visit marion indiana

Where do we begin to entice you to vis­it Mar­i­on? Let’s start with the low-hang­ing fruit. Mar­i­on is rec­og­nized around the globe for annu­al mega-events fea­tur­ing motor­cy­cles, his­tor­i­cal auto­mo­biles and air­craft, high-speed rac­ing, a his­toric bat­tle reen­act­ment, and many cel­e­bra­tions of the arts. The City of Mar­i­on offers three major attrac­tions includ­ing its sig­na­ture Gar­dens of Mat­ter Park, the Splash House water park, and the world-famous ​ “ Christ­mas City” Walk­way of Lights hol­i­day display.

Attractions

Visit Grant County

Quick links.

• Gardens of Matter Park
• Splash House
• Walkway of Lights
• Marion Airport
• Downtown, Marion

Home » Travel Guides » United States » Indiana (IN) » 15 Best Things to Do in Marion (Indiana)

15 Best Things to Do in Marion (Indiana)

Around halfway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne , the city Marion is the seat of Grant County and has plenty of interesting stories to tell.

This is the birthplace of James Dean and Garfield creator Jim Davis, and you can follow trails in Grant County for both figures.

Marion’s golden age coincided with the Indiana gas boom from the 1880s, kickstarting the local glass industry. This period is covered in great detail at the Marion Public Library Museum, set in a fine Carnegie library building from 1902.

It was also in Marion that “Hog” became a byword for Harley Davidson motorcycles, after the winner of the 1920 Cornfield Classic race took a piglet along for his victory lap.

1. Marion Public Library Museum

For some background on Marion and Grant County check out this museum in the historic Carnegie Library (1902).

Built in the Beaux-Arts style, this building served as Marion’s public library in 1991, and opened as a museum within months of the library switching to a new building.

When we compiled this list the main exhibit was Made in Marion, charting the days of the region’s natural gas boom, which spurred incredible growth from the 1880s onwards, especially in the glass industry.

You can pore over glass made in local factories, as well as antique electrical appliances, photographs, vintage clothing, toys and a rare Crosley automobile, manufactured in Marion in 1952.

2. Matter Park

A public space that any city would be proud of, Matter Park is a short way down the Mississinewa River from downtown Marion.

A product of Marion’s boom days, this park grew up at the turn of the century and even had a zoo that stayed open until the 1970s.

After a period of decline, Matter Park has bounced back over the last 20 years or so, and has become the location for an ever-growing list of events in summer, including Cruisin’ in the Park in June and a Fourth of July celebration featuring fireworks and a concert by the Marion Philharmonic Orchestra.

Also worthy of note is the 6.3 acres of landscaping that make up the Gardens of Matter Park. A prime setting for weddings, reunions and graduations, the gardens are planted with more than 7,000 annuals and feature the award-winning Butterfly Garden, supporting monarch butterflies.

3. Grant County Courthouse

There has been a courthouse at this square in downtown Marion since 1933. The current building, completed in 1882, is the third courthouse and was initially crowned with a dome that was removed in 1960.

In 1930, the courthouse was the setting for the most infamous event in the town’s history when three black men, awaiting a hearing for murder/robbery and a rape, were pulled from the jail by a mob.

Two, Tom Shipp and Abe Smith, were lynched in the square, while a third, James Cameron (1914-2006), was spared by a woman who spoke up for him.

A shocking image of the lynching, taken by a local studio photographer, is one of the abiding images of the era, and partly inspired the song “Strange Fruit”, famously performed by Billie Holliday.

Cameron later became an activist, founding three chapters of the NAACP, and was here in 1995 to help face down a poorly-attended rally by the KKK.

4. Mississinewa 1812

During the War of 1812, the Battle of the Mississinewa was fought on the riverbank, seven miles north of today’s Marion.

This was an expedition ordered in December 1812 by William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) against Miami Indian villages, responding to attacks on Fort Harrison and Fort Wayne.

Every October there’s a remarkable reenactment on the battle site, comprising the country’s largest living history event relating to the War of 1812.

Across the weekend there’s a reenactment with American, Native American and British soldiers, with authentic uniforms and equipment.

