Welcome to Marion, Indiana

Explore Marion, Indiana easily from College Inn

Whether you’re visiting Marion, Indiana to connect with your IWU student, a guest speaker or performer for one of the local universities, or simply a guest to the area for the first time, we’d like to share with you some of the wonderful things Marion, Indiana has to see and do. Please visit the links below to make the most of your stay in Marion, Indiana.

Marion Indiana & Grant County Attractions

There’s plenty to see and do while visiting the area.  Marion and Grant County attractions include recreation, historic sites, and quaint shopping; there is something for everyone.  

Matter Park is open year round and is the largest and oldest park among Marion, IN attractions. Enjoy softball and baseball fields, grills, restrooms, picnic areas, shelters, playgrounds, tennis courts, a fishing pond, disc golf course, volleyball courts, and a walking trail. 

A canoe launch is open all year and provides access to the Mississinewa River. Relaxing and enjoying scenic canoeing along the river is a highlight among Marion, IN attractions. 

Within the park is the Gardens of Matter Park  recently denot­ed as a Proven Win­ners® Sig­na­ture Gar­den, a pres­ti­gious des­ig­na­tion received by less than a dozen pro­fes­sion­al gar­dens nation­wide. Beautiful and restful, it is a perfect spot for friends and family to reconnect.

The Mis­sissinewa River­walk Scenic Path  is a 2.25 mile long walk­ing path which begins at the Wash­ing­ton Street bridge and 1st Street, and extends through to the fish­ing pond in Mat­ter Park. The Mis­sissinewa River­walk is a trail for both recre­ation and phys­i­cal fit­ness. 

For decades, Mar­i­on has been known around the world for its Christ­mas City Walk­way of Lights. This rep­u­ta­tion still holds strong. In 2015, Mar­i­on ranked #2 of ​“8 Best Cities for Hol­i­day Lights and Dec­o­ra­tions,” by Liv­abil­i­ty — Jour­nal Com­mu­ni­ca­tions, Inc, sole­ly cit­ing the city’s annu­al Walk­way of Lights dis­play. If you are here during December, this is a must-see. The Splash House, our fam­i­ly-friend­ly pub­lic water park, offers end­less fun for all ages! Attrac­tions include a lazy riv­er, two rac­er slides, ​‘big flush’ slide, and one of the largest wave pools in the area.

One of the prettiest and most challenging courses in the state, you’ll enjoy Meshingomesia’s 18-hole golf course. Afterwards, dine in the historic Tomahawk restaurant, From your favorite burger and fries, to premium Angus Ribeye, this is the place to dine in Marion. Open W-Sat for lunch and dinner.

Drive the Garfield Trail and visit fourteen unique statues of America’s favorite lasagna-loving fat cat, Garfield. Located in Marion, Indiana and surrounding Grant County cities, the fiberglass statues each measure approximately five feet in height and depict Jim Davis’s Garfield in fun outfits or playful situations. Taking a trip along the Garfield Trail is a great family activity and presents a number of fun photo opportunities. Share your Garfield encounters using #followthefatcat!

Cardinal Greenway is another wonderful location to enjoy the outdoors. Bike, hike, or jog along 7.5 mile portion of the Cardinal Greenway, which is a rail-trail project in Grant County. Major trailheads with parking are located in Marion behind Westwood Square on Miller Avenue between 2nd and 6th Streets, at Hogin Park at Valley Avenue and 14th Street, and in Jonesboro/Gas City at the intersection of SR 22/35 and Water Street, just east of SR 15.

Marion, Indiana Links of Interest :

Indiana Wesleyan University

College Inn is directly across the street from the heart of Indiana Wesleyan University and is the area’s most comfortable and convenient place to stay while visiting IWU.

Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership.

Indiana Wesleyan University is the largest private college in Indiana, based on enrollment, and is one of the largest employers in Grant County.

Nearly 3,000 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the University’s 350-acre residential campus in Marion. Students live and learn in a visually striking environment with well-appointed residence halls and academic facilities, all on a campus that is only an hour away from both Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.

IWU offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees, 38 graduate degrees and 5 doctorate degrees and students represent more than 80 Christian denominations and 10 foreign countries.

Ott Hall of Sciences and Nursing opened in the spring of 2014. The 111,250 square foot health sciences building provides students expanded state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, research laboratories and student interaction areas.

To read more about the Indiana Wesleyan University and take a virtual tour of the campus, visit www.indwes.edu.