I seem to return to Terre Haute once a year and always end up at a Rex Game. Really a nice little…read morevenue to bring your family and watch a baseball game. REX Baseball is a wood bat league for college players to develop their baseball skills over the summer. The REX is one of hundreds of teams across the country that recruit players from all 50 states, Canada, South America and Puerto Rico. The REX is part of a 12 team league called the Prospect League, which started in 2009. The facility is always welcoming, clean, good hometown fun. The place is not large, but again, it is a well built place and is not even that old. It is easy to find in downtown Terre Haute, just west of 3rd street. They have some concession food and beer options too. Porta-potties are your only bathroom option.

Some say the official state bird of Indiana is the cardinal. For hoosier basketball fans, it's…read moreundeniably Larry Bird. Having opened on May 30th, The Larry Bird Museum is a tribute to one of the NBA's greats and a man who has continued to be significant to basketball in Indiana and beyond even beyond his retirement. Born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, Bird played for Springs Valley High School and Indiana State University before spending his professional career with the Boston Celtics. Few remember that Bird actually played for Bob Knight's Hoosiers initially, however, had some trouble adapting to college and ended up first at a junior college (Northwood Institute) before transferring to Indiana State. To say he elevated ISU basketball is an understatement - and as many of us know, his senior year the team was undefeated and #1 until losing in the NCAA Championship game to Magic Johnson's Michigan State Spartans. Both Bird and Johnson would become known as a couple of the greatest players to ever play the game in the NBA. While he always played for the Celtics, Bird would return to Indiana after retiring and would be the coach of the Pacers (taking the team to the NBA Finals in 2000) and then the President of Basketball Operations. Bird is the only person to win an MVP as player along with Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year honors. The Larry Bird Museum is adjacent to the Convention Center in Terre Haute. Admission is free, though reservations are required through an online portal. Visitors to the museum can delve into various exhibits showcasing rare memorabilia, iconic moments, and interactive displays that highlight Bird's unmatched skill, commitment, and influence on the sport. Bird himself showed up for the grand opening on May 30th and has fully supported the museum's development. Self-guided tours are available and group tours/field trips are available on a limited basis. The museum is noting its popularity during its first week and so those with reservations need to be prepared to flex a bit in terms of timing, however, I found everything running quite smoothly and the museum is practically a must-visit for Indiana basketball fans, Larry Bird fans, and anyone visiting Terre Haute (which is only about 70 miles from Indy - an easy day trip with lots more to do in the city). Parking is available in the garage at 811 Cherry Street. No food or beverages are allowed in the museum. It's important to note that videography is not allowed - there are licensing restrictions with some of the items in the museum. However, photographs are allowed. This is a marvelous tribute to one of Indiana's iconic basketball players and it's quite awesome to see it come to life in Terre Haute. It's ideally located and very well accessible throughout. This is not what I'd call anything close to an all-day experience, however, it can easily be a meaningful part of a day in Terre Haute with plenty of hotels and restaurants around it.

Aa a native to Terre Haute, Larry Bird is woven into the fabric of my memories of growing up in…read morethis town. It is very very cool and completely a Terre Haute thing to have this museum commemorating the life and legacy of Larry Bird. Its charming and I kind of love it. Not large, actually quite small, but really well done with engaging, colorful, relevant and fun installations around the museum. Lots to read, some championship rings, photos from growing up in French Lick and the story of Larry Bird. I did not know he was an excellent trash talker, that he first went to Indiana University before attending Indiana State University and that the 3-point shot came into play in the NBA during his early rise in the league. There is a video to understand the story of Larry Bird that lasts about 5 minutes. No gift shop. You can park in the Convention Center Parking Garage on the backside of the museum (for $1 an hour and I believe off of Cherry Street). It does not hurt that this place is located right next to two great local bars (maybe a 30 second walk). A good place to start or end your time at the Larry Bird Museum. Terre Haute is famously known for a few things (Coca Cola bottle) and Larry Bird is one of them. So it is only appropriate and fun that this little museum is here.

The woman who was there at the time was very friendly and helpful. Provided us with everything we…read moreneeded. The signs on the route, however, need a little work. I don't know who is in charge of that, but there needs to be a sign at every intersection and some are so faded, they are hard to read. Since some are not on the colored routes, there should be signs to point to them or they will be missed. We had to backtrack several times. We needed up using their map, plus GPS to find the street names and even then it was a guessing game in some areas. We had fun, though.