At River Town you can check out more than 140 artisans, merchants and food purveyors, from gunsmiths to potters to master printers.

The Indiana Village and Wilderness Camp offers a rare insight into Native American life and the challenges faced by traders, trappers and voyageurs.

5. Marion’s Mississinewa Riverwalk

The most scenic way to get to Matter Park from downtown Marion is along this 2.25-mile path that starts by the Washington Street Bridge and finishes in the north at Matter Park’s pond.

Created in the 1980s, the Mississinewa Riverwalk has been designed for fitness as well as passive recreation, passing through a chain of public parks.

These all have facilities like grills, shelters, playgrounds, along with historical monuments like the Mississinewa 1812 Memorial at Willis Van Devanter Park. The Riverwalk is a multi-use path, accommodating hikers, joggers, cyclists and rollerbladers.

6. Quilters Hall of Fame

The famed quilt designer and entrepreneur Marie Webster (1859-1956) was born in Marion. The fine house, constructed in 1905, where she settled with her husband George and lived from 1909 to 1942, is now home to the Quilters Hall of Fame.

This organization, recognizing people who have made outstanding contributions to this art form, was founded in 1979.

There’s an excellent museum here with exhibits dedicated to quilts and the people who make, research and collect them.

Every July there’s a Quilt Celebration at the Webster House, with workshops, auctions, a vendor mall, lectures and the induction of a new person to the Hall of Fame.

7. Marion National Cemetery

In the southeast of the city is the peaceful resting place for more than 8,000 men and women, veterans from numerous wars over the last 160+ years.

What would become the Marion National Cemetery was established in 1889 after a petition by congressman and Civil War veteran George Washington Steele (1839-1922) for a Soldier’s Home in Grant County.

The first burial at the cemetery was Henry Smith, a Civil War veteran, in May, 1890. To date there are three Medal of Honor recipients at the Marion National Cemetery, two from the Civil War and one from the Indian Campaigns.

Historic monuments to look out for include the Remember the Maine monument (1901) and a Civil War memorial for the Minnesota 2nd Regiment (1913).

8. Marion Splash House

One of the top family water parks in Indiana is right here in Marion. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the Marion Splash House is a blend of fun and relaxation, with all kinds of attractions and more than 30,000 square feet of deck space.

Some of the highlights are a wave pool with the highest waves in Indiana, a lazy river, two twisting water slides and an expansive play zone for smaller kids.

For a little getaway you can rent a cabana, while there are concession stands when it comes time to refuel.

9. Hog Daze

In 1919 and 1920, Marion hosted the early motorcycle race, the Cornfield Classic. History was made in 1920 when Harley Davidson rider Ray Weishaar won the race and brought his piglet along for the victory lap.

His teammates started calling themselves the Hog Boys, and this is the origin of Harley Davidson’s being known as “hogs”.

That heritage is celebrated with a motorcycle rally at the Grant County Fairgrounds. Events include bike shows, a swap meet, a motorcycle rodeo, loud pipes competition, live music and a reboot of the Cornfield Classic.

10. James Dean Birthsite Memorial

Film buffs or fans of James Dean (1931-1955) can follow his footsteps in Grant County. Dean’s birthplace is right in downtown Marion, at the site of the Seven Gables Apartment House.

That building is long gone, but there’s a pocket park here centered on a black stone monument and labeled with a historic marker.

With benches and a lighted backdrop of cypress trees, the memorial pays tribute to the star and a career that was curtailed tragically early. This space was created in 2015 to mark the 60th anniversary of his passing.

11. Hostess House (J. Wood Wilson House)

At 723 W 4th Street is a marvellous Colonial Revival house, built in 1912 for the banker J. Wood Wilson.

Hard to miss for its impressive Ionic portico, this is one of the most famous residential projects by architect Samuel Plato (1882-1957) and cost a steep $135,000.

Plato was commissioned for several projects around Marion at this time, and was known for his progressive employment practices, helping to open building trade unions to African-American workers.

