I hail from a small town in southern Illinois with a population of less than 5,000. I’ve lived in Evansville for three years, and I hate when people say, “There’s nothing to do here.”
False. There’s tons of stuff to do here.
Granted, someone who has lived here their whole life has more power saying that than I do. But for all the newcomers at USI who aren’t from Evansville, don’t fear. Here are some fun things you can do in the city.
Visit Downtown Evansville
Downtown Evansville is a vibrant spot unlike the rest of the city. Some of the best restaurants, stores and attractions are found in this area.
My favorite restaurants and cafes downtown include Penny Lane Coffeehouse, Just Rennie’s, Main Street Food & Beverage and Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery. Other Evansville favorites include BRU Burger Bar, Samuel’s, COMFORT by the Cross-Eyed Cricket, 2nd Language Ramen and Insomnia Cookies.
I like a ton of restaurants in Evansville, but I won’t bore you with any more of my food choices. Ask your peers if they know any good places around town, and remember, restaurants on the West Side are more likely to have student discounts!
Shop
Another non-cost-effective option, but sometimes, it’s fun to shop! My family would drive to Evansville every few months just to go shopping.
The Eastland Mall is probably the biggest shopping center in Evansville, but I don’t like going to the mall by myself for personal reasons. Gather some friends together if you decide to go, then you have an excuse to wander around together and stop at Auntie Anne’s.
Consider visiting some small businesses as well. My roommate used to praise Plato’s Closet for its quality, prices and the money she made selling old clothes there. If you’re into pop culture, video games and movies, visit Coconuts and Super Mega Replay. Music lovers, check out Moore Guitars or Space Monkey Records! There’s a store for everyone.
Visit Evansville Attractions
I mentioned several of these already, but research some attractions around Evansville. There are a ton of cool ones, such as historic Bosse Field, where the movie “A League of Their Own” was filmed, the Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands nature preserves, the Evansville Wartime Museum and so on.
USI’s Recreation Fitness and Wellness Center offers Eagle Perks for free admission to the Evansville Museum and Mesker Park Zoo year-round. Take advantage of these opportunities!
Find quality entertainment
To follow the theme, there are plenty of fun things to do in Evansville, many of which I discovered through Eagle Perks. Among them include Walther’s Golf & Fun, which offers laser tag, arcade games and indoor and outdoor courses, and High Score Player Two, one of the largest classic arcades in the area that doesn’t require coins to play. Past Eagle Perks have included a voucher for Vertical Escape and a local pumpkin patch.
Although it’s never been an Eagle Perk, I also love Plaid & Timber Axe Throwing Company. You must be 18 years old to participate and it costs $20 per person for an hour of throwing, but I promise you, I loved it my first time going here. The staff was helpful and personable, and they prioritize your safety above all else. It’s a great venue with plenty of games for everyone to enjoy.
Follow local events and USI’s Eagle Perks
Follow local outlets to keep up on local events and check the RFWC Eagle Perks every month. “The Shield” frequently covers events on campus and updates on events happening around the area. Other local outlets, such as the Evansville Courier & Press and 14 News, do the same. If you’re going to be a part of the community here at USI, plug into the greater Evansville community, too!
Hopefully, this gave you some ideas of what to do around the city. If you don’t like any of my suggestions, create your own entertainment! Host board game nights at your apartment, binge-watch a new show in your residence hall, hang out on campus or meet new friends with common interests.
I expect no one to say there is nothing to do in Evansville ever again!
