10 Muncie Must-Sees That Will Take Your Breath Away

If Muncie isn’t already on your list of places to visit in Indiana, it should be. Located in Delaware County, about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis, Muncie is home to Ball State University, which contributes to the city’s vibrant music and arts scene. It’s also home to Ball Memorial Hospital. Both institutions are named after the Ball brothers, who became famous for their Muncie glass factory that produced Ball canning jars used around the world.

“Muncie has more to offer than people think,” says Jeff Bryan, marketing director for the Muncie Visitors Bureau. “We have a huge arts culture scene, one of the largest convention centers in the state, major sporting events, four breweries and four-star restaurants that bring in foodies. There are so many fun things to do and see in Muncie, whether it’s a family visit, a girls’ or guys’ weekend, or a relaxing couples’ getaway.”

Advertisement

See more: See You in Seymour, IN

Incorporated in 1865, Muncie is perhaps one of the most studied cities of its size in the United States, thanks to its involvement in the famed “Middletown” sociological studies first conducted in the 1920s. Muncie was the concealed subject of a 1929 book called Middletown: A Study in Modern American Culture by husband-and-wife sociologists Robert and Helen Lynd. They considered Muncie to be a typical small American city and did an in-depth study of its residents and their key cultural norms to better understand social change.

Talk show host David Letterman graduated from Ball State University (and began his broadcasting career at the university’s student-run radio station), as did cartoonist Jim Davis, the creator of “Garfield.”

Make the Muncie Visitors Bureau your first stop to pick up brochures and maps on local attractions – don’t miss the “Garfield” souvenirs and coin-operated “Garfield” ride. Then, explore these Muncie must-see attractions.

1. Parks and Greenways

Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

Bask in the great outdoors at popular spot Cardinal Greenway or Prairie Creek Reservoir, a park made up of 1,275 acres of water and 750 acres of land where you can hike, bike, swim, fish, camp, go horseback or ATV riding, and rent overnight cabins.

“Prairie Creek Reservoir is the second-largest city park in the country behind Central Park in New York City,” Bryan says. “We host triathlon competitions there that include running, biking and swimming. In October 2021, Muncie will host the Ironman Indiana event there, which is an international event.”

2. The Bob Ross Experience

The new Bob Ross Experience opened in 2020 at the 40-acre Minnetrista campus in Muncie, inviting visitors to explore the iconic painter’s refurbished workshop and get a close-up look at his palette, paintbrushes, easel and other personal belongings. Ross filmed his hit PBS show, The Joy of Painting, at his Muncie studio from 1983 to 1994. The exhibit is housed in a historic home that belonged to Lucius Ball, whose family founded the Ball glass company.

3. Ball State University

Photo credit: Don Rogers

Stroll the picturesque campus of Ball State University and marvel at the 150-foot free-standing Shafer Tower, the highest carillon bell tower in Indiana. The carillon bell tower houses 48 bells covering four octaves, and they play the Westminster Quarters between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Art lovers should not miss the David Owsley Museum of Art located in the Fine Arts Building and the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass, a haven for glass artists who create everything from blown glass to neon signs.

“The David Owsley Museum of Art on campus gets 35,000 visitors each year,” Bryan says. “It’s a gorgeous museum with ancient Egyptian and Chinese artifacts. Every time you go there, you see something different.”

See more: 5 Indiana Museums to Visit

4. Muncie Children’s Museum

Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

If you have kids in your crew, spend a few hours exploring the Muncie Children’s Museum, where children learn through hands-on play. Dress up in the Make Believe Theater, aim water guns at targets in Water Works and watch model trains run at the Munseetown Express.

5. Muncie Civic Theatre

Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

Catch a play or musical at the Muncie Civic Theatre, which has been producing live shows in Muncie since 1931. Past seasons have included crowd-pleasers such as Sister Act, Willy Wonka, Annie, My Fair Lady and Grease.

6. Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

Photo credit: Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

You don’t have to be a gardener to appreciate the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse at Ball State University. Immerse yourself in more than 2,000 breathtaking orchids at this 3,400-square-foot greenhouse, a living museum that provides education and conservation of rare and endangered orchid species. Besides orchids, visitors learn about edible tropical plants, poison arrow frogs, birds and other tropical creatures on display.

See more: Farm Facts: Nursery & Greenhouse Industry

7. “Garfield” Statue Trail

Cartoonist Jim Davis studied art and business at Ball State University before creating the beloved comic “Garfield”. Muncie and Delaware County pay homage to Davis and his lasagna-loving fat cat with the “Garfield” Statue Trail. Travel around Delaware County to discover 13 playful “Garfield” statues, each measuring about 4 feet tall and creating fun photo opportunities.

8. Lowery’s Home Made Candies

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Lowery’s Home Made Candies, a family business that’s been hand-dipping chocolates since 1941. Lowery’s makes candy the old-fashioned way, stirring each batch in a copper kettle and pouring toffee onto marble slabs to cool. Try Lowery’s handmade fudge and the patented “Dark Secrets,” a locally famous chocolate confection.

9. Academy of Model Aeronautics

Photo credit: International Aeromodeling Center

Aviation fans should be sure to visit the National Model Aviation Museum, located in the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).

“They have competitions with remote-control airplanes, gliders and remote-control helicopters,” Bryan says. “People come from all over the world to compete. AMA brings about 10,000 people here every year from as far away as Japan.”

10. Jack’s Camera Shop

Established in 1948, Jack’s Camera Shop is a rarity – an independently owned camera shop. It recently transitioned to an online store, plus it sells new and used equipment by appointment.

See more: Indiana Glass Trail