Terre Haute
Around Terre Haute
Photo: Huwmanbeing (original), Yassie (jpeg conversion) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Indiana · 168k people
Terre Haute
Locals say Wabash Valley · “The Haute”
Where the Wabash flows and the Sycamores grow.
Indiana State royal blue
Welcome to the Wabash Valley! Whether you're here for the covered bridges, the river, or the Sycamores, you'll find a friendly community. Grab a tenderloin and enjoy the local pace.
Clubs for Terre Haute
No clubs for Terre Haute yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Terre Haute. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Terre Haute. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Indiana State University Home of the Sycamores and a hub of local events.
- Hulman Center Arena for basketball and concerts.
- Wabash River The river that defines the valley, with parks and trails.
- Turkey Run State Park Scenic canyons and hiking trails.
- Shades State Park Rugged terrain and canoeing opportunities.
- Bridgeton Covered Bridge Iconic covered bridge in Parke County.
- Outdoors Hiking Turkey Run State Park
- Outdoors Canoeing the Wabash River
- With kids Visit the Terre Haute Children's Museum
- With kids Attend the Wabash Valley Fair
- Evenings Catch a Sycamores basketball game
- Evenings Enjoy live music downtown
- Locals love Covered bridges
- Locals love State parks
Through the year
- Parke County Covered Bridge Festival October October festival celebrating the area's many covered bridges.
- Wabash Valley Fair July Annual county fair with rides, livestock, and food.
- Indiana State Sycamores basketball season Winter Winter home games at Hulman Center.
- Terre Haute Action Track racing season Summer Dirt track racing from spring through fall.
- Indiana State University Homecoming Fall Fall celebration with parade and football game.
The Wabash Valley has four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters. Spring and fall are the most pleasant for outdoor activities. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with mild temperatures and colorful scenery.
Talk like a local
- “the Valley”
- The Wabash Valley region
- “Sycamores”
- Indiana State University teams
- “the Action Track”
- The Terre Haute Action Track dirt racing venue
- “covered bridge country”
- Parke County, known for its many covered bridges
Getaways
- Bloomington, IN Indiana University campus and Lake Monroe.
- Greencastle, IN DePauw University and historic downtown.
- Champaign-Urbana, IL University of Illinois and vibrant arts scene.
- Crawfordsville, IN Wabash College and the Lane Place.
Local flavour
Teams
- Indiana State Sycamores NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Breaded pork tenderloin sandwich A Hoosier classic, widely available in the area
- Sugar cream pie Indiana’s state pie, common in local diners
- Beef Manhattan A local diner staple of roast beef on bread with gravy.
- Persimmon pudding A Hoosier fall dessert made from wild persimmons.
Where people go
- Covered bridges Parke County is the Covered Bridge Capital of the World
- Wabash River Runs through the heart of the area
- Historic downtown Brick streets and local shops in Terre Haute
Heritage and traditions
Terre Haute is proud of its labor and railroad heritage, its literary legacy, and the natural beauty of the Wabash Valley with its famous covered bridges.
This time of year in Terre Haute
- Fall foliage drives October Scenic drives through Parke County's covered bridges amid autumn colors.
Say it like a local: “crick” — a small stream (creek)
Festivals
- Terre Haute Germanfest August Celebrates the city's German heritage with food, music, and dancing.
- Wabash Riverfest June A riverside festival with live music, food vendors, and family activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Eugene V. Debs House Home of the labor leader and five-time presidential candidate.
- Vigo County Courthouse A grand 19th-century courthouse in the center of Terre Haute.
- Indiana Theatre A beautifully restored atmospheric theater from the 1920s.
- Swope Art Museum Houses a collection of American art, including works by Hoosier artists.
- CANDLES Holocaust Museum Founded by Eva Kor, a Holocaust survivor, to educate about tolerance.
- Allen Chapel AME Church A historic African Methodist Episcopal church with a significant local history.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Friday fish fries during Lent, hosted by churches and community groups, a staple of the Catholic and Christian tradition.
- German sausage Bratwurst and other sausages reflect the German immigrant influence, especially during Germanfest.
- Wabash River catfish Fried catfish from the Wabash River, a local favorite often served at family gatherings.
Music and arts
- Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra A regional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Community Theatre Local theater groups producing plays and musicals.
- Swope Art Museum collection A notable collection of American art, including works by Hoosier artists.
- Hoosier literary tradition The city's literary heritage from Dreiser and Ehrmann.
A little history
- 1855 Eugene V. Debs is born in Terre Haute.
- 1871 Theodore Dreiser is born in Terre Haute.
- 1893 Debs founds the American Railway Union.
- 1945 Tony Hulman purchases the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Rivalries
- Indiana State vs. Indiana University In-state college rivalry, especially in basketball.
- Indiana State vs. Purdue Another in-state matchup with local pride.
- Terre Haute North vs. South high school football Local cross-town rivalry on Friday nights.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Sycamores basketball at the Hulman Center
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Wabash River
- Outdoors Birdwatching along the river
- With kids Swope Art Museum's family days
- With kids CANDLES Holocaust Museum's educational programs
Locals speak with a Hoosier accent, a blend of Midland and Southern features, often saying 'pop' for soda, 'crick' for creek, and 'warsh' for wash. The term 'Hoosier' is a source of pride.
Only here
- Parke County has more covered bridges than any other county in the U.S.
- The Debs House is a National Historic Landmark.
- The Hulman family's connection to the Indianapolis 500.
- Terre Haute means 'high land' in French.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Terre Haute' as 'Terra Hote' (like hot), but locals often say 'Terra Hoot'.
- Try a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and a slice of sugar cream pie.
- Explore the covered bridges in Parke County, especially in October.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Learn about Eugene V. Debs and the labor history at the Debs House.
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Nearby
Every areaParisIllinoisHeart of the Illinois prairieGreencastleIndianaA college town with country soulLintonIndianaFriendly hills, coal heritage, and quiet lakes.RobinsonIllinoisWhere the Wabash winds through prairie and oil fieldsCharlestonIllinoisSmall-town warmth under endless skies.DanvilleIllinoisWhere the corn meets the skyCrawfordsvilleIndianaWhere covered bridges meet the cornfields.BloomingtonIndianaWhere limestone meets hoosier heart.
Terre Haute, IN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.