The 15 best free attractions in Evansville

Cute little zoo Kid friendly Breastfeeding room in the back of the zoo in the rhino exhibit Possibly able to park an RV if overflow lot isn't too full Lots of little experiences you can add on This was a cute little zoo. Its not the biggest I've ever been to but I did enjoy my time here. Its very stroller/wagon friendly and we had no problem navigating around the zoo with our stroller. You can buy tokens to spend on the trolly, which we did not do, so I cant say if they're stroller friendly. But we used tokens to feed the parakeets. This zoo i enjoyed more than others because the bird seed was attached to a stick that the birds would land on. You could also use tokens to feed penguins and to feed the giraffes but you have to go at the right time. There is a lactation room in the same building as the rhino exhibit, and its a very nice room. They have adorable pictures of all kinds of mammals nursing their babies and a comfortable chair. The only problem is the building it is in either does not have AC or it was not working when I went. Alternatively there are plenty of shaded benches and picnic tables you can sit at to nurse or feed your baby if you're comfortable with that. All in all this was a fun stop on our road trip

Park is beautifully decorated, and mostly very clean. Admission was $22 for 2 adults. There are many interesting animal exhibits, but a significant number of exhibits were empty. Tram service and power chair rentals are available for a fee. It is not completely handicap accessible, but with assistance a wheelchair can access nearly the whole park (i.e. most doors are not automatic). Park appeared very understaffed, but the animals appear well cared for. We fed an adorable penguin, cost was 5 dollars a fish. You'll need to give yourself several hours to see everything. Overall, quite enjoyable for the cost.

HILLS. SO. MANY. HILLS. This zoo is small compared to others we've visited. I don't think I would return. My 2 year old was mostly disappointed because most animals were out or were hard to find in their cages. The zoo isn't the most well kept zoo in means of litter on the ground, weeds growing out of control, and the containment areas were kind of sad looking (plants still in their nursery pots etc). Feeling the giraffe was very cool, though.

Small zoo but overall nice and at what I think a great price. Has a token system to feed penguins, giraffe and do the tram and carousel one token is $1, that you get at a little stand. You can do 1, 5, 15, or 20. The trails are nice with animals off to the side, but it does have some pretty steep hills to go up and down.

The zoo was clean, staff was friendly, and the tickets were very affordable. There were many exhibits to explore and animals to learn about. Plenty of animals I have not seen at other zoos. The zoo could use more concessions or food options. Overall worth the visit!!

We went to the Wild Summer Nights Lantern festival .It was amazing ! We were in awe of the work that it took to put this together .The color and detail on the animal lanterns was amazing .Such a beautiful way to end the summer .The music and food trucks were a great addition also .I had a caramel apple makeup for the first time .Wow ! Loved it !

Nice little local zoo. Friendly staff and nice spread out exhibits. Loved the giraffe feeding. You can feed penguins and birds too. Cute lil gift shop and a small restaurant to eat and get a a drinks. I do believe they sell alcohol in the lil food area as well.

I’ve been a fan of Wesselman Woods my entire life and it has never disappointed me. The remodel and Tree House are so cool! It really was an excellent choice and adds so much educational value in such a fun way! I’m so glad these woods exist- now my daughter can enjoy the Woods and learn to love it as much as I do.

Beautiful area. Great trails, nature center is very nice and has lots of information. The contrast is stark between being in the woods and having the city surrounding you. The trees are amazing, and the bird life is abundant. Highly recommend seeing this very unique place.

You’ll find nature, places for kids to run around and play, and the oldest trees in Indiana. There is a nature center with educational exhibits and hands on learning for kids. There are lookouts on the water with fish and turtles to observe. The trails are easy and shaded in lush greenery.

Excellent Park for Outdoor Dog Events! We were there this weekend for a Fast Cat event with the Evansville Agility Club. Coming all the way from Cape Girardeau, Missouri we found the park very easily. The dog run was in the perfect location -- very flat and nice mowing job done on it and the path to walk to the fenced area. (The Bathrooms however... needed some attention. A little blue bowl cleaner and a bowl scrub brush and an attendant for all the trash would have been an easy fix) Other than that, it was a nice facility.

