is open Saturday mornings from
10 a.m. until noon, until the second weekend in
May through October, the hours are extended to
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The farmer’s market has tons
of unique items and tasty food you can’t just find
at your nearby grocer. They have local butchers,
hand crafted items, seasonal veggies, baked goods,
jams, and more. Located in the city center, you’re
in the perfect location to grab brunch at one of
the many delicious spots nearby.
Clifty Falls State Park (1501 Green Road,
Madison) is a beautiful, scenic park with gorgeous
waterfalls. The park has many hiking and walking
trails, some are easily accessible for small children
and some are better suited for experienced hikers.
Since the park is so large, you can easily find
a peaceful and quiet place to have a picnic or
just enjoy nature. There are campgrounds and
inns nearby if you’d prefer to stay overnight and
thoroughly experience the park.
The Historic District (Madison) along the
First, Second and Third Streets downtown contain
many of the town’s restored homes of the pre-
Civil War era. The area is simply charming and a
really lovely place to stroll and site-see. You can
pop in an antique shop, burger joint, boutique,
or just admire the historical buildings. Just a few
blocks away, you can walk along the banks of
the Ohio River.
Deam Lake State Recreation Area (1217
Deam Lake Road, Borden) is a spacious, wooded
park with many activities. The park offers fishing,
boating, and swimming. If you’re looking to spend
the night or weekend, there are campgrounds
available. There are many hiking trails of varying
difficulty levels available. Whether you’re making a
weekend of it or just spending the day, Deam Lake
is a great escape into nature not far from home.
If it’s sunny, you
better get out
and take advantage
because the next
day very well
could be rainy,
frigid, swampy hot…
Hidden Hill (1011 Utica Charlestown Road,
Jeffersonville) is a beautiful, sprawling botanical
garden featuring unique art sculptures owned by
local gardening guru Bob Hill. It’s a whimsical
place to walk around, explore and children will
love spotting the variety of flowers and looking for
monarch butterflies. Plus, the gardens provide an
incredible backdrop for photos of your kids! My
sister-in-law and photographer Valerie Johnson
loves going to Hidden Hill to take stunning photos
of my niece, Piper.
After so many days and weekends spent cooped
up in the house during the long winter, It’s such
a treat to get outside, expose yourself to some
fresh air and enjoy one of the many scenic areas
we have to enjoy both nature and time with your family.
