See You in Terre Haute...at Indiana State University

A guest blog by Faith Wheeler, a junior at Indiana State University for ISU and prospective students

​Being a student at Indiana State University (ISU) has given me the opportunity to have the best college experience. I got involved right away with different organizations on campus, spent too many late nights in the library drinking coffee and laughed until my stomach hurt with my friends. Finding a sense of community is not only something I wanted from my college campus but also from the city that I was living in. Terre Haute has been a great city to attend college. I truly have enjoyed being able to discover the hidden gems of Terre Haute from restaurants to recreational activities, and I cannot wait to share them with you!

Terre Haute Eats

Like most college students, my favorite self-care tactic is treating myself to a meal out. Therefore, in my three years at Terre Haute, I have discovered some of the best restaurants! One of the unique restaurants is Fifi’s Lunch Box located on Wabash Avenue, about 10 minutes from ISU’s campus. Fifi’s is known for their popular Donut Burger, which is a tribute to the owner’s childhood. The donut burger combines two Terre Haute favorites as the donut bun is from none other than Square Donuts. The Donut Burger is best paired with Hash Brown Casserole Balls (HBC Balls) that are battered and deep-fried to perfection. Of course, you cannot leave without getting one of their signature Twisted Shakes! Talk about a treat!

One of my other favorite Terre Haute original restaurants is Piloni’s Italian Restaurant. Piloni’s is a very special restaurant because their creamy tomato sauce is homemade, along with their salad dressings. There is nothing better than sitting down to stuffed ravioli with creamy tomato sauce after a long day!

You cannot be in Terre Haute and not visit Clabber Girl. One of the reasons I love Clabber Girl is because they offer breakfast all day long! My go-to order is the Egg & Cheddar Sandwich in the Honey Wheat Wrap with sausage, spinach and onions and a side of their seasonal fruit! Along with breakfast items, they also serve a variety of sandwiches, salads and flatbreads. After enjoying a delicious meal, you can walk through the Clabber Girl Museum learning all about America’s #1 brand of baking powder that originated right here in Terre Haute! The museum covers the history of the Clabber Girl brand, while also showing how Terre Haute and American Baking have changed through the years.
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Being from a small town, I am very passionate about supporting small businesses. While Terre Haute is bigger than my hometown, it has been so much fun exploring all of the delicious restaurants and supporting all of the local ones. It is so important now more than ever to shop small and support your local restaurants!

Picture taken from Piloni's website

Photo taken from Clabber Girl Bake Shop's website

Photo taken from Fifi's Lunch Box's website

Recreational Sports

Whenever I am stressed or in my head about all the assignments and obligations I have to fill, going outside always seems to help. One of my favorite spots to go is Hawthorne Park, which is a 15-minute drive from campus. It is such a beautiful escape from the craziness of campus. I always do the “Lake Loop” trail that ends up being a nice 25-minute walk around the gorgeous Burns Lake. Hawthorne Park also offers other trails that are great for biking and running on. This is the perfect park to grab a group of friends, a cup of coffee and enjoy nature!
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Another favorite is Deming Park, which is a 10-minute drive from campus. Deming is a great spot to go on a walk or play disc golf! One of my favorite things to do is utilizing their tennis courts. Grabbing a group of friends and getting away from campus can be so beneficial, and playing a fun game of tennis is the perfect way to enjoy a study break. During the summer time, Deming Park has an outside pool that is perfect for enjoying a hot summer day. 

Photo taken from the Vigo County Parks and Recreation website

Photo taken from Pinterest.com

Enjoying Where You Are

​Terre Haute has delicious local restaurants and fun outdoor recreational spots to be enjoyed during your educational stay or during a visit. Indiana State University is a wonderful college strategically placed in the middle of a city. This allows you to be a part of the community, something every college student should feel a part of. See you in Terre Haute, Sycamores!