Scottsburg: 20 Free or Cheap Things to do Here

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This summer, I challenge you to do more than just drive laps between Taco Bell, the backlot, and Walmart in Scottsburg. We may not be a huge city, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to have fun! Check out these hidden gems right here in Southern Indiana.

1. Visit the Hardy Lake State Recreation Area

I grew up less than a mile from here, so I’m partial to this 741 acre lake, 2000 acre State Park. You can fish, camp, swim, boat, hike, jog or ride your bike on various roads and trails. There are cheap, all you can eat breakfasts that benefit the Raptor Rehab Center (hosted by the Friends of Hardy Lake group) several times a year. Learn about the breakfasts and that awesome group here.

There is a $7 car entrance fee for Indiana Residents, $9 for non Indiana residents.

Learn more about the Park here.

2. Visit Goat Milk Stuff

This lovely facility is right in the heart of Scottsburg itself! Take a tour around the Goat Farm and see how their goat milk products are made, and be sure to stock up on their delicious chocolates in the gift shop.

Admission is $12 a person  for the tour (each person is given a bar of soap). 

Learn more here.

3. Tour Scott County Heritage Museum

Also known as “the Scott County Poor Farm” or the “Scott County Asylum”. This heritage museum once housed the poor of Scott County who didn’t have a place to live. It was a self sustainable farm that was less than one mile away from the Scottsburg Courthouse. Many today claim the building is haunted with its past residents.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Learn more here.

4. Hike Knobstone Trail

This is the longest trail in Indiana at 58 miles long. You can hike and tent/backpack camp here for no charge, there is a service that will pick up your vehicle and transport it to the end of the trail for a fee.

Admission is free. 

Learn more here.

5. Explore Muscatatuck County Park

Is a large Park with 10 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, and camping just north of Scott County. You can canoe or kayak the Muscatatuck river. The Tunnel Mill, and Vinegar Mill can be explored.

Admission is free. 

Learn more here.

6. Catch a Movie at Park Theatre Civic Center 

My absolute favorite movie theatre! It does more than just movies however, such as plays, concerts and jamborees. The architecture in the building is absolutely stunning, with a balcony, gorgeous (clean!) red seats, and majestic oil paintings.
The cost for a movie is $5 for adults and $3 for children. A large bag of popcorn is $2. 

Learn more here.

7. Visit the Hayden Historical Museum 

See vintage furnishings and rooms, as well as the research library that contains books, audio recordings, and video tapes that are historical.

Admission is free.

Learn more here.

8. Wander through the Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge

This is a national wildlife refuge near Seymour Indiana, home to wood ducks, bald eagles, and river otters. You can hunt fish, hike or drive the 9 miles of handicap accessible paved trails.

Admission is free. 

Learn more here.

9. Experience Stream Cliff Herb Farm

Betty and Gerald are some of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet, and you’ll fall in love with their farm. Come see the immaculate gardens, the farm animals, winery, restaurant, tea room, and gift shop of Stream Cliff Farms.

Admission is free, but I doubt you can walk out without purchasing a delicious bottle of wine. 

Learn more here.

10. Visit Beck’s Mill

There’s more to Beck’s Mill than just the 1800s mill itself. Check out Beck’s cabin and Homestead, the antique machines, and the hiking trails.

Admission is $5 for adults, and free for children 16 & under. 

Learn more here.

11. See the Brown County Pioneer Village

Theres a lot to this village! Check out this 1800s town, complete with a log jail, log community building, an authentically restored log cabin, a working blacksmith’s shop, and a doctor’s office
Admission is just a donation, children are free with a paid adult. 

Learn more here.

12. Follow the Morgan’s Raiders Trail

During the time of the Civil War, Morgan’s Raiders were wreaking havoc on Indiana towns, looting the homes and businesses, and burning down entire towns. They traveled right through Scottsburg. Follow their infamous trail through Indiana by car.

Cost is just your fuel.

Learn more here.

13. Canoe or Kayak Blue River 

This is free if you provide your own canoe, or you can rent one through Cave Country Canoes.

Free if you bring your own canoe or kayak. 

Learn more here.

