Attractions, day trips, food stops, parks, towns, and events

Things to Do in Indiana

A practical guide to what is worth doing across the Hoosier State, from classic attractions to small-town stops and local stories that make a trip feel specific.

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The short answerUpdated Sep 19, 2026

Things to do in Indiana sort into a few real categories. There are 24 state parks, from Pokagon State Park up in Steuben County down to Clifty Falls State Park near Madison. There are 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline at Indiana Dunes. There is a food map built on breaded tenderloins and small-town bakeries, and a sports calendar that peaks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway every May.

Coverage
618 things to do guides
Regions
Indianapolis Metro, South Central Indiana, West Central Indiana, Northeast Indiana, Southeast Indiana

From Get Indiana

  1. Falls of the Ohio State Park: Indiana's Fossil-Filled Natural Wonder
  2. Take a Relaxing Cruise on the Dixie Sternwheeler in North Webster, Indiana
  3. The Seven Pillars of Mississinewa: One of Indiana’s Most Unique Natural Wonders
  4. Discover the Underground Wonder of Southern Indiana: Squire Boone Caverns

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

Indianapolis MetroSouth Central IndianaWest Central IndianaNortheast IndianaSoutheast IndianaMichianaSouthwest IndianaEast Central IndianaThe RegionState ParksHiking & TrailsWaterfalls & CavesCampingHidden Gem Things to DoFamily-Friendly Things to Do

Indiana State Parks

Trails, history, and the state parks and recreation areas worth a full day outside.

Sunset over the exposed limestone fossil beds and a still river pool at Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, Indiana, with a steel truss bridge crossing the Ohio River

Falls of the Ohio State Park: Indiana's Fossil-Filled Natural Wonder

Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, Indiana holds some of the world's largest exposed Devonian fossil beds, plus river trails and an Interpretive Center.

Taylor Huff

IN the Parks podcast cover art for Harmonie State Park, showing a large painted Say's Firefly sculpture hanging on a blue brick wall next to a placard about Indiana's state insect

Harmonie State Park: The Magic of Fireflies

Harmonie State Park in New Harmony, Indiana pairs utopian history with Say's Firefly, our state insect. Cabins, big trees, and the best time to spot fireflies.

Allison Martin

IN the Parks podcast cover graphic titled Indiana Parks Alliance, with a fall-colored tree against a blue sky and a Listen Now button

Indiana Parks Alliance: Giving Back to the Parks

Indiana Parks Alliance advocates for the state's parks and funds trail projects through Trails for Tomorrow. Here's how Hoosiers can give back and get involved.

Allison Martin

Nighttime crowd gathered on the lawn at 950 Speakeasy Bistro in Lagro, Indiana, watching a live band play under string lights beside the two-story timber patio

What's it like in Lagro, Indiana?

Lagro, Indiana is Wabash County's smallest town, packed with Irish history, the Wabash River Trail, Canal Creamery, and the 950 Speakeasy Bistro. Here's what to know.

Cheyne Reiter

Lakes & Beaches

Reservoirs, lake towns, and Lake Michigan beaches for swimming, boating, and slow summer days.

The Dixie, a red-and-white sternwheel paddleboat, cruising across Webster Lake in North Webster, Indiana, with passengers on its decks under a clear blue sky.

Take a Relaxing Cruise on the Dixie Sternwheeler in North Webster, Indiana

Built in 1929, the Dixie Sternwheeler is Indiana's oldest sternwheel excursion boat, offering relaxing 75-minute sightseeing cruises on Webster Lake in North Webster.

Taylor Huff

A wide sandy beach at Indiana Dunes National Park with Lake Michigan waves on the right and a wooded dune ridge in fall color on the left

Indiana Dunes Is Busier Than Most of the National Parks You Can Name

Indiana Dunes National Park logged 2.6 million visits in 2025 and ranks in the top 10% of all National Park Service units, a new federal report shows.

Jarred Porter

Patoka Lake: Come for the Water, Stay for the Trails

Patoka Lake: Come for the Water, Stay for the Trails

Patoka Lake: Come for the Water, Stay for the Trails Use this for the article image: Cover Art link Listen to “Patoka Lake: Come for the Water, Stay for…

Allison Martin

Hardy Lake: Where the Raptor Center Soars

Hardy Lake: Where the Raptor Center Soars

Hardy Lake near Scottsburg is home to nine birds of prey at its raptor center, plus water recreation and great trails. Allison has the full guide.

Allison Martin

Hiking & Trails

Day hikes, nature preserves, paved paths, and trail systems across the state.

Limestone pillars and shallow alcoves carved into a wooded bluff above the Mississinewa River near Peru, Indiana, under a pink and orange sunset sky

The Seven Pillars of Mississinewa: One of Indiana’s Most Unique Natural Wonders

The Seven Pillars of the Mississinewa near Peru, Indiana are 25-foot limestone columns carved by the river, with an ACRES preserve trail framing them from the far bank.