The Hostess House has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1911, and the refined setting for a restaurant, serving lunch Monday to Friday 11-2. On the second floor there’s also a shop, Peggy’s Boutique, selling all kinds of handmade gifts.

12. Indy Airstrip Attack

Marion Municipal Airport, three miles southwest of downtown, has become the venue for a prestigious side-by-side racing event and trap speed competition.

The Indy Airstrip Attack takes place on the second weekend of August, and thanks to the high grip surface has witnessed numerous world records tumble over the last decade.

The track is half a mile long, and on the Saturday there’s a number of competition classes, including sedans, AWD Unlimited and 6-Speed Unlimited.

On the Sunday the event is open to cars and motorcycles of all categories and horsepowers, whether racing head-to-head or solo.

13. Grant County Garfield Trail

Garfield creator Jim Davis was born in Marion in 1945 and grew up just south of the city in Fairmount before attending university at Ball State in Muncie.

As a way of honoring Davis and his sarcastic cartoon cat, 14 fiberglass statues of Garfield have been erected in towns across Grant County, 6 of which can be found in Marion, each with a location-specific theme.

There’s Bookworm Garfield at the Marion Public Library, College Bound Garfield at the Sweetser Switch Trail and Depot and Dr. Garfield at Marion General Hospital.

Also look out for Fit for Life Garfield standing in Matter Park Gardens, Duffer Garfield in the Arbor Trace Golf Clubhouse and Paws for Thought, on a pedestal in the Garfield Garden at Community Foundation of Grant County.

14. James Dean Gallery

Like Jim Davis, James Dean grew up in Fairmount and was laid to rest at Park Cemetery there in 1955.

To stay on the James Dean theme you can head to this superb museum founded in 1988 in an elegant Victorian home on Main Street.

The James Dean Gallery shows off the large collection of James Dean archivist, David Loehr, who started gathering Dean-related memorabilia in 1974.

As an affectionate tribute to the star, the exhibit here features thousands of pieces, including original movie posters, Dean’s personal effects, childhood photographs and high school yearbooks.

Essential here is the Kenneth Kendall Room, where you peruse the casts, drawing and paintings made by the artists who produced the sculptures of Dean for the Griffith Observatory and Fairmount’s James Dean Memorial Park.

15. Walnut Creek Golf Complex

If golf is your game you won’t want to miss this public course in the southeast of Marion, hailed as the best in Grant County.

There are actually two courses here for a combined 36 holes. Walnut Creek opened in 1970, while the Club Run Course came later in 1998.

More than any golf facility in the state, the two tracks blend with the landscape and its water, woods and hills, and feel like an escape to nature.

There’s a wide choice of tee areas so golfers of all standards can enjoy themselves, as well as a comprehensive practice facility and driving range.

Walnut Creek is praised for the friendliness of its staff and high level of maintenance, even during rainy periods.

15 Best Things to Do in Marion (Indiana):

• Marion Public Library Museum
• Matter Park
• Grant County Courthouse
• Mississinewa 1812
• Marion's Mississinewa Riverwalk
• Quilters Hall of Fame
• Marion National Cemetery
• Marion Splash House
• James Dean Birthsite Memorial
• Hostess House (J. Wood Wilson House)
• Indy Airstrip Attack
• Grant County Garfield Trail
• James Dean Gallery
• Walnut Creek Golf Complex

• 2 Get around

Marion is a small city in Central Indiana , the home of Indiana Wesleyan University, and birthplace of James Dean.

Get in [ edit ]

The Cardinal Greenway is a bike path that connects with nearby towns.

Get around [ edit ]

See [ edit ].

