Indiana is one of those states that definitely doesn’t get enough credit. Way too many people (ones who have either never been here or who have been here forever) tend to dismiss it as “boring” or “flat” or “flyover country,” and we think that’s terribly unfair. One need not look far to find all kinds of amazing things to do, see, and experience in this state; in fact, we’ve gone and made a list of seven of the best decisions you can make in Indiana as a resident or as a visitor. Check it out; what would you add?
- Getting a parks pass.
Tom Gill/Flickr
Norm Hoekstra/Flickr Indiana is home to 24 incredible state parks. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys getting out and enjoying nature year-round, an annual entrance permit is what you need. Best news of all: there are permits available for in-state residents and out-of-state visitors; everyone is welcome. Learn more on IN.gov.
- Exploring Indiana’s awesome covered bridges.
Rodney Campbell/Flickr
rsetup/Flickr Bridges are an enormous point of pride for Hoosiers, so what kind of Hoosier would skip checking out any (or all) of our 98 historic covered bridges? We suggest taking this awesome Indiana covered bridges road trip!
- Getting a membership to the world-famous Indianapolis Children’s Museum.
Valerie Everett/Flickr
Valerie Everett/Flickr Did you know that the Indianapolis Children’s Museum is the largest of its kind in the nation? Membership includes unlimited access to the museum, plus so many more members-only perks. By investing in a membership, you’re giving your little one the gift of learning AND you’re helping to fund an absolutely incredible place. Read more about annual memberships on the official Children’s Museum website.
- Visiting Indiana’s very own Christmas headquarters.
Drew Tarvin/Flickr
Martin Lewinson/Flickr You know, it’s almost unfair to bill Santa Claus, Indiana, as a Christmas town, but they kinda call themselves that, so who are we to judge? The truth, however, is a little closer to this: EVERY holiday is extra fun in Santa Claus, but most especially Christmas. There is, however, an epic amusement park here called Holiday World where visitors meander through four major holidays’ worth of fun and rides. This is a must for every Hoosier, native and new. Learn more about this delightful little town in this article!
- Visiting the University of Notre Dame.
Mariano Mantel/Flickr
Nathan Rupert/Flickr No Hoosier is complete without having checked out the world-famous campus of the University of Notre Dame. The architecture alone is worth bringing a camera for, and while you’re there, you cannot - CANNOT - leave without admiring the overwhelming beauty of the extravagant basilica on campus. Also, it might be haunted. But haunted or not, it’s very much worth a day trip to South Bend.
- Visiting every. Single. Museum. In Indiana.
OZinOH/Flickr
florador/Flickr Indiana is home to numerous incredible museums, each of which is well worth a visit on its own. No matter what may interest you, you’re likely to learn something new about it at inside least one of these museums, and you might even earn a newfound appreciation for things you didn’t know much about before. Learning > everything else. Some of you will be thrilled to learn that plenty of these museums are pretty strange, too.
- Developing an appreciation for Amish culture and cuisine.
Joseph Gage/Flickr
Samuel Love/Flickr Indiana is filled to the brim with Amish history, culture, cuisine, and influence. There are large Amish communities in many parts of the state, and in most of them, you’re welcome to come learn, stay, eat, and play - Amish style. Take a buggy-ride tour, or visit a working farm and learn about day-to-day life in the world of Indiana’s Amish folks. Check out Buggy Lane Tours, an Amish-owned buggy tour company, while planning your escape to Amish country.
- Staying in Indiana’s most famous historic hotels.
Dan Perry/Flickr
Michael Allen/Flickr Did you know Indiana is home to multiple world-famous hotels, inns, and unique stays? Yep! Some of the most famous places you’ll ever sleep are right here and include Indiana’s West Baden Springs Hotel, as well as French Lick Hotel, the Omni Severin Hotel, and Spring Mill Inn. There are many others, but we think you get the idea. Read more about West Baden Springs Hotel in this article.
So, what do you think? What would you add to the list? Tell us in the comments!
Tom Gill/Flickr
Norm Hoekstra/Flickr
Indiana is home to 24 incredible state parks. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys getting out and enjoying nature year-round, an annual entrance permit is what you need. Best news of all: there are permits available for in-state residents and out-of-state visitors; everyone is welcome. Learn more on IN.gov.
Rodney Campbell/Flickr
rsetup/Flickr
Bridges are an enormous point of pride for Hoosiers, so what kind of Hoosier would skip checking out any (or all) of our 98 historic covered bridges? We suggest taking this awesome Indiana covered bridges road trip!
Valerie Everett/Flickr
Did you know that the Indianapolis Children’s Museum is the largest of its kind in the nation? Membership includes unlimited access to the museum, plus so many more members-only perks. By investing in a membership, you’re giving your little one the gift of learning AND you’re helping to fund an absolutely incredible place. Read more about annual memberships on the official Children’s Museum website.
Drew Tarvin/Flickr
Martin Lewinson/Flickr
You know, it’s almost unfair to bill Santa Claus, Indiana, as a Christmas town, but they kinda call themselves that, so who are we to judge? The truth, however, is a little closer to this: EVERY holiday is extra fun in Santa Claus, but most especially Christmas. There is, however, an epic amusement park here called Holiday World where visitors meander through four major holidays’ worth of fun and rides. This is a must for every Hoosier, native and new. Learn more about this delightful little town in this article!
Mariano Mantel/Flickr
Nathan Rupert/Flickr
No Hoosier is complete without having checked out the world-famous campus of the University of Notre Dame. The architecture alone is worth bringing a camera for, and while you’re there, you cannot - CANNOT - leave without admiring the overwhelming beauty of the extravagant basilica on campus. Also, it might be haunted. But haunted or not, it’s very much worth a day trip to South Bend.
OZinOH/Flickr
florador/Flickr
Indiana is home to numerous incredible museums, each of which is well worth a visit on its own. No matter what may interest you, you’re likely to learn something new about it at inside least one of these museums, and you might even earn a newfound appreciation for things you didn’t know much about before. Learning > everything else. Some of you will be thrilled to learn that plenty of these museums are pretty strange, too.
Joseph Gage/Flickr
Samuel Love/Flickr
Indiana is filled to the brim with Amish history, culture, cuisine, and influence. There are large Amish communities in many parts of the state, and in most of them, you’re welcome to come learn, stay, eat, and play - Amish style. Take a buggy-ride tour, or visit a working farm and learn about day-to-day life in the world of Indiana’s Amish folks. Check out Buggy Lane Tours, an Amish-owned buggy tour company, while planning your escape to Amish country.
Dan Perry/Flickr
Michael Allen/Flickr
Did you know Indiana is home to multiple world-famous hotels, inns, and unique stays? Yep! Some of the most famous places you’ll ever sleep are right here and include Indiana’s West Baden Springs Hotel, as well as French Lick Hotel, the Omni Severin Hotel, and Spring Mill Inn. There are many others, but we think you get the idea. Read more about West Baden Springs Hotel in this article.
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