At more than 15,000 acres, Indiana Dunes National Park is an incredibly diverse ecosystem that includes forests, grasslands, swamps, savannas and wetlands. If you're looking for interesting places in Indiana, Indiana Dune National Park should be at the top of your list. If you're looking for cheap things to do in Indiana, a timely trip to the gardens can solve all your problems. With hundreds and hundreds of objects, the Eiteljorg Museum is dedicated to the indigenous peoples who lived and worked the land before the arrival of European settlers in the 17th century.
The catacombs were originally built in the late 19th century because of the city's market. If you're looking for fun things to do in Indianapolis this weekend, there's nothing cooler than decaying underground tunnels. If you're looking for unique things to do in Indiana, you won't want to miss New Harmony. Tucked away in a corner of the state, it's a failed 19th century utopia dedicated to education, enlightenment and equality, and can offer a fascinating journey through history, as well as a fun experience for today's tourist.
It covers more than 1.3 million square feet, so if you're a shopaholic, this will be your mecca. You can also explore the outdoor grounds to learn about the time capsules that are buried on the property and the “moon trees” that sprouted from the seeds transported during the Apollo 14 mission. The museum is located on the grounds of what was formerly called the Central Indiana Hospital for the Demented and, as you probably know, treating the mentally ill in the 19th century was not always ethical. Founded in 1891, Schimpff's Confectionery is one of the oldest family-owned stores in Indiana and can offer a delightfully nostalgic experience along with its vintage-style candy and ice cream.
It is a small brick building that was built in 1838 by members of the Quaker faith and, although it has a certain historical charm, it is not one of the great architectural pieces of that time. KokoMantis is a work of art that measures over 17 feet tall. The Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum is one of the most fun things to do in Indiana. A visit to Brown County State Park is one of the best things to do in Indiana.
Built in the 19th century, the Rotary jail was considered the pinnacle of innovation because of its ability to rotate. Rotary prisons fell into disrepair in the 19th century, so today, the Indiana Rotary Prison Museum is one of the few left standing. A day at Holiday World is one of the most fun things to do in Indiana. It extends 21 miles below the ground, and is a dark, humid place full of jagged rocks and sharp curves.
They are one of the 10 best destinations in Indiana and will tell you incredible stories when you return home. Pokagon State Park is one of the best things to do in Indiana. If you love the holidays, a trip to Santa Claus is one of the best things to do in Indiana. The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is an ideal destination for classic car fans.
The museum has notable vehicles from the 1890s to the 21st century. With a focus on the achievements of the Auburn Automobile Company, the museum tells the story of the automobile from the past to the present. The Spirit of Jasper train departs from the historic Jasper Depot and allows you to travel in style to French Lick, Indiana or any of its organized tours. We recommend that you book your ticket in advance to save a seat in their comfortable, air-conditioned lounge cars.
You can even take a romantic train for dinner: food and drinks are offered locally and the train takes you on a relaxing ride through rural Indiana. Leave your car in the parking lot and relax; let someone else handle the transport for once. Indiana Dunes State Park is located at the southern end of Lake Michigan and has more than 15 miles of shoreline, 70 miles of hiking trails and more than 300 species of birds. It attracts millions of visitors every year for a myriad of reasons: whether you're a beach bum, a hiker, or a wildlife enthusiast, the dunes are full of surprises that are sure to keep you busy.
The Eiteljorg Museum of American and Western Indian Art is located at the entrance to White River State Park, in central Indiana. It contains the extraordinary collection put together by Indianapolis businessman Harrison Eiteljorg. Western paintings and sculptures have been exhibited from the beginning of the 19th century onward. The museum is open every day of the year, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Its collection includes more than 55,000 artifacts, including more than 300 cars. And at least 25 previous Indianapolis 500 winners are on permanent display. Other artifacts include racing memorabilia, archived photographs and videos. On the campus of the University of Notre Dame, the Snite Art Museum offers free admission and a dense collection of 19th and 20th century art.
The collection covers different cultures and important periods in the history of world art. It includes European painting and sculpture, Mesoamerican effigies, Native American pottery, and contemporary works. The museum also houses a constantly rotating selection of new exhibits, including thesis projects by current MFA students at the university. Home to the Hoosiers and nearly 200-year history of education, Bloomington is home to Indiana University's flagship campus.
