New Castle is a city in Henry County, Indiana, on the Big Blue River, 44 miles northeast of Indianapolis. It is bordered on all sides by farmland.
- Activities to look for in New Castle, Indiana:
- Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
- Henry County Historical Society Museum
- Clifty Falls State Park
- Summit Lake State Park
- Farmers Pike Festival
- Park Restaurant
- New Castle Motorsports Park
- Henry County Memorial Park
- Henry County Farmers’ Market
- Westwood Park
- Stacks Pancake House
- Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House
- Baker Park
- Westwood Golf Club
- Frequently Asked Questions:
The city, established 200 years ago, was an important manufacturing city at the start of the twentieth century. Not only that, but you can also delve into Indiana’s 130-year love story with basketball in this community east of Indianapolis.
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and the New Castle Fieldhouse, the world’s biggest high school gymnasium with a capacity of 9,325, are both located in New Castle.
If you are planning to visit this area but also wondering which places to visit and activities to enjoy, then worry no more. This ultimate guide has got your back!
Activities to look for in New Castle, Indiana:
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
Basketball is unquestionably popular in Indiana. The state has a strong bond with basketball, and there is even a nickname for it: Hoosier Hysteria, which describes the state’s fervor for the sport, particularly the Indiana high school basketball tournament.
In 1962, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame was founded, and in 1990, it was moved to this purpose-built structure in New Castle. Jerseys, pennants, pictures, letter jackets, game balls, nets, scoreboards, and much more may be found in the adjacent museum, which is well presented.
Henry County Historical Society Museum
The Henry County Historical Society was founded in 1887 and has a lengthy history. This non-profit organization has been headquartered in Gen.
The museum comprises three levels with an entertaining overview of the county’s 200-year history. Local industrial items, Maxwell cars, tapestries and textiles of all kinds, military relics from every American conflict, and collections for local artists are all on display.
A fantastic genealogical library is also maintained by the group. The Thadeus Coffin Desk, for example, is a wholly unique inlaid desk made up of almost 53,000 separate parts that took its builder, another Civil War soldier, 35 years to finish.
Clifty Falls State Park
Clifty Falls State Park is a 1,416-acre Indiana state park in Jefferson County, Indiana. Clifty Creek, Little Clifty Creek, and a canyon where the sun only shines throughout the day are all part of the park. It has several lovely nature walks, particularly those near Clifty Falls. Overnight tourists can stay at the Clifty Inn, and the park has a campground with RV and tent camping spots.
Summit Lake State Park
Summit Lake State Park is a 2,680-acre patchwork of ecosystems located just north of New Castle. An 800-acre lake, forests, prairie restoration, marshes, and historic farmland are among the attractions. The Zeigler Woods Nature Preserve, the county’s sole designated nature preserve, is located in the southwest corner of this park.
The lake includes a beautiful beach that is clean, large, and ideal for summer activities, in addition to being a popular fishing spot. There are 120 electrical campgrounds, three boat ramps, two big outdoor shelters, a beach bathhouse, canoe, paddleboard, and rowboat rentals available at the park.
Migratory bird species such as bald eagles, sandhill cranes, least bitterns, American bitterns, and black terns flock to the area because of its extensive grasslands and damp meadows.
Farmers Pike Festival
Over Labor Day Weekend, an ever-expanding arts and handicrafts fair have been running for longer than four decades. The Farmer’s Pike Festival began in 1980 as a garage sale but has since grown in size and breadth.
There are currently over 400 vendor stalls selling everything from antiques to homemade jewelry. These are accompanied by a banquet of live singing, with a focus on genres such as country, gospel, and bluegrass. Then there’s a dizzying array of cuisine selections, with something to satisfy every taste.
Park Restaurant
A family restaurant started in 1944 and is now in the third generation and can be located alongside Indiana State Road 3’s retail area. Park Restaurant, which was founded twenty miles away in Rushville, is a well-known destination in the area, with a reputation for excellent service and ample quantities.
There are some specializations that newcomers should think about. The hand-breaded tenderloin is one option, but you should also consider the biscuit and gravy and the steak Manhattan. Desserts include a variety of handcrafted pies ranging from pecan to cherry, as well as cobblers.
New Castle Motorsports Park
Among a handful of world-class racing venues in the United States is located here, a few miles southwest of downtown. New Castle Motorsports Park, the birthplace of the Kart Racers of America, holds a variety of key activities, notably touring rounds for the United States Pro Kart Series.
