Shelby County: Nature, Art and Trails

When looking for hotels in Shelby County, your planned focus can help guide your search: forest nature, trails along the river, public art, a railroad exhibit, or an event date. The destinations vary in their focus and offer specific starting points for planning your stay around your own interests.

Nature Between Forest and River

Meltzer Nature Preserve, also known as Meltzer Woods, protects high-quality mesic mixed-hardwood forest communities; Meltzer Woods encompasses 48 acres of old-growth forest. Blue River Memorial Park offers a different focus: it covers 186 acres, is located along the Little Blue River, and lies on the northeast side of Shelbyville. Comparing the areas puts the forest and park in perspective by size, while their descriptions highlight different connections with nature: forest communities and old-growth forest on one hand, a riverside park on the other.

Blue River Trail and Wayfinding

The Blue River Trail is approximately 3.5 miles long and follows the Blue River into downtown Shelbyville. An interactive map with information about parking areas, bike-share stations, and restrooms is available to help you navigate the Shelby County Trail System. Since map content may be updated, check the map before your visit. Shelbyville Parks & Recreation’s free bike-share program is available to visitors as well as residents.

Art Along the Blue River Trail

The Shelby Sundial is a permanently installed, interactive public artwork. It is located at the Big Blue River Trailhead, near the entrance to the Knauf Greenway on the Blue River Trail. The Solar System Planet Sculpture Walk features planet sculptures arranged to scale along the Blue River Trail; The daVinci Pursuit established it in 2018 in partnership with the City of Shelbyville. Together, a single interactive work at a precisely identified location and a series of themed sculptures along the trail offer distinct highlights.

Exhibitions, Performances and Events

The Shelby County Railroad Gallery permanently displays a diorama of Shelby County with two operating trains. The Strand Theatre in Shelbyville has been a landmark since 1916 and hosts live performances such as plays and concerts. Since the program changes, check the current schedule if a performance is to shape your stay.

The Highland Games & Festival are held annually at the Shelby County Fairgrounds in Shelbyville, Indiana. The program includes Scottish athletic competitions, lively music, and traditional dances. Future dates are announced separately, so check the current event dates if the festival is important to your trip.

Find Hotels Based on the Focus of Your Stay

Deciding first on your main interest makes it possible to tailor your hotel search to the themes of your planned stay. This gives you a concrete starting point for making a selection without treating different destinations as one unified itinerary.

Explore more destinations: Boggstown, Bartholomew County, Dubois County, Gibson County, Fulton County, Johnson, Clark, Boone County.

Back to the main travel overview: Indiana.