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Discover Nature With Your Toyota: 3 Amazing State Parks Near Muncie, IN

Located a little over 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis, the city of Muncie, IN, is a great base to go on memorable day trips with your friends and check out the beautiful state parks that the state of Indiana has to offer. If you are searching for new destinations to visit in your 2022 Toyota Tundra, here are three nearby spots you should not miss while in town.

1. Summit Lake State Park

Established in 1998, Summit Lake State Park is a popular recreation area that attracts thousands of visitors each year with its breathtaking views, long hiking trails, and open fields. A well-known destination for birding and wildlife watching, this state park is located a little under 20 miles south of downtown Muncie, making it possible to reach it in just 25 minutes by car along Walnut Street and route IN-3.

As the name suggests, the main feature at Summit Lake State Park is the 800-acre body of water that stands right in the center of the park. Some of the facilities that make this an excellent weekend and day-trip destination for Muncie locals include fully equipped campgrounds with drinking water and electric hookups, picnic areas, a shelter house, fishing piers, and a swimming beach.

2. Whitewater Memorial State Park

Located a little over 60 miles southeast of downtown Muncie, Whitewater Memorial State Park is another excellent spot where you can spend some quality time with your family or a group of friends. Established in 1949 and covering an area of about 1,700 acres, this nature reserve welcomes over 240,000 visitors each year and is home to large populations of deer, rabbits, raccoons, owls, and woodpeckers.

While wildlife watching and photography are two of the most popular recreational activities at this sprawling nature reserve, Whitewater Memorial State Park is also an excellent spot for fishing, selective hunting, hiking, mountain biking, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. Getting here form the Muncie city center takes about one hour and 20 minutes by car, driving along route US-35.

3. Mounds State Park

Spanning an area of over 250 acres and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, Mounds State Park is not only a beautiful nature reserve but also an important historical site. Featuring ten ceremonial mounds built by the prehistoric Adena people, this state park is an excellent destination for anyone wanting to learn about the ancient cultures that once inhabited the area.

Are you looking for a new or used vehicle to explore new destinations and go on fantastic trips around Indiana and beyond? If the answer is yes, visit us today at Toyota of Muncie! Check out our models, learn about our flexible financing plans, and take home a new vehicle that adapts to your needs and budget.

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5 Breakfast Places Worth the Morning Drive Near Muncie, IN

Muncie, IN, is one of the loveliest cities in Indiana, with no shortage of great things to do and see. It's also where you can find some of the best breakfast places in the state. Start your morning off the right way with these five fabulous breakfast options. Your 2023 Toyota Highlander Platinum with incredible city and highway MPG is an economical and reliable way to visit all of them. 1. Red Apple Café Red Apple Cafe at 3001 N. Oakwood Avenue is a friendly, cozy place to grab the morning's first meal. You'll find simple and scrumptious meals like eggs prepared your way and served with breakfast meat, hash browns, and toast. You can also go with something a bit more hearty, like corned beef hash or chopped sirloin with eggs. Those with a sweet tooth will love the waffle stacks served with fruit, nuts, or vanilla ice cream. 2. Riverside Café Stop by Riverside Cafe, at 2200 W. Kilgore Avenue, for hot, fresh coffee, rapid service, and delicious breakfasts. One of the top offerings at Riverside Cafe is the humble egg, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, and toast combination. The biscuits and gravy are phenomenal, too, and come in a large portion with decadent sausage gravy on the side. Everything is cooked to perfection and will fill you up well past lunchtime. Plus, they serve breakfast all day long. 3. Sam's Diner Sam's Diner, at 1900 S. Mock Avenue, is a family-friendly diner with excellent service and a comfortable atmosphere. You'll also find a vast menu of all your breakfast favorites, plus some unique spins on classics like Hamburger-N-Eggs served with toast and home fries. There's also the buttermilk pancakes with syrup and butter, massive omelets stuffed with meat, cheese, vegetables, and breakfast skillets. 4. Café At the Crossing Cafe At The Crossing, at 3506 W. Jackson Street, is one of the cutest cafes in the city. Visit and dig into their breakfast charcuterie board, or try some breakfast classics like French toast with sliced fruit, avocado toast, or rich, creamy protein shakes. The service is fast and friendly, and you'll meet plenty of people from the local community when you stop by. 5. Sunshine Café Visit Sunshine Cafe at 3113 N. Oakwood Avenue for a great ambiance, rapid service, and very tasty breakfast wraps with perfectly cooked eggs, corned beef and hash, and big omelets. Even the sides are exemplary at Sunshine Cafe, including crispy hash browns, fresh fruit, and delicious breakfast meats. When it comes to enjoying the first meal of the day, Muncie has you covered. Visit Toyota of Muncie and find your next vehicle to explore Muncie and beyond.

