School's out! Are you ready for summer fun? Don't let summer slip by unnoticed this year - be sure to take some time to enjoy the outdoors and visit area attractions. Take a few days off to spend with family or friends to celebrate everything you love about summertime. You don't have to travel far to have fun family outings, all you need is a day or two! You'll also be creating treasured memories all along the way. Be sure to check out our calendar as well - there are some great summer concert series, festivals and other fun events taking place this season in Morgan County.
Here's a quick list of things around Morgan County your family won't want to miss out on this summer:
Go Horseback Riding
Grandpa Jeff's Trail Rides has the perfect horse for each person in your family. They carefully match up each rider with a horse that suits their skill level. Watch our calendar for upcoming hayride and campfire nights as well! (Bonus - social distancing is automatically included when everyone's on horseback!)
Hike a Trail (or Two)
Pick your ideal trail experience - paved, gravel, natural or wilderness - we've got 'em all! Pioneer Park, Burkhart Creek Park and Old Town Waverly Park offer fully accessible paved trail experiences. You'll find gravel surface trails at Burkhart Creek as well. Check out Jimmy Nash City Park or Morgan-Monroe State Forest for natural hiking trails and don't miss the newly designated Ravinia State Forest if you like to blaze your own trail!
Canoe or Kayak the River
The White River in Morgan County is a fun, relaxed experience. Navigate a short distance, or go for full day trip. Popular routes vary, beginning at Waverly, Henderson Ford Road or State Road 39 and traveling south as far as Paragon, Gosport or even all the way to Spencer!
Build a Campfire
Fire rings and grills are available at several area parks, as well as shelter houses if you've got a larger party. Plan for a fun day in the sun, complete with a picnic and s'mores!
Meet the Queen (Bee)
If you've never visited Hunter's Honey Farm, you're missing out on a seriously "sweet" experience! The kids will be fascinated to learn about how bees make honey, what kinds of other products come from bees and why bees behave the way they do. Call ahead to schedule a tour, or just visit the gift shop to pick up some tasty snacks.
Relax amid the Lavender
Willowfield Lavender Farm is open for the season, which lasts throughout the summer. Don't miss their custom blended lavender teas and other goodies in the gift shop. It's the perfect place to relax!
Stop for Ice Cream
Summer's hot, so don't forget the ice cream! The Martinsville Candy Kitchen offers dozens of flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, sundaes and floats, or stop by the Inside Scoop for a traditional small town drive-in experience or Brain Chillz for a wide variety of options. In Mooresville, check out Chunky Monkey Ice Cream and Sweets!
Movies Under the Stars
Enjoy a traditional drive in movie experience at The Centerbrook Drive in, located midway between Martinsville and Mooresville on State Road 67. Be sure to bring cash for admissions, but the concession stand does take cards. Two movies for one low price? Yes, please! (Also watch our calendar for outdoor movies at the new Downtown Performance Venue in Martinsville, and if the weather isn't cooperative, there's always the indoor Kid's Summer Movie Series at Mooresville's Showtime Cinema!)
Go Fish
Jimmy Nash City Park and Morgan-Monroe State Forest both offer ponds and lakes to fish in, which are great for kids of all ages. The pond at Jimmy Nash Park is stocked regularly, and the Indiana DNR manages the lakes at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, including stocking fish. To find out where those fish come from, visit Cikana State Fish Hatchery, just north of Martinsville! For a different type of fishing, try the public access areas along the White River. Get the details on where to fish in Morgan County.
Splash Around
Don't underestimate the fun that can be had with some old fashioned creek stompin' - check out Burkhart Creek Park and Pioneer Park for easy creek access, or head for the sandbar at Old Town Waverly Park for easy access to the White River. It's a great place to splash in the shallows, skip some rocks or even hang out in a hammock for the day!
Catch a Race
Paragon Speedway has been providing race fans with quality dirt track racing since 1954. It's a Morgan County tradition - and it's fun for all ages! In fact, kids age 10 and under are free with a paid adult admission! Check our calendar for specific Saturday race dates throughout the summer.
Go Berry Picking
Zink Berry Farm offers several varieties of berries for your family to pick and Anderson Orchard typically opens in July with several you pick options as well.
Enjoy the Music
Morgan County has several outdoor music opportunities this summer, may of which are free! The Drink at the Creek Series at Cedar Creek Winery, Brewery & Distillery features several tribute bands. Free concert options include both Mooresville's Summer Concert Series and Martinsville's Downtown Summer Concert Series, which feature regionally known artists! Grab your lawn chairs and head for the courthouse square in Martinsville or Pioneer Park in Mooresville for an evening of free outdoor music.
Cruise Around
Join a variety of car enthusiasts for the weekly Thursday evening Cruise in on the Square in downtown Martinsville. You'll find vintage cars, trucks and more each week parked around the Morgan County Courthouse. Chat with owners, snag a selfie with your favorite ride and grab some ice cream from the Martinsville Candy Kitchen. As a bonus, these events coincide with the Downtown Summer Concert Series on the square! (Also see our calendar for additional upcoming car shows!)
Hunt For Treasure
Antique shops, independent boutiques and flea markets abound in Morgan County. Serious treasure hunters will enjoy the many quality antique shops throughout the area, but don't count out the indoor flea markets! Give your kids each $5 or $10 and let them hunt for their own treasures - it's a great way to spend a rainy day (or beat the heat in the air conditioning)! If you're looking for serious style, check out the area's independent boutiques, specializing in a wide variety of hand picked apparel and home decor.
Attend a Farmers Market
It's always fun to learn more about where you food comes from - stop by the Morgan County Farmers Market and talk with local farmers about how they grow vegetables, or where those fresh eggs come from. Farmers Markets also often feature fresh baked goods and locally crafted, handmade items as well, ranging from soaps and lotions to textiles and jewelry, so happy shopping! Saturday Market is 9 am to 1 pm in Martinsville at The Main Connection and Tuesday Market is 3 to 6 pm at the Friends Church in Mooresville.
Eat Local
Be sure to refuel at one of Morgan County's amazingly good eateries so you can keep going for day two (or three). Choose from popular, well-known favorites or cute, hidden gems. We always recommend eating at locally-owned establishments whenever possible - here's a list of our Local Favorites. You can also plan to explore our local stops on the food trails from the Indiana Foodways Alliance!
Whatever you choose to do this summer, don't forget to check our calendar of events so you don't accidentally miss an awesome festival or event while you're in town!
