Evansville Indiana Area Parks & Nature Preserves

The City of Evansville Indiana has several parks to visit during your stay, most only a short drive from the Plaza Hotel & Suites.

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a great place to take relaxing nature walks, and they have a nature center that offers exhibits, events, wildlife observation areas, meeting rooms, & more. Located on almost 200 acres, the Preserve is a National Natural Landmark & a State Nature Preserve.

Another great place for recreation & relaxation is Garvin Park, an 80-acre park with a large lake, swimming pool, tennis courts, and more. It is located only 5.1 miles from the Evansville Plaza Hotel & Suites.

Browse our list for more information about these and other parks in the Evansville area.

Evansville parks listed by distance from the hotel:

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve   •   4.7 mi

551 N Boeke Road, Evansville, IN    812-479-0771
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a National Natural Landmark and a State Nature Preserve with over 190 acres of virgin bottomland hardwood forest, providing the prefect atmosphere for relaxing nature walks. The Nature Center features exhibits, events, wildlife observation areas, meeting rooms, a library, and a gift shop.
Website: http://www.evansvillecvb.org/visitor-information/attractions-detail.tpl?ID=115

Garvin Park   •   5.1 mi

1600 N. Main Street, Evansville, IN
Garvin Park has 80 acres that provide a large lake, swimming pool, playground, tennis & basketball courts for the recreation of people in Evansville.

The Howell Park & Wetlands   •   9.4 mi

Broadway Ave. and Tekoppel Ave, Evansville, Indiana    (812) 479-0771
Come to Howell Park to play miniature golf, basketball, Par #3 golf, go swimming, and enjoy other recreational opportunities. Howell Wetlands are located next to Howell Park and feature 23 acres of marshland, bald cypress slough, oxbow lake, lowland hardwood forest and upland meadow as well as the wildlife found in these habitats such as muskrats, beavers, herons, wood ducks, geese and deer. It is one of only five urban wetlands parks in Indiana, and has walking trails and boardwalks throughout the park, as well as staff-led programs and tours for the public & school groups. Howell Wetlands is adjacent to
Website: http://www.evansvillecvb.org/visitor-information/attractions-detail.tpl?ID=40

Burdette Park & Aquatic Center   •   11.1 mi

5301 Nurrenbern Road, Evansville, IN    (812) 435-5602
Burdette Park provides a recreational and educational environment for people of all ages. It features 140 acres of scenic hills southwest of Evansville, Indiana. Facilities and activities at the park include BMX Racing, Camping, Chalets, Fishing, Golf, Tennis, Swimming, & Playing Fields.
Website: http://www.vanderburghgov.org/index.aspx?page=74

John James Audubon State Park & Museum   •   11.6 mi

3100 US Highway 41 North, Henderson, KY
270-826-2247 (Park), 270-827-1893 (Museum)
Just south of Evansville, Indiana, across the Ohio River is the John James Audubon State Park, which houses the world's largest collection of Audubon's art and offers exhibits on the artist's life. John James Audubon, world-famous naturalist and artist, lived here almost 200 years ago and explored the the woods in the area looking for wild birds to study and draw. The Audubon Museum and State Park has life-size drawings on exhibit as well as details of his life's work of studying birds. The park offers trails through the woods for hiking, a lake for boating or fishing, and a beautiful 9-hole golf course.
Website: http://www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/au/

Mesker Park Zoo   •   11.6 mi

3100 US Highway 41 North, Henderson, KY
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. Indiana 's largest, the Mesker Park Zoo holds such annual and special events as Easter at the Zoo, Boo at the Zoo during the Halloween season, Winter Carnival, and Christmas at the Zoo. A petting zoo, zoo train, and paddleboats are also popular features. The annual Children's Arts Fair is another special treat. Be sure to check out the brand new Enchanted Forrest!
Website: http://www.meskerparkzoo.com