14. Fish at Elk Creek Lake

Check out this gorgeous 48 acre lake in Washington County. The lake is absolutely full of Bluegill, Large Mouth Bass and Channel Catfish. The shore fishing is said to be pretty good, though you can take a boat on the water. You can also access a Knobstone trailhead (listed above) here.
Admission is free. 

Learn more here.

15. Have an Adventure at Spring Mill State Park

This beautiful 1358 acre State Park is probably one of the most beautiful parks in Indiana. The Park has plenty of trails, a restaurant, an inn, a massive working pioneer village, caves to explore, swimming, fishing, camping, the Hus Grissom Museum, and more.

There is a $7 car entrance fee for Indiana Residents, $9 for non Indiana residents. 

Learn more here.

16. Stay for a spell at Clifty Falls State Park

Clifty is another gorgeous State Park, located near the Ohio River, east of Scott County in Madison. This park is full of caves (currently closed to the public), hiking trails, waterfalls, tennis courts and more. It also has a nature interpretation center, as well as the famous Clifty Inn & Restaurant.

There is a $7 car entrance fee for Indiana Residents, $9 for non Indiana residents. 

Learn more here.

17. Explore the Extravagant Lanier Mansion

Lanier Mansion is a prime example of Greek Revival Architecture. It is an 1800s mansion, home to James Lanier, one of the larger financial contributors for Indiana during the Civil War.

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children. 

Learn more here.

18. Take in the Beauty of Madison’s Historic District

Full of historic homes, quaint shops, deserts, restaurants, theatres, and more- the downtown Madison historic district is a place you’ll never forget.

Window shopping is free. 

Learn more here.

19. Admire the Falls of the Ohio 

Not only are there walking trails and the beautiful Ohio River falls to watch- but there’s also fossils to be discovered. 390-million-year-old fossil beds are something to be seen.

Admission is free. 

Learn more here.

20. People Watch on Bardstown Road and the Highlands.

Throughout the summer, Bardstown Road in Louisville is the place to be. There are eclectic shops, restaurants, and bars in this “restaurant row”. With so many crowds, it’s easy to find a bench and just people watch.

Admission is free, but you should probably grab a local coffee or beer to optimize your people watching experience. 

Learn more here.

21. Walk the Big Four Bridge

The bridge was once for railcars, but has been recently renovated to be an aesthetically pleasing walking bridge.  Not only can you walk the massive bridge and see it’s pretty lights on the Ohio River, but you can also stand in Indiana and Kentucky at once. This is only 30 minutes south of Scottsburg.

Admission is free. 

Learn more here.

22. Learn at the Muhammad Ali Center

Is not only a center, but an award winning museum dedicated to the life of the famous Muhammad Ali. This is their mission statement: “The mission of the Muhammad Ali Center is to preserve and share the legacy and ideals of Muhammad Ali, to promote respect, hope, and understanding, and to inspire adults and children everywhere to be as great as they can be.”

$12 Adults; $11 Seniors (65+); $8 Military $8 Students with ID; $7 Children (6-12)

Learn more here.

23. Stand where Lewis and Clark once stood at Locust Grove Park

This is a beautiful 1700s, 55 acre farm/ Homestead where Lewis and Clark once visited. It now has tours several times a day, and 18th living re-enactments in the summer. I’ve visited several times, and I’ve fallen in love with their scenery and landscaping.

$9 for adults; $8 for seniors; $4 for children 6-12 years

Learn more here.

24. Tour the Louisville Slugger Museum

See the factory and museum of famous Louisville Slugger, and see the massive 120 ft tall baseball bat.

Adults are $14; Children are $8
Learn more here.

25. Wander the Frazier Museum

This is a beautiful, State of the Art, multistory museum with ever changing exhibits. I can’t believe how much good stuff they pack into it really. This is my absolute favorite Museum (I love the lifelike mannicans and stuffed animals) on this list and it is well worth the money.

Adults $12; Military & Seniors $10; Students (College w/I.D.) $8; Children (5-17) $8; Members & Children (4 & under) Free

Learn more here.
Now it’s your turn! Which are your favorite southern Indiana attractions? Let me know in the comments. As always, thank you for reading!