From April 2009 until February 2015, there was one television show on the air that captured the hearts and imaginations of Hoosiers everywhere. The show was the hit political mockumentary series Parks and Recreation, starring Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, and many others, and it took place in a small (albeit fictional) town in Indiana called Pawnee. But did you know that Pawnee was based on a real place? Yep – the town of Muncie, Indiana inspired Parks and Recreation (and the map of Pawnee is literally just the map of Muncie turned upside-down and flipped over). Life in Indiana can be fun, and Parks and Recreation showed us just that. Let’s take a moment to appreciate one of the best television shows ever… one that just so happened to shine a light on our little Midwestern State.

 

If you've never seen an episode of Parks and Rec, basically, it goes like this:
Adam Moss/Flickr
An ambitious young woman by the name of Leslie Knope navigates life as the deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Pawnee (and is eventually destined to run for city council). When a goofy local man named Andy falls into a large open pit next to his girlfriend's house, she (the girlfriend) starts an effort to get the pit filled in... and the shenanigans that ensue go on and blossom from there for another several seasons. How's that for an Indiana TV show introduction?
There's no doubt that, despite some of the exterior shots of the town hall where Leslie and friends work being shot in California...
Amy Ross/Flickr
...Hoosiers noticed the numerous nods to our lives and culture throughout the series. Let's take a look at some of these various nods. Sure, the show's been over for some years now... but it's seriously always (ALWAYS) good for a re-watch.
Oftentimes, when you see a beer on-screen, it comes from Dragonfly IPA by Upland Brewing Company, a local brewery that actually exists in Bloomington.
D.Liv/Flickr
Oh, and remember Lil' Sebastian, Pawnee's beloved mini-horse? Bloomington had its own critter mascot at the time of filming. Lil' Bub was an adorable - if silly-looking - mini-cat with a face only a mother could love, although Lil' Bub didn't have an honorary degree from the University of Notre Dame.

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One of the show's most beloved characters was Jerry, a wholesome man with some pretty bad luck who totally owned a timeshare in Muncie.
David Wilson/Flickr
Know what else happened in Muncie (other than Jerry hanging out there every so often)? This small town in Indiana was the real-life birthplace of Garfield, the beloved comic strip lasagna-scarfing ginger feline. Comic strip creator Jim Davis mentioned himself that Garfield is based in Muncie... making Garfield kinda-sorta Parks and Rec's sibling, right?

Okay, perhaps not, but we digress.
In the show, the town has a rival: Eagleton, the richer, fancier (but totally definitely not in any way better for any reason) edition of Pawnee).
heyrocc/Flickr
In real life, we have a playful rivalry with Yorktown, another Indiana small towns, which is also totally definitely not better than Muncie either for any reason! We'll die on that hill (even if the hill in Yorktown looks nicer).
So, sure, Parks and Rec might have ended a long time ago now, but that doesn't mean we can't still adore it.
Norman B. Leventhal Map Center/Flickr
After all, it put Indiana on the map in pop culture, and most of us enjoyed the time in the spotlight.

There it is: All the inspiration in the world for one of the best shows to ever grace television. If you ever want to “visit Pawnee” in real life, of course, Muncie welcomes you with open arms! Were you ever a fan of the Parks and Recreation TV show? Have you ever been to Muncie? If so, what was your favorite part? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

Why not make a weekend visit to Muncie? You’ll find plenty of accommodations in the area.

For another interesting aspect about Indiana, be sure to read One Of The Oldest Operating McDonald’s Restaurants In Indiana Has Been Serving Mouthwatering Burgers For Almost 65 Years.

Still in the mood for more Hoosier State adventures? Take a look at this video:

 

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Lysa Allman-Baldwin | November 17, 2023

Where can we go to see holiday lights in Indiana?

  • The City of Lights in Kokomo is an annual favorite encompassing creative light designs and other Christmas favorites.
  • The Santa Claus Land of Lights in Santa Claus is an iconic holiday light location that features the only light show in all of North America that also tells a story in lights and storyboards.
  • Charlestown's Christmas City in Charlestown features train rides, a German-inspired Winter Holiday Market, and mini-golf course.

Read on to learn about some of the many other magical places to go see holiday lights in Indiana.

Where can we go snow tubing in Indiana?

  • Strawtown Koteewi Park in Noblesville encompasses snow tubing on steroids with numerous well-groomed lanes.
  • Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg offers snow tubing as well as skiing and snowboarding.
  • Paoli Peaks in Paoli also features snowboarding, skiing, and a 45,000 square-foot lodge with lots of food and relaxation areas.

Read on to learn about some of the many other exciting places to go snow tubing in Indiana.

Where can we find ghost towns in Indiana?

  • Mollie, also located in Blackford County, flourished from the 1880s until the 1920s during the Indiana Gas Boom.
  • The only thing left of Chatterton, located in Warren County, is a single house – that’s it!
  • Renner, located in Blackford County, was once a busy railroad stop.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other spooky ghost towns in Indiana.

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