Evansville is situated along the Ohio River in extreme southwestern Indiana, officially occupying about half of Vanderburgh County. It is Indiana’s third-largest city, with a population of approximately 120,000. The metropolitan area (which includes the Indiana cities of Mount Vernon, Newburgh, and Princeton, along with Henderson across the river in Kentucky) is home to over 300,000 people. Evansville is the regional commercial and cultural hub for the Indiana/Kentucky/Illinois “Tri-State Area,” but is also within an easy day’s drive of at least seven major cities - Louisville (126 miles), Nashville (156 miles), St. Louis (174 miles), Indianapolis (176 miles), Cincinnati (216 miles), Memphis (287 miles), and Chicago (300 miles).
Time Zone
“What time zone is it in?” is perhaps the most-asked question about the city of Evansville. So if you’re coming for a visit, please be advised that Evansville is in the Central Time Zone, and the city DOES observe Daylight Saving Time during the late spring, summer and early fall. “Evansville time” is always the same as the time in cities such as Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Memphis, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and St. Louis. “Evansville time” is NOT the same as the time in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Louisville, New York and Toronto. At any time from anywhere, you can always view the current local time in Evansville by clicking here.
Weather
Evansville features a wide variety of weather conditions throughout the year. Winter brings average highs in the 40′s and 50′s and average lows in the 20′s and 30′s, with an annual average of about 15 inches of snowfall. Spring and fall typically feature comfortable temperatures (highs in the 60′s and 70′s with lows generally well-above freezing) and 3-4 inches of rain per month, with thunderstorms being fairly common. Summer is hot and humid but without much rainfall, with highs in the 80′s and 90′s and lows in the 70′s. Via Weather.com, check out Evansville’s current conditions and the local forecast here.
Media
Evansville’s location (close to several major cities but not too close) allows the city to boast more media outlets than many cities of comparable size. The city has television affiliates for ABC (WEHT “News 25″), CBS (WEVV “CBS 44″), FOX (WTVW “FOX 7″), NBC (“14 WFIE”), the CW (WAZE “CW-19″), and MyNetwork (“My44 Evansville”), plus a local Public Broadcasting Station (WNIN Channel 9). Over a dozen high-power radio stations are based in Evansville, with several others serving the city from the surrounding counties. [For more information about the area's TV landscape and a complete listing of radio stations, please visit Jake's DTV Blog.] In print, the Evansville Courier & Press newspaper sells nearly 60,000 copies daily and over 90,000 on Sundays, while magazines Evansville Living (published bi-monthly and available for purchase or subscription) and News 4U (published monthly and available for free at numerous locations throughout the city) provide updates and insights about the local culture and night life.
Sports
Evansville is a relatively small but vibrant sports market. The IceMen began playing to capacity crowds at Swonder in 2008.
The Evansville Otters baseball club participates in the independent Frontier League (Class ”A”) and plays at Bosse Field, which was the setting for much of the film A League of Their Own and is the nation’s third-oldest active professional ballpark. (Only Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field are older.)
The Evansville Enforcers semi-pro football team also calls Evansville home. The Evansville Enforcers are members of the Great Midwest Football League and are managed by the Evansville Semi-Pro Football Corporation, a Non-Profit Domestic Corporation in the State of Indiana.
The University of Evansville‘s NCAA Division 1 Purple Aces.
University of Southern Indiana‘s NCAA Division 2 Screaming Eagles cater to fans of college basketball and numerous other sports.
High school sports, particularly basketball and football, are also quite popular in Evansville.
Things To Do & See
There are lots of things to do and see in and around Evansville. You can walk along the Ohio River at the beautiful Dress Plaza Riverfront, visit a coffeehouse or restaurant along Main Street, take in a thoroughbred horse race or two at Henderson’s Ellis Park, “feed the one-armed bandits” at Casino Aztar, tour the historic World War II LST 325 ship, or check out one of over 100 shops at Eastland Mall. If you prefer the great outdoors, visit Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden,Burdette Park & Aquatic Center, or Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve. (And if you want a real treat, drive about an hour southwest into Illinois and visit Garden of the Gods, a collection of amazing glacier-produced natural rock formations that’s part of the Shawnee National Forest, with hiking trails and camping grounds.)
