With the mighty Ohio River flowing as its southern border, Evansville thrives as a bustling center of activity. The Tri-State's financial, medical, educational, and cultural arts center is geographically located near the nation's population center and is less than 200 miles away from four major U.S. cities (176 miles southwest of Indianapolis, IN; 156 miles north of Nashville, TN; 126 miles west of Louisville, KY; and 174 miles east of St. Louis, MO.)
Since its incorporation as a city in Vanderburgh County in 1847, Evansville has grown to become the third largest city in Indiana (with more than 171,000 people in the greater Evansville area). Evansville observes Central Standard Time from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April and Central Daylight Time the balance of the year. The area has four distinct seasons and a moderate climate with average monthly temperatures ranging from 32° F to 78° F. The annual average precipitation totals approximately 42 inches of rain and 13 inches of snow.
The Arts
Evansville takes pride in its arts community. The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana serves as a cornerstone, promoting cultural events including a week-long arts festival.
Recognized as one of the finest orchestras in the Midwest, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra features both internationally renowned soloists and talented local artists in its yearly classics series, pops series, and special events. The Evansville Civic Theatre, now in its 81st season, presents local productions featuring musical reviews, comedies, and drama. Aspiring dancers can receive instruction and showcase their talents at the Evansville Dance Theatre and School. Evansville is also home to Tales and Scales, the nation's only "Musictelling" ensemble which combines music, story, theatre, and dance into innovative performances for children and their families.
The Evansville Museum of Arts and Science abounds with interesting exhibits and includes the Koch Planetarium and Science Center and the Family Place, a hands-on science interactive exhibit. Located in the scenic and historic Downtown area, the Reitz Home Museum takes visitors back to the 1800's and gives visitors a close-up look at how one of Indiana's wealthiest families lived during the elegant Victorian period. Built by John Augustus Reitz, the 17-room French Second Empire style home is exquisitely furnished and holds a berth on the National Register of Historic Places. The Koch Family Children's Museum of Evansville, also known as "cMoe," offers hands-on learning experiences for children and their families in Downtown Evansville.
Health Care
Evansville is the Tri-State's regional center for medical services and health care facilities. Qualified and experienced health care providers devote their attention and expertise to Evansville residents. More than 400 doctors and health care specialists and over 100 dentists, orthodontists and oral surgeons practice in the area. The city boasts numerous reputable medical facilities. With more than 1,000 beds, Evansville's two major hospital systems can accommodate patients comfortably.
Leisure
Evansville offers a wide variety of recreational activities, including festivals and events, river boat gaming, and area parks.
For nearly the last quarter century, the Evansville Freedom Festival has been a popular summertime tradition. Included is Thunder on the Ohio hydroplane racing, concerts, parades, carnival rides and booths, a sock hop, as well as a fireworks spectacular on July 4. Evansville's Fall Festival draws nearly 150,000 people to its west side location the first week in October for one of the largest and longest running street festivals in the nation.
Situated on nearly 70 acres of zoological gardens, Mesker Park Zoo houses more that 700 animals from Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, and North America. Nestled in nearly 200 acres of rolling hills is Burdette Park which features an aquatic center with water slides, three pools, and a snack bar. Burdette offers fun for everyone with a BMX racing track, batting cages, softball diamonds, miniature golf, tennis courts, and locations for fishing.
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, is a national natural landmark which features more than 200 acres of woods, waterways, fields, and wildlife observation areas in Evansville. On the east side of Evansville, Angel Mounds State Historic Site, which dates back to the prehistoric Mississippian Indian settlement, features an ancient burial mound, one of the largest prehistoric structures in the Eastern United States. Holiday World theme park & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, IN, is about an hour's drive from Evansville and offers camping, amusement rides, shows and water park fun.
For more information about Evansville, Indiana, visit the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Metropolitan Evansville Chamber of Commerce.
Source: The Metropolitan Evansville Chamber of Commerce