Dr. Thom's Guide to Terre Haute for the Culturally Bereft

So you've relocated to Terre Haute from Seattle, Philadelphia or some other urban center and you're thinking that now that you live in a rural midwest town of less than 60,000 people, activities such as attending the opera or the ballet are a thing of the past. Au contraire mon ami! Terre Haute is rife with cultural tid bits if only you know where to look. Fear no more, for Dr. Tom's Guide for the Culturally Bereft shows you exactly where to go to experience the finest in cuisine, art, music and general DrThomfoolery.

As someone who has practiced yoga some 15 odd years, I can truly say this is a top notch operation. Come join Patti, Jo and Thomas for Vinyasa, Yin and alignment-based styles of Yoga at Terre Haute's first yoga studio. Not only will yoga improve your flexibility and balance, but your strength and endurance as well.

Classes at different levels held weekly

Come Tango, Cha-cha and Swing yourself silly with Barbara Lamb at the Dance Studio. The Dance Studio offers both private and group lessons, practice parties and more. Ms. Lamb is also the instructor for Rose-Hulman's Ballroom Dance Club, open to all in the Rose community.

Classes in different styles and levels held weekly

Talented local artist, popular barista and all round charming young lady Evie Ogborn has been teaching private art lessons since 2000 to students of all ages. Evie will work individually with her students using various media such as charcoal, ink and/or watercolors. More fun than you can shake a brush at.

Afternoons, Monday-Thursday or by arrangement

Did you know that the largest collection of large cats (lions, tigers and ocelots, oh my!) in the Western Hemisphere is located just southeast of Terre Haute in Centerpoint? It's true! For $10/adult, $5/child you can take a guided or self-guided tour amongst acres of natural surroundings containing almost two hundred panthers, tigers, leopards, lions, jaguars and other cats. There is even an option to stay overnight and awake at dawn to the sounds of a roaring jungle. Well worth the short drive.

Open 10:00-5:00, Tuesday-Sunday (Closed Mondays)

Auschwitz survior Eva Kor, an identical twin experimented upon by the notorious Dr. Mengele, has created a museum and education center to "shed light on the effects of hatred and prejudice." A dynamic speaker, Ms. Kor also give presentations locally and nationally about her experiences.

Tuesday - Saturday 1-4 p.m.

This 7-mile paved trail extends from 4th St. all the way to east of town on US 40. From 4th St. to 13th it consists of bike routes on surface streets, whereas east of 13th, it is a paved non-motorized vehicle traffic trail. The real gem of the trail is the section just east of Fruitrige to the trail end, where wildlife and flora abound. I have seen many a deer, one zillion and one bunnies, turtles, birds, an occasional coyote and even wild turkeys. The last couple of miles in particular are quite relaxing, with many overhanging trees. This is the dog-walking, cycling, running and inline skating capital of Terre Haute.

Offically open daily dawn to dusk

If you want the experience of playing golf but don't wish to invest hundreds of dollars in golf clubs, then disc golf is for you. All you need is a Frisbee ^TM and your own two feet. The "holes" are actually baskets with vertically hanging chains used to catch the thrown flying disc.

Open daily dawn to dusk

With over 35,000 gallons of saltwater dedicated to the propagation, rearing, and holding of ornamental marine fish, hard and soft corals, live rock, live sand, and a variety of marine plants, Inland Aquatics claims to offer the best selection of captively raised marine critters on the planet. You can browse on your own or take one of their guided tours for a deeper insight (ha!).

Open Sunday - Noon-6:00 pm, Tuesday to Saturday Noon -7:00 pm, closed Mondays

Well, it's not a complete labyrinth with eight foot high hedges and all, but it is still pretty cool. The walk itself is a paved labyrinth that, if walked in its entirety from start to finish, is about one half mile. What's more, it's surrounded by beautiful Hawthorn Park with lovely trails, a lake and seasonal camping. Hawthorn Park also hosts an annual triatholon each spring.

Open Sunday - Noon-6:00 pm, Tuesday to Saturday Noon -7:00 pm, closed Mondays