Taylor Huff

A paved stretch of the Big-4 Trail near Whitestown, Indiana, running through a tunnel of green trees with fallen yellow leaves scattered across the path

What's it like in Whitestown, Indiana?

What's it like in Whitestown, Indiana? Explore the Big-4 Trail, Moontown Brewing, Hattie's Coffee House and Viking Fest in one of Boone County's fastest-growing towns.

Cheyne Reiter

Aerial view at sunset of the dirt oval at Brownstown Speedway ringed by grandstands, race trailers and the packed Jackson County Fairgrounds in Brownstown, Indiana

What's it like in Brownstown, Indiana?

What's it like in Brownstown, Indiana? The Jackson County seat pairs Brownstown Speedway and Rock the Rind with Pinnacle Peak hikes and Azteca Mexican Restaurant.

Cheyne Reiter

Blue water channel lined with gold and rust colored autumn trees under a clear sky at Fox Island County Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fox Island County Park: Fort Wayne's Hidden Escape Into Nature

Fox Island County Park hides 605 acres of forest, wetlands, and prairie on Fort Wayne's southwest side, with seven miles of trails, a nature center, and Bowman Lake.

Taylor Huff

Waterfalls & Caves

Cataracts, cave tours, and the underground stops and overlooks worth chasing.

An illuminated rimstone formation at Squire Boone Caverns, its terraced flowing stone lit in blue and amber as water cascades over the ledges.

Discover the Underground Wonder of Southern Indiana: Squire Boone Caverns

Tour Squire Boone Caverns, a southern Indiana hidden gem with illuminated stone formations, an underground stream, frontier history and a hands-on working village.

Taylor Huff

Spring Mill State Park, Part 1: Cave Adventures and Ancient Forests

Spring Mill State Park, Part 1: Cave Adventures and Ancient Forests

Explore Spring Mill State Park's cave system and 300-year-old forests in Mitchell, Ind. Learn about cave boat tours, hiking trails, and Donaldson's Woods.

Allison Martin

Clifty Falls State Park: Being a Good Neighbor

Clifty Falls State Park: Being a Good Neighbor

Explore Clifty Falls State Park near Madison - historic waterfalls, the Four Falls Challenge, bat hibernation caves, and Clifty Inn accommodations.

Allison Martin

5 Must-See Waterfalls in Indiana

5 Must-See Waterfalls in Indiana

Chase waterfalls across Indiana! Discover 5 scenic spots perfect for hiking, photos, and summer adventures—from Cataract Falls to Clifty and beyond.

Taylor Huff

Camping

Campgrounds, cabins, and lakeside sites for a night or a weekend under the stars.

France Park in Logansport: A Hidden Gem for Camping, Hiking & Diving

France Park in Logansport: A Hidden Gem for Camping, Hiking & Diving

Discover France Park in Logansport—offering camping, hiking trails, fishing, and even SCUBA diving in scenic France Lake. A true Indiana outdoor gem.

Taylor Huff

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

Riverside Retreat: Camping at Rising Sun Campground in Winamac, Indiana

Riverside Retreat: Camping at Rising Sun Campground in Winamac, Indiana

Discover Rising Sun Campground in Winamac—lazy river floats, themed weekends, and old-school camping vibes along Indiana’s Tippecanoe River.

Taylor Huff

Gardens & Arboretums

Botanical gardens, conservatories, and seasonal blooms worth a slow walk.

Stone arch footbridge crossing the turquoise water at the Sunken Gardens in Huntington, Indiana, with limestone stairways, green lawns, and a wooden overlook deck above the former quarry walls

Sunken Gardens in Huntington, Indiana: A Peaceful Hidden Gem

Inside Memorial Park, the Sunken Gardens in Huntington, Indiana, is a free hidden gem with a decorative fountain, colorful flower beds, and quiet walking paths.

Taylor Huff

A round reflecting pool set in a lawn at the Garden at Newfields, with clipped hedges, stone steps and a brick garden building behind it under fall foliage

The Most Romantic Botanical Gardens in Indiana

From the Rapp Ravine at Newfields to Wellfield in Elkhart, these are Indiana's most beautiful botanical gardens, plus what each one actually costs to visit.

Jarred Porter

Close-up of deep maroon Queen of the Night tulip petals at Kat Von D's black tulip field

A Gothic Garden in Southern Indiana: Kat Von D’s Black Tulip Field

Kat Von D's black tulip field in Vevay, Indiana brings thousands of dark spring blooms, free public views, peak bloom tips, and photo-worthy stops.

Taylor Huff

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

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

Hidden Gem Things to Do in Indiana

Offbeat places, local favorites, and Indiana stops that feel a little more found than advertised.

The pink Florida Tropical House, one of the 1933 Century of Progress homes, standing on a lawn above the Lake Michigan shoreline in Beverly Shores, Indiana

Century of Progress Homes: A Glimpse Into the Future from 1933

Five 1933 Chicago World's Fair homes still stand in Beverly Shores, inside Indiana Dunes