By Alex Bradford Cobb | Published: 9/8/26 | Last updated: 9/8/26
Wayne County, Indiana sits at the eastern edge of the state on the Ohio border, anchored by Richmond and threaded by US-40 — the Historic National Road, America’s first federally funded highway. What’s here: the birthplace of American recorded music, one of the most significant Underground Railroad sites in the country, a 40-mile antique corridor with over 1,200 dealers, a museum called a “mini-Smithsonian” with two Egyptian mummies, a railroad that still runs 19th-century steam equipment, and a fudge shop with three dinosaurs outside that have anatomically incorrect wrists.
Here’s the complete guide to Wayne County, organized by what kind of visitor you are.
Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store Richmond: 6400 National Rd. E, Richmond, IN 47374 | I-70 Exit 156B | Open daily 9 AM – 8 PM (EST)
History & Culture
Gennett Walk of Fame & the Depot District — Richmond
The most historically significant site in Wayne County and one of the most undervisited music history landmarks in America. Gennett Records operated a recording studio here on the banks of the Whitewater River in the 1920s, and it’s where Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, and dozens of others made some of the earliest jazz and blues recordings in existence. Richmond is the Birthplace of American Recorded Music.
The Gennett Walk of Fame plaques are outdoors in the Depot District — free, self-guided, and genuinely moving if you know what you’re looking at. The Depot District surrounding them has coffee shops, local restaurants, boutiques, a brewery, and an ice cream parlor.
Free | Open year-round | Depot District, Richmond, IN
Wayne County Historical Museum — Richmond
Called a “mini-Smithsonian” by local historians, and it earns the comparison. The collection includes an Egyptian mummy (Lady Ta’an, at the museum since 1889), Samurai warrior armor, Native American artifacts, a transportation collection with 19 vintage vehicles including a 1922 Pilot Speedster, and an 1880 dollhouse with period furnishings. The Gennett Records exhibit is the best complement to the Walk of Fame — it gives context for what the label meant.
Levi & Catharine Coffin State Historic Site — Fountain City
One of the most significant Underground Railroad sites in America, located in Fountain City about 15 minutes north of Richmond. Levi Coffin helped more than 2,000 enslaved people escape to freedom — earning the title “President of the Underground Railroad.” His 1839 Federal-style home is now a National Historic Landmark operated by the Indiana State Museum, with guided tours and an interactive exhibits center.
The September International Underground Railroad Month makes this an especially meaningful time to visit — the stories of courage and sacrifice preserved here deserve more attention than they get.
Fountain City, IN | indianamuseum.org
Old Metamora — Metamora, IN (30 Minutes West)
An 1838 canal town preserved almost entirely intact — a working grist mill, a functioning aqueduct where the canal travels over the river, and a collection of historic buildings that make it feel like the 1840s in the best possible way. One of the most distinctive historical sites in Eastern Indiana and genuinely surprising for anyone who doesn’t know it exists.
Metamora, IN |
Antique Shopping
Antique Alley — US-40 Through Wayne County
Indiana’s premier antique destination: 40 miles of US-40 from Richmond west to Knightstown, with over 1,200 dealers and shops. The main hub runs between Cambridge City and Centerville. Wheeler’s Antiques in Centerville has been operating for over 50 years. Cambridge City has 11 shops within two walkable blocks. The National Road Antique Mall, High Hats Antique Mall, Log House Antiques (in an actual 1830s log cabin), and Europa Antiques are the Cambridge City anchors.
Pick up the official Antique Alley brochure at the Old National Road Welcome Center at 5701 National Rd. E, Richmond before you start.
US-40 from Richmond to Knightstown | Most shops open 10 AM daily | Free to browse
Warm Glow Candle Company — Centerville
The giant candle-shaped building on US-40 in Centerville is the most recognizable structure on Antique Alley. Inside: handmade candles, home décor, and Indiana-made gifts. Worth 20 minutes even if candles aren’t your thing.
Centerville, IN | warmglowcandle.com
Outdoor Activities
Hayes Arboretum — Richmond
A 355-acre nature preserve on the west side of Richmond with self-guided trails through old-growth forest, a restored native prairie, and a wildlife area. The giant tree stump near the entrance has become a photo landmark. Free to visit, excellent for families, dogs welcome on leash.
Thistlethwaite Falls Trail — Richmond
A half-mile scenic trail along the Whitewater River leading to a small but genuinely beautiful waterfall. Easy enough for all ages, connects to the Cardinal Greenway — Indiana’s 62-mile rail-trail system. Free, well-maintained, and the best free scenery in Richmond.
Cardinal Greenway
Indiana’s longest rail-trail: 62 paved miles running through Richmond, Muncie, and beyond. Flat, scenic, accessible for all ages and fitness levels. Pick it up in Richmond for a morning walk or ride before the antique shops open.
Glen Miller Park & the Indiana Rose Garden — Richmond
A 194-acre park on the east side of Richmond with the Indiana Rose Garden — ranked among the top three in the state. Peak bloom is late May through June. The park also has golf, tennis, fishing, and walking paths. The Madonna of the Trail Monument is in the park — an 18-foot tribute to pioneer women, one of only 12 identical statues placed along the National Old Trails Road from Maryland to California.
