Lebanon Things to Do: “The Friendly City” Entertains Everyone
Lebanon, Indiana, known as “The Friendly City,” is a prosperous community located northwest of Indianapolis, the state capital of Indiana. A town rich with history, Lebanon was officially established in 1830, and the city still retains many historical markers and buildings, such as the Boone County Courthouse. Though Lebanon has been around forever, it’s far from stale. This town is vibrant and growing, and there are tons of exciting things to do in Lebanon.
Important to any town, especially those in Central Indiana, is its parks and recreation department. The Lebanon Parks and Recreation Department is no different; the green spaces run by this organization allow Lebanon residents to relax, play, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Midwest. Memorial Park, dedicated to veterans of World War I, encompasses 40 acres of space full of arenas for Lebanon sports like tennis, volleyball, and baseball, a walking course, picnic areas, a swimming pool, playgrounds, and even a log cabin. Abner Longley Park is slightly larger than Memorial Park and, like Memorial Park, features tons of fields for sports. It also has a sledding hill, nature trail, places for picnicking, and more. Lebanon is also home to a number of smaller parks: the Brookshire Arboretum, Hot Pond Park, James Hill Park, Rolling Meadow Park, and the still undeveloped Coombs Street Park.
If shopping is more your idea of a fun thing to do in Lebanon, the town has you covered there as well. Downtown Lebanon is rife with specialty shops, most of them locally owned Lebanon businesses. Get your pictures custom framed at The Art Collection, find the perfect gift for the Lebanon arts lover in your family at Creative Stained Glass, pamper your senses with homemade soaps and candles from Faucett & Flame, pick up some flowers for that special someone at Mount Flowers & Gifts, or simply relax with a cafe au lait at Balloon World Coffee House; Lebanon shopping has everything you need for a fun afternoon with your friends.
Aside from the Lebanon attractions that you can see or do every day of the year, there are also several more seasonal Lebanon things to do. Lebanon events happen all throughout the year and encompass tons of different activities and themes, so you’re sure to find something that appeals to everyone. During the spring, Lebanon plays host to three different events: Heritage Skills brings Lebanon residents back to pioneer days with demonstrations and workshops on homemaking; the Boone County Master Gardener Garden Fest puts Lebanon visitors back in touch with their green thumbs; and the American Indian Council Traditional Powwow brings Native American culture back to Indiana at the Boone County Fairgrounds.
During the summer, Lebanon comes alive with several extremely popular events. These events are some of the most popular things to do in Lebanon, and each one receives visitors from all over Central Indiana. The Firecracker Classic Basketball Tournament is a Lebanon sports event that all true Hoosiers anxiously await; it’s a huge festival with live Indianapolis music, sand volleyball games, and a movie in the park, all centered around an all ages 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Another popular event in this community is the Lebanon 4th of July Celebration with fireworks, a parade, and more to honor the independence of the United States. Also in the summer is a special music treat: the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra comes to Abner Longley Park for Lebanon’s annual Symphony at Sunset event. These events provide a wealth of things to do in Lebanon.
| Video of the Boone County Fourth of July Parade in Lebanon, Indiana |
For performing arts fans, Lebanon is home to something that many towns of its size can’t boast: a full featured performing arts building for live theater. Lebanon houses the historic Milk Building, a theatre that holds plays, musicals, and other examples of Lebanon art. The Milk Building began life in 1914 as the headquarters of the Indiana Condensed Milk Company. After going through many renovations, changes of ownership, and crises, the Milk Building became the center for performing arts that it is today. Theatre at the Milk Building, the building’s live theatre company, produces works of comedy, drama, and horror to delight and thrill Lebanon audiences. The Milk Building is also home to a special collector’s shop called Backstage at the Milk Building. Here, shoppers can pick up memorabilia, vintage posters, classic games, and more candy for antiques collectors. A visit to the Milk Building should certainly be at the top of your list of Lebanon things to do.
After seeing everything there is to see in Lebanon, it’s good to know that you’ll be able to find a place to stop, take a seat, and have a bite to eat. Lebanon restaurants are known throughout the region as unique dining experiences where the customer comes first, and these establishments live up to their reputations. From the authentic Cajun cuisine at the Bijou Restaurant and the authentic Chinese dishes from Formosa Gardens to the traditional American goodies at Parky’s Smokehouse and Trackside Dining, you’ll find that Lebanon restaurants encompass a wide range of different styles, nationalities, and tastes. Sampling each one just might be the most satisfying thing to do in Lebanon.
It’s clear that Lebanon is a hotbed of activities, events, and entertainment that your whole family can take part in. Due to its rich past, there are many Lebanon attractions and historical places to visit. The Lebanon parks system has two large parks, Memorial Park and Abner Longley Park, in addition to several smaller parks. If you’re looking for hometown kitsch, cute crafts, or an excellent roast, Lebanon shopping has the stores and service you crave. Lebanon events are many and can teach you a thing or two about crafts in addition to showing you a good time about town, and the Milk Building can help you experience the great well of emotion that comes with a live stage performance. As the cherry on top of the cake, Lebanon restaurants allow travelers to sit back, relax, and take in some good home cooked vittles. No matter what type of person you are, you should be able to find several things to do in Lebanon.
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