• 40.586985 -85.666089 1 Matter Park , N River Rd &, N Quarry Rd , ☏ +1 765-662-9931 . Daily 8AM-11PM . Picturesque garden. Garfield Statue since Marion was the home of Jim Davis. Christmas Light display during the Holiday season.  
• 40.55258 -85.6599 4 Quilters Hall of Fame (Webster House) , 926 S Washington St , ☏ +1 765-664-9333 . Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM . It may not be the most exciting thing to see, but there is this niche museum.  
• 40.4158 -85.64932 5 Fairmount Historical Museum (J.W. Patterson House) , 203 E Washington St, Fairmount , ☏ +1 765 948-4555 . Th-M 11AM-5PM . Large repository of James Dean memorabilia, plus other items pertaining to the history of the larger Marion area. James Dean is a big deal in Fairmount because, though he was born in Marion and temporarily moved to California, it's where he grew up after moving back at age 9 to live on his aunt and uncle's farm and also where he is buried. And not just James Dean, but Garfield creator Jim Davis also hailed from a farm here. ( updated Nov 2021 )
• 40.41906 -85.6497 6 James Dean Gallery , 425 N Main St, Fairmount , ☏ +1 765 948-3326 . Daily 9AM-6PM . More James Dean stuff, e.g. his leather jacket and Indian motorcycle. ( updated Nov 2021 )
• 40.43198 -85.64498 7 James Dean's Gravesite , 8106-8334 S 150 E, Fairmount ( in Park Cemetery, some signs to guide you to grave ). Where the Hollywood icon/idol was laid to rest, with dream rocks and things still left by his admirers. ( updated Nov 2021 )

Do [ edit ]

James Dean Festival every summer. Every other year the YMCA puts on an Easter pageant!

Buy [ edit ]

Eat [ edit ].

Baldwin Cafeteria of Indiana Wesleyan University has a great Sunday breakfast after church time.

Drink [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

College Inn Bed and Breakfast. S. Washington St. Directly across from Indiana Wesleyan University. Quiet, quant place with friendly staff!

Connect [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

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Plan Your Trip to Marion: Best of Marion Tourism

Essential Marion

Marion Is Great For

Eat & drink

• Hampton Inn Marion
• Red Roof Inn Marion, IN
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marion, an IHG Hotel
• Comfort Suites
• The Historic Wilson-Vaughan Hostess House
• Texas Roadhouse
• Train Station Cafe
• Casa Brava Authentic Mexican Cuisine
• Splash House
• Matter Park
• Marion's Mississinewa Riverwalk
• Quilters Hall of Fame
• Crest Lanes

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Marion

Things to do in marion, tours near marion.

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Top attractions in marion.

Other Top Attractions around Marion

What travellers are saying

• Matter Park
• The Gardens at Matter Park
• Quilters Hall of Fame
• Splash House
• Marion Public Library & Museum
• AMC Showplace Marion 12

Marion, Indiana Walkway of Lights

Walkway of Lights

Our dazzling holiday display spans over two miles and features more than 2.5 million lights on more than 120 displays along the Mississinewa Riverwalk in Matter Park. The Walkway of Lights is one of the longest running and largest light displays in the Midwest.

Holiday Calendar

Enjoy the Gift Shoppe

It's hard work to view nearly a hundred holiday displays, especially with Jack Frost around trying to chill you to the bone. But before you leave Christmas City, take a break at the Walkway of Lights Gift Shoppe in Matter Park.

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MUSEUM & LOCAL HISTORY

Learn more about Marion and Grant County with a visit to our Museum. Sign up with the form on this page or call the Museum for more information.

Learn how Marion and Grant County's early boom and bust followed the discovery of natural gas - and that resource's depletion from reckless use.

Heavy industry drove our local economy. Crosley automobiles were built in Marion from 1946-1952. They were the first mass-produced American economy cars built after WWII.

The Marion Public Library Museum preserves the history of Marion and Grant County through exhibits and artifacts.

The Museum is in the historic Carnegie Building, which housed Marion Public Library from 1902-1991. Once the library moved into the new building, work began on the museum, and it opened in 1992.

The latest exhibit is the interactive Made in Marion, which highlights Grant County's boom years. Abundant natural gas lured businesses here, especially glass factories. Find out about the boom and bust that shaped Grant County's industrial roots.

Other exhibits include a Crosley automobile that was manufactured in Marion, glass made in local factories, items from the Grant County Historical Society that had been displayed in the Matter Park Octogenarian Museum until 1991, antique electric kitchen appliance, children's toys, and vintage clothing. The Patriotic Exhibit features photos and uniforms.