A real treasure here on the east side of Evansville! A great place to walk in nature. The trails are nicely maintained year round.

Shelter 3 or 4 had a graduation party yesterday while my husband and I were there eating Fazoli lasagna. The graduation party folks mentioned a domestic rat someone lost. Today, we came back with a double handful unsalted cashews and got a few pictures. Wish I knew how to help aside from reporting to the park / Humane Society. If you’ve lost this pet rat in the area, he or she is understandably shy, but still way cute (and seems to like listening to Luca Stricagnoli play acoustic on YT). I hope you get reunited with your little friend!

This natural area which includes an old growth yet urban forest with an incredible learning center is one of Evansville, Indiana's most important public spaces. Kids absolutely love visiting here without even realizing they are learning and being connected to nature. Adults love it as well. You can hike their trails even on a hot day and find it several degrees cooler than the rest of the city. The staff here are great and ready to assist you with information or a simple welcome.

We went on a Sunday morning when they opened. There were only a few people there. The visitors center has a lot of information, with some artifacts on display. This is one of the biggest sites in the Midwest to see mounds. The self guided trail is very interesting and gives you a better idea of how the area is set up. Two miles of trails take you through the site. If you are interested in the mound builders' culture, this is one of the best places to go.

There is both an indoor museum, and a outdoor walking path to all of the mounds. My wife enjoyed the museum, and the informative displays and videos. My son and I ventured into the intense heat to visit the mounds, and we would love to explore them again when the weather is cooler.

I went on a free entry day. I really enjoyed walking around to see the mounds up close. It was a very nice day, so that made the experience even better. The area is wide open and there are not a lot of trees or shady spots, so keep that in mind if you go. The inside exhibits are currently being worked on, so if you are wanting to see that part you may want to call and see when that will reopen. For now they just have the gift shop and the mounds open.

Beautiful place and don't forget the oldest mound across the street from the park at the entrance. Just recently added a history overview in what and why they believe this site was made .

My husband and I decided to take a day trip from central Indiana to explore. It's about 3 hours from our home. Checked the website and it said it was pet friendly. Actually checked it more than once. Arrived to a very bland looking center - almost empty parking lot. Grass growing in cracks in the pavement. And posted on the doors to gain access to the indoor museum or the outdoors to see the mounds was a sign "No pets allowed". The one staff person working simply said, we couldn't come in with the dog and the fact we'd driven so far was of no concern. It didn't matter how far we had come. Looked for "things to do in Evansville" and nothing else came up that allowed pets (there was very little anyway) so we drove home. Six hours on the road - with no experience. If you live relatively close it might be worth checking out. I'm so glad I didn't purchase ticket in advance. We won't return.

Angel mounds is ancient. If you are tuned in at all, you will have an amazing experience. You can feel the grace of the tribes. I go every chance I get when I'm in Newburgh. It is an unquestioned sanctuary, and further, a testament to the strength of the people who lived there.

Well, it’s a nice facility and they have some really cool things on display. But the price of admission is a bit steep! 🫤 We went to see the Native American Days activities, but we just missed the Drums and Dance. 🙁

Evansville Museum was the perfect stop on a snowy day! A blend of history, science, art, and transportation all in one place. The hands-on science exhibits are fun and reminiscent of The Magic House in St. Louis—just on a smaller scale. The history section is truly special, with a recreated town featuring wood floors and charming storefronts. The art museum was partially under construction, but the available exhibit space showcased an eclectic mix of modern art, sculptures, prints, and paintings. The transportation exhibits, housed in a separate building, highlighted the railroad’s impact on the region. If you’re in Evansville, take an hour or two to explore—it’s worth the visit! Exploring life 1 sip, 1 bite and 1 small town at time. Explore everything!

We came here to attend Frankenstein's Chemistry Lab, a free event, and poked around the rest of the museum. The science room was fun, especially the shadow room, but I wouldn't have paid full price for it. The art and history areas were interesting but not engaging for the kids.

