Top Things to do in Indiana
Top Hotels in Indiana
- 1. Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown Across from Circle Centre
- 2. West Baden Springs Hotel
- 3. Bottleworks Hotel
- 4. Indianapolis Marriott East
- 5. The Inn at Saint Mary's
- 6. Drury Inn & Suites Terre Haute
- 7. Hyatt Place Indianapolis Downtown
- 8. Ironworks Hotel Indy
- 9. JW Marriott Indianapolis
- 10. Drury Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Carmel
10 Outdoor Activities in Indiana That You Shouldn't Miss
With beaches, boating, and salmon fishing in Michigan City and Gary bordering Lake Michigan, there is more to Indiana than might appear at first glance. The agricultural heartland even has cross country skiing and snowmobiling to go with the Cornball Express. Southwest Indiana near Evansville is renowned for the well-preserved Native American Angel Mounds State Historic Site. The largest city and state capital is famous worldwide for its Indianapolis 500 race. Even locals living in the suburbs often overlook the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Eiteljorg Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions, the old Union Station museum cluster, and downtown Canal Walk, to name but a few landmarks. South Bend is synonymous with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
Forested Nashville’s art colony fame dates to the early 1900s when Impressionist Theodore Clement Steele overwintered in The House of the Singing Winds. It is now the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. View paintings and sculpture at the I.M. Pei-designed Indiana University Museum of Art. Attend an IU sports event or an opera, ballet, concert, or theater performance. Treat the family to The Little Nashville Opry or The Bill Monroe Bluegrass Park. For healing mineral springs, head south to Orange County, Indiana’s spa resort center.
Enjoy golf, fishing, boating, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice skating in the nation’s agricultural heartland. Monticello and Rensselaer are west of Logansport and north of Lafayette. Take the family on the Cornball Express and Hoosier Hurricane at the Indiana Beach Amusement Resort in Monticello. Play boardwalk carnival games, or let the kids loose on the go-carts. Pile the family into their vehicles for an old-fashioned movie experience at Monticello’s Lake Shore Drive-In. Indulge in a weekend dinner boat cruise to hot band sounds as the Madam Carroll plies Lake Freeman.
Restaurants in Indiana
1. Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,169 reviews
#1 Summer "Gotta-Do" Attraction in a contest sponsored by the Indiana Office of Tourism & Development. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is operated by the non-profit Fort Wayne Zoological Society under a cooperative agreement with the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreations Department. The zoo receives no tax funding for operations and operates solely on earned revenue and donations. Our Mission: Connecting kids and animals, Strengthening families, Inspiring people to care.
Reviewed By whereverimayroamblog - Vero Beach, United States
I’m a big fan of this zoo, especially the penguins, sea lions, and otters. Appreciate the good food choices (not typical hamburger joints), the touch tank, and kid’s play areas. Definitely one of Fort Wayne’s top attractions.
2. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By ChrisL872 - Niles, United States
We began in Shipshewana and rode to Goshen, then back. Total of about 32 miles. This is an incredible trail with smooth surfaces, several rest areas, good signage and exceptional maintenance. The trailheads are spacious and convenient. This is primarily for biking, but a speed limit is imposed to force riders to appreciate the scenery and not to intimidate casual riders. Much is in shaded areas, so even on a warm day, it is comfortable. We have biked on many trails in the Midwest and this one tops them all. You will be on a blacktop county road for about a mile, but the locals are used to seeing bicyclists, so that is not a problem. The last two miles into Goshen is crushed rock, but still fairly smooth. Rest of trail is blacktop and in excellent condition.
3. Hummel Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By ralphm241
great park for concerts, walking, paved trails connecting all neighborhoods in town. Pet friendly. Baseball and basketball. play or spectate.
