Discover Muncie, Indiana: A Fun College Town Where Families Can Play and Explore

Home to Ball State University, Muncie may be greatest often known as a vibrant faculty city, but it surely’s additionally a surprisingly wealthy vacation spot for households in search of a mixture of tradition, hands-on enjoyable and small-town allure. From interactive museums and luxurious gardens to nostalgic eateries, inventive group areas, and scenic out of doors trails, the town provides loads of methods to fill a day — or a complete weekend.

Stop By the Muncie Visitors Center

Located in downtown Muncie, the Muncie Visitors Center is a good place to search out extra details about the town, and all the issues you are able to do, see and discover in Muncie and Delaware County. Talk to the pleasant individual on the entrance desk to get suggestions, peruse the wall of brochures and pamphlets, or buy one thing from the reward store, that includes artwork from native artisans.

Explore the Garfield Trail

Garfield is an enormous deal in Muncie! The lasagna-loving, Monday-hating cat was created by Jim Davis, who graduated from close by Ball State University, and has stored Garfield’s headquarters and studio in Delaware County for many years. There are statues of the sarcastic cat throughout Muncie and Delaware County, and a enjoyable solution to discover them is by signing up for the Destination: Muncie Garfield Trail mobile passport to information your expertise. As you discover every Garfield statue, you possibly can examine in and earn factors to redeem for prizes.

Immerse Yourself within the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens

Part museum and half cultural campus, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens is the place you will see artifacts devoted to Delaware County historical past, lovely gardens, a nature play space for kids, historic houses, and strolling paths that wind round White River Greenway. There’s one thing for all ages to take pleasure in at Minnetrista, and is a must-visit spot once you’re in Muncie.

One of the extra well-liked everlasting displays at Minnetrista is the Bob Ross Experience, the place guests can discover the life, philosophy and artwork of the enduring American painter. Step contained in the historic residence the place The Joy of Painting was filmed, and stand the place Bob Ross painted at his easel. There can also be a rotating gallery of Ross’s authentic art work, often centered on a theme.

Have Fun on the Muncie Children’s Museum

The Muncie Children’s Museum is the place for households to play! Located in downtown Muncie, you’ll discover a mixture of interactive displays and academic exploration. Kids can climb across the Ant Wall, study animals within the barnyard, play fake within the marketplace-style play zones, discover STEM ideas on the water desk, and stare upon miniature trains as they make their method round a miniature Muncie panorama.

A enjoyable place for hands-on play, the Muncie Children’s Museum is nice for teenagers ages 12 and youthful, however youngsters of all ages will discover one thing participating right here.

See Priceless Art + Artifacts on the David Owsley Museum of Art

Located on the campus of Ball State University, the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) is a hidden gem for artwork lovers and households alike. Housed within the college’s positive arts constructing, the museum provides guests greater than 11,000 artwork and artifacts from cultures all world wide. You will see every thing from African masks and classical European work, to fashionable American works and Asian textiles, all situated in a lovely museum that’s free and open to the general public.

Learn About Plants + Flowers on the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

While you’re on the Ball State campus, cease by the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, a lush, tropical escape proper right here in Muncie. This 3,400-square-foot greenhouse comprises the most important university-based orchid assortment within the United States, with greater than 2,000 orchids! The greenhouse is organized into completely different local weather zones — from heat, humid areas the place tropical orchids dangle overhead, to a cooler mountain local weather part the place carnivorous crops thrive. You’ll additionally discover banana crops, cacao, figs, and different edible tropical crops rising. Best of all, it’s free to go to!

Shop Local on the Muncie Makers Market at Madjax

If you occur to be in Muncie on the primary Thursday of the month, make a degree to go to the Muncie Makers Market at Madjax Maker Force. This indoor market brings collectively native artisans, growers and makers, all below one roof. You’ll discover quite a lot of handmade crafts, regionally grown produce, dwell crops, distinctive artwork and home made treats, all good for looking or gift-giving. While you’re at MadJax, discover the massive repurposed manufacturing facility itself, which has been was a inventive hub with studios, maker areas and dwell leisure.

Soar High on the National Model Aviation Museum

The National Model Aviation Museum is a one-of-a-kind vacation spot for households who love aviation, historical past and hands-on discovery. Visitors will discover an infinite assortment of flying mannequin planes spanning a long time, from early free-flight plane to intricate radio-control and control-line fashions. Exhibits embrace engines, authentic mannequin kits, equipment and memorabilia — even a recreated Nineteen Fifties-style passion store. The museum is open seasonally (sometimes May by October), although its virtual-tour and digital-collection options can be found year-round on the web site.

Cammack Station

Located in a restored 1931 constructing that after served as a grocery and gasoline station, Cammack Station is a must-visit once you’re in Muncie. Popular choices at this family-friendly restaurant embrace burgers, loaded fries, breaded tenderloin sandwiches and hand-dipped ice cream and frozen treats — in a setting that feels such as you stepped again in time.

1925 Pubhouse

The menu at 1925 Pubhouse is ideal for households as a result of it appeals to a variety of tastes: smash burgers, fish, pasta, salads, and kid-friendly staples make it straightforward to fulfill everybody in your group. The pub has cozy vibes, with loads of TVs throughout to catch a sport, and an out of doors courtyard that’s open when the climate is heat.

Twin Archer Brewpub

The laid-back Twin Archer Brewpub has two entrances: one for adults solely that results in the bar space, and the opposite for households, with books and video games out there for teenagers. The menu provides comforting favorites, like patty melts, nachos and burgers, plus a barbeque on Fridays.

The Guardian Brewing Company

Located contained in the creative-hub area MadJax MakerForce, The Guardian Brewing Company is one among downtown Muncie’s go-to locations for good meals and native brews. Guardian provides a menu of pizzas, subs, salads, and different pub-style fare (make sure you get the fried ravioli!).

Concannon’s Pastry Shop

Concannon’s Pastry Shop is a beloved Muncie bakery, recognized for its freshly made donuts, truffles, pies and cookies. You’ll discover show circumstances loaded with tempting treats like glazed and frosted donuts, “tiger-tail” twists of chocolate-and-vanilla dough, fruit-filled pies, cream-filled pastries and caramel popcorn. The bakery additionally incorporates a espresso bar, house-roasted espresso, and a number of gourmand goodies.

When touring with youngsters, the Courtyard by Marriott Muncie at Horizon Convention Center is a good possibility. This resort sits proper within the coronary heart of downtown Muncie, and is simply steps away from the Muncie Children’s Museum and plenty of nice eating places and native points of interest.

Families will recognize the room facilities, like a microwave, fridge and complimentary high-speed WiFi. The resort additionally provides an indoor swimming pool and a health heart, plus an on-site cafe. Attached to the resort is 1925 Pub House, which serves family-friendly meals in a relaxed surroundings.

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For extra concepts about what to see, do and expertise in Muncie, Indiana, go to the Muncie Visitors Bureau at destinationmuncie.org.