Jasper Community Arts
The Jasper Community Arts is one of the finest cultural, entertainment and educational venues in Southern Indiana. The center is adjacent to Vincennes University Jasper Campus on Jasper’s southeast side. The Jasper Community Arts Commission (JCAC), a department of the City of Jasper, offers a season of diverse performing arts events through its Performers Series, Backstage Series, and Family Fun Series in the 675-seat theater, in addition to hosting year-round local theater productions, concerts, recitals and community events. A Kennedy Center partner, the JCAC works with area schools to provide one of the state’s most extensive arts in education programs. The Krempp Gallery, located inside the Jasper Arts Center, hosts twelve exhibits annually ranging from local and regional to nationally recognized artists and features a wide variety of media. Other activities include workshops and classes, an annual Chalk Walk Arts Festival, and Brown Bag Lunch events. For current events and ticket information, call JCAC at 812-482-3070.
Museums
The Dubois County Museum, located at 2704 Newton Street, exhibits 47,000 square feet of amazing displays and artifacts including displays of local history, early settlers, antique tools, farm equipment, war-time themes, retro era assortments, county sports, town murals, a log cabin original, a village replica, and numerous other relics.
Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame, located in the Alvin C. Ruxer Student Center at the Vincennes University Jasper Campus, features unique memorabilia from the state’s high school and professional players.
Attractions
Jasper Historical Walking Tour includes more than twenty of Jasper’s oldest sites. Covering approximately two miles, the tour includes historic downtown landmark St. Joseph Church, beautiful murals, Jasper Train Depot, Jasper City Mill, and Indiana’s only maypole.
The Grotto on Ninth Street exhibits the work of a priest who built a remarkable garden of rock.
Dubois County Courthouse, centrally located in Jasper’s downtown square, was designed in the Renaissance Revival style and completed in 1910. It contains 50,000 bricks from the county’s original courthouse. A collection of artifacts from the county’s early history is on display in the lobby. The Civil War Monument outside of the Courthouse has scenes of war events depicted on the structure. Lincoln letters were actually found inside this monument.
The Jasper City Mill and the Jasper Train Depot are replicas from the past located near the Patoka Bridge where Jasper was founded. From the depot, board the “Spirit of Jasper” for a train ride excursion to French Lick Casino.
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions and activities are plentiful and are only minutes away from Jasper. Dubois County Visitors Center, located at 2704 Newton Street in Jasper, can provide information about county tourism and attractions.
Patoka Lake, 12 miles east of Jasper, provides outdoor recreation on the 8,880-acre lake and 25,950-acre DNR property including boating, fishing, swimming, camping, bicycling, and more.
The seasonal Paoli Peaks, in Paoli, provides a winter playground for all levels of snow skiers and snowboarders. Snow tubing is also available.
South of Jasper in Huntingburg, is the famous Huntingburg League Stadium, where the 1992 hit movie, “A League of Their Own,” starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis, was filmed. Experience a Dubois County Bombers game at the retro League Stadium, home to the Bombers and where games are scheduled regularly.
Southeast in Ferdinand, is the impressive Monastery Immaculate Conception, known as “Castle on the Hill.” The domed structure is home to one of the nation’s largest communities of Benedictine women.
The well-known Holiday World & Splashin‘ Safari is located in Santa Claus, Indiana. The award-winning theme park is great for all ages and has four huge wooden coasters, family rides, a giant water park, shows, and offers free soft drinks and sunscreen.
East of Jasper, the historic towns of French Lick and West Baden are thriving tourist destinations. West Baden Springs National Historic Landmark, once called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” is a six-story domed atrium and along with the grand French Lick Springs Resort offer world class spas, golfing, and a casino. Big Splash Adventure provide family fun in a retractable-roofed indoor water park. The Indiana Railway Museum offers train rides through the Hoosier National Forest, limestone rock-cuts, and a 2,200-foot tunnel.
In Crawford County, Marengo Cave offers spectacular underground tours and Cave Country Canoes offers canoe trips down the scenic Blue River.
