Explore Cities Along I-65
Are you embarking on a road trip? If so, are you curious about the unique cities that dot the path of I-65? This interstate spans over 887 miles and four states and is a gateway to many fascinating destinations. We’ve published posts to help you plan and explore cities along I-65.
This post gives you a synopsis of what you can see and do during your road trip.
Interstate 65 covers sites and cities in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. This interstate highway connects the Midwest to the South of the United States. While this post briefly overviews tourist attractions in each state, you can click links for more information and the original posts. Now, let’s get started and explore cities along I-65.Â
Explore Indiana Along I-65
Gary, Indiana
Interstate 65 picks up in Gary, Indiana, the birthplace of Michael Jackson, the Jackson Five, and Janet Jackson. The home is not located along I-65, so let’s save it for another trip. However, the Jacksons’ home is an exciting place to say, “I’ve been there. Let’s keep rolling as we explore Indiana.Â
Merriville, Indiana
The first stop is in Merrillville, Indiana, at Albanese Candy Factory. It is known for making the world’s best gummies and chocolates. If you’re a gummi fan, Albanese has many different flavors of Gummi Bears. You can eat soft-textured, sour, gluten-free, or fat-free Gummi Bears.Â
Fair Oaks, Indiana
The next stop is Fair Oaks Farm in Fair Oaks, Indiana. The farm is an agricultural attraction located in the corn belt of Northwest Indiana. It is a perfect place to escape from the city to the countryside. Tourists can visit a variety of attractions. Both kids and adults like the Dairy Adventure, the Pig Adventure, and the Crop Adventure. It’s a great learning experience for all.
Lafayette, Indiana
Our wheels are still rolling on I-65 as we head to West Lafayette, Indiana. Time to stop and fill up on food at the Triple XXX Family Restaurant. It is located near Purdue University on a hill in Chaucery Village. Triple XXX has been around since 1929 and is well known for delicious comfort food. It is also known for the Triple XXX Root Beer, which has been around since 1895.
Prophetstown, Indiana
After a great meal, it’s time to walk off some of the calories and spend time outdoors. The following stop is Prophetstown State Park. It is also located in West Lafayette, Indiana. As we explore cities along I-65, Prophetstown is a nice stop. History tells us that Prophetstown State Park commemorates a Native American village founded in 1808 by Tecumseh, a Shawnee warrior and chief. Â
Indianapolis, Indiana
Another city to explore along I-65 is Indianapolis. Some call it Indy for short, and it is the capital of Indiana and the most populous city in the state. While in Indy, we can visit the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. It is the world’s largest children’s museum, with over 472,900 square feet and five floors of exhibit halls.
Book Hotels Along Interstate 65
Explore Kentucky Along I-65
Kentucky is a southeastern state bound by the Ohio River in the north and the Appalachian Mountains in the east. The largest city is Louisville, and the capital is Frankfort. Kentucky has many exciting places and points of interest.Â
Bowling Green, Kentucky
We have a few stops during the drive along I-65, and the first stop is in Bowling Green, Kentucky. While visiting the city, check out the Downing Museum at Baker Arboretum. It covers 115 acres and is on the outskirts of the town near Western Kentucky University. Tourists can enjoy the landscape of trees and art collections year-round. The Downing Museum opened in 2009 to display the artwork of the world-renowned artist Joe Downing.Â
If you are a Corvette lover or fan, then the National Corvette Museum is the place to visit. Since 1981, General Motors has produced the iconic car in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Corvette is known as America’s Car. Plant tours are available for those who want to see how the sports car is built. The museum has several ongoing exhibits for Corvette enthusiasts. Many of the vehicles in the displays are on loan from private citizens.
It’s time to return to the road and continue the drive along I-65. Next, visit Mammoth Cave National Park. This beautiful park preserves the most comprehensive cave system in the world and consists of over 50,000 acres of gorgeous forests. Visitors can explore the caves below the ground. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 70 miles of nature trails or spend time on campgrounds or backcountry campsites.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace
Continue your quest to explore cities along I-65 and move on to the birthplace of the 16th President of the United States. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park is in Hodgenville, Kentucky. The first Lincoln Memorial was built to recognize his early life and humble beginnings in his home state. The park has two sites. The Sinking Spring site contains the 1911 memorial and has a visitor center museum, theater, and bookstore. The Knob Creek is where Lincoln lived until he was two years old. Both sites have hiking and picnic areas.