4. Indianapolis Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,453 reviews
The Indianapolis Zoo is located in White River State Park, conveniently located in beautiful downtown Indianapolis with easy access to walking and biking trails into the city. The Zoo is also just minutes from multiple interstates to make travel convenient for out-of-town visitors. Triple accredited as a zoo, an aquarium and a botanic garden, visitors can experience all of these attractions for one admission price. Open year-round with 64 acres of indoor and outdoor habitats, the Indianapolis Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals of approximately 230 species as well as 47,000 plant specimens.
Reviewed By 932all
My husband and I and our 3 married children and their families (17 total) visited the Indy Zoo to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. We greatly enjoyed our day at the zoo....the dolphin show was a highlight as well as the Butterfly Kaleidoscope and the Dog Show. The "climbing" gorilla was fun to see. The zoo was very clean and we hope to visit it again in the next year.
5. Perfect North Slopes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By griffinsatthebeach - Satellite Beach, United States
We went with our small group one day after visiting the Creation Museum. It was not far from our hotel, The Double Tree Lawrenceburg. It started to sprinkle on the way there and then full rain while we were there. We were so bundled up, we didn't even notice it was raining until we'd have to dump the rain out of our tubes. Or the attendants holding umbrellas. We went down the tube run about ten times. We ranged in age from 56 to 66. We were having such a good time, we were running up the people mover. Great fun! Great memories! Thanks Perfect North!
6. Cyntheanne Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
7. Wolf Lake Memorial Park
8. Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve is a 157-acre complex of wetlands, woodlands, and prairie. More than 400 native plant species have been identified on the property. The magnificent display of wildflowers from spring through fall is one of The Preserve’s most notable features. Many common mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies make their homes here, and there is a diverse birdlife, including both nesting and migratory species. Coffee Creek is one of the healthiest streams in the southern Lake Michigan watershed. Salmon, trout, and many other fish swim in its waters. The Preserve is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. A system of trails, including a three-mile loop around the perimeter, is popular with hikers, joggers, dog walkers, birders, and other nature lovers. Photographers are attracted by the abundant wildlife and wildflowers. Anglers find fishing in the creek excellent. A variety of classes, workshops, and hikes are provided throughout the year.
Reviewed By 3johnb - Valparaiso, United States
We love it here...all seasons. The walk is beautiful...about 2 1/2 miles but you can do a lot less. Many times we see deer, makes the day. The bridges are great although we rarely see anything in the water. The area in the front with wood walkways is very well done...structures of stone are beautiful and there is a very peaceful feeling being there. Go, explore for yourself and pick the parts you like best. Pleasant people doing the same thing you are. Lots of dogs.
9. Cardinal Greenway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Sightseer24941661220 - Brownsburg, United States
This was our first time on the Cardinal trail, we came for the bikefest so we enjoyed having SAG stops along the way. We did 50 miles of riding going south of the Muncie Depot, some stop and go-crossing intersections till you get south of the city limits. No real hills on our journey, for the most part the trail flat with very gradual climbs and descents. Would like to thank all the volunteers and Angie for their dedication to the trail...we'll be back!
10. Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest serves as a living laboratory for education, research, conservation and engagement with the natural environment. Gabis Arboretum offers a wide variety of activities, events and classes for people of all ages and interests. With 300 acres of magnificent landscapes, education programs and community events the arboretum has something for any interest. Popular attractions include the Railway Garden, which tells the story of American railroads in the context of a large display garden. Miniature trains run through outdoor displays showcasing American history.
Reviewed By sney3625 - Valparaiso, United States
I went mainly to see the magnificent outdoor train set and it was awesome. The rest of the place is very nice very pretty and if you have younger children there is a farm area that they would enjoy. Actually my wife and I enjoyed it to we sat and had lunch at the picnic benches near the farm. The gardens are very nice no matter what the season. There is a nice walking trail through the fields. Now back to the trains one of the best train setups I’ve ever seen probably a city block and half long and 1/2 block wide. It takes you around the country and is set up beautifully many different areas are shown including Lincoln’s funeral train and the old west I loved and and will revisit this place often
