Vincennes
Around Vincennes
Photo: Indianamermaid (Tiffany Carpenter) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Indiana · 35k people
Vincennes
Where the Wabash weaves through history
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Welcome to Vincennes, where the Wabash River runs through our story. Enjoy the small-town charm and the smell of fresh melons in the summer. Come for the history, stay for the friendly faces.
Clubs for Vincennes
No clubs for Vincennes yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Vincennes. 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 Vincennes. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- George Rogers Clark National Historical Park Memorial to the Revolutionary War victory
- Wabash River waterfront Scenic riverfront with trails and views
- Historic downtown Old brick buildings and local shops
- Ouabache Trails Park City park with hiking and picnic areas
- Vincennes University Oldest public college in Indiana
- Indiana Military Museum Displays of military history
- Outdoors Fishing on the Wabash River
- Outdoors Hiking at Ouabache Trails Park
- With kids Visit George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
- With kids Play at Ouabache Trails Park
- Evenings Downtown bars
- Evenings Live music at local venues
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Fishing spots
Through the year
- Knox County Fair August County fair with livestock, rides, and food
- Vincennes Melon Festival August Celebrates the local melon harvest with tastings and contests
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, hot summers and cold winters. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with mild temps and low humidity.
Getaways
- Washington Small town with a historic square
- Evansville Larger city with zoo and riverfront
- Terre Haute College town with museums and parks
- Bloomington Home of Indiana University, arts and dining
Local flavour
Rooting for Indiana Hoosiers, Purdue Boilermakers, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich An Indiana staple, often breaded and fried, served with pickles and onion.
- Sugar cream pie A Hoosier classic, also known as 'desperation pie'.
- Vincennes melon A local watermelon variety celebrated in the region.
Where people go
- George Rogers Clark National Historical Park An iconic landmark commemorating the Revolutionary War in the Indiana Territory.
- Wabash River waterfront The river defines the area, offering scenic views and recreation.
- Historic downtown Small‑town charm with preserved 19th‑century architecture.
- Farmland Vast fields of corn and soybeans that shape the rural character.
Heritage and traditions
Vincennes is proud of its French colonial roots and role as the first capital of the Indiana Territory, and its small-town riverfront charm.
This time of year in Vincennes
- Hunting season Fall Deer and turkey hunting are popular.
Say it like a local: “Crick” — A small stream
Festivals
- Rendezvous at Fort Sackville September Revolutionary War encampment at George Rogers Clark NHP.
Landmarks with a story
- Old Cathedral (Basilica of St. Francis Xavier) Oldest Catholic church in Indiana, founded in 1734.
- Grouseland Home of William Henry Harrison while he was governor of Indiana Territory.
Food traditions
- Wabash River catfish dinners Churches and clubs host fish fries with fresh-caught catfish.
- Persimmon pudding A fall dessert made from wild persimmons, a southern Indiana specialty.
Music and arts
- Red Skelton's clown paintings Skelton was also an artist known for his paintings of clowns.
A little history
- 1732 French settlers founded Vincennes
- 1779 George Rogers Clark captured Fort Sackville from the British
- 1800 Vincennes became the capital of the newly created Indiana Territory
- 1801 Vincennes University was established
- 1813 Territorial capital moved to Corydon
Rivalries
- Indiana vs Purdue Statewide college rivalry, big here
- Vincennes vs Princeton High school football rivalry
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments on the Wabash
- Outdoors Hunting deer and turkey
- Outdoors Camping along the Wabash
- With kids Tour Grouseland
- With kids Visit the Old Cathedral
Locals speak with a Southern Indiana accent, and 'Vincennes' is pronounced 'vin-SENZ'.
Only here
- The Old Cathedral is the oldest Catholic church in Indiana.
- Vincennes was the first capital of Indiana Territory.
- The only Revolutionary War battle in Indiana occurred at Fort Sackville.
- The Vincennes melon is a unique local variety.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Vincennes' as 'vin-SENZ'.
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and cold winters.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich and a slice of sugar cream pie.
- Visit the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
- Know that the Wabash can flood in spring, so stay aware.
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Nearby
Every areaWashingtonIndianaSmall-town charm, big harvest heart.Mount CarmelIllinoisRiver country, homegrownPrincetonIndianaRiver-fed farmland and friendly small townsRobinsonIllinoisWhere the Wabash winds through prairie and oil fieldsOlneyIllinoisA patchwork of farms and friendly townsLintonIndianaFriendly hills, coal heritage, and quiet lakes.JasperIndianaLocal rooms for Dubois County.EvansvilleIndianaWhere the river bends, the welcome is wide
Vincennes, 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.