The Irene Reed Indiana History and Genealogy Department is also in the Carnegie Building. Special non-circulating collections provide information for those researching Marion and Grant County history and those tracing family histories. A gift from the Keating Foundation in 1985 furnished and redecorated part of this expanded area in honor of Irene Reed, who gave more than 33 years of service to the library and community.

Open year-round. Group tours are available ; please arrange in advance with the Museum curator by filling out the form on this page or by calling for information at (765) 668-2900, Ext. 1131

The Garfield Trail

Fairmount, Indiana: Home to Jim Davis and Garfield the cat

The legend of garfield creator, jim davis, comes alive in his hometown of fairmount, indiana.

Download the Garfield Trail Brochure and Map

Fairmount, Indiana boasts a couple famous Indiana natives. In addition to its most well-known son, movie-star James Dean , Fairmount is also the hometown of Jim Davis, creator of the comic strip Garfield. Jim Davis’s PAWS, Inc. studio is just a short drive from Fairmount, Indiana and surrounding cities of Marion, Gas City and Upland, Indiana. And Jim Davis and Garfield’s presence continue to be felt throughout east central Indiana with Grant County’s Garfield Trail.

From Fairmount, Indiana to Upland, Indiana: Drive the Garfield Trail

Visit fourteen unique statues of America’s favorite lasagna-loving fat cat, Garfield. Located in Marion, Indiana and surrounding Grant County cities, the fiberglass statues each measure approximately five feet in height and depict Jim Davis’ Garfield in captivating costumes or funny situations. Taking a trip along the Garfield trail is a great family activity and presents a number of fun photo opportunities.

If You Visit the Garfield Trail in Fairmount, Indiana and surrounding cities:

• Dates and Hours: The Garfield Trail, featuring statues of Jim Davis’s most famous cartoon character, Garfield the cat, is available year round. However, the best time to view the statues is during late spring, the summer, and early fall.
• Things to Bring: Camera, cell phone to check in on Foursquare, sunscreen, clothes appropriate for the weather, friends and family.
• Other Family-Friendly Attractions along the Garfield Trail: Splash House Water Park , Fairmount Museum , Ivanhoe’s Restaurant . More dining options are available throughout Grant County as you travel along the Garfield Trail.
• Cell Phone Tour: Learn more about Jim Davis’s Garfield, Fairmount, Indiana and other surrounding communities by taking the Garfield Trail cell phone tour. Call (765) 997-7034 from each statue for interesting commentary and information about nearby attractions.

Locations: The Garfield statues can be found in the following locations:

• Marion, Indiana Garfield Trail Trailhead Paws For Thought Garfield Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana
• Fairmount, Indiana The Cool Cat Fairmount Historical Museum
• Matthews, Indiana Gone Fishin’ Garfield Matthews Town Hall  
• Upland, Indiana Scream for Ice Cream Ivanhoe’s Restaurant  
• Van Buren, Indiana A Worldly Cat Van Buren Public Library
• Gas City, Indiana Glassblower Garfield Mill Township Public Library
• Gas City, Indiana British Soldier Garfield Payne’s Restauran t
• Jonesboro, Indiana Firefighter Garfield Jonesboro City Hall
• Marion, Indiana Dr. Garfield Marion General Hospital
• Marion, Indiana Fit For Life Garfield The Gardens of Matter Park
• Marion, Indiana Bookworm Garfield Marion Public Library & Museum
• Marion, Indiana Duffer Garfield Arbor Trace Golf Club
• Sweetser, Indiana College Bound Garfield Sweetser Switch Trail and Depot
• Swayzee, Indiana Speedking Garfield Swayzee Alumni Park, Swayzee

Looking for more ways to have fun with Garfield? Visit Muncie, Indiana and tour the Garfield statues in Delaware County!

About Grant County

Grant County, Indiana, is home to nifty attractions, outtasight events and rebellious celebrities. Whether it’s saddle shoes, classic cars, vintage bikes, James Dean, or Garfield, we love everything classic and cool. Have a blast just 90 minutes North of Indy.

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Top Things to Do in Marion, IN

Places to visit in marion, tours near marion.

