Hickory Hills is located just 3 miles from Cataract Falls (Indiana's Largest Waterfalls) and a short drive from Lieber State Recreational Area and McCormick's Creek State Park.  Indiana University's main campus at Bloomington is a convenient 30 minute drive and ISU at Terre Haute is approximately  45 minutes away.  Various festivals, such as Clover Fun Fest at Cloverdale (September 9-10) and the Owen County Apple Butter Festival (September 17-18) on the Courthouse Square at Spencer are just minutes away.  Also, the Exotic Feline Rescue Center (www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org), which is located in rural Ashboro, IN in neighboring Clay Co.is an interesting and educational way to spend a day.  This facility has a collection of large exotic cats of every description that have been rescued from various circumstances.