Indiana has long had a thing for cars. The Hoosier State’s automotive roots stretch back more than a century, and it remains one of the nation’s top auto manufacturing states. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its world-famous Indy 500 race may get the green light on many Indiana-bound itineraries. But if you’re looking for a motorsports showdown with a little more torque and a lot more small-town feel, buckle up and rev it over to Butler. Perched in the northeast corner of the state, this little DeKalb County community is home to big monster trucks and even bigger heartland hospitality.
The city was founded as a railroad hub in the mid-1800s, serving several railway companies in its heyday. Butler’s high-action diamond crossing still draws hardcore train enthusiasts to this day. “Our first adventure to Butler, Indiana was a lot of fun!” one professional train photographer wrote on Facebook alongside a sweeping aerial photo of the junction. “It was a beautiful warm sunny summer day and the diamond was hoppin’.”
Cruising into Butler during the warmer months is ideal if you want to poke around the city’s parks or stroll through the historic downtown district. Situated between the underrated Midwest city of Fort Wayne – home to Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) — and Ann Arbor, Michigan, the region can get pretty chilly in the winter. Be sure to bundle up if you opt to brave the snow.
See big pickups on display in Butler, Indiana
On Tripadvisor, the No. 1 rated attraction in Butler, Indiana revolves around — you guessed it — trucks. Big ones. You can see them up close at the International Monster Truck Museum and Hall of Fame. In 2021, the museum decamped to Butler from the neighboring community of Auburn, a historic city known as the “Home of the Classics” for its storied automotive past…