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Murder Mystery Detective Experience Muncie, IN

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Nutty New Castle Scavenger Hunt

Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Fort Wayne by Zombie Scavengers

1-Week UNLIMITED YOGA CLASSES for Out-of-Towner

Top attractions in marion.

Other Top Attractions around Marion

What travellers are saying

• Matter Park
• The Gardens at Matter Park
• Quilters Hall of Fame
• Splash House
• Marion Public Library & Museum
• AMC Showplace Marion 12

Find out if Marian University is Right for You!

Pay us a visit and see for yourself what marian has to offer..

You'll feel right at home on our warm, welcoming campus just ten minutes from downtown Indianapolis , one of the best cities in the U.S. for job growth and affordable living.

Discover challenging academic programs  taught by faculty who will help you dig deep and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

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We recommend weekday, individual campus visits for high school seniors so we can customize your schedule according to your academic and extracurricular interests. Students can request to meet with faculty, coaches, and other support staff when registering for their campus visit; additional appointments depend on faculty, coach, and staff availability. You'll have time to discuss programs, ask questions, and get more insight into campus and student life.

High school students and their families are invited to participate in student-led group tours that depart daily from the Office of Undergraduate Admission . Please let us know when to expect you by completing a campus visit request.

Request a campus visit

For more information, call (317) 955-6516 or email [email protected] .

Fall 2023 Events

Knight Preview Days : High school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and their families are invited to join us for one of these fun, informative visits. Bring a friend or family member! Please register for the date that best fits your schedule.

Spring 2024 Events

Knight Preview Days : High school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and their families  are invited to join us for one of these fun, informative visits. Bring a friend or family member! Please register for the date that best fits your schedule.

Accepted Stud ent Days : A celebratory event for high school seniors admitted for the Fall 2024 academic year . Choosing the right college is important, so we want you and your family to have as much information about us as possible.

Register for an event

For more information, call (317) 955-6516 or email [email protected]

Whether you are graduating from a community college, rethinking your original college choice, or starting anew, Marian University is the next step in your journey toward professional and personal success.

• During your campus visit, you will meet with a member of our Transfer Team to review your unique situation and discuss your plans at Marian.
• Bring your transcripts! We can provide an unofficial evaluation of previous coursework to determine how much credit you may receive toward completing a Marian degree.

Accepted Student Days :  A celebratory event for  high school seniors and transfer students admitted for the Fall 2024 academic year . Choosing the right college is important, so we want you and your family to have as much information about us as possible. 

For more information, call (317) 955-6300 or email  [email protected] .

Do you have a group of students who want to visit Marian University? We host group visits for K-12 schools in cooperation with the Department of K-12 School and Community Programs. Your visit could include a campus tour and presentations from various campus partners.

Before you request a group visit, please know that:

• Space is limited, the size of your group could determine the scheduling and dates available.
• We recommend requesting a group visit at least three weeks before your preferred visit date.
• Group visits are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. While we do our best to accommodate all groups, we cannot guarantee availability on your requested date.
• We are unable to host group visits on the weekends or during university breaks from classes. Check our academic calendar to determine if classes are in session on your requested date.
• Groups visiting our campus must be chaperoned. We require at least one chaperone (18 years or older) for every 10 students in attendance.
• Your group is not scheduled until you receive written confirmation from the Department of K-12 School and Community Programs and return a signed copy of our group visit agreement form.

For information, please complete the  Group Visit Survey

A representative from the K-12 School and Community Programs department will contact you with availability for your visit.

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Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership.

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Indiana Wesleyan University 4201 S Washington Street Marion, IN 46953

[email protected] 866-468-6498

Welcome to Marion, Indiana

Explore marion, indiana easily from college inn.

Whether you’re visiting Marion, Indiana to connect with your IWU student, a guest speaker or performer for one of the local universities, or simply a guest to the area for the first time, we’d like to share with you some of the wonderful things Marion, Indiana has to see and do. Please visit the links below to make the most of your stay in Marion, Indiana.

Marion Indiana & Grant County Attractions

There’s plenty to see and do while visiting the area.  Marion and Grant County attractions include recreation, historic sites, and quaint shopping; there is something for everyone.  

