Marion

Marion is a small city in Central Indiana, the home of Indiana Wesleyan University, and birthplace of James Dean.

Get in

• 1 Marion Municipal Airport. (updated Nov 2018)

The Cardinal Greenway is a bike path that connects with nearby towns.

See

• 1 Matter Park, N River Rd &, N Quarry Rd, ☏ +1 765-662-9931. Daily 8AM-11PM. Picturesque garden. Garfield Statue since Marion was the home of Jim Davis. Christmas Light display during the Holiday season. 
• 2 Indiana Wesleyan University. (updated Nov 2018)
• 3 National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Marion Branch. (updated Nov 2018)
• 4 Quilters Hall of Fame (Webster House), 926 S Washington St, ☏ +1 765-664-9333. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. It may not be the most exciting thing to see, but there is this niche museum. 
• 5 Fairmount Historical Museum (J.W. Patterson House), 203 E Washington St, Fairmount, ☏ +1 765 948-4555. Th-M 11AM-5PM. Large repository of James Dean memorabilia, plus other items pertaining to the history of the larger Marion area. James Dean is a big deal in Fairmount because, though he was born in Marion and temporarily moved to California, it's where he grew up after moving back at age 9 to live on his aunt and uncle's farm and also where he is buried. And not just James Dean, but Garfield creator Jim Davis also hailed from a farm here. (updated Nov 2021)
• 6 James Dean Gallery, 425 N Main St, Fairmount, ☏ +1 765 948-3326. Daily 9AM-6PM. More James Dean stuff, e.g. his leather jacket and Indian motorcycle. (updated Nov 2021)
• 7 James Dean's Gravesite, 8106-8334 S 150 E, Fairmount (in Park Cemetery, some signs to guide you to grave). Where the Hollywood icon/idol was laid to rest, with dream rocks and things still left by his admirers. (updated Nov 2021)

James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause

Do

James Dean Festival every summer. Every other year the YMCA puts on an Easter pageant!

• Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats. The athletic teams of Indiana Wesleyan University. (updated Nov 2018)

• Mississinewa 1812, 6000 County Rd 300 W, La Fontaine (10 or so miles northwest of Marion), ☏ +1 765-667-3987. Watch yearly reenactments of this War of 1812 battle, when President William Henry Harrison sent out the troops against Miami tribes as a reprisal for attacks on surrounding Indiana forts, e.g. Fort Wayne. Held in early October.  

Buy

• 1 Five Points Mall. A closed mall that still has an Applebee's, a couple of fitness locations, and a small outlet store. Nearby in the same lot is a Buffalo Wild Wing's. (updated Apr 2021)

Eat

Baldwin Cafeteria of Indiana Wesleyan University has a great Sunday breakfast after church time.

Sleep

College Inn Bed and Breakfast. S. Washington St. Directly across from Indiana Wesleyan University. Quiet, quant place with friendly staff!

Go next

Routes through Marion

Fort Wayne ← Huntington ←	N  S	→ Muncie → Indianapolis
END ←	N  S	→ Noblesville → Indianapolis