4 Summer Activities You Can Drive to Near Muncie, IN

Muncie, IN, is a close-knit community where you'll find lots of fun events, especially when the weather warms up. Get ready to attend these four great summer activities within driving distance of Muncie. 1. After Hours Art Reels Catch an outdoor movie projected onto the side of the Northwest Bank Building on Charles Street. This free, all-ages event takes place on the first Thursday of each month throughout the summer, immediately after the 5 to 8 p.m. First Thursday Gallery Walk around downtown Muncie. You can catch Raiders of the Lost Ark on July 6, ELVIS on August 3, and ET: The Extra-Terrestrial on September 7. The show starts at dusk with patio seating available for those 21 and older at the Fickle Peach, 117 East Charles Street, with seating outside that area for younger viewers. After Hours Art Reels is hosted by the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership. 2. Cardinal Greenway Summer is the perfect time to bike this 62-mile paved trail on a former railroad line, which travels through Muncie on its way from Richmond to Marion. If you have the stamina, you can travel through five counties, but you can also explore just a portion of the trail if you're looking for a shorter ride. You can even borrow a bike for free at the Historic Wysor Street Depot, 700 East Wysor Street in Muncie. Cardinal Greenway is currently the longest rail-to-trail route in Indiana. It's open from dusk until dawn for bikers, walkers, runners, and rollerbladers. It's also an ADA-accessible route. 3. Cretaceous Crawl Learn about the ancient plants and animals that lived in Muncie long before we were born at this fun and educational event for all ages. Cretaceous Crawl, scheduled for June 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., includes a full day of activities like making clay fossils and participating in a scavenger hunt. Cretaceous Crawl takes place at the Field Station and Environmental Education Center at Ball State University, which is open to the public. It's located on the Ball State Campus at 2500 West University Avenue. 4. Historic Cammack Station Charity Cruise-In The whole family will love this cruise-style car show, which benefits Toys for Tots of Delaware County. Cars of any year, make, and model can enter this open show for a $10 registration fee. If you're just going as a spectator, you can enjoy live music hosted by a DJ and take a chance to win a cash prize in the 50/50 drawing. The Historic Cammack Station Charity Cruise-In will be held June 18, July 16, August 20, and September 17 from 3 to 7 p.m. It takes place at Cammack Station, 9200 West Jackson Street in Muncie. The Toyota 4Runner has the safety, space, and features you need to enjoy summer events in Muncie with the whole family. Visit Toyota of Muncie today for your test drive.

Drive on Over: Where to Find the Best Pizza Near Muncie, IN

Whether you're feeding your family or treating your coworkers, pizza is one thing you can't go wrong with. Select your new favorite pie from these best pizza spots in Muncie, IN. 1. Greek's Pizzeria The heartwarming story of Greek's starts with a self-taught 14-year-old pizza progeny. Located at 1600 W University Ave, this eatery is now locally owned and operated and serves the community with a delectable menu. Start with freshly made breadsticks brushed with their signature garlic butter while you decide which pie to order. Choose between specialty pizzas like their Gourmet Grilled Chicken Ranch with Indiana bacon and garlic ranch butter, or the Grilled Chicken Fajita with green bell peppers and jalapenos. If you can't decide, create your own pizza with their customizable options. 2. Mancino's Pizza & Grinders At 4116 W Bethel Ave, you'll be greeted with the tantalizing smell of freshly baked bread and hand-tossed pizza dough. Start with an appetizer like Tomato Cheese Bread or French fries, then indulge in a hand-crafted Cowboy Steak grinder with ribeye steak, jalapenos, bacon, and chipotle ranch. Specialty pies include the Mancino's Pride, made with ham, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, and black olives. Select your drink from a menu of local and national beers and wine including a rotating list of microbrewery gems. Alcohol is intended for adults of legal drinking age only. Please remember to drink responsibly and in moderation, and never drink and drive. 3. The Guardian Brewing Co. The independently owned craft brewery perched at 514 E Jackson St does more than provide Muncie with high-quality beers, wines, and ciders. On the food menu, you'll find vegan-friendly crusts and beer-infused pizza sauces, all made with fresh ingredients. The menu includes many creative pies, including the Crust Punk Deluxe with garlic aioli, a Charlie cream ale base, steak, chicken, bacon, and topped with their house 3 Pepper Drizzle made of chipotle, serrano, habanero, raspberry, and Rainbow Pop. Ask your server for drink recommendations for impeccable pairings fresh from the brewery! 4. Johnny Carino's Pile the family into your 2023 Toyota Tundra Platinum and head over to 1101 W McGalliard Rd for incredible Italian bites, from classic dishes like lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, and of course - pizza! All pizzas are created with housemade dough and can be optionally paired with unlimited Caesar salad or a cup of soup. Mouthwatering options include the Traditional Margherita made with fresh basil, the Pepperoni & Pepperoni with layers of pepperoni, and Johnny's Favorite, made with applewood smoked bacon, sausage, pepperoni, black olives, mushrooms, and green bell peppers. When you've tried a slice of taco pizza or filled up on garlic breadstick knots, swing by Toyota of Muncie to see what's in stock!