Matter Park is open year round and is the largest and oldest park among Marion, IN attractions. Enjoy softball and baseball fields, grills, restrooms, picnic areas, shelters, playgrounds, tennis courts, a fishing pond, disc golf course, volleyball courts, and a walking trail. 

A canoe launch is open all year and provides access to the Mississinewa River. Relaxing and enjoying scenic canoeing along the river is a highlight among Marion, IN attractions. 

Within the park is the Gardens of Matter Park  recently denot­ed as a Proven Win­ners® Sig­na­ture Gar­den, a pres­ti­gious des­ig­na­tion received by less than a dozen pro­fes­sion­al gar­dens nation­wide. Beautiful and restful, it is a perfect spot for friends and family to reconnect.

The Mis­sissinewa River­walk Scenic Path  is a 2.25 mile long walk­ing path which begins at the Wash­ing­ton Street bridge and 1st Street, and extends through to the fish­ing pond in Mat­ter Park. The Mis­sissinewa River­walk is a trail for both recre­ation and phys­i­cal fit­ness. 

For decades, Mar­i­on has been known around the world for its Christ­mas City Walk­way of Lights. This rep­u­ta­tion still holds strong. In 2015, Mar­i­on ranked #2 of ​“8 Best Cities for Hol­i­day Lights and Dec­o­ra­tions,” by Liv­abil­i­ty — Jour­nal Com­mu­ni­ca­tions, Inc, sole­ly cit­ing the city’s annu­al Walk­way of Lights dis­play. If you are here during December, this is a must-see.  The Splash House, our fam­i­ly-friend­ly pub­lic water park, offers end­less fun for all ages! Attrac­tions include a lazy riv­er, two rac­er slides, ​‘big flush’ slide, and one of the largest wave pools in the area.

One of the prettiest and most challenging courses in the state, you’ll enjoy Meshingomesia’s 18-hole golf course. Afterwards, dine in the historic Tomahawk restaurant , From your favorite burger and fries, to premium Angus Ribeye, this is the place to dine in Marion. Open W-Sat for lunch and dinner.

Drive the Garfield Trail and visit fourteen unique statues of America’s favorite lasagna-loving fat cat, Garfield. Located in Marion, Indiana and surrounding Grant County cities, the fiberglass statues each measure approximately five feet in height and depict Jim Davis’s Garfield in fun outfits or playful situations. Taking a trip along the Garfield Trail is a great family activity and presents a number of fun photo opportunities. Share your Garfield encounters using #followthefatcat!

Cardinal Greenway is another wonderful location to enjoy the outdoors. Bike, hike, or jog along 7.5 mile portion of the Cardinal Greenway, which is a rail-trail project in Grant County. Major trailheads with parking are located in Marion behind Westwood Square on Miller Avenue between 2nd and 6th Streets, at Hogin Park at Valley Avenue and 14th Street, and in Jonesboro/Gas City at the intersection of SR 22/35 and Water Street, just east of SR 15.

Marion, Indiana Links of Interest :

• Dining (Favorite Restaurants) 
• AMC Showplace 12 Movie Theater
• Meshingomesia Golf Course and Social Club
• Jake’s Antiques and Collectibles
• Splash House
• Gardens of Matter Park
• Arbor Trace Golf Course
• Performing Arts
• Fly-in, Cruise-in Marion Municipal Airport
• Quilters Hall of Fame
• Fairmount Historical Museum
• James Dean Festival (last weekend in September)
• Ducktail Run (same weekend as James Dean festival)
• Christmas City Walkway of Lights
• Historic Hostess House 
• Ivanhoe’s Famous Icecream 
• Mississinewa 1812
• Marion Civic Theatre

Indiana Wesleyan University

College Inn is directly across the street from the heart of Indiana Wesleyan University and is the area’s most comfortable and convenient place to stay while visiting IWU.

Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership.

Indiana Wesleyan University is the largest private college in Indiana, based on enrollment, and is one of the largest employers in Grant County.