Although the actual visitor center part of the former depot is small, it does have a lot of…read morebrochures and booklets about the county. The staff member working was friendly and helpful with a good base of knowledge about the attractions and their history. I was able to get several questions answered without having to read through the brochures to find answers. They have convenient parking next to the depot and signs pointing you in the direction of the different covered bridge trails which are given colors. These driving trails correspond to their Parke County map and if you follow the path in the right direction, you will see signs about where to turn on your route. I also liked their website and response times for inquiry too. Not the biggest Visitor Center I've visited in the state, but a place worth checking out before exploring the county on your own. Review #3146

Swope Art Museum, officially known as the Sheldon Swope Art Museum, may not have all the…read morerazzle-dazzle of Indy's Newfields, however, this is an impressive regional museum and a source of pride in Terre Haute. The Swope Art Museum has a collection of nearly 2,500 works of American art including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from the 19th century to the present. Changing exhibitions from the permanent collection include selections from American Scene Painting of the 1930s and 1940s, 19th century American art, early 20th century modernism, Indiana art, and Post-World War II figurative and abstract art. The museum is particularly known for its American Scene Painting collection with artists including Thomas Hart Benton, Charles Burchfield, Reginald Marshall, Grant Wood, and Edward Hopper. 19th century American art movements include William Merritt Chase, George Inness, Frederick MacMonnies, Mary Fairchild MacMonnies, and Tompkins Harrison Matteson. 20th century art includes works by George Bellows, Arthur B. Davies, Manierre Dawson, Jack Levine, George Luks, and Fairfield Porter among others. Indiana artists are also represented here quite extensively - J. Ottis Adams, William Forsyth, Theodore C. Steele, C. Curry Bohm, Otto Stark, Carl C. Graf, Genevieve Goth Grath, and Terre Haute natives like John Rogers Cox, James Farrington Gookins, Janet Scudder (who is directly related to the physician who delivered me!), Caroline Peddle Ball, and Gilbert Wilson. Finally, more contemporary artists like Robert Indiana, Andy Warhol, Paul Jenkins, and Robert Motherwell also have art works here. You can schedule a guided tour here that lasts about an hour. In terms of accessibility, the Swope is on two floors. There is a small elevator that can accommodate most wheelchairs/mobility equipment. They also have a wheelchair that can be utilized in case yours doesn't work (assuming you can transfer). There is 2-hour street parking around the museum (it is watched, so watch the time to avoid fines). For special events, visitors can use the Old National parking lot. This is a 1901 building - so efforts at accessibility are appreciated. Admission is free, however, I'd check the website as there are somewhat limited hours. While Swope is certainly not a national museum, it's a much nicer than expected regional museum with a lot of impressive art and genuinely warm staff and volunteers. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Terre Haute has quite a bit to visit and a stop at the Swope should be a part of any weekend getaway.

It's a small museum, but if you can accept that, there is an interesting mix of Indiana artists,…read moreand others from different areas of the US. Heavy in landscape and 1800+ portraiture, it has several interesting galleries. Go now before June 2025, when it will close for six months, re-opening again in early 2026 after serious renovation. There is only a suggested donation as admission currently; that will likely have to change. It's a volunteer-driven organization, and they're quite helpful. The only downside is bad lighting; perhaps the renovation will pay attention to that. Worth a visit; free parking for 2hrs downtown nearby. Largely ADA accessible; if at standing-observation height.

A totally cool museum, chock full of artifacts and photographs representing the history of Vigo…read moreCounty. (although it seems like the focus is mainly on the county seat, Terre Haute.) I dropped off some photos of my Grandmother and Great Aunt for a future exhibit of entertainers and famous people from Terre Haute. The museum is currently closed as they are preparing to move to a larger space in downtown Terre Haute. However, we were able to take a tour of the museum and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the items that have not yet been packed up for the move. A couple highlights for me were artifacts and a lovely painting of Gerstmeyer Tech High School, a Terre Haute school which is no longer in existence. My parents met at Gerstmeyer in 1943 as high school students, so that was special for me to see. I also really LOVED seeing the one and only Stiffy Green, legendary bulldog who used to reside in his master's mausoleum in Highland Park Cemetery. The museum staff who we met, Susan and Tanis, were both wonderful and enthusiastic about the museum and Vigo County. I am looking forward to them moving to their new space (which will also be ADA compliant, the current lovely old mansion is not). This is a must visit if you are passing through "The Crossroads of America" .

This is a very cool representation of life in Terre Haute throughout the ages with photographs,…read moreclothing, and lots of descriptions of experiences. I especially love the details that make Terre Haute so unique. Did you know that the original Coca-Cola bottle was designed to look like a coca seed, and created right in Terre Haute? The story and some of the original bottles are in the historical society! As is the fully reconstructed pharmacy, complete with bottles and potions! Everything is very well organized and the people who work there are really friendly. It's in a three-story house (though they're about to move to a historic furniture store near Clabber Girl Bake Shop).

Great prices even at the snack bar. Enjoyed spending time with family and friends. We enjoy the…read morefree throwback and retro movies they get. Can't wait for the season to get into full swing!