What are good Indiana weekend trips?

Good weekend trips usually combine a town or hotel with food, outdoor time, shopping, live music, a festival, or a nearby attraction.

Which Indiana region should I visit?

Northern Indiana is strong for lakes, dunes, and Amish Country. Central Indiana has Indy, suburbs, sports, food, and museums. Southern Indiana is best for river towns, caves, parks, wineries, and scenic drives.

Are these guides good for families?

Many are. Look for family-friendly, free, rainy-day, and outdoor ideas when you need easier timing, flexible stops, and backup options.

When is the best time to travel around Indiana?

Spring and fall are best for trails, towns, festivals, and scenic drives. Summer is strongest for lakes and patios. Winter works best for lights, museums, food, shopping, and indoor plans.

How often are travel guides updated?

New travel guides appear as they are published. Older guides need a fresh check when dates, hours, tickets, parking, official links, or seasonal details change.

Can I suggest an Indiana travel idea?

Yes. Send the place, route, town, park, or local stop through the submission form so Get Indiana can consider it for future coverage.

What should I check before leaving?

Check hours, tickets, parking, weather, official links, seasonal closures, and nearby food before you get in the car.

Indiana Travel Guides - Day Trips, Road Trips & Weekend Plans

The short answerUpdated Aug 6, 2026

An Indiana trip usually takes one of four shapes. There is the state park weekend at Brown County State Park or Turkey Run. There is the lake stretch through Steuben County and Pokagon State Park. There is the beach run to Indiana Dunes. And there is the county tour, Dubois County or Daviess County, that strings towns, food, and back roads into one loop.

Coverage: 38 travel guides
Regions: Indianapolis Metro, South Central Indiana, Northeast Indiana, The Region, Southwest Indiana

From Get Indiana

Maintained by the Get Indiana team. Reviewed by Nate Spangle. How we use AI

Indianapolis Metro South Central Indiana Northeast Indiana The Region Southwest Indiana West Central Indiana Michiana Parks, Lakes, and Outdoor Trips Family, Free, and Rainy-Day Plans

Parks, Lakes, and Outdoor Trips

State parks, trails, dunes, gardens, lakes, and fresh-air plans for the days when outside is the point.

Aerial view of the Boone County courthouse and downtown square in Lebanon, Indiana, with fall foliage and parked cars lining the street

Guide to Visiting Boone County, Indiana

Zionsville, Lebanon, Whitestown and Thorntown in one trip: where to hike, eat and shop across Boone County, Indiana, from the Big-4 Rail Trail to Titus Bakery.

Cheyne Reiter

Sun setting over Lake Michigan from a grassy sand dune at Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, Indiana

Five Budget-Friendly Places to Travel to in Indiana

From Indiana Dunes to Holiday World, here are five budget-friendly Indiana travel destinations for an affordable weekend road trip that won't break the bank.

Destany Long

Indiana for Three Weeks: The Ultimate Month-Long Visitor Itinerary

Three weeks in Indiana, from the dunes to the Ohio River. Here's the full itinerary through Indy, Fort Wayne, Brown County, and more.

Jarred Porter

Cherry Blossom Season in Indiana: 4 Spots Worth the Drive Before the Petals Fall

Find where cherry blossoms grow in Indiana, including Indianapolis and Carmel spots, peak bloom timing, and tips for catching the petals before they fall.

Jarred Porter

Family, Free, and Rainy-Day Plans

Lower-stress ideas with easier timing, budget-friendly stops, indoor backup plans, and room for real-life logistics.

The Perfect Kid-Free Day in Indianapolis

Finally got a sitter? Here are the best things to do in Indianapolis for couples, from morning brunch to afternoon cocktails and beyond.

Jarred Porter

Free Museum Days in Indianapolis 2026 - Your Complete Guide

Free Museum Days in Indianapolis - Your Complete Guide

Seven Indianapolis museums offer free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026. Plus monthly free days, military discounts & year-round free venues.

Jarred Porter

Best Outdoor Adventures & Water Parks for Kids in Indiana

Discover Indiana’s best outdoor adventures for kids—splash parks, wildlife encounters, and family-friendly fun from Santa Claus to Crown Point.

Shelby Zellmer

Soak Up the Fun: Outdoor Adventures for Kids in Indiana

Discover Indiana’s best outdoor adventures for kids—from water parks and safaris to farm fun and history. Perfect for family day trips and summer escapes!

Shelby Zellmer

Seasonal Indiana Trips

Spring lists, summer getaways, fall drives, winter plans, event weekends, and trips that depend on timing.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Indiana

Where to see the best fall foliage in Indiana, from Brown County to the Dunes, plus peak-color timing by region and 2026 state park entrance fees.

Jarred Porter

End-of-Summer Beach Getaway: Indiana Dunes & Lake Michigan

Soak up the sun with an Indiana Dunes summer getaway. Discover top Lake Michigan beaches, dune hikes, local breweries, and tips for a perfect late summer weekend.

Jarred Porter

Visiting Indy for WNBA All-Star 2025? Here’s Your Weekend Travel Guide

Coming to Indianapolis for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game? Here’s where to eat, stay, and explore during your All-Star Weekend in Indy.

Jarred Porter

Northern Indiana County Fairs 2025: Full Event Guide

Northern Indiana County Fairs: Full Event Guide

Your full guide to Northern Indiana county fairs—dates, grandstand events, livestock shows, and carnival rides from LaPorte to Crown Point.

Cheyne Reiter

Indiana Day Trips and Road Trips

Routes, counties, cities, and easy getaways that help you turn an open day into a real Indiana plan.

Historic Billiard and Bowling Pavilion at French Lick Resort Reopens After 90+ Years

The Billiard and Bowling Pavilion at French Lick Resort opens to the public for the first time since the 1930s. Explore this restored 1917 gem.

Jarred Porter

A wooden boardwalk and staircase winding across an open sand dune at Indiana Dunes, with wooded green ridges rising behind it

Camping at Indiana Dunes National Park: Your Complete Guide

Camping at Indiana Dunes National Park means Dunewood: 67 sites, no hookups, open April to November. What to know, and how it differs from the state park.

Jarred Porter

A Local’s Guide to Dubois County: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore

Wondering what to do in Dubois County? Explore Ferdinand’s monastery, antique shops, and state forest, Jasper’s Schnitzelbank, Huntingburg’s League Stadium, and more on this Southern Indiana getaway.

Cheyne Reiter

Touring Indiana’s Grandest Mansions: Historic Homes You Can Visit

Step back in time at Indiana’s most spectacular historic mansions, from presidential homes to Gilded Age estates.

Taylor Huff

Taylor Huff

What is Indy known for?

Nate Spangle

Questions

Travel questions people actually ask

Written to answer the thing you actually searched for, not to pad the page.

The answer

How do I plan an Indiana day trip?

Pick one anchor stop, then add nearby food, a town square, a park, a shop, or a scenic route so the day feels full without getting rushed.

Still have a question about this part of the state?

Ask the desk

Indiana Travel Guides

From Get Indiana