Nearly 3,000 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the University’s 350-acre residential campus in Marion. Students live and learn in a visually striking environment with well-appointed residence halls and academic facilities, all on a campus that is only an hour away from both Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.

IWU offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees, 38 graduate degrees and 5 doctorate degrees and students represent more than 80 Christian denominations and 10 foreign countries.

Ott Hall of Sciences and Nursing opened in the spring of 2014. The 111,250 square foot health sciences building provides students expanded state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, research laboratories and student interaction areas.

To read more about the Indiana Wesleyan University and take a virtual tour of the campus, visit www.indwes.edu .

Bigfoot Festival returns: Why is it in Western NC? What to know about the free event.

Marion's hairiest tradition is returning for the season: The Bigfoot Festival will be back on May 18.

Two things are certain about spring in Western North Carolina, according to a news release from the festival: The weather is unpredictable, and Bigfoot comes out of hibernation just in time for the WNC Bigfoot Festival.

Why is a Bigfoot Festival in Marion?

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Nonprofit Bigfoot research group Bigfoot 911 has explored the mountains of WNC and beyond for years, searching for the elusive Bigfoot. The news release said Bigfoot 911 was inspired to host the first WNC Bigfoot Festival in Marion for believers, non-believers, skeptics and everyone in-between after "several close encounters with the Sasquatch." The festival webpage states that the group has supported national nonprofits and local civic groups with the proceeds from over 40,000 attendants present at previous festivals.

There's something on the schedule for everyone at the 2024 Bigfoot Festival, from sasquatch-inspired cuisine to paranormal investigation speakers to the Bigfoot Calling Contest. Here's this year's schedule, plus some extra info on the festival.

More: 'Sasquatch Sunset': Jesse Eisenberg is Bigfoot in possibly the strangest movie ever made

When is the 2024 Bigfoot Festival?

The 2024 Bigfoot Festival will take place on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year you can also check out the first annual Bigfoot Jam the night before the festival on Friday, May 17, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. for a 6 p.m. show.

Where is the 2024 Bigfoot Festival?

The Bigfoot Festival will be held on Main Street in Marion, N.C. Free shuttles are available from McDowell High School, McDowell Tech Community College, Marion City Square Shopping Center and Corpening Memorial YMCA.

The first annual Bigfoot Jam will be located at the Event Center, 29 Logan St. in Marion.

More: 'Feels like a hoax': Purported Bigfoot video from Colorado attracts skeptics, believers

How much does the 2024 Bigfoot Festival cost?

The Bigfoot Festival is free to enter, but consider bringing along some pocket money to purchase Bigfoot-themed concessions, memorabilia and more.

2024 Bigfoot Festival schedule

Here's the full schedule for the 2024 Bigfoot Festival:

Friday, May 17 : The Box Factory, NC Municipal Event Center (29 Logan St.)

• 6 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.) -1st Annual Bigfoot Jam with bands the Jacktown Ramblers, Jeff Honeycutt & Co. and Tanya & The Roadrunnerz Band

Saturday, May 18 : Marion Main Street

• 10:00 a.m. - Festival Begins
• 10:15 a.m. - Opening Ceremony with Mayor Steve Little
• 10:30 a.m. - Blue Shades Band
• 11:00 a.m. - Christian Macloud American Cryptid & Paranormal
• 11:30 a.m. - Zach Bales Paranormal Roadtripper
• 12:00 p.m. - Bigfoot Calling Contest
• 12:30 p.m. - Blue Shades Band
• 1:00 p.m. - Margaret Langley, Haunted Broughton
• 1:30 p.m. - Terry Wendill, Rock Hill Bigfoot
• 2:00 p.m. - Blue Shades Band
• 2:30 p.m. - Rick Reles & Lori Wade of BFRO
• 3:00 p.m. - NC Squatch Watchers
• 3:30 p.m. - Blue Shades Band
• 4:00 p.m. - Tim Dills
• 4:30 p.m. - Blue Shades Band
• 5:00 p.m. - Closing ceremony

For more info, go to marionbigfootfestival.com .

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Bigfoot Festival returns: Why is it in Western NC? What to know about the free event.