I’m not from the area but I currently live here and my father came to visit with his wife for a weekend and we decided to check out the museum and we had a blast. I can’t wait to have my son visit this summer so I can take him through and also go to the train exhibit as well. Very informative, educational , and all around d a good time.

Serious staffing concerns. I called three times through out the day over 5 hours. No one answer but I got a nice message about checking hours online. I did, I added the photo below. When I get there even though it says open online and there is a schedule for the planetarium and they don’t answer the phone so it’s the only way to check. It’s closed on a Saturday afternoon for a private event. Unacceptable.

Nice little museum with a mix of Art, Science, and History. I recommend double checking to see if they are having an event before going. We ended up visiting during a convention so some of the art pieces were blocked by booths and con goers.

Pleasantly surprised with how much there is to do!! Three generations wandered around for a couple hours and every single person was excited and engaged. We also was Dinos at Dusk in the planetarium and that was educational and had us cracking up.

Five stars alone for the interactive science center. The kids loved it so much! The art exhibit was wonderful too, and the train exhibit was pretty interesting too. Easy to get to, right on the river.

Howell Wetlands is one of those special places that feels like a peaceful escape right in the middle of the city. I’ve visited at different times of the day, but sunset is absolutely magical here. The golden light filters through the trees, reflects off the water, and brings the whole place to life. It's like stepping into a living painting. The trails wind through a variety of habitats, including marshes, woodlands, and open fields. Each one is filled with native plants and wildlife. One of my favorite things is that it’s dog friendly! 🐶 I bring my pup along every time, and she loves the variety of smells and sights. The trails are well-maintained but still feel wild and natural. Howell Wetlands is beautiful and serene. Highly recommend catching golden hour here.

Walking paths are boardwalk for the most part that wind through the wetlands, no maps so it’s up to you how far you want to venture on the trails. Beautiful views and surprisingly peaceful.

What a beautiful place just right outside the city. Simple trails and simple enough for a Sunday stroll.

Good for a nice walk with lots of frogs, turtles and ducks to watch.

Enjoyable peaceful area. Well maintained paths and plenty of benchs. Duckweed could be cleaned up overall. Overall I enjoyed my hike in this area.

Beautiful and clean area to explore. I took my daughter, and we really enjoyed ourselves. There's paths for you to walk on to explore deeper.

Our family loves Howell wetlands. I sometimes have a hard time with uneven terrain but the boardwalks are easy to traverse and there are benches on occasion to rest. There is a bit of a walk down a path before you get to the boardwalk but it's not terribly difficult. We've enjoyed seeing all the beautiful wildflowers and butterflies in addition to the turtles. One visit we got to observe an area where beavers had been at work 💜

My daughter and I came to experience this library not to read or check out books. We were thrilled by the haunted history. It was daytime and we didn't really see anything or catch anything significant in our pictures, but we both smelled perfume in the basement at different times. We both had a slight bit of nausea and the feeling of being lightheaded at certain places. These were very mild. I felt like at the bottom of the stairs that something touched the side of my head. We would definitely be interested in seeing about doing an all night tour. We enjoyed this experience very much and love this place.

Fantastic library. Architecturally great building and one of the best history and genealogy Departments anywhere.

Awesome library! I'll drive out of my way just to visit this library location. The building itself is worth checking out, but the staff is always friendly and helpful as well! Keep up the good work!!

Cool place to visit. A large selection of books, both modern and archival. Books can be checked out or viewed in the library. The building itself is beautiful both inside and out, and lovely to admire.

Loved the beautiful old building and the ornate wooden steps. The design of the kids section was wonderful with a separate seating section for reading. The librarians were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.

Beautiful woodwork. I like to walk around and just check out the place and the staff were nice.

An amazing place with friendly people. Could definitely spend hours here...plus it's haunted!

