Overview
New Albany is a city in Southern Indiana along the Ohio River, directly across from Louisville, Kentucky. It serves as the county seat of Floyd County and has a population of around 38,000. Part of the Louisville metropolitan area, New Albany offers a more relaxed, small-town vibe compared to its larger neighbor across the river, with a revitalized historic downtown known for its architecture, local dining, shops, and cultural spots.
New Albany was founded in 1813 and grew as a river port and manufacturing center in the 19th century. Today, it features a walkable downtown with Victorian-era buildings, independent restaurants and breweries, and events like the large Harvest Homecoming festival in early-to-mid October.
4 sights · 7 things to do · 20 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about New Albany
Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site
The highlight of Mansion Row, this opulent French Second Empire mansion was erected between 1867 and 1869 by William S. Culbertson, one of Indiana’s richest merchants and philanthropists. Designed by local architect Jame…
Scribner House
State & Main Sts. Built in 1814 by Joel and Mary Scribner, this simple wood-frame, Federal-style structure is the oldest building in New Albany. The two-and-one-half story house has a basement, two parlors, and a hal…
Town Clock Church
Restored 1852 Greek Revival church, originally housed the Second Presbyterian Church and a 160-foot clock tower which signaled New Albany’s location to the Ohio River boatmen. The original tower has since been shortened,…
Carnegie Center for Art & History
This building housed the New Albany Public Library from its completion in 1904 until 1969. It was erected with financial support from Andrew Carnegie and designed in the popular Beaux-Arts style. In 1971 the building reo…
Phoenix New Albany 16 Theater
16 screen complex showing the latest movie releases.
Paul Ogle Cultural and Community Center
Located at Indiana University Southeast, this cultural and community center offers theater productions, children's matinees, concerts, dance and music recitals, and other cultural activities.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Louisville)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SDF Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Louisville — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LEX Blue Grass Airport, Lexington — 68 mi away. Directions
New Albany can be reached easily by car. I-64 provides access to the downtown area at Spring St., linking the city with Louisville and St. Louis. I-265 borders New Albany on the north with exits at State St., Grant Line Rd. and Charlestown Rd. before linking with I-65 near Clarksville. Air service is found at nearby Louisville International Airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Carnegie Center for Art & History, Town Clock Church
- Lunch A Nice Restaurant
- Afternoon Cherry Valley Golf Course, Harvest Homecoming Festival
- Dinner Beef O' Brady's
- Evening Hugh E Bir's Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, Phoenix New Albany 16 Theater
- Lunch Chicken House
- Afternoon Valley View Golf Club, New Albany Historic Homes Tour
- Dinner Joe Huber Family Restaurant
- Evening Pastime Grill & Pub
Day 3
- Morning Scribner House, Paul Ogle Cultural and Community Center
- Lunch Mark's Feed Store
- Afternoon Thunder Over Louisville
- Dinner Berry Twist
- Evening Aroma Café & Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
New Albany can be reached easily by car. I-64 provides access to the downtown area at Spring St., linking the city with Louisville and St. Louis. I-265 borders New Albany on the north with exits at State St., Grant Line Rd. and Charlestown Rd. before linking with I-65 near Clarksville. Air service is found at nearby Louisville International Airport.
Get around
The main streets in the downtown area, east to west, are Main, Market, Spring, Elm and Oak. The north to south streets downtown include State, Pearl, Bank and the numbered streets Third and up. State St. connects downtown with Floyd Memorial Hospital and Paoli Pk, which leads to Floyds Knobs and US 150. Grant Line Rd (IN 111) leads to Indiana University Southeast, off of I-265. Charlestown Rd connects the city with the northeast side of Floyd County (and I-65 at Sellersburg). Spring St. eastbound becomes a freeway after leaving New Albany and connects to Clarksville and I-65 South in Jeffersonville. Corydon Pk., to the west of downtown, becomes a hilly route leading to IN 62 south of I-64 at Exit 118. Along the Ohio River, IN 111 continues south to the Horseshoe Southern Indiana casino near Elizabeth. US 150 branches off of I-64 at Exit 119, leading to northwest Floyd County. IN 64 connects I-64 at Exit 118 with Georgetown and beyond.
See
Historic Sites
See Carnegie Center for Art & History
This building housed the New Albany Public Library from its completion in 1904 until 1969. It was erected with financial support from Andrew Carnegie and designed in the popular Beaux-Arts style. In 1971 the building reopened as an art and history museum and in 1998 it underwent major renovations. The Center hosts a succession of traveling exhibits, often in conjunction with special programs on local history and culture.
See Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site
The highlight of Mansion Row, this opulent French Second Empire mansion was erected between 1867 and 1869 by William S. Culbertson, one of Indiana’s richest merchants and philanthropists. Designed by local architect James T. Banes, the three-story brick structure cost about $120,000 and contains approximately 16,00 square feet of living space. The 20-room interior includes fabric-quality wallpapers, marble fireplaces, frescoed ceilings, and a spectacular cantilevered staircase. The woodwork was crafted by local boat builders, and the tin roof was shipped from Scotland.
See Scribner House
State & Main Sts. Built in 1814 by Joel and Mary Scribner, this simple wood-frame, Federal-style structure is the oldest building in New Albany. The two-and-one-half story house has a basement, two parlors, and a hall on the first floor, three bedrooms and a hall on the second floor. A two-level rear porch provides a spectacular view of the Ohio River.
See Town Clock Church
Restored 1852 Greek Revival church, originally housed the Second Presbyterian Church and a 160-foot clock tower which signaled New Albany’s location to the Ohio River boatmen. The original tower has since been shortened, but it remains distinctive. Owned since 1889 by the Second Baptist Church, an African-American congregation, the structure is said to have been a way station on the antebellum Underground Railroad.
Do
Arts & Theater
- New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater (At the end of Pearl St., downtown) Center of the action on the New Albany Riverfont, this outdoor showplace accommodates up to 10,000 persons for activities ranging from Bluegrass music shows and fireworks displays to rock concerts and visiting symphony orchestra performances
Golf
Do Cherry Valley Golf Course
Festivals and Events
Do Thunder Over Louisville
Clarksville and Jeffersonville. late April The opening ceremonies to Louisville, Kentucky's Kentucky Derby Festival. Thunder Over Louisville is the largest annual fireworks show in the country, and the best viewing is along the Indiana shore of the Ohio River. If you plan to get a good seat, prepare to come the day before and camp. In the afternoon, private and military aircraft provide a magnificent airshow. After sunset, the fireworks begin and last nearly half an hour.
- Lanesville Heritage Weekend Lanesville. Mid-September A fall festival typical of many in southern Indiana. Is similar to a county fair, but later in the year. Local food and crafts are available, while rides and tractor and truck pulls provide entertainment.
Do Harvest Homecoming Festival
New Albany. Early-mid October The largest festival in southern Indiana brings participants from miles around. The festivities begin with a Saturday morning parade through the streets of New Albany. The festival lasts for several weeks, and includes vendor booths downtown and carnival rides.
Do New Albany Historic Homes Tour
New Albany. early September Visit 10 to 12 historic properties in the city's 4 historic districts. Discover the rich architectural heritage of this historic city on the banks of the Ohio River. From cozy cottages to elelgant mansions these beautifully preserved represent a wide variety of architectural styles including Federal, Greek Revival, Italinate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and others.
Eat
American
Eat Mark's Feed Store
Good barbeque. Try the buttermilk pie.
- Sam's Food & Spirits, 724 Highlander Point Dr., Floyds Knobs. +1 812 923-7979.
Ice Cream Parlors
Eat Graeter's Ice Cream
Italian
Mexican
- El Nopal 730 Rolling Creek Dr. At Grant line Rd. +1 812 590-3434
Eat Tumbleweed Southwest Grill
Three locations: 3005 Charlestown Crossing (at Charlestown Rd) +1 812 945-9333 718 Highlander Point Dr., Floyds Knobs +1 812 923-6011.
Asian
Pizza
Eat Arni's Pizza
1208 State St +1 812 945-1149 & 3700 Paoli Pk. (at Scottsville Rd), Floyds Knobs +1 812 923-9805.
Eat Rich O's Public House & Sportstime Pizza
Seafood
Drink
Alcohol
Coffee Houses
Drink Aroma Café & Bar
Inside Horseshoe Southern Indiana
Sleep
Bed & Breakfasts
Stay Admiral Bicknell Inn
Hotels
Go next
Nearby
Clarksville
City / town · 12 listings · 4 mi away
Floyds Knobs
City / town · 3 listings · 4 mi away
Louisville
City / town · 146 listings · 4 mi away
Jeffersonville
City / town · 30 listings · 5 mi away
Georgetown
City / town · 3 listings · 8 mi away
Saint Matthews
City / town · 18 listings · 9 mi away
Charlestown State Park
Park · 15 mi away
Jeffersontown
City / town · 15 mi away
My experience
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