Hotels in Evansville, Indiana

A little about Evansville...

Evansville is the third-largest city in the state of Indiana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 121,582, and a metropolitan population of 342,815. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for the Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois tri-state area.

The broad economic base of the region has helped to build an economy which is known for its stability, diversity, and vitality. In 2004 Evansville was named an "All-America City" by the National Civic League.

The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is a street fair held in the area west of downtown Evansville. It is held on the first full week of October and draws nearly 150,000 people. The main attraction of the festival is the food, with offerings of standards like elephant ears and corn dogs to the more unusual such as chocolate-covered grasshoppers, brain sandwiches, and alligator stew. Paul Harvey once remarked that only Mardi Gras in New Orleans is larger than the Fall Festival.

Each July the city plays host to the Evansville Freedom Festival. It includes the "Thunder on the Ohio" hydroplane races, a firework extravaganza over the Ohio River, and more. The United States Navy's Blue Angels have been an added attraction in recent years.

In the last weekend of August the popular Frog Follies takes place, when over 4,000 street rods converge on the Vanderburgh County 4-H fairgrounds north of the city.

The city is home to two major universities, the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana (USI). The Indiana University School of Medicine also has a presence in the city with the Evansville Center for Medical Education on the campus of USI. Other campuses in the city include Ivy Tech Community College, ITT Tech, Indiana Business College, and Oakland City University's School of Adult and Extended Learning. The main campus of Oakland City University is located just north of the city in Gibson County.

The city oversees the operation of 65 parks and 21 special facilities encompassing more than 2,300 acres of land in the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Among these are three popular 18-hole public golf courses and one 9-hole golf course.

Located on nearly 200 acres of rolling hills in western Vanderburgh County, Burdette Park features an aquatic center with water slides, three pools, and a snack bar. It also offers a BMX racing track, batting cages, softball diamonds, miniature golf, tennis courts, and locations for fishing.

Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo opened in 1928. Set on a spacious 50-acre park, the zoo features over 600 animals roaming freely in natural habitats surrounded by exotic plants, wildflowers, and trees.

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a National Natural Landmark with nearly 200 acres of virgin bottomland hardwood forest. It is the largest tract of virgin forest located inside any city limits within the United States. The Nature Center features exhibits, events, wildlife observation areas, meeting rooms, library, and gift shop.