Top Three Notable Hoosier Murals On Your Next Road Trip!

Indiana Joni Hidden Gems- Famous Hoosier Murals

Indiana Joni here with an "Adventure" in color & culture because I'm sharing some of my favorite destinations for famous murals in Central Indiana & beyond!  Art adds so much to our world's beauty. Since I was a kid growing up in New Palestine, IN, I've been fascinated by large colorful paintings on walls, ceilings and other architectural surfaces.  For me, murals are like powerful bridges connecting people with their environment and history.

When my parents took me camping and on vacation road trips we used to stop and snap photos at historical murals along our joy rides. (I'm talking the OG polaroid selfies) These beautiful pieces of art make cool photo ops for any kind of personalized card you want to create for special occasions. Or even the perfect profile picture in today's digital world.  I like the fact that these photos are fun memory makers that last a lifetime!

Here are my top picks for notable murals that make for the perfect joy ride! (And no they're not ranked because art is in the eye of the beholder).

1. Greenfield



Hancock County has several notable murals in Greenfield. Many of the most notable murals were commissioned to create a "Riley Literary Trail," celebrating the county's heritage and the famous poet James Whitcomb Riley. My pick is in Greenfield "A Barefoot Boy".  The large-scale mural is based on James Whitcomb Riley's poem of the same name.  It's a timeless poem that captures the essence of growing up in the Midwest. The mural was painted by California artist Andrew Hern in 2018.

Location: West Main Street (U.S. 40) West of SR 9. Greenfield, IN 46140. It's in a parking lot or as I like to call it "Alley Art". There's easy free parking near the mural and plenty of local antique shops, boutiques, and locally owned diners! And bonus while you're in Greenfield visit The James Whitcomb Riley Home and Museum. https://parksingreenfield.com/riley-home

2.   Seymour

Seymour, IN isn't just A small town, it's the Theee small town, where Rock Icon JohnMellencamp was born! The mural is located on the side of "This Old Guitar Music Store", which was owned by the late Larry McDonald, who played in garage bands with Mellencamp when they were young. The mural was painted by local artist Pam Bliss and initiated by John Mellencamp on a surprise visit. The larger than life image shows present -day Mellencamp with an acoustic guitar while the smaller one shows him with a Seymour FFA jacket.  I love this 'Little Ditty" mural about Indiana's own and Rock Hall of Famer, John Mellencamp.

Photo Credit: Jackson County Public Library

Location: 106 W. 2nd Street, Seymour, IN 47274

3. Fountain Square - Indianapolis

The World Famous Hotboys mural in Fountain Square is a vibrant piece by artist Berk "Visual" Gibbs located on the north-west side of the World Famous HOTBOYS building at 1004 Virginia Ave.. The large-scale mural features many figures and objects, including an IndyCar, the Indianapolis skyline, skateboards, and flames, all in a red, yellow, and blue color scheme. You can view it from the restaurant's patio or the adjacent parking lot! 

Location: World Famous Hotboys Restaurant, 1004 Virginia Ave, Fountain Square, Indianapolis

Make sure you dine in or out at Hotboys because the menu is on fire! All the comfort flavors of childhood but you choose the spice level and they bring the heat.  From Southern to Hot and everything in between. https://worldfamoushotboys.com

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Adventurously Yours,

Indiana Joni