If you’re looking for something educational, stop by the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science with Koch Planetarium(and don’t miss the adjacent Evansville Museum Transportation Center while you’re there), take the kids to the Children’s Museum of Evansville, or check out a book at Willard Library, which is Indiana’s oldest public library (built in 1885) and, according to legend, haunted by the “Grey Lady” ghost. If you’re into history, visit Historic New Harmony or Angel Mounds State Historical Site, or tour the Victorian-era Reitz Home Museum. If miniature golf is your thing, pick up a putter and swing away at Walther’s Golf-n-Fun (which offers an indoor course that is open year-round), Adventureland Golf, or Midget Links.
During the summer, get in touch with your inner gearhead at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, just north of Evansville. Or if you prefer some peaceful nostalgia, you can head about a half-hour east to tiny Reo and enjoy a double feature of new releases under the stars at the 5-screen Holiday Drive-In, Indiana’s largest active drive-in theatre. Finally, if you want some fun in the sun, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, America’s oldest theme park (open annually since 1946), is just an hour away in scenic Santa Claus, Indiana. The park features three of the nation’s best wooden rollercoasters (according toAmusement Today), one of America’s finest water parks, free unlimited soft drinks for all visitors, and free parking!
Annual Events
The Evansville area has its fair share of “mark your calendars each and every year” traditions. Things get started in June, both across the Ohio with Henderson’s WC Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival and in Evansville with the Dragons on the Ohio dragon boat races. In July, the Vanderburgh County Fair features concerts, motorsports, food and carnival rides. Early August brings the Germania Mannerchor Volksfest, as well as Goodwill’s Ducks on the Ohio rubber duck race for charity. Later in August, you can attend the Frog Follies, an enormous classic car show that features over 4000 vehicles, with all proceeds going to charities and student scholarships. In September, visit the banks of the Wabash River for New Harmony’s Kunstfest, with food, arts and crafts, and family-friendly fun.
And each October, you can be among the more than 150,000 people who enjoy the carnival rides and eat all kinds of food (including “normal” items like corn dogs and elephant ears along with more “exotic” fare such as brain sandwiches and chocolate-covered grasshoppers) at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival, held annually since 1924 and once described by legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey as being larger than any American street festival except New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. The Fall Festival is often regarded as Evansville’s signature event, with over 100 non-profit food booths and a large parade that typically includes an appearance by the IceMen.
Food & Drink
If you’re hungry or thirsty, Evansville offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for burgers and fries, pizza, subs, ethnic cuisine, ice cream, or just a frosty brew. We have numerous familiar chains, from fast food to “fast-casual” to intimate dining. We also have dozens of places to take in some “local flavor,” from Evansville-style stromboli to brain sandwiches and everything in between. Please do consider patronizing establishments who serve as IceMen Sponsors, and tell ‘em the IceMen sent ya. For more information about where to grab a bite or a beverage in Evansville, search the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Dining Database, visit EvansvilleDining.com, or browse News 4U’s Restaurant & Bar Listing. And if you’d like the input of those who eat here all the time, feel free to ask questions on our Fan Forum. The IceMen Maniacs are always ready and willing to help!
Hotels & Lodging
Evansville offers thousands of hotel rooms for visitors, as well as several chalets and bed & breakfasts. If you’re coming to town, please visit our IceMen Sponsors page and look into making a reservation with one of our corporate partners. For a full list of places to stay, check out the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Accommodations page.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Evansville area, please contact the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions on our Fan Forum. “Hoosier Hospitality” isn’t just a catchphrase – it’s a way of life. So if there’s anything we can do to make your visit to Evansville more enjoyable, we’ll certainly do our best!