Events & Festivals
The German heritage of Jasper is celebrated at the Jasper Strassenfest, a four-day festival that draws over 30,000 visitors every year. Held annually starting on Thursday before the first weekend in August, the festival is centered on the downtown square in Jasper. German bands provide a musical atmosphere as guests enjoy the German cuisine served at concessions while children ride the carnival rides and try their skills at game stands. The Bier Garten offers excitement, as the fenced street is crowded with old and new acquaintances experiencing good cheer. Athletic contests and activities are held, a queen is crowned, and a 100-unit parade is held for thousands to view and enjoy. Special performances by visiting Germans, often from Jasper’s sister city, Pfaffenweiler, also help celebrate the community’s rich heritage at the Jasper Strassenfest.
The Chalk Walk Arts Festival is held annually in spring on the square in downtown Jasper. Hundreds of people participate and create chalk and pastel “masterpieces” using the sidewalks as their concrete canvases. Many others come to view the artwork and shop. Musicians perform and delicious food is available for sampling. Paintings, sketches, jewelry, pottery, textiles, metalwork, and photography can be purchased from artists at the outdoor Arts Market during the festival.
The start of the Christmas season begins for many at the Jasper O’Tannenbaum Days, an annual event held on the first weekend in December. Strolling carolers, musical performances, carriage rides, and a visit with Santa await. Throughout the weekend, enjoy the Christmas displays around the square and in store windows while artisans demonstrate their skills in local shops. German cuisine at local restaurants and a tour at St. Joseph Church and the Dubois County Museum complete the yuletide experience.
Restaurants
A multitude of restaurants in Jasper offer a diverse menu of food. Pride and culinary skills are evident in area restaurants with superb soups, sandwiches, and fast foods at noontime rush hour to full course feasts during an evening out. These establishments serve the ultimate of German, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, and American cuisines appealing to diners from all around.
The well-known Schnitzelbank Restaurant, only found in Jasper, offers a wide variety of German cuisine while several Chinese restaurants serve oriental buffets and Mexican establishments offer delightful Mexican entrees. The highly-recommended Mill House, Headquarters, the American Legion, Mac-A-Doos/Out of Bounds, and Azura Café & Grill offer an American cuisine along with other select entrees. Restaurant chains include Applebees, Buffalo Wings & Rings, Denny’s, Shoney’s, and Fazoli’s.
Lodging
Places to stay the night or week in Jasper are highly recommended and offer a comfortable stay for travelers or local enthusiasts wanting to get away.
Days Inn
272 Brucke Strasse
Jasper, IN 47546
812-482-6000
www.daysinn.com
84 Rooms, Laundry Facilities, Fitness Room, Free Breakfast, Meeting & Banquet Rooms, Restaurant, Lounge, and Outdoor Pool.
Fairfield Inn & Suites
333 River Center Landing
Jasper, IN 47546
812-250-5155
marriott.com
Brand new, 84 Rooms, Free Breakfast, Exercise Room, Indoor Pool, Overlooking River, Next to the Train Depot.
Hampton Inn
355 3rd Avenue
Jasper, IN 47546
812-481-1888
www.hamptoninn.com
90 Rooms, Parlor Rooms & Suites, Laundry Facilities, Free Breakfast Bar, and Indoor Pool. Schnitzelbank Restaurant on Premises.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
2000 Hospitality Drive
Jasper, IN 47546
812-482-3344
www.hiexpress.com/jasperin
77 Guest Rooms, 17 suites, Fitness Center, Indoor Pool, Whirlpool, and Meeting/Business Center.
River House Bed and Breakfast, LLC
410 East Riverside Drive
Jasper, IN 47546
614-607-2422
riverhousebandb.com
4 Rooms, Free Breakfast, located near the Bridge, Mill, Train Depot, and The RiverWalk.
Super 8 – Jasper
75 Indiana Street
Jasper, IN 47546
812-481-2008
http://www.super8.com
56 Rooms, Free SuperStart Breakfast, Free Access to Business Center, Outdoor Swimming Pool, and Pet Friendly. Shoney’s Restaurant on Premises.
SureStay PLUS Hotel
951 Wernsing Road
Jasper, IN 47546
812-482-5555
http://www.SureStay.com
68 Rooms, Non-Smoking Property, Pet Friendly, Indoor Pool & Hot Tub, Business Center, Fitness Center, Lounge, Snack Shop, and Guest Laundry.
Winfield West Bed & Breakfast
325 West 6th Street
Jasper, IN 47546
812-556-0111
winfieldwestbb.com
3 Rooms, Free Breakfast, In-Suite Bathrooms for Every Room, walking distance to Downtown Square.