Indiana

explore like never before

Get Custom Travel guides packed with local tips
Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

Indiana’s Largest Silo Mural Is A Quintessential Roadside Attraction

The silo mural in Greencastle, Indiana, is a stunning roadside attraction depicting Midwest life.

Published Jul 22, 2020

Written by 

Elizabeth Crozier

There's a silo mural in Greencastle, Indiana that is an artistic victory. This beautiful roadside attraction is a true tapestry of Midwest life that few people in Indiana even know exists. It is worth traveling past, no matter where you're headed.

This splash of color against the Midwest sky is noticeable from anywhere. You'll never forget seeing this painting in Hoosier country. Check it out:

Situated in central Indiana is a set of giant grain silos that were nothing but plain and white until 2019, when four separate murals were painted on them.

alt
Facebook/Putnam County Mural Project

The silo mural is located at the intersection of Veterans Highway and Highway 231, where just about anyone driving through town can see it.

advertisement
alt
Facebook/Putnam County Mural Project

The completed project depicts quintessential images that are true to the Midwest and the Hoosier State.

alt
Facebook/Putnam County Mural Project

One silo depicts a farm scene with a cow, barns, and farm field. There is also a silo with an eagle, as well as one with a violin.

alt
Facebook/Putnam County Mural Project

One of the most attractive silos is the one with the covered bridge and deer. Each silo also features native wildlife and flowers.

alt
Facebook/Putnam County Mural Project

This roadside attraction is excellent for photos and driving trips. You'll definitely want to head by this quick art gallery while you're exploring the area.

advertisement
alt
Facebook/Putnam County Mural Project

More murals are coming to Putnam County. Stay tuned through the coming years to see what this beautiful and creative place comes up with next.

alt
Facebook/Putnam County Mural Project

If you've ever seen this silo mural, we'd love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.

For more like this, check out the 12 best roadside attractions in Indiana.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

19 Spots in Indiana That Will Drop Your Frozen Jaw This Winter

You won't believe how beautiful the Hoosier State becomes when winter rolls in. Winter in Indiana is a special time, and these spots prove it.

Updated Nov 12, 2024

Written by 

Trisha Faulkner

Our readers have made it clear they are fans of Christmas but really don't care for snow and ice. This, however, does not change how beautiful the state looks while frozen! I did some digging and found several incredible spots where you can experience winter in Indiana that will drop your frozen jaw! So wear a heavy jacket, a warm hat, and gloves, and come along for this awesome icy adventure. Who knows, maybe you'll fall in love with Indiana winters yourself.

advertisement

1. This incredible, ice-covered lakeshore in Whiting, Indiana. Wow!

alt
Ice covered lakeshore, shrubs and lamp posts in Whiting, Indiana

2. Michigan City Pier is somehow even more incredible when covered in snow.

alt
Michigan City Lighthouse taken in Winter at Sunrise from an ice shelf on Lake Michigan

3. Lake Michigan is often reduced to a sheet of ice, but it's beautiful as far as the eye can see.

alt
GARY , IN – FEBRUARY 18: Ice covers Lake Michigan on February 18, 2014 near Gary, Indiana. This winters prolonged cold weather has caused more than 88 percent of the Great Lakes to be covered in ice which is near the record of 95% set in February 1979. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

4. This is a frozen waterfall captured perfectly in time near Lagro, Indiana. Brrr.

alt
Stephen Liebenauer/500px/Getty Images

5. This is what winter in Howard County looks like. Pristine!

alt
Sunrise over a snow covered farm field-Howard County, Indiana

6. These tree branches kind of look like frozen-fingered hands, don't they?

alt
Shot along riverwalk in Madison Indiana

7. ...but even the frozen trees look great!

alt
StevenW/Flickr

8. The frozen waterfalls dotted throughout the state are some of the most beautiful parts of winter.

alt
Whitewater flows over icicles at a frozen Upper Cataract Falls with a red covered bridge upstream. Photographed on Mill Creek near Cloverdale, Indiana.

9. Aren't they just incredible?

alt
Michael Fromholt / 500px/Getty Images

10. We could sit and look at the frozen falls for ages!

A serene winter scene featuring a frozen waterfall surrounded by snow-covered rocks and trees under a cloudy sky.
Christian Collins/Flickr

11. Here is a nice frosty picture of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

alt
Fence at Indiana Dunes state park.

12. The marvel and magic of freezing and frozen water is simply captivating.

alt
Benjamin Barti / 500px/Getty Images

13. Turkey Run State Park is one of the most beautiful places in Indiana, with snow or no snow.

alt
Turkey Run State Park is in Parke County Indiana. Sandstone hollows were formed many years ago, making the park a paradise for hikers. The tall colorful hollows make you feel like you are in another planet. Waterfalls, cliffs, and hardwood forest are unique. We have hiked every trail, many times and are always mesmerized by the magnificent rock walls. Trail 3 is our favorite, but make sure you don’t wear sandals. The rock cliffs are slippery and you will get your feet wet because you walk along a creek bed and up a waterfall. After the waterfall the trail takes you up a rock ledge with carefully carved steps requiring you to wait for oncoming hikers.

