Muncie, population 67,430, sits on the banks of the White River and is home to Ball State University and its 18,000 students. The city offers a mix of cultural venues, museums and shopping centers.

The university's Emens Auditorium hosts national and international acts. In addition, Muncie has a civic theater group and symphony orchestra. The Minnetrista Cultural Center, along the White River, features an historic home, museum and holds festivals celebrating the area's culture. The Academy of Model Aeronautics and National Model Aviation Museum hosts model aircraft competitions and displays an impressive collection of model planes and helicopters. The Muncie Children's Museum features hands-on exhibits and Mitchell Place Gallery shows works of local artists. There's an art museum and rare orchid collection on the Ball State University campus.

There are several shops in the renovated downtown district and three larger shopping centers, Muncie Mall, Muncie Plaza and Mall Shoppes. For antiquing, Off-Broadway Antique Mall has more than 80 dealers.

Prairie Creek Reservoir is popular for sail boating, wind surfing, fishing and swimming. Campgrounds and mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails surround the 1,252-acre lake. There are seven area golf courses. The 20 mile Cardinal Greenway and White River Greenway along the White River are open for hiking and biking. A section of the Cardinal Greenway near Prairie Creek Reservoir is open for horseback riding.

Muncie is 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis. It is accessible via State Highways 3, 32, 67 and 332. There are a handful of hotels and bed and breakfasts in Muncie.