An academic air defines the historic conference rooms and walking trails found on campus, including the iconic Sample Gates, which lead to other campus attractions, such as the Kirkwood Observatory. The Indianapolis Children's Museum is a big and wonderful place for the whole family. It covers 29 acres in the city's United Northwest neighborhood. And as the largest children's museum in the world, the different exhibits and practical scientific exhibitions range from the time of the dinosaurs to the astronauts who lived aboard the International Space Station.
In addition to several full-day family tours, the museum also offers daily events and programs. A sample of scheduled events includes costume building workshops, a Laboratory Secrets series, and astronaut training aboard the International Space Station. To make things even more fun, the children's museum also has a restored 1917 carousel on the fourth level of this nearly 475,000 square foot facility. Steeped in natural and cultural history, Prophetstown is a new addition to Indiana's state park system and presents many ways to interact with the environment.
Within the state park, the 125-acre farm in Prophetstown embodies a motif from the 1920s, including hands-on experiences with farming, gardening and feeding livestock. The house was designed by architect Francis Costigan. Inside are some of the original furniture and an impressive three-story spiral staircase. The grounds include formal gardens that display plants and landscape styles from the late 19th century.
Visitors can tour the historic mansion during daily operating hours, Tuesday through Sunday. Guided tours start at the beginning of every hour. The historic mansion also hosts several events and programs throughout the year, including candlelit Christmas tours, early childhood programs, and 1940s Ballroom celebrations for adults only. The most popular vehicles and exhibits on display include Mae West's 1931 Chevrolet Housecar, a walking tour of Road Back in Time, and a Tennessee Traveler motorhome.
Visitors can also see how recreational vehicle interiors and appliances have changed over the years. The museum displays trailers, motorhomes, photos and souvenirs dating back to the 1920s, all within a huge showroom. For the more serious, Wolf Park also offers seminars on wolf behavior, wolf mythology and more, with plenty of opportunities to interact directly with wolves. The seminars range from 5 to 3 days and also include artist and photography seminars.
A variety of programs for children are also available. Visitors have the opportunity to learn how manure produces electricity, dairy products are produced and how offspring are born. There are visits to the barn, a 4D theater, a tour of the cheese factory and a visit to the delivery stable, where guests are sure to see at least one of the 80 calves born there every day. It's a must-see for those less familiar with life on the farm and a great summer day for children and adults who love to learn and enjoy ice cream.
Peru, Indiana, is also known as the Circus City and is located 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Peru was home to the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus and others. Even the Ringling brothers' circus spent the winter there for a while. For 10 days every July, Peru celebrates the Circus City Festival with attractions, crafts, food, games and more.
Wilbur was actually just one of seven children in the family. He was born in 1867 and lived in this Indiana house for most of his high school years. The museum opened in 1998 and celebrates the area's automotive heritage, including the achievements of Elwood Haynes, manufacturer of the first commercially built car. It houses cars from 1884 and includes more than 100 cars to admire without the hassle of crowds.
In the northern part of the state, near Medaryville, Indiana, is the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. What is remarkable here is the visit once a year of up to 30,000 sand cranes as they begin their migration to the south. What you'll find is Adams Mill, a water-powered grinding mill built in 1845 in Wildcat Creek. It now houses an impressive exhibition of agricultural equipment and mills related to the time.
A few steps away is a covered bridge that is still in use today. Currently, they have 200 resident animals and visitors can take a one-hour tour, getting closer to these cats than they would ever do in a zoo. It may not be an ideal home for them under normal conditions, but these animals cannot return to nature. The former river city of Madison, Indiana, is located along the Ohio River at the southernmost tip of the state.
For those who like to stay in a bed and breakfast or shop for crafts and antiques, Madison is worth it. It includes many historic old houses, including the Lanier Mansion (built in 1884), which you can visit. It's a quaint river town that was once very prosperous, located near Clifty Falls State Park for those who like to get outdoors. If you plan your visit well, you can also attend the Madison Regatta on the Ohio River to have fun running 200 mph in the water.
Even though Indiana is the 12th flattest state in the country, there is also a place to ski. You can ski, snowboard, snorkel, etc. in Paoli Peaks, which is located outside the Hoosier National Forest, in the southern half of the state. .
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