Connersville, IN Outdoor Activities

Tucked away near the banks of the Ohio River stands the other Sin City. Or at least it used to be, during the days when bootlegging formed a powerful underground economy. When a group of teachers and history buffs needed money for school service projects in Central America, they decided to raise funds by starting tours that explored this seamy history, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. A few years and many local accolades later, knowledgeable guides continue expounding upon the town’s rich history of mobsters, gamblers, and ladies of the night.

Tours stroll down Newport blocks littered with buildings once occupied by speakeasies, brothels, and the site of Al Capone’s failed early restaurant career, Al Calzone. Along the way, guides tie the rich past to the rise of the modern-day gaming industry and Newport’s connections to famous crime figures.

When drivers take to the track at Fastimes' Indoor Karting, they follow in the treads of professional racers such as Mario Andretti and Tony Stewart. Amateurs and visiting professionals alike race at up to 40 miles per hour on the 900-foot bi-level track, whose asphalt and epoxy-resin surface helps karts grip and make clean turns. Each of Fastimes' sleek Sodikarts is outfitted with roll bars and caution lights, which team up with seat belts and the facility's rentable helmets for optimum safety. Fastimes' onsite Italian deli, The Final Lap, bolsters drivers' strength with handmade pizzas and invites drivers to linger over beer and wine after the day's races are through.

Under the guidance of founder Chad Fath, the licensed helicopter pilots and instructors at Higher Ground Helicopters take visitors on scenic 'copter rides above the city as well as train students to become full-fledged pilots. Flight training lessons take place in the evenings to accommodate busy adult schedules, with the goal of turning inexperienced students into certified professionals within 10 to 18 months. For guests on the fence about flying, Higher Ground offers hands-on demos, which consist of 30 minutes of ground training, 30 minutes of piloting in the air, and 30 minutes of watching The A-Team reruns. For guests who simply wish to enjoy the scenery, Higher Ground's expert pilots host scenic tours that showcase the Cincinnati skyline.

As a youth inseparable from his BMX bike, Scott Dunwoody dreamed of opening his own bike shop. Later, after honing his mechanic skills on his frat brothers’ bikes and later at local bike centers, Dunwoody opened DG Bicycles in 2009, the result of his longtime passion and childhood dream coming together.

Rather than forcing riders and bicycle renters to approach the shop from the open road with its blindfolded drivers, the shop nestles next to the Monon Bike Trail, which provides a scenic path for cyclists and other outdoorsmen to enjoy. The shop's wares fit many cyclists' passions, and Dunwoody showcases bikes and frames from brands such as Rocky Mountain Bicycles and 2Hip Bikes, and styles ranging from mountain to commuter. With a full line of gear, parts, and accessories, the shop's stock complements the diverse frame styles that come in, which are tended to by experienced bike mechanics who can fix two-wheelers or advise prospective buyers on a cycle that meets their needs. The crew supplies a fleet of rental adult, child, and tandem cycles for short-term jaunts, and also stocks inline skates and parts.:m]]

Watch the Jaguars dribble, dunk, alley-oop, coup-fourre, shimmy-shammy, and Irish chowder. Today’s side deal gets you $7 tickets to an IUPUI men’s basketball game at Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers. See the Jags take on the Ohio Bobcats or catch one of the two conference games against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and in-state rival IPFW Mastodons. All tickets are for seats located in the lower-bowl, sideline-seating section and will be assigned at random. The Fieldhouse’s extra-wide special seating (20–22 inches wide or greater) is designed for optimal cheering, high-fiving, and close viewing of the action.

The staff at Hanna Haunted Acres knows that there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all nightmare. That's why they've curated a lineup of six different haunts, each with their own spine-tingly style. Four different haunted houses prey on deep-set childhood fears, including the Carnevil haunted house––a twisted, circus-themed fright, perfect for murderous clowns who are tired of blind dates. Other attractions include haunted hayrides around the farm and a twisty corn maze designed by a vengeful scarecrow. Those whose greatest fears including standing in line can skip straight to the screaming with a VIP pass, while snacks and mugs of steaming hot chocolate keep patient patrons warm between haunts.