Editors' Picks: 19 of the Best Things to Do in Indiana!

Indiana's motto is "the crossroads of America" - and so many important moments of the nation's history have taken place there. For example, Lewis and Clark set out from Fort Vincennes on their journey to explore the Northwest Territory. The first professional baseball game was played in Fort Wayne in 1871. In 1880, Wabash became the first city in the world lit by electricity when inventor Charles Brush tested his "Brush Lights," with a glow visible for a mile.

Indiana is where Frank Sinatra made his debut (at the Lyric Theater in Indianapolis) and is home to the world's first theme park, "Santa Claus Land" which opened in 1946. The state is the birthplace of James Dean, David Letterman and Michael Jackson. And naturally, it's a mecca for fans of basketball.

The Hoosier State has a lot going on, and here are 19 cool things to check out.

Conner Prairie

It's a very cool interactive history park, featuring folks in costume re-enacting what life was like back in the state's earliest days. Get a different look at the park's 800 acres via the "1859 Balloon Voyage" hovering 350 feet in the air. (Fishers)

Turkey Run State Park

Get your first hike of the season in at this lovely park that features a variety of trails, suitable for all fitness levels (helpful, if you've slacked of the workouts during the winter). There's also a nice Nature Center. (Marshall)

Angel Mounds State Historic Site

These ancient Indian mounds are remnants of a thriving community that once lived on the Ohio River a thousand years ago. Excavations are still going on. (Evansville)

Huntingburg League Stadium

This old-timey stadium was featured in the movie, "A League of Their Own." Games are still played there, with players dressed in vintage uniforms - and even some "Rockford Peaches" on site. (Huntingburg)

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

It's the only museum like it in the Midwest, with a collection that's considered one of the best in the world. Besides fascinating artifacts, artwork by Georgia O'Keefe, N.C. Wyeth, Frederic Remington - even Andy Warhol - is on display. (Indianapolis)

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

This iconic raceway really comes alive over Memorial Day, when the "Indy 500" takes place. About 325,000 fans crowd in to watch drivers speed around the track at 220 mph. Total adrenaline. (Speedway)

The Studebaker Museum

Besides showcasing various models and the history of the iconic automobile, its home to a huge collection of presidential carriages - including the one Lincoln took the night of his assassination (Clement Studebaker had a thing about acquiring these historic vehicles). (Evansville)

The "Spirit of Jasper"

During the summer, this restored train makes evening trips to the state's resorts at French Lick. There are also other fun excursions, as well. (Jasper)

Blue Spring Caverns

A river runs through 21 miles of caverns which is pretty cool in itself; but what's even more bizarre are the many nearly white -- or even see-through -- creatures that live within the darkness. Take a tour and see how many you spot. (Bedford)

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

You may not think "beach" when you think of "Indiana," but this one is on the shores of Lake Michigan. Besides several beaches, there are also dunes, trails and marshland to explore. You can even see the Chicago skyline from parts of West Beach. (Chesterton)

Notre Dame

Nothing like a fall weekend and home football game to give you a sense of school spirit - no matter where you went. This legendary school also features a gorgeous campus and a ton of history that's fun to explore. (South Bend)

Explore the Covered Bridges

Iowa isn't the only state with impressive covered bridges; Indiana's Parke County has 31 of them. The Covered Bridge Festival each fall celebrates these historic structures.

Antique Alley

Almost 1,000 antique dealers dot this 60-mile stretch of road east of Indianapolis. And that's somehow appropriate, considering that the National Road (old U.S. 40) dates to the early part of the 19th century.

The Barn Quilt Trails

Beautiful murals based on quilt patterns can be spotted on homes, public spaces and old barns in several Indiana counties. The "trails" are a unique way to celebrate both the art of quilting, as well as the history of agriculture in the area.

Morris-Butler House

Step back into the Victorian age to explore what life was like during those days. Besides the amazing architecture and artwork, the home offers an afternoon tea option (must be booked in advance). (Indianapolis)

Children's Museum Of Indianapolis

It regularly wins raves as one of the best museums anywhere, and not just for kids. There are five levels of interactive exhibits that will engage even the most jaded grown-up.

An Epic Toboggan Run

Pokagon State Park features an incredible, quarter-mile refrigerated toboggan run. Climb the 30-foot tower, then hang on: the top-recorded speed is a cool 42 mph. (Angola)

Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Hoops is practically a religion in the Hoosier State - so pay your respects at this wonderful collection of memorabilia. (New Castle)

Fire and Ice Festival

A popular January event. After you browse the works of art carved from giant hunks of ice, warm up by sampling the submissions in the Chili Competition. (Goshen)

Share your favorites!
Indiana Search
Best Things To Do Near You
Best Things To Do Near You
Mar
29
Mar
29
Mar
29
Mar
29

Frida...A Self Portrait

7:30 PM
Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis, IN
Learn More
Mar
29

Origami Angel

7:30 PM
Old National Centre, Indianapolis, IN
Learn More
Mar
29

Vonda Shepard

7:30 PM
Feinstein's Cabaret, Carmel, IN
Learn More
Show More
Best Places To Go Near You
Best Places To Go Near You
690 Beech Street, Zionsville, IN
The Zion Nature Center encourages Zionsville and Central Indiana families to take an active role in their native environment through educational an... Read More
9645 Whitestown Road, Zionsville, IN
This 38-acre parcel was purchased by the Town in 2003. The park includes multi-use athletic fields, a skate park, splash park, sledding hill, prair... Read More
7840 West 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN
With 1400 acres of water and 3900 acres of forest, Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest city parks in the nation, offering unmatched opportu... Read More
West 38th Street and Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis, IN
6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN
About Us:One of Indianapolis' oldest parks, Holliday Park is located along the banks of the White River and encompasses 95 acres of woodland and tr... Read More
4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN
As the Indianapolis Museum of Art has grown to become an internationally renowned museum, we now turn our attention toward increasing our emphasis ... Read More
4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world's largest spectator sporting facility. It plays host annually to three events in three major racing se... Read More
820 East 67th Street, Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Art Center is one of the largest community art facilities in the United States not connected with a university, welcoming more tha... Read More
1235 Central Park Drive East, Carmel, IN
Escape into recreation at the Monon Community Center & The Waterpark! Offering fitness and nature activities, this 146,000 sq. ft. facility has... Read More
617 Third Avenue SouthWest, Carmel, IN
Laser Flash - Indiana's largest laser tag center!- A 7,800 square foot multi-level laser tag arena, the biggest & best in Indy!- Up to 40 playe... Read More
14299 Clay Terrace Boulevard, Suite 140, Carmel, IN
Carmel Community Players is Carmel, Indiana's oldest and most prestigious community theater. Our home is the Carmel Community Playhouse at Clay Ter... Read More
4011 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN
History: Indianapolis Opera, founded in 1975, is the only professional opera company in Indiana. The company performs the classic European operas ... Read More
3045 West Vermont Street, Indianapolis, IN
The Indiana Medical History Museum is located in the Old Pathology Building on the grounds of the former Central State Hospital on the near westsid... Read More
Show More
Select a Indiana town to find
the Best Things-To-Do and Places To Go around you
Ohio County
Vanderburgh County