Evansville

Evansville is the largest city in Southern Indiana and the third-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for the Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois tri-state area. In 2010, the city had a population of 117,000. In 2008 the Evansville metropolitan area was home to 350,000 people.

Understand
Unlike most of Indiana, Evansville is in the Central Time Zone (same as Chicago.)

The River City is known for its southern-style hospitality, economic vitality, and proud German heritage. Evansville's culture is a combination of Midwestern charms and Southern family values, and fairly distinct from the culture of Indiana's other major cities (South Bend, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne) likely as a result of being isolated from them geographically without a major highway to connect them. The strong economic base provided by giant Toyota and AK Steel plants has allowed the city to thrive in the face of the nationwide recession. Additionally, the vibrant growth of the University of Southern Indiana (established in 1965) has resulted in a strong youth presence and an active and enjoyable nightlife.

The broad economic base of the region has helped to build an economy which is known for its stability, diversity, and vitality. In 2004 Evansville was named an "All-America City" by the National Civic League. In 2008 it was voted the best city in the country in which "to live, work, and play" by the readers of Kiplinger, and in 2009 the 11th best.

History
Paleo Indians left the Angel Mounds in the area as evidence of their distant civilization, and French explorers performed obeisance in calling the area La Belle Rivière.

Settled in 1812, the city sits on a gentle horseshoe bend on the Ohio River and is often referred to as "River City." One of the most popular attractions in the region is Bally's Evansville (formerly Tropicana and Casino Aztar, the first riverboat casino in the state of Indiana). Evansville is also home to the University of Evansville and to the University of Southern Indiana.

By train
There is no passenger train service to this city.

By car
US Highway 41 bisects Evansville. Interstate 69 (formerly I-164) connects Evansville with Interstate 64, 20 miles to the north. Interstate 69 will eventually provide a direct link to Bloomington and Indianapolis.

By bus
Downtown Evansville can be reached via bus lines transiting the classic 1938-era Greyhound bus terminal.

Get around
Highway 41 and Interstate 69 (formerly I-164) are the primary North-South routes, while Diamond Avenue and the Lloyd Expressway are the primary east-west routes through the city. Only the Lloyd Expressway takes you completely from one side of town to the other and despite its name, has numerous intersections and stoplights.

Learn

 * University of Evansville - A small, private university with approximately 3,050 students. Founded in 1854 as Moores Hill College, it is near the interchange of the Lloyd Expressway and U.S. Route 41. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university features liberal arts and sciences degrees, most with strong cooperative learning opportunities on and off campus.
 * University of Evansville - A small, private university with approximately 3,050 students. Founded in 1854 as Moores Hill College, it is near the interchange of the Lloyd Expressway and U.S. Route 41. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university features liberal arts and sciences degrees, most with strong cooperative learning opportunities on and off campus.

Buy

 * Local groceries: If you're lucky enough to be in for a celebration (or simply hanging out with friends), be sure and look for two unique party favorites: Grippo's barbecue flavored potato chips, Ski citrus soft drink. While neither of these is produced exclusively in Evansville, locals will invariably try to convince you they are. These delicious storebought staples simply aren't sold in most cities and can't really be compared to anything else. Caution: Grippo's are unnaturally spicy. Using sour cream as a dip is recommended.
 * Local groceries: If you're lucky enough to be in for a celebration (or simply hanging out with friends), be sure and look for two unique party favorites: Grippo's barbecue flavored potato chips, Ski citrus soft drink. While neither of these is produced exclusively in Evansville, locals will invariably try to convince you they are. These delicious storebought staples simply aren't sold in most cities and can't really be compared to anything else. Caution: Grippo's are unnaturally spicy. Using sour cream as a dip is recommended.
 * Local groceries: If you're lucky enough to be in for a celebration (or simply hanging out with friends), be sure and look for two unique party favorites: Grippo's barbecue flavored potato chips, Ski citrus soft drink. While neither of these is produced exclusively in Evansville, locals will invariably try to convince you they are. These delicious storebought staples simply aren't sold in most cities and can't really be compared to anything else. Caution: Grippo's are unnaturally spicy. Using sour cream as a dip is recommended.
 * Local groceries: If you're lucky enough to be in for a celebration (or simply hanging out with friends), be sure and look for two unique party favorites: Grippo's barbecue flavored potato chips, Ski citrus soft drink. While neither of these is produced exclusively in Evansville, locals will invariably try to convince you they are. These delicious storebought staples simply aren't sold in most cities and can't really be compared to anything else. Caution: Grippo's are unnaturally spicy. Using sour cream as a dip is recommended.
 * Local groceries: If you're lucky enough to be in for a celebration (or simply hanging out with friends), be sure and look for two unique party favorites: Grippo's barbecue flavored potato chips, Ski citrus soft drink. While neither of these is produced exclusively in Evansville, locals will invariably try to convince you they are. These delicious storebought staples simply aren't sold in most cities and can't really be compared to anything else. Caution: Grippo's are unnaturally spicy. Using sour cream as a dip is recommended.

Connect

 * Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau

By phone
Most telephone numbers in Evansville consist of +1 812 plus a seven-digit number, but the entire 812 area is now served by an overlay complex of two area codes, with 930 being the second. A local or in-state telephone call now requires all 10 digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call). The same holds true on the other side of the Ohio River; the western third of Kentucky, including Henderson, is served by its own overlay complex (270 and 364).

Signage on many established businesses may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 812 before these if no area code is indicated (or, if on the Kentucky side, 270).

Stay safe

 * Evansville is a safe town with very few areas that are unsafe even at night. The southern areas of the town are seen as the most rough but are just low-income residential.

Go next

 * Holiday World & Splashin' Safari - Holiday World is a large theme park located to the northeast of Evansville in Santa Claus, Indiana. It has three of the best wooden roller coasters in the world, "The Raven", "The Legend", and "The Voyage". Included in the price of admission is the water park Splashin' Safari. Splashin' Safari has several world class water slides, two wave pools, two lazy rivers and two family-attraction water play areas.
 * Historic New Harmony - One of two of America's great utopian communities. The town's unique history comes alive on guided tours offered to 15 historic sites. The Atheneum is a strikingly modern building designed by Richard Meier and provides an introduction to the community with an orientation film, communal history exhibits, and an observation deck. The New Harmony Inn offers a relaxing escape for tourists and the Red Geranium has been voted one of the best restaurants in the region. New Harmony Inn