We rented Chalet #1. It had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. The master is upstairs. It has a jacuzzi tub. We didn't use it. A fireplace. It has a nice deck with a great view. The deck and fireplace were my favorite. It's a nice place, but it really could use some updates. The colors are from the late 90s, early 2000s. The wallpaper is peeling in one bedroom, above the fireplace. I could tell it hadn't been used in a while. It was dusty and dead bugs on the floor in front of the window. It wasn't terrible. We bought wood at a local gas station. We ordered takeout from Logans. We enjoyed it. There's a nice walking trail from Burdette to USI. USI has some nice trails and paths for bike riding. I would recommend it. My complaints are minor.

A nice park and nice paved walkway/trail that is fun to walk and run on. Offers a couple side hikes into the forest and other routes with nice views.

The water park was nice. The chalets need some serious help. They are run down. Not very clean. Need to be updated. Especially for the price. Plus you have zero privacy if you have the bed near the hot tub. They need to build in a wall and a door. If you have a group of people staying w you. You can't use the tub. With our everyone hearing everything. Big let down.

Burdette Park, one of our favorite places to walk and sit on a quiet bench in the Spring and the Summer has suffered from the bad weather that brought more rain to it than in the flood of 1997. The park is in fact under a lot of water at the present time, and it will take, we assume, about two months for the water to recede and for the paths to be accessible again.

I’ve always loved Burdette Pool, it’s been a mainstay my entire life. But BRING YOUR OWN WATER!!!! Yesterday I brought plenty of water, but it spilled. I went to ask how much water was in the gift shop building. The girl was very sweet, she told me that water is $2/bottle and NO water fountains in the aquatic center, period. We talked about how this is so wrong, if you paid $8 to get in, you deserve a water fountain. I have a condition that causes chronic thirst, I always need water within my reach. Needless to say, my $4 worth of water didn’t last long, and I just had to go, I got so dehydrated. I’ve always said Burdette Park just needs to put in a lazy River, and I’d be there every day. That’s a lot to ask for (although please consider it), I think access to clean drinking water is the bare minimum.

Great place to spend a day. The pool is full of activities that can keep every age entertained. Water slides and splash pads are there. Best part is you can leave the pool, get a stamp and go to your car for a picnic lunch.

The place is awesome and wonderful but I have a PSA to the owners: have you written either liquid or lightning lately or in the past 12 years? The one on the left is absolutely nuts My back was literally on the edge almost falling over the side and it's been like this since I was in high school 12 or 13 years ago but today is the first time I actually almost fell off and many kids came up saying that they're almost falling out as well it is a ticking time bomb it's honestly mind-blowing more people haven't it throws me around like a ragdoll and it's actually quite painful yet fun but disaster is going to happen because that slide is going to send someone flying over the side

We walked to the park from the Hyatt Place downtown. It was a quick 10-15 minute walk, very easy to get to. This is an awesome park. My favorite part is that it is accessible for all. I was even able to bring a stroller onto some of the equipment. It is huge and has so much to explore. There is a smaller area for kids 2-5 and larger area for kids 5-12. My 3.5-year-old enjoyed both areas. My only complaints are that it did feel a little dirty with trash lying around and smelled of marijuana in some areas, but that's not to say it is always like that. We were there around 6 pm on a Monday and it was really crowded with kids not playing nicely (not taking turns, screaming ridiculously loudly and running everywhere without regard to other people). It kind of felt like they were taking over the place, but I don't know if it is always like that. There were a lot of adults who seemed to be there without little ones, which I found odd.

Love Mickeys kingdom me and the kids had a blast and we will definitely go there again !! I Highly Recommend you take your kids there to spend the day

This park is huge! It's great for all ages and abilities. There really is something for everyone here. Lots of seating available for anyone who needs it. There are plenty of climbing opportunities. I liked the walking trail along the river's edge. The wifi tree was also really cool to see. It was nice for a free activity.

Really nice playground, huge, lots to do. The downside is lots of homeless and lots of blindspots. You pretty much have to stay on top of your little one just to keep an eye on them.

