My family enjoys visiting those spots with a little nostalgia or fun vibe, and far too often, we’ve lived a quick drive away from a restaurant, museum or local site, yet have never experienced it for ourselves.
If you’re visiting Hendricks County, Indiana, or simply looking for a unique spot you may not have experienced before, here are a few locations that may be a little quirky or different, but can only be found here.
The Mayberry Cafe is a popular tourist destination for all-things The Andy Griffith Show. Check out the replica squad car parked out front, the reruns of the iconic 1960s comedy playing throughout the restaurant and memorabilia galore.
You don’t even have to be a fan of the show to enjoy the home-cooked meals of fried chicken, tenderloin or a made-from-scratch soup.
The only museum and retail store in the U.S. dedicated to the long-running British television show Doctor Who is located right here in Camby, Indiana.
This destination has become a must-visit for fans of the show who love to see iconic objects like the replica TARDIS, used for traveling in time and space. You can even find actual items from the show if you look hard enough on the museum side.
On the retail side, shop for action figures, games, clothing and more, or spend some time in the game and viewing room with Doctor Who movies and shows running throughout the day.
It’s a local landmark on County Road 625 East, built in 1906 and still used today by CSX but perhaps more importantly, it comes with long-circulated rumors of a drunken rail worker who was buried alive in wet cement or a young mother walking along the tracks with her infant when she fell from the bridge.
Not only is it a beautiful architectural piece with large spandrel arches, but you might also hear various noises late at night, which makes it a not-to-be-missed stop in Hendricks County.
Up until the 1970s, the Hendricks County Historical Museum served as the jail and sheriff’s residence in the county. A visit includes rooms with artifacts from the late 1800s to early 1900s, sharing a bit of Hendricks County history in the kitchen, parlor and bedrooms.
But the most popular stop on the tour by far remains the jail in the basement, which definitely has a medieval vibe. Hear the stories of the jail's history and just what life was like for the sheriff and inmates during their public hours on Fridays and Saturdays, or schedule a private tour.
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The Town of Amo recently transformed its old interurban depot into a historical museum, packed with memorabilia, dating back to the early 1900s.
With more than 1,800 miles of interurban rail lines, Indiana was second only to Ohio in rail mileage and put towns like Amo and others on the map. Organizers will rotate displays, making each visit fresh with new artifacts and information.
I must admit, I had no idea how few pig rescues and sanctuaries there were in the U.S., making Oinking Acres in Brownsburg truly a gem in the county. Olivia Head established the safe haven for unwanted pot-bellied pigs in 2017.
Of course, she doesn’t turn away goats, donkeys, birds and other animals in need of a home, but the goal is to find forever home for the pigs. Check out open tour hours, special events and more ways to get involved here.
Think of Oasis Diner as your bonus unique find in Hendricks County. Are there other nostalgic diners in the country? Of course. However, not all of them can say they were rescued from Indiana Landmarks' 10 Most Endangered Buildings list and restored to its former, 1950s glory.
Along the National Road (US 40), it’s one of the few still standing. From the memorabilia to the tenderloins and milk shakes, it’s one you don’t want to miss.
