Did you know that there are 2 mesmerizing Garfield Trails in Indiana? Both trails are located northeast of Indianapolis in Delaware and Grant Counties! My kids always loved seeing the Garfield Statute inside the Muncie Children’s Museum and we had no idea that it was a part of a Muncie Garfield Trail! When we were coming home from Fort Wayne recently, we thought it would be fun to do a little adventure and hit up some spots on the Grant County Garfield Trail.
What is Garfield?
Garfield is a popular comic strip that follows the lazy, fat, lasagna-loving Garfield the cat, Odie the dog, and their owner Jon Arbuckle. Syndicated in more than 2,100 newspapers worldwide, Garfield has also been adapted into a TV cartoon and into two feature films, the latest of which was released in the summer of 2024.
Garfield Trails
Grant County Garfield Trail
Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, is originally from Grant County and, to pay homage to Garfield’s creator’s hometown, Grant County has fourteen different Garfield statues of the famous cat. Each is over five feet in height, and the statues sport various outfits and poses. You’ll find them in the cities of Fairmount, Marion, Gas City, and Upland, Indiana. While in the area for the Garfield Trail, you should also stop at the legendary Ivanhoe’s restaurant for one of 100 ice cream sundaes or shakes. You’ll find a Garfield enjoying a triple scoop outside!
Muncie Garfield Trail
Not as well-known as the Grant County Garfield Trail, a separate trail in Muncie also features Garfield Statues. Jim Davis’ relation to Muncie is that he was previously a student at Ball State University and that Paws Inc., his former comic studio and production company, had headquarters near Muncie in Albany, Indiana. To commemorate Garfield turning 25 in 2003, Muncie had a celebration that featured local artists decorating a 48-inch Garfield statue mold to reflect Garfield’s personality and a theme chosen by a not-for-profit. Many of the 25 Garfields are still in Muncie and make up the Muncie Garfield Trail.
Garfield Trail Locations
Grant County Garfield Statues
Bookworm Garfield
600 S Washington Street, Marion
This statue of Garfield leaning against a stack of books is located inside the Marion Public Library and can only be accessed during operating hours of Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm, Saturday 11 am to 4 pm, and closed on Sunday.
Dr. Garfield
441 N Wabash Avenue, Marion
Located outside in front of the Marion General Hospital. This Garfield is dressed as a doctor and is easy to view if you are driving because it is located by the road. There is a parking lot for the hospital across the street. Just be aware it is not a good spot to just pull over or block the road because of emergency vehicles entering the hospital.
College Bound
113 N Main Street, Sweetser
This “college-bound” Garfield is holding a suitcase on the back of a train car at Sweetser Switch Trail and Depot.
Fit For Life Garfield
River Road & Quarry Road, Marion
This Garfield Statue is a fun one to find. To find this “staying fit” themed Garfield, you walk through the serene Matter Park Gardens. There are so many different gardens, and water features you walk through. There is a really cute children’s garden and a really large playground across the parking lot from the gardens which makes this a great spot to start.
Paws for Thought
505 W 3rd Street, Marion
Very easy to access. It was located outside in a small fenced-in area. This spot also is used as the Garfield Garden Trailhead.
Worldly Cat
115 S 1st Street, Van Buren
In front of the Van Buren Public Library, this Garfield is standing on top of a stack of books holding a globe.
Duffer Garfield
2500 E 550 N, Marion|
This golf-themed Garfield is located inside the Arbor Trace Golf Clubhouse and can only be accessed during operating hours. It is not easily noticeable inside the pro-shop and I needed to ask for assistance in locating the Garfield statue which is located in a room next to the main shop.
Gone Fishin’
816 S Wisconsin Street, Matthews
In front of Matthews Town Hall, this Garfield has a foot on top of a tackle box, with a fishing pole in one hand and a net with a fish in the other hand.
Firefighter
414 S Main Street, Jonesboro
In front of Jonesboro City Hall, Garfield is wearing a firefighter’s helmet and holding a firehose.
Cool Cat
203 E Washington Street, Fairmount
One of the most recognized Garfield statues along the trail. This Garfield statue is dressed like James Dean, who was originally from Fairmount. This statue is located outside the Fairmount Historical Museum.
Glass Blower
135 E Main Street, Gas City
In front of the Gas City-Mill Township Public Library, this Garfield pays tribute to the glass industry and natural gas boom of Gas City.
