Anderson
Anderson is a small city in the Nine-County Region of Indiana, home to a nice downtown and the impressive Paramount Theatre.
The city was named after Chief William "Adam" Anderson who was part Delaware Indian and platted around 1827. Things were all well and good for the people of Anderson until the second half of the 20th century. Then the keystones of the economy like GM pulled out or started to fold and smiles disappeared off faces pretty fast as empty storefronts popped up.
Be aware that smoking cigarettes indoors is legal in Anderson, and some restaurants do not have enclosed smoking areas.
Get in
The Indianapolis International Airport is an hour car ride South-East of Anderson.
- 1 Anderson Municipal Airport (AID IATA). A General aviation airport. This is good if you're coming in your own airplane.
- 2 Greyhound Bus Station (AID IATA), 1109 Main St, ☏ +1 765-646-5747. For more regular folks.
Get around
Driving is probably your best option.
See
- 1 Paramount Theatre. Opened in 1929 and originally owned by Paramount Pictures with a starry sky-type atmosphere on the ceiling, one of only 12 such theaters in the US and Canada, then also with a Spanish village-themed auditorium. Occupies a central piece of the downtown skyline.
- 2 Anderson Center for the Arts.
- 3 Gruenewald Historic House, 626 Main St, ☏ +1 765 648-6875. Italianate/Second Empire-style house that was built in 1873 on a plot that was an original part of the townsite.
Do
- 1 Anderson Speedway, 1311 Martin Lthr Kng Jr Blvd, ☏ +1 765 642-0206.
- 2 Mounds State Park, 4306 Mounds Rd, ☏ +1 765 642-6627. Daily 7AM-11PM. Discover prehistoric mounds for religious and astronomical ceremonies going back to approximately 160 BC by the Adena-Hopewell people. Also find here a nature center and nature trails to explore the botany and fauna of the region.
- 3 Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, 4500 Dan Patch Cir, ☏ +1 800 526-7223. Racino (racetrack/casino), courtesy of Harrah's.
- 4 Macholtz Stadium, Miracle Ave (located on Anderson University), ☏ +1 800 428-6414. Home of the Anderson Ravens' athletics and sporting events.
- 5 Indy Scream Park, 5211 S New Columbus Rd, ☏ +1 317 218-9515. A fairly embellished scare park that is open from early September to early November.
Buy
- 1 Uranus Fudge Factory, 1423 W. 53rd St, toll-free: +1-866-375-0309. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 1PM-9PM. Replacing Good's Candy Shop in 2021, Uranus Fudge Factory is a candy store on the outskirts of Anderson. The staff is nice and you'll have a good time with family here. Lots of fudge is available, but other candy is also sold there and even merchandise as well.
Eat
- King Gyro's, 915 S Scatterfield Rd, ☏ +1 765 640-4260. One of the only places to get a gyro in Anderson, typically served with lamb, cucumber-garlic sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion. King Gyro's also serves regular American fast food, like hamburgers. Customers always note King Gyro's quality food and low prices.
- 1 Lemon Drop, 1701 Mounds Rd, ☏ +1 765 644-9055. M-Sa 10:30AM-9PM. An old-fashion burger joint, cozy and comfortable. Visitors remember the bright yellow paint, the toy train running around the ceiling, and the burgers on toast (they do have buns though).
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Quality Inn & Suites Anderson I-69, 1836 E 64th St, ☏ +1 765 641-9980. Has an indoor pool. If you have a room overlooking the cemetery, you can just pull the curtain shut.
- 2 Anderson/Muncie KOA, 3230 E CR 75 N, ☏ +1 765 378-5909. Has cabins available along with bike rentals and firewood if you want to build a campfire.
There is also the campground at Mounds State Park.
Connect
Go next
| Routes through Anderson |
| Fort Wayne ← Muncie ← | N  S |
→ Fishers → Indianapolis |
| END ← | N  S |
→ Knightstown → END |