10 Best Stops on I-65 in Indiana for Foodies and History Buffs

Connie Pearson
11 minutes ago
3 min read

Interstate 65 leads travelers to plenty of tasty and interesting places for those with time to take an exit and explore for a while. Foodies will particularly have their sweet cravings satisfied, and lovers of history will be intrigued by the variety of sites. If you're traveling with children, the world's largest children's museum is within a short drive off the main highway.

1 -- Exit 1 Schimpff's Confectionary and Candy Museum

Schimpff's has been in its same location in downtown Jeffersonville since 1891. It is well known for Mojeskas and cinnamon red hots, but there are many others from which to choose. While you're in the area, you may wish to find the Water Tank Mural or Falls of the Ohio State Park.

2 -- Exit 68 Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor & Museum

Zaharakos in Columbus is a combination ice cream parlor, restaurant, and museum in business since 1900. Nearby attractions include The Commons, a huge indoor playground, and Miller House & Garden.

3-- Exit 110-B Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the city's premier attractions. If you're not a fan of huge crowds but still want to see this property, I recommend the museum. A Track Tour is offered for an additional charge.

4-- Exit 113 Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

Tours of President Benjamin Harrison's home are offered seven days a week. Construction was begun in 1874, and Harrison and his first wife Caroline personally selected everything for this home's design and furnishing. He was our country's 23rd President.

5-- Exit 116 The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Plan to stay here for a few hours. This place is huge. The colorful dinosaurs adorning the exterior are sure signs of the fun waiting inside. Newfields, which combines the Indianapolis Museum of Art with gardens and much more, is located a few blocks away. There is definitely something for visitors of all ages in this part of the city.

6-- Exit 139 Donaldson's Finer Chocolates and Titus Bakery

Chocoholics and pastry lovers will look forward to this exit. Donaldson's in Lebanon is only a block from the interstate and has been in place creating their chocolate magic since 1973 (which coincides with the opening of I-65). Five minutes from chocolate utopia, you'll find Titus Bakery. You can't miss it. The colorful donuts painted on the exterior will let you know you've arrived. Titus creates more than donuts, but I can personally vouch for the superior quality of the donuts. So, so good.

7-- Exit 172 Triple XXX Family Restaurant

Triple XXX Family Restaurant, a few blocks from the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, is famous for its signature root beer and chopped steak burgers. It has been serving customers at this location since 1929. (Have you picked up on the fact that I am partial to businesses that have "stood the test of time" and endured?) The shakes are legendary here, too.

8-- Exit 178 Tippecanoe Battlefield Memorial Park

Thirty years before William Henry Harrison became our 9th President, he fought Tecumseh on this spot in 1811. This memorial park is an important link to Harrison, who only served as President for one month. After a lengthy military career, he gave a long inaugural speech in cold weather, followed by a parade and three balls on March 4, 1841. It has been widely believed that he died of pneumonia, but later findings suggest that Washington's water supply, leading to typhoid fever, might have been the cause. At any rate, he died on April 4, 1841, at the age of 68.

9--Exit 220 Fair Oaks Farms

You will see billboards advertising Fair Oaks Farms in Fair Oaks, Indiana, for quite a few miles before you arrive, and the attraction is within sight of I-65. Dairy products made from the milk of thousands of cows produced daily are the main attractions -- cheeses, ice creams, etc. -- but you can enjoy a full meal at The Farmhouse, Red Barn Milk House, or the Dairycatessen. There are several family activities offered on the property.

10-- Exit 253 Albanese Candy Factory Store

Think gummy bears and gummy worms in every imaginable color and flavor, dipped chocolates and roasted nuts. The Albanese Candy Factory Store in Merrillville is huge. The adjacent factory employs 900 people and operates 24 hours a day seven days a week.