Monticello, population 5,723, sits between 1,400-acre Lake Shafer and 1,500-acre Lake Freeman. The city caters to a busy summer vacation crowd with lakeside restaurants, antique shops and festivals.

The area's main attraction is Indiana Beach Amusement Resort just north of Monticello on Lake Shafer. The resort provides unlimited recreation with amusement rides, a waterpark, beaches, restaurants, shops, and music and dance clubs on a peninsula jutting out into the lake. The resort offers campgrounds, cabins, cottages, an inn and a motel. The Shafer Queen, a paddle wheeler, cruises the lake from the resort.

Madam Carroll cruises Lake Freeman offering a bar, concerts and large dance floor. Marinas on both lakes rent personal watercraft, boats and pontoons. They also rent and sell watersport accessories like water skis, tubes and wakeboards.

Sail boating is popular on the lakes. Fishing on the lakes yields bass, catfish and pan fish. Golfing is available at three courses, Pine View Golf Course, Tippecanoe Country Club and Hollow Acres.

Monticello is 30 miles north of Lafayette and 23 miles west of Logansport. It is accessible via U.S. Highways 24 and 421. Lodging options include national chain hotels, local inns and resorts.