Hugging The Kentucky Border Is One Of Indiana's Best Places To Retire With River Views, A Theme Park, And Outdoor Fun
Quaint, quiet, and with just over 20,000 residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Spencer County in Indiana is an ideal place to retire. If you're looking for somewhere to spend your golden years without having to move too far south, Spencer County might be right for you. Situated on the southern tip of Indiana, right on the border with Kentucky, it's about a 90-minute drive west of Louisville, and just under three hours south of Indianapolis or Cincinnati — so it's not that remote, but far enough from the nearest cities to have its own identity. And with the Ohio River running alongside it and a well-regarded theme park in one of its towns, Spencer County offers a lot to do.
That's why it's highly-rated for retirees by the website Stacker, which bases its rankings on data from Niche. The latter gives Spencer a B-minus overall, noting how affordable it is and its range of outdoor activities. However, it does acknowledge that its weather could be better for seniors, as it can receive up to 5 inches of snow in winter and average temperatures of 56 degrees Fahrenheit according to USA Today. Yet the county has a median home value of $180,200 as stated by Stacker — well beneath the national median of $440,660, as CBS News reports. What's more, the Spencer County Council on Aging helps residents 55 and over find local savings and group travel deals.
You'll find enjoyable things to do outdoors in the warmer months, too, especially along the banks of the Ohio River. You can see the waterway (and live next to it) throughout the county. For better vistas, take a drive on the Ohio River Scenic Byway — a stretch of Highway 66 that hugs the water, forests, and farms. Informational panels on Spencer County's history are spaced along the road.
Celebrate every holiday at once at this great theme park
If you're a fan of roller coasters and other rides, visit Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in the aptly-named town of Santa Claus. The attraction has welcomed guests since 1946, adding an adjoining water park in 1993. Today, it's a regional theme park with a national reputation, earning accolades from USA Today, Tripadvisor, and Amusement Today. It's a great place to take your grandkids and a smart way to supplement a fixed income through seasonal employment.
As the name suggests, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari has themed areas based on Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July, with rides, attractions, and shows to match. For instance, you can ride the spinner ride Firecracker in the Fourth of July section, or the Gobbler Getaway dark ride and Good Gravy family coaster in Thanksgiving. Holiday World and Splashin' Safari combined boast about 50 rides, with options for all ages and thrill levels. The site also regularly hosts drone and musical performances. And, yes, you can meet Santa Claus; he's kind of the Mickey Mouse of the place, which was originally known as Santa Claus Land for almost 40 years.
Today, guests travel from all over the world to ride the park's acclaimed roller coasters, especially The Voyage. As one of the world's longest wooden roller coasters, and one of nine of the world's tallest wooden coasters, this Thanksgiving ride is legendary within theme park circles, winning yet another Golden Ticket award for best wooden coaster in 2026. Rides like The Voyage are why this underrated and unique theme park shouldn't be missed.
Have fun outdoors at a park named after a president
If you believe the greatest theme for a park is nature, you're in luck: Spencer County is no stranger to the great outdoors. There's a wealth of pleasure to be had outside in towns such as Santa Claus and Rockport, and much of it is centered around a park named after the county's most famous resident.
Spread across 1,747 acres, Lincoln State Park honors Abraham Lincoln and his mother Nancy Hanks, as the former president lived in what is now Spencer County for 14 years. You can stay active during retirement by fishing, camping, swimming by a beach, or hiking across more than 10 miles of trails. If you're an Indiana resident aged 65 and over, you can save 50% on an Indiana State Park annual pass, which is valid at all state parks and state-managed lakes.
To learn more about the 16th president, seek out the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln town, right across Highway 162 from the state park. Visit Lincoln's mother's grave and stroll through the past in its living history farm, which recreates the kind of pioneer settlement Lincoln's family would have lived in 200 years ago. If you need to stay busy in retirement, the memorial is always looking for volunteers. What with the memorial and state park, gorgeous river views on the Ohio River Scenic Byway, and the open-air fun at Holiday World and Splashin' Safari, Spencer County will make you want to spend your golden years outside as much as possible.