Discover Nine Places to Clown Around in Peru, Indiana
Treat yourself to a springtime getaway in Peru, a family-friendly community located along the Wabash River in north-central Indiana.
As the Miami County seat, Peru offers something for just about everyone – restaurants, shopping, historic attractions, outdoor adventure and live entertainment – making it the perfect place for a memorable spring break vacation.
“Peru is a friendly, welcoming community that has everything you need to have a great time,” says Sandy Chittum, president of the Miami County Chamber of Commerce and the Miami County Tourism Bureau. “Whether you’re looking for a quiet afternoon at a museum, a night out on the town or a day spent on the water, we have you covered.”
Ready to plan your trip? Read on to discover some of Peru’s most popular destinations.
1. International Circus Hall of Fame
Peru has a long history with circuses – and it’s all documented at the International Circus Hall of Fame. The museum, located in the former Wallace Circus and American Circus Corporation Winter Quarters, features memorabilia including vintage posters, one-of-a-kind costumes, a miniature replica of the 1934 Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus (a traveling show that became the second-largest circus in the U.S.) and more.
2. Circus City Festival Museum
Known as the Circus Capital of the World, Peru also commemorates its storied circus history at the Circus City Festival Museum in the Circus City Center. Those looking to see in-person circus acts will have to return to Peru in the summertime, which is when the Peru Amateur Circus performs and the eight-day Peru Circus City Festival takes place.
3. Miami County Museum
Situated across from the Miami County Courthouse, the Miami County Museum includes the piano and 1955 Fleetwood Cadillac owned by Peru native Cole Porter, one of America’s most famous twentieth-century songwriters, as well as exhibits showcasing pioneer living, Native American artifacts and circus memorabilia.
See more: Take a Step Back in Time in Memorable Metamora
4. Grissom Air Museum
This military aviation museum at Grissom Air Reserve Base has more than 20 American aircraft on display from multiple decades of service, such as a B-17 Flying Fortress, a B-58 Hustler and an A-10 Warthog. In addition to exploring the historic aircraft, Grissom Air Museum visitors can climb its observation tower and take in a bird’s-eye view, learn about pioneers of aviation such as the Wright brothers and even sit in the cockpits of select aircraft.
5. Nickel Plate Trail
Stretching more than 40 miles along an abandoned railroad from Kokomo to Rochester, the Nickel Plate Trail passes through Peru and provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. This well-maintained, paved trail is a favorite spot for cyclists, runners and walkers, thanks to its beautiful countryside views and mix of wetlands and woodlands along the way.
See more: All Aboard the Nickel Plate Express
6. River Walkway Park and HC Park
Located along the banks of the Wabash River, the 15-acre River Walkway Park has a 1.8-mile paved walkway, a playground, open green space and picnic tables, making it a top spot for families looking to enjoy a fun afternoon outside. Nearby, HC Park features Peru’s only all-inclusive playground, established by Harvesting Capabilities Inc., a nonprofit organization devoted to serving people with disabilities in Miami County.
7. Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre
Enjoy family-friendly live entertainment at Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre, named after John Sigvard “Ole” Olsen, who was born in Peru in 1892 and rose to fame as a vaudevillian and comedian. With its in-house, nonprofit community theater group taking the stage throughout the year, Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre has hosted performances of popular shows such as “A Christmas Story” and “Come Blow Your Horn.”
8. 7 Pillars Brewing Co.
A state-of-the-art brewhouse and pizzeria, 7 Pillars Brewing Co. is one of Peru’s newest attractions – and it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular. Located in one of the community’s most historic buildings constructed in 1902 on the Courthouse Square, 7 Pillars Brewing Co. serves up handmade, wood-fired pizzas made from locally grown and produced ingredients as well as brews made in-house, including permanent and seasonal selections.
See more: Indiana Businesses Celebrate Locally Grown Ingredients Through Malts and Spirits
9. Rock Hollow Golf Club
Play a round at Rock Hollow Golf Club, an 18-hole track ranked by Golf Magazine as a top 10 course in Indiana. This award-winning public course also includes a driving range and a short game area for chipping and putting. Looking for more golf? Check out the Indiana Oaks Golf Club and the Leaning Tree Golf Course, both of which are nine-hole tracks, along with the 18-hole Peru Municipal Golf Course.
If You Go
International Circus Hall of Fame
3076 Peru Circus Ln.
765-472-7553
Circus City Festival Museum
154 N. Broadway
765-472-3918
perucircus.com
Miami County Museum
51 N. Broadway
765-473-9183
Grissom Air Museum
1000 W. Hoosier Blvd.
765-689-8011
grissomairmuseum.com
Nickel Plate Trail
nickelplatetrail.org
Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre
154 S. Broadway
765-472-3680
onthestage.tickets/ole-olsen-memorial-theatre
7 Pillars Brewing Co.
20 E. 5th St.
765-919-4300
Rock Hollow Golf Club
669 S. 250 W.
765-473-6100
rockhollowgolf.com
Indiana Oaks Golf Club
1356 N. Country Club Rd.
765-473-7312
indianaoaks.com
Leaning Tree Golf Course
1300 Peru Pl.
765-689-9705
Peru Municipal Golf Course
1863 S. Strawtown Pike
765-473-6806
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