Free | Open year-round | East Richmond
Self-Guided Trails
Wayne County has a remarkable collection of self-guided trails — themed driving and walking routes that organize the county’s attractions by interest.
The Chocolate Trail — A driving trail linking Wayne County chocolatiers, candy makers, and confectioners. Uranus is on the trail.
The Heartland Wine & Ale Trail — Wineries, breweries, and distilleries across the county.
The Antique Alley Trail — The full 40-mile antique corridor, officially organized.
The Enchanted Fairy Trail — A whimsical trail of fairy doors and installations for families with younger children.
The Fossil Trail — Sites connected to Wayne County’s paleontological history.
The Murals Trail — Public art murals across Richmond and the county.
Pick up trail maps at the Old National Road Welcome Center, 5701 National Rd. E, Richmond, or at visitrichmond.org.
Family Attractions
Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store — Richmond
The largest Uranus location — 15,000 square feet on the Historic National Road at I-70 Exit 156B. A biplane suspended from the ceiling, three dinosaurs outside with anatomically incorrect wrists, fudge in nineteen flavors made fresh daily, Putt Pirates mini golf (with a secret river shortcut on certain holes — $10/adults, $9/kids under 10, tax included), a large playground with a two-story slide, and hot dogs and ice cream in a separate building. Ask for Mason or Aimee.
6400 National Rd. E, Richmond, IN 47374 | Open daily 9 AM – 8 PM (EST) | I-70 Exit 156B
Joseph Moore Museum of Natural History — Earlham College
A natural history museum on the Earlham College campus at 801 National Road West with fossils, prehistoric skeletons, and two Egyptian mummies — including Lady Ta’an, in the collection since 1889. For most children, “there is a real mummy here” is sufficient motivation. Delivers completely.
801 National Road West, Richmond, IN |
Whitewater Valley Railroad — Connersville (30 Minutes West)
A 32-mile scenic railroad trip from Connersville to Old Metamora and back, operated with historically significant vintage railroad equipment. A genuine 19th-century train experience — not a theme park ride, an actual historic railroad still running the original route through the Whitewater Valley.
Hoosier Hill — Near Centerville
Indiana’s highest point at 1,257 feet, accessible via a short walk through a wooded trail about 14 minutes from I-70. A small sign at the summit. The “I stood at the highest point in Indiana” story costs nothing and takes 25 minutes from I-70.
The World’s Largest Ball of Paint — Alexandria (30 Minutes North)
Technically Madison County, but close enough to include. Mike Carmichael has been adding coats of paint to a baseball since 1977. It now weighs over 5,000 pounds and has been painted more than 30,000 times. Visitors add their own layer by appointment. Free. In a building next to a family home. Exactly as great as it sounds.
6696 N 100 W, Alexandria, IN | Free | By appointment at worldslargestballofpaint.com
Practical Notes
Getting here: Richmond is at I-70 Exit 156B, right at the Ohio border. From Indianapolis, about 70 miles east on I-70. From Dayton, Ohio, about 35 miles west.
Where to start: The Old National Road Welcome Center at 5701 National Rd. E has maps, trail brochures, and the Antique Alley guide. Worth 10 minutes before anything else.
Best time to visit: Late May through June for the Rose Garden. Fall for Antique Alley leaf season. The Whitewater Valley Railroad runs on a seasonal schedule — check ahead.
Where to stay: See Where to Stay in Richmond, Indiana for the full hotel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wayne County Indiana known for? The Birthplace of American Recorded Music (Gennett Records, Richmond), Antique Alley (40 miles of antique dealers along US-40), the Levi Coffin Underground Railroad site in Fountain City, the Wayne County Historical Museum (two Egyptian mummies), and the Historic National Road. Uranus Fudge Factory is at I-70 Exit 156B.
What is the best thing to do in Wayne County Indiana? The Gennett Walk of Fame for music history, Antique Alley for shopping, the Levi Coffin House for historical significance, and Uranus for fudge and three dinosaurs with incorrect wrists. All are within 20 miles of each other.
Is Wayne County Indiana good for families? Yes — Uranus (fudge, mini golf, playground, two-story slide), the Joseph Moore Museum (Egyptian mummy), Hayes Arboretum, Thistlethwaite Falls, the Enchanted Fairy Trail, and the Whitewater Valley Railroad all work for families with children of various ages.
How far is Wayne County from Indianapolis? About 70 miles east on I-70 — roughly an hour’s drive.
Where is Uranus in Wayne County Indiana? 6400 National Rd. E, Richmond, IN 47374 — I-70 Exit 156B, right on the Historic National Road. Open daily 9 AM – 8 PM (EST).
What is Antique Alley in Wayne County Indiana? A 40-mile corridor of over 1,200 antique dealers along US-40 from Richmond west to Knightstown. The main hub is between Cambridge City and Centerville. Pick up the official brochure at the Old National Road Welcome Center in Richmond.
For more on Richmond specifically, see Things to Do in Richmond, Indiana. For a weekend itinerary, see Things to Do in Richmond Indiana This Weekend.
Alex Bradford Cobb is a strapping young man who works for the Mayor in a semi-legal indentured servitude arrangement, similar to how Dubai was built, and possibly the pyramids. What works, works, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.