Brought our grandson here a couple of times. He loved it. There were a few holes in the asro turff that needed some attention, no major overhaul though. Only 2 stars because it has been closed every time we've gone there lately, due to upgrades and construction with no estimated time for completion posted. Now the summer time is gone. It looks like it's going to be a pretty awesome place to bring kids to play. But now it's too cold for them to enjoy. Next summer, I will update this review.

Loved it clean great experience for u and ur children!!

Nice park with lots of activities and areas of play. Homeless/druggies start to creeping in around 8 and hang around till noonish. Wish there was more shade, unfortunately people leave trash although there's trash cans at the front and it seems like it's rarely cleaned up

There is a great indoor kids playground here that’s free to the public! Snacks and coffee available to purchase. No comment on the actual church services.

Nothing says loving thy neighbor like setting off a massive Labor Day fireworks display right next to a residential neighborhood with no notice to the residents. Nothing says feeding the multitudes like blowing at least 10 grand on those fireworks instead of putting tithing money towards helping the needy. If you enjoy vapid and hollow ministers lining their pockets off of your hard work and good will, this is the church for you

For youth group they talk about an uncomfortable topic like come on I get we are youth group but let's learn about God I get they want kids are teens to be prepared but in my opinion they talk about inappropriate topics . I have alot of people who agree with me and they have talked about moving churches due to it. Their services are more like concerts when they sing. It is hard to get close to God because it is just most like a concert.

We came to the Easter 4:00pm service and very much loved the service. We felt the Holy Spirit during the closing music. A very moving experience for my wife and I. We are happy to call The Hills our home.

This place is very dangerous. There is no supervision for kids. Kids are making holes in the playground and could fall from 2-story high places. It's not safe here. If they don't have the money to keep up with repairs and have people to supervise, they shouldn't legally be allowed to have this playspace. The limited staff we also see are not pleasant. They don't seem to care about their job and show some respect to people even though they claim to be people of God. Very disappointing place, and I wouldn't want to be a part of a church that doesn't show kindness to others and provide safety for future generations.

Just have to say this was an awful experience for my little one (Dino Night) I know someone will get on here and argue or disregard what I am saying and thats fine but after seeing how my son was treated and how the other kids were, there was a huge difference. He was crying waiting to see the "live dinosaur" and by the time we got up there, whoever that was wouldnt even move which just upset him more. Other things happened too, I hope instead of acting like this didnt happen or laughing it off other people that do not treat kids differently from eachother can be the volunteers next time. There has been no accountability or an offer to have a conversation. Will not advise anyone to go to a church that will choose to not have any accountability or just act like nothing happened like majority of churches do.

I enjoy going to church here. Pastor Daryl is funny, and I always enjoy his message. Hills church is very big on mental health.

A nice place to visit and see local artists.

A fantastic place to learn and support local artists 🎨

Great art and music on rooftop!!

We toured the art noir exhibit, which was stunning, and listened to the the music on the roof. Wonderful experience, and cannot wait to return, likely for next months performance!

Great place to display your art or to find that special gift! Something Evansville can be proud of! Be sure to check it out.

Cool gallery with interesting local shows and events.

Lovely new gallery space. Looking forward to the rooftop music events.

I’ve been a fan of Wesselman Woods my entire life and it has never disappointed me. The remodel and Tree House are so cool! It really was an excellent choice and adds so much educational value in such a fun way! I’m so glad these woods exist- now my daughter can enjoy the Woods and learn to love it as much as I do.

You’ll find nature, places for kids to run around and play, and the oldest trees in Indiana. There is a nature center with educational exhibits and hands on learning for kids. There are lookouts on the water with fish and turtles to observe. The trails are easy and shaded in lush greenery.

Excellent Park for Outdoor Dog Events! We were there this weekend for a Fast Cat event with the Evansville Agility Club. Coming all the way from Cape Girardeau, Missouri we found the park very easily. The dog run was in the perfect location -- very flat and nice mowing job done on it and the path to walk to the fenced area. (The Bathrooms however... needed some attention. A little blue bowl cleaner and a bowl scrub brush and an attendant for all the trash would have been an easy fix) Other than that, it was a nice facility.