The primary track is a mile-long road course with a high-speed 950-foot back straight, 60 rental garages, an on-site shop, and several combinations.
The park is open from mid-March to mid-November, and on racing days, you can typically see high-class sports for free. Check the timetable for walk-in public rental times on the race track (minimum age 14) or the Slick Track Oval (no minimum age).
Henry County Memorial Park
A 362-acre city park in New Castle’s northeastern outskirts was built in the aftermath of World War I and accommodates a variety of outdoor activities from spring through October.
A series of fishing ponds at the park’s southern end attracts a lot of wildlife during the summer. There are 18 picnic shelters available for hire at Henry County Memorial Park, as well as baseball/softball, soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball facilities.
The Memorial Park Golf Course, which opened in 1926, is located on the west side. The Henry County 4-H Fair, as well as the July 4th Fireworks Funfest, are two of the park’s most popular events.
Henry County Farmers’ Market
The Henry County Farmers’ Market, which takes place on Saturday mornings from late May through October and is complimented by downtown New Castle’s historic architecture, is a delightful community event. The venue is the recently renovated 1400 Plaza on Broad Street, and the marketplace was celebrating its tenth anniversary when we compiled this list.
Each week, there are up to 20 vendors, and you’ll have a terrific opportunity to engage with local suppliers and learn more about their products. During a typical week, you may purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables, poultry, meat, milk, egg, coffee, honey, maple syrup, preserves, bakery items, herbs, plants, organic soaps, and other products.
Westwood Park
Westwood Park, located on the banks of a 180-acre lake, is a colony of recreation that first officially opened in 1974. The lake aids in flood prevention on the Big Blue River and serves as a source of water for industry and municipalities.
The fishing is excellent, with channel catfish, sunfish, bass, and crappie all available.
A contemporary campsite near the lake is offered from May to October. The rest of the park is on rolling terrain and has a variety of ecosystems, including grassland and native deciduous forests.
Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding routes are available, and the Big Oaks Shelter may be reserved for meetings.
Stacks Pancake House
A family-run breakfast establishment located in the New Castle Plaza retail complex in the city’s west end has been delighting New Castle residents for almost 20 years.
At Stacks Pancake House, you’ll find conventional diner meals served in substantial servings. Of course, there are pancakes, but there are also omelets, French toast, waffles, morning skillets, cornbread and gravy, and lighter alternatives such as fruit porridge and scrambled egg whites with mushroom and spinach. Country-fried steaks, meatloaf, and hand-breaded fried chicken are among the comforting meals served at this eatery for lunch.
Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House
A little distance west of New Castle is an incredibly unique octagonal home built in 1879 by widow Jane Ross Reeves. It is one of the only five remaining octagon homes in Indiana, and it is regarded as the most significant since it has altered so little in the previous 140 years.
The renovated property, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2001, is furnished with local antique furniture and artifacts and is accessible for visits on Sundays from April through October.
Baker Park
Baker Park, which opened in 1937, is located near the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in New Castle’s south end. Baker Park contains a large “Fun Park,” a brand new skate park, and an Aquatic Center with waterfalls and numerous areas for kids and adults, making it an excellent location to bring kids.
There is also a disc golf course, six huts, a covered stage area, and basketball, tennis, and horseshoes facilities.
Westwood Golf Club
Westwood Golf Club, which is now open to the public, was formed in 1917 as a country club. This is a relaxed, cheap venue to play a game of golf in a grassland atmosphere with beautiful grass and well-kept greens. The course features some challenging par 3s that will penalize errant shots, such as the 6th, which features a green defended in front of a massive bunker.
Westwood Golf Club also has a driving range, a well-stocked pro shop, and a club with a snack bar for when you really want to recharge after your round.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. What is New Castle’s claim to fame?
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and a campus of Indiana University East are located in the city. Summit Lake State Park is located 10 miles (16 kilometers) northeast of town. Wilbur Wright was born on a neighboring farm, which is currently a state memorial, in 1867.
Q. Why has New Castle been named Rose City in Indiana?
It was renowned as the Rose City beginning in the early twentieth century, with 100 florists and several producers at one time.
Q. Who is New Castle’s most well-known resident?
Robert Indiana is the most popular resident of New Castle, Indiana.
Q. Is it a decent location to live in New Castle, Indiana?
Growing up in New Castle can be an incredible experience. It’s a small village where almost everyone knows everyone else. Basketball pulls the town closer like no other sport. Everybody spends their Friday and Saturday nights at the world’s largest high school gym.
