Pendleton Things to Do: Falls Park, Fun Festivals, and More

Pendleton, Indiana is a picturesque community located to the northeast of Indiana state capital Indianapolis. This town is a beautiful, family oriented city that is the perfect place to settle down and raise children. The excellent Pendleton education system, pedestrian friendly city center, and active Parks and Recreation Department make Pendleton an idyllic, peaceful community that is a fantastic place to live. An important factor of any community is a network of fun recreational activities, and there are plenty of Pendleton things to do to keep even the most restless resident occupied.

One of the best things about Pendleton is the accessibility its residents have to the beauty of the Indiana countryside. The Pendleton Parks and Recreation Department works hard to keep all its green spaces well cared for and thriving. The largest park in Pendleton is Falls Park, 150 acres of monuments, open fields, and thick forest all centered around Pendleton’s famous waterfall. Falls Park as been around for nearly 200 years, and Pendleton’s residents have been taking advantage of its walking trails, Olympic sized swimming pool, and elegant, environmentally friendly design for just as long. A visit to Falls Park is a great Pendleton thing to do, and Falls Park is also a featured on the Pendleton Interurban Trail, an extensive trails system that passes by plenty of popular places in Pendleton, taking hikers through a veritable tour of the Pendleton area.

One of the Pendleton attractions that the Pendleton Interubran Trail passes near is the Pendleton Historical Museum. A popular Pendleton thing to do for history buffs, the Pendleton Historical Museum was opened in 1981 and is the repository for Pendleton and Central Indiana history. Featuring exhibits on the history of farming in Pendleton, visits by famous people like Frederick Douglass, and other tidbits and memorabilia of Pendleton history, the Pendleton Historical Museum is an excellent resource for people who would like to know a little more about the region’s history.

One of the coolest Pendleton attractions is The Giant, a Pendleton art exhibit and home that seamlessly combines art and nature. The brainchild of Pendleton artist Vic Cook, The Giant is an enormous, environmentally safe house nestled deep in the woods around Pendleton. This house is longer than Mt. Rushmore and almost entirely solar powered; it is said to be the “pinnacle of environmental science.” Far from a rustic cabin, The Giant houses a fully functional recording studio, several big screen TV’s, and other modern amenities like a washing machine, air conditioning, and a refrigerator made from a hollow beech tree. Visit The Giant to see the very real possibility of man living in harmony with nature, an inspiring sight that brings visitors from all over the nation to Pendleton, making this a classic Pendleton thing to do.

For Pendleton sports enthusiasts, the town is also the home of Fall Creek Golf Course. Founded in 1914 and originally called Idlewold, Fall Creek was bought by the town of Pendleton in 2008 and is one of the major tourist spots in the city. Home to a beautiful country club, a delightfully cool swimming pool, and acres and acres of well manicured greens, fairways, and bunkers. The pro shop is well stocked with the latest equipment, accessories, and everything else you need to improve your game. Play a round at Fall Creek Golf Course to find out why this is one of the best things to do in Pendleton.

While Pendleton has plenty of fun things to do on a day to day basis, there are also several seasonal Pendleton events that bring in visitors from all over Central Indiana. For Pendleton sports enthusiasts, there’s nothing better than Opening Day, a massive festival that celebrates the first day of the baseball season in Pendleton. Starting with a parade that wends its way through downtown Pendleton and Falls Park before ending up at the baseball diamond, where the inaugural game is played. The Pendleton Fall Festival is another Pendleton event that’s great for the whole family. With fun activities like the Cutest Baby Contest, a fireworks display and block party, and the South Madison Visual Arts Exhibit, the Fall Festival is a major attraction for Pendleton residents.

For Pendleton shopping enthusiasts, one of the coolest things to do in Pendleton is a visit to one of the many antique stores in Pendleton. Burmeister’s Old Towne Antiques and the Heritage Antique Mall are great places to find those rare commemorative items that you wouldn’t be able to get a hold of anywhere else. Other fun shops in downtown Pendleton are Gaia Natural Foods, a well stocked organic food market, Pendleton Art and Framing, The Sister Exchange, and The Trading Post for Fiber Arts. Aside from an Indianapolis shopping mall, downtown Pendleton has everything you could want for that perfect gift, souvenir, or cool decoration.

For a delicious thing to do in Pendleton, head on down to one of the many Pendleton restaurants. These locally owned Pendleton businesses offer something for every palate, from barbecue to traditional ethnic fare. Bank Restaurant offers some delicious Americana fare, like chicken noodle soup, and home grown vegetables; the Cabbage Rose Restaurant is a great down home restaurant with friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere; Donnie’s Old Oak Tavern is a classy, historic Pendleton bar; Sahm’s at Pendleton is an upscale eatery that’s perfect for entertaining visitors; and King Hun Restaurant is the hub in Pendleton for every variety of Asian food. A meal at a Pendleton restaurant is a good source for friends, food, and memories, making it one of the most delicious things to do in Pendleton.

Pendleton, Indiana is a small town with big city aspirations. Though its proximity to Indianapolis means that its residents can visit all of the Indianapolis cultural districts and enjoy the wealth of Indianapolis art, Indianapolis sports, and Indianapolis things to do, this idyllic city offers plenty of unique things to do for those willing to do a little looking. The Pendleton parks system has an 150 acre green space called Falls Park, a huge area filled with walking trails, picnicking areas, a swimming pool, a picturesque waterfall, and more. The Giant is an example of environmentally friendly living that combines modern day amenities with old world rusticity, and the Pendleton Historical Museum is a great place to visit for area history buffs. Pendleton is also home to several events, like the Opening Day Festival and the Pendleton Fall Festival, that bring the town to life with vendors, music, and activities. Overall, Pendleton things to do encompass a wide range of activities for every lifestyle.

Indianapolis Things to Do

Indiana State Museum | Art and Soul Gallery | ArtCraft Theatre | Climb Time Indy | Fort Harrison State Park | More Indianapolis Things to Do

Indiana Things to Do by City

Avon Things to Do | Brownsburg Things to Do | Camby Things to Do | Cicero Things to Do | Carmel Things to Do | Clayton Things to Do | Danville Things to Do | Edinburgh Things to Do | Fishers Things to Do | Fortville Things to Do | Franklin Things to Do | Greenfield Things to Do | Greenwood Things to Do | Indianapolis Things to Do | Ingalls Things to Do | Lawrence Things to Do | Lebanon Things to Do | Martinsville Things to Do | McCordsville Things to Do | Monrovia Things to Do | More Indiana Things to Do