Evansville, Indiana

Evansville is located in Vanderburgh County in southwestern Indiana, along the Ohio River (which marks the state's border with Kentucky) and near the southeastern border of Illinois. Evansville is across the bridge from the city of Henderson, Kentucky, and is located 119 miles (192 kilometers) west of Louisville, Kentucky, 171 miles (275 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, and 182 miles (293 kilometers) south of Indianapolis.

Evansville, which was named an All-America City in 2004, has a diverse economy that includes manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, retailing, healthcare, and finance and business services. The city is the third largest in Indiana, after Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.

When you want to learn about area history, pay a visit to the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science, which is also home to the state's oldest planetarium. To see how the area's upper crust lived in Victorian times, visit the Reitz Home Museum, which is situated in the city's downtown Historic Preservation District, and was built in 1871 by a man who made his fortune in lumber. And when you want to learn about the area's original inhabitants, drive over to the Angel Mounds State Historic Site, which is one of the best preserved prehistoric Native American sites in the country, and which was a flourishing town site between 1100 to 1450 CE.

Festivals are a great way to get out and meet your neighbors! A must-see is October's week-long West Side Nut Club Fall Festival, which is one of the largest street festivals in the United States, and includes rides, entertainment, a parade, and plenty of food. And of course, the other gotta-be-there event is the Evansville Freedom Festival held in late June and early July, and which includes hydroplane racing on the Ohio River and an air show.

Evansville's Parks & Recreation Department oversees 2,300 acres (931 hectares) of land and – golfers take note – manages three 18-hole golf courses and one nine-hole golf course. Close to home, you'll also find the Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, a 200-acre (81-hectare) preserve of virgin bottomland hardwood forest. The John James Audubon State Park is located across the river in Henderson, and the 200,000-acre (80,937-hectare) Hoosier National Forest is about an hour's drive east.

For some adult fun and games, test your luck at Casino Aztar, a floating, Vegas-style casino with slots and table games. And music lovers can book tickets for performances of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, which was founded in 1934, and is the largest arts organization in the tri-states region.

Have a family? No problem. There are several area attractions to keep your kids entertained. Spend a day at the Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, a 50-acre (20-hectare) park that is home to 625 animals from 200 species, and which also includes a Children's Enchanted Forest, paddle boats, bumper boats, a tram, and more. Or spend sunny days enjoying the 140-acre (57-hectare) Burdette Park & Aquatic Center, which includes camping facilities, swimming, golf, BMX racing, and more. And about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east, you'll find Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, with a wide range of rides, shows, and water fun for the whole family.

See for yourself why Evansville is a great place for you and your family.

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