14. The views in and around Howard County in winter are captivating.

alt
Barn-Red Barn-Family Farm with Plow in foreground-Howard County Indiana

15. This snow and ice captured up close in Indianapolis is truly a work of art.

alt
Ice On Glass, -11 Degrees

16. Hard to believe it is Indiana in some of these pictures, isn't it?

alt
Rural Indiana Road in Winter near Shipshewana.

17. It's definitely not hard to see why the Hoosier State is said to be a winter wonderland!

alt
Old Cinder Block Barn at sunrise-Howard County, Indiana

18. Our state looks WONDERFUL covered in ice, and all the wildlife sticking around for the season think so, too!

alt
Male Red American Cardinal Bird posing between acorn shells in Indianapolis,Indiana.

19. And last but not least: the BEAUTIFUL ice of Lake Michigan one more time.

alt
Ice covered lakeshore and pagoda in Whiting, Indiana

So, if someone were to ask you, “What is winter in Indiana like?”, you’ll know what to tell them! Fun, right? I think so. What do you think of these stunning photos of Indiana in winter? Have you taken any Indiana winter pictures you care to share? Where do you like to spend time in winter in Indiana? We'd love to read about your experiences in the comments section and see your icy photos!

advertisement
advertisement
advertisement

If you’d like to explore winter hikes in and around any of these areas, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website. Winter hikes are awesome - see for yourself! For those of you who like to shop, be sure to read This Walkable Stretch Of Shops And Restaurants In Indiana Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination. It IS, though! Want somewhere to stay while you're experiencing Indiana? Check out all the coolest offers from our friends at VRBO.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Experiences|Attractions

Few People Know Parts of the Iconic Broad Ripple Park Carousel in Indiana Were Actually Built in Pennsylvania

The iconic Broad Ripple Park Carousel in Indiana is a staple in the Indianapolis area. But did you know parts were crafted in Pennsylvania?

Published Oct 31, 2024

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

I think it’s safe to say most of us have fond childhood memories of spinning around on a carousel. As a kid, nothing compared (for me, at least) to choosing my favorite animal and hopping on while I waited for the familiar tune to play that signaled the ride was about to begin. Hoosiers are even luckier because we have not just any carousel, but the famous Broad Ripple Park Carousel. This piece of living history has delighted Indiana children since the early 1900s, and the intricately carved animals that make it up date back even further. What makes the carousel even more special is that even though it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Indiana, it actually wasn't even built in our state - at least not the most important part (the animals). They were built in Pennsylvania sometime during the 19th century and brought to Indianapolis in the early 1900s.

advertisement
Children joyfully ride colorful carousel horses, surrounded by twinkling lights and a whimsical setting.
Flickr anjanettew

Although now located in The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the Broad Ripple Park Carousel was originally installed in 1917 at White City Amusement Park. The carousel’s animals were constructed by the Dentzel Carousel Company of Philadelphia before the turn of the 20th century. Unfortunately, the building that housed the carousel collapsed in 1956, destroying a significant chunk of its inner workings — but the animals were surprisingly unharmed and put into storage. Over the years, the animals played several different roles across the city, including being used in a Christmas display at University Park. The museum acquired two horses in 1965, along with most of the remaining animals a few years later. 

While the museum originally intended to simply display the restored animals around the building, it ended up going the extra mile and restoring the entire carousel. The artifact was designated a designated a National Historic Landmark on February 27, 1987, and visitors can still ride it today.

Visit the website for the Children's Museum of Indianapolis for more information about the Broad Ripple Park Carousel. You can also check out the Children's Museum of Indianapolis Facebook page to see additional photos.

Have you ever taken a ride on this historic carousel? What are your favorite iconic landmarks in Indiana? Tell us in the comments! If you need a place to stay in town, the Conrad Indianapolis is a great choice. It's a classic Indy experience with great reviews, and you can book a room in seconds on Booking.com.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature
National & State Parks

Explore Alaska’s Lesser Known Parks Just Before the Snow Falls

by Megan McDonald
on Nov 13
alt
Stays
Vacation Rentals

Escape to Alaska’s Coziest Cabins And Have An Autumn Adventure Before Winter Takes Over

by Megan McDonald
on Nov 13
alt
Trip Ideas
Road Trips

A Desert Sanctuary: Finding Peace and Reflection in Joshua Tree’s Vast Wilderness

by Marisa Roman
on Nov 13
alt
Nature
National & State Parks

The Most Iconic View in Virginia Is Also a Stunning Slice of History

by Beth Copenhaver
on Nov 13
alt
Stays

Turn Back Time With a Stay at a Charming Retro Motel and a Meal at this Vintage-Style Airstream in Virginia

by Beth Copenhaver
on Nov 13
alt