Beautiful area. Great trails, nature center is very nice and has lots of information. The contrast is stark between being in the woods and having the city surrounding you. The trees are amazing, and the bird life is abundant. Highly recommend seeing this very unique place.

A real treasure here on the east side of Evansville! A great place to walk in nature. The trails are nicely maintained year round.

Shelter 3 or 4 had a graduation party yesterday while my husband and I were there eating Fazoli lasagna. The graduation party folks mentioned a domestic rat someone lost. Today, we came back with a double handful unsalted cashews and got a few pictures. Wish I knew how to help aside from reporting to the park / Humane Society. If you’ve lost this pet rat in the area, he or she is understandably shy, but still way cute (and seems to like listening to Luca Stricagnoli play acoustic on YT). I hope you get reunited with your little friend!

This natural area which includes an old growth yet urban forest with an incredible learning center is one of Evansville, Indiana's most important public spaces. Kids absolutely love visiting here without even realizing they are learning and being connected to nature. Adults love it as well. You can hike their trails even on a hot day and find it several degrees cooler than the rest of the city. The staff here are great and ready to assist you with information or a simple welcome.

More for the hunter and fisherman as evidenced by signs at this time closing areas to everything except trapping. Area was noted to have hiking trails and to be fair there are some trails but not made for hiking. Think it would be good for kayaking as there is plenty of water and all 18 seperate parking lots lead to water.

Beautiful place to enjoy some outdoor activities. Can be a bit crowded certain times of the year. Also, stop closing in the winter. If you want this 4-star review to be a 5-star, allow fishing all 12 months of the year.

Very nice place to fish, I've only had my boat on it once & have never kayaked here but it looks like a good place to kayak & I intend to eventually. Conservation Officer stopped in once while we were fishing & he was very easy to deal with (of course we weren't breaking any rules so that helps lol). We've caught catfish, large mouth bass, white bass, & have seen others catch a lot of crappie.

There's great fishing in the reclaimed strip mine pits. The area is also popular for bike riding but some of the roads are gravel. Waterfowl hunters have the run of the property during duck season.

A great bit of nature close to Evansville. It is primarily a fishing/hunting location, so pay attention to the hunting seasons and wear hunting orange when appropriate. If you aren't into those activities, it is also popular for kayaking, hiking, birding and nature photography. More mowed paths have been made over the years for hiking, but there are no proper established trails. This property does requires you to sign in, so make sure to stop at one of the self serve stations to fill that out.

This is a really neat place. If you're bank fishing though, be prepared for a LOT of weeds. Otter pit is probably the best place for bank fishing with minimal weeds, if you don't feel like walking much. Also, use some tick repellant, because they are thick here.

Beautiful natural area! Great water space for shore fishing or boat fishing. Trails for hiking. Only downside is the amount of liter that people disrespectfully leave behind. A lot of Styrofoam cups, plastic trash, etc.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church invited us out to watch the Evansville Otters play, and they did not disappoint. I'm so glad that I was in attendance. Congrats, boys!

Came through the park for the holiday lights while I visited my son in Indiana. Cute little setup. It was wonderful

While the walking path is great, there's trash in the water and on the grounds. It's surprising how the fall 2025 stock of rainbow trout are surviving. If you brought it, take it.

I came here for the Fantasy of Lights and took a carriage ride, and it was BREATHTAKING. You can drive through as well, which is better if you prefer to stay warm and are okay with missing the added experience of taking a carriage. However, I highly recommend taking the carriage, the drivers are very friendly and the experience alone is well worth the cost. Also, the horses are amazing. If you are a local this is a staple for the holidays, just be sure to bundle up and bring a few blankets. Even if you are from out of town I recommend paying this a visit, you won’t regret it!

Love the place alot of trees big long trail we kept getting detracted and going out to the woods we swing on big vines. The trails have a big crack on the first part be careful don't want to hit it please come fix our trail.

We drove quite a ways to this park to take pictures at the fountain. Sadly, you can no longer access the fountain. It is surrounded by a black iron fence. I assume due to vandalism?

This place is in the film A League of Their Own. Pretty cool.