Louisville, Kentucky
While in Louisville, take a ride on the Belle of Louisville. Experience steamboat cruising along the Ohio River. It is a great way to see Louisville. Step back into history upon the steamboat that was initially built in 1914. You can also cruise along the Ohio River and eat a delicious meal.
Continue exploring Louisville by accessing the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge. The bridge links Louisville Waterfront Park to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and spans the Ohio River. Initially, the Big Four was a railroad bridge built in 1895, decommissioned in the ’60s, and re-opened as a pedestrian bridge in 2013.
Explore Tennessee Along I-65
The next stop along Interstate 65 is Tennessee. The highway runs 121.71 miles north to south through the state’s middle, from the Alabama border to Kentucky. It passes through cities like Nashville, Columbia, Brentwood, and the White House, serving the state capital and its many suburbs.Â
Nashville, Tennessee
The next stop along Interstate 65 is Tennessee. The highway runs 121.71 miles north to south through the state’s middle, from the Alabama border to Kentucky. It passes through cities like Nashville, Columbia, Brentwood, and the White House, serving the state capital and its many suburbs.Â
Nashville is a city that offers many things to see and do. Plan to spend a couple of days or a long weekend here to get the full effect. Nashville is the Music City. The top sights in Nashville are the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Ryman Auditorium. Nashville is also the home of Vanderbilt University.
Exploring the city of Nashville is easy because various tours are available. There are walking, trolley, and on-and-off bus tours. If it’s football season, you can catch a Tennessee Titans game.
Here are some more places to explore along I-65 in Tennessee. Consider exploring a few of Nashville’s unique neighborhoods, including Opryland/Music Valley, East Nashville, and Germantown. The Tennessee State Museum is a great place to learn about the state’s history. Nashville, the Music City, is ready for your visit.
Explore Alabama Along I-65
Keep rolling your wheels down to Alabama. Let’s explore Alabama cities along I-65 and focus on these places: Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, and Gulf Shores. Alabama, here we come.
Montgomery, Alabama
Visit the National Memorial of Peace and Justice. “It opened in April 2018 and is dedicated to the legacy of enslaved Black people, people terrorized by lynching, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, and people of color burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence.” Visiting the National Memorial of Peace and Justice is very emotional for many visitors. Sculptures and art designs are used to demonstrate the horror and terror of slavery and lynchings of African Americans.
Continue to the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute and the Rosa Parks Museum. The National Voting Rights Museum is located in Selma at the foot of the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of “Bloody Sunday.” Visitors learn about the struggles of African Americans to gain the right to vote. Artifacts and materials represent the voting rights struggles of the past and present.Â
Birmingham, Alabama
Next, we are heading to Birmingham, Alabama, the Magic City. This city is also known for its role in the Civil Rights Movement. Birmingham is located in the north-central region of Alabama and has approximately 202,000 people.
It is called The Magic City. Â It comes from the city’s rapid growth in the 1870s and again at the turn of the 20th century when the city’s downtown area developed from a collection of small houses and businesses to an impressive downtown area. The nickname, The Magic City nickname, still resonates today.Â
The first stop in Birmingham is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute opened in 1992 and is a large interpretive museum and research center in Birmingham, Alabama, that depicts the Civil Rights Movement’s struggles in the 1950s and 1960s. The museum is a Smithsonian affiliate with multimedia exhibits documenting Birmingham’s role in the Civil Rights Movement through the voices of movement participants.Â
Mobile, Alabama
When you explore Alabama along 1-65, plan to visit the port city of Mobile. For beach lovers, Mobile is along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Many snowbirds visit to escape the cold winters of the Midwest, and the white sand and turquoise waters are tough to resist.
Delicious seafood is also a big draw. You can visit Mobile, Alabama. If you love to play golf, Mobile is a place for you. Also, did you know Mobile is known for its Mardi Gras celebration? Floats, costumes, and photos at the Mobile Carnival Museum will enlighten you about the city’s centuries-old Mardi Gras tradition.
Explore the WWII-era USS Alabama battleship anchored in Battleship Memorial Park. The 1850 Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception features intricate German stained glass. The Mobile Museum of Art displays international fine and decorative art.
Conclusion
Interstate 65 covers many miles and four states. Plan a road trip and use this post as a guide to points of interest. Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama each have a story to tell that represents their history and culture. Remember to organize your road trip with safety in mind. Enjoy your adventure and explore cities along I-65.