Speedking
405 S Washington Street, Swayzee
Near Alumni Park and Swayzee Elementary School, this Garfield statue is basketball-themed with Garfield holding a basketball with a scoreboard behind him.
British Garfield
4925 South Kay Bee Drive, Gas City
If you are traveling off of I-69 and just want to see a Garfield Statue but don’t want to do the whole trail this is one of the most accessible ones because it is right off of the interstate. This Garfield, dressed as a British Royal Guard, is located outside in front of Payne’s Restaurant.
Scream for Ice Cream
979 S Main Street, Upland
Another recognizable Garfield from this trail is the Garfield statue of Garfield holding an ice cream cone. Seeing this Garfield is a great excuse to get some ice cream because it is located outside, in front of Ivanhoe’s Drive-In.
Muncie Garfield Statues
Muncie Visitors Center
421 S Walnut Street, Muncie
Find out information about the Muncie Garfield Trail, see “The Real Garfield,” and pick up some Garfield-themed merchandise at the Muncie Visitors Center open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
City Hall/Mayor’s Office
300 N High Street, Muncie
The “Garf Brooks” Garfield can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Muncie Children’s Museum
515 S High Street, Muncie
The “Learn not to burn…lasagna” Garfield Statue is located inside the Muncie Children’s Museum Entrance. The Muncie Children’s Museum is free to visit every third Saturday of the month and is free for qualifying museum members of the ASTC travel passport program. The Museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm.
United Way
400 N High Street, Muncie
Located inside the Star building is the “Reflection of Our Community” which is available to be viewed Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
American Red Cross
325 E Washington Street, Muncie
Located in the window display of the American Red Cross is Clara “Garfield” Barton, The Angel of the Battlefield Garfield.
Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E Main Street, Muncie
You can find the “Yo Yo Paw” and the “Paw Gliacci” Garfield statues inside the Cornerstone Center of the Arts, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm.
Minnetrista
311 w St Joseph Street, Muncie
Visit Minnetrista where you will find the “Spirit of Minnetrista” Garfield. You can also visit the exhibits of the museum for free if you are a qualifying museum member of the ASTC travel passport program. The Museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and is open Wednesdays through Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm and Sundays 12 pm to 5 pm. There is no charge for parking or to see the Garfield statue.
Animal Rescue Fund
1209 W Riggin Road, Muncie
Located outside of the Animal Rescue Fund building is the “Saving Lives is Cat’s Pajamas” Garfield Statue.
BSU Alumni Center
2800 W Bethel Avenue, Muncie
Inside the Ball State Alumni Center is “Graduate” Garfield dressed in a graduation cap. He can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
Motivate Our Minds
2023 E Highland Avenue, Muncie
The “Lasagna & Literacy” Garfield can be viewed inside Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Ball State Bookstore
1101 N McKinley Avenue, Muncie
Inside Ball State University’s Bookstore, you will find the “Modern Art Garfield” Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 7 pm, Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and from Sat 10 am to 3 pm.
Delaware County Building
100 W Main Street, Muncie
See the “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Smoke-Free Air” Garfield Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm.
Boulder Falls Mini Golf and BatZone
3501 N Briarwood Lane, Muncie
The “Welcome to Boulder Falls” Garfield is located outside by the mini golf course. Boulder Falls is open Monday through Thursday from 3 pm to 10 pm, Friday from 3 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 9 pm.
The Frozen Boulder Yorktown
8919 W Adaline Street, Yorktown
Enjoy a frozen treat while you see this Garfield statue. It is open Monday through Saturday from 1 pm to 10 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 9 pm.
Imaging Center
2598 W White River Boulevard, Muncie
“This Cat Has Nine Lives….” Garfield promotes getting a mammogram and can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
Jack’s Camera Shop
300 E Main, Muncie
Inside the window of Jack’s Camera Shop, you will find the “Feline Exposed” Garfield.
The Clubhouse Muncie
115 S Walnut Street, Muncie
Come hang out at The Clubhouse where you can see a Garfield statue, play at the digital game and golf bays, and enjoy some great food. The Clubhouse is open Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm, Fridays from 11:30 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 10 pm, and Saturdays from 11:30 am to 10 pm.
Have fun traveling along the Garfield Trails and viewing the different Garfield Statues. Make sure you have a planned route to limit GPS distractions while driving. Be safe and enjoy this free fun and unique thing to do in Indiana.
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