Miami County reveals its character through a blend of natural features and circus history. Mississinewa Lake offers opportunities for fishing; Seven Pillars shows how wind and water have shaped a limestone formation. Meanwhile, the history of circus winter quarters dates back to 1892. The landscape, regional performance tradition, and Cole Porter’s connection to life in Peru offer different themes to explore.
Water, Forest, and Limestone
Mississinewa Lake offers opportunities for fishing. A different landscape defines Frances Slocum State Forest on the north bank of the Mississinewa River: it encompasses 515 acres of continuous forest and is designated for day use only. A section of the forest’s bridle trail runs parallel to the river. Here, waterways, forest, and a river-adjacent trail sit side by side, without merging into a single nature feature.
At Seven Pillars, the emphasis is on the shape of the rock. Wind and water erosion have shaped the limestone formation; the Frances Slocum Trail runs along its upper edge. This combination of geological form and trail route makes Seven Pillars a distinct natural feature in the county. The trail runs above the formation, while the bridle trail information refers to Frances Slocum State Forest.
A Rail-Trail Through Three Counties
The Nickel Plate Trail offers a different spatial perspective: this 46.9-mile rail-trail connects Howard, Miami, and Fulton counties and passes through Peru. Its route therefore extends beyond a single town. If Peru is part of your travel plans, the trail is a clearly identified point of interest in town; the connection between the three counties also conveys the trail’s regional scale.
Circus History and Performances
The International Circus Hall of Fame is housed in five original circus winter-quarter buildings designated as National Historic Landmarks. The Peru Circus winter quarters were established on the Hall of Fame grounds in 1892. The institution also includes the Circus Model Builder’s Museum. This combination of historic buildings and circus models offers several perspectives on circus history—not just the performances themselves.
The Peru Amateur Youth Circus gives young people from the area the opportunity to practice and perform circus acts ranging from tumbling to the flying trapeze. The program takes place every year. In mid-July, the circus presents a week of performances in a permanent circus tent. The Peru Circus City Parade takes place on the final Saturday. These details provide specific dates to consider if you want to plan your trip around the circus events; check the dates for the relevant year.
Cole Porter and Aviation History
Peru is Cole Porter’s birthplace and burial place. The Miami County Museum features an extensive exhibit on his life, art, and memorabilia, and also displays Porter’s 1955 Fleetwood Cadillac. The exhibit and the vehicle offer two different ways to explore his story: personal memorabilia and a specific object from 1955.
The collections at the Grissom Air Museum focus on Cold War-era military aviation. The Air Park houses most of the museum’s static aircraft exhibits. Admission tickets for the Grissom Air Museum and the Air Park are available at the Heritage Museum reception desk. The collections’ thematic focus and the aircraft displayed in the Air Park are two related but distinct points of reference for your visit.
Orchards and Farm Animals
Local produce is also among the things to discover in Miami County: two orchards offer apples, apple cider, jams, and other products. McClure’s Orchard also has a small petting zoo with farm animals. Alongside the landscape, culture, and circus history, agricultural products and farm animals offer other distinct themes to explore.
Discover more destinations: Peru, Indiana County, Bartholomew County, Vanderburgh, Vigo, Harrison County, Newton County, Noble County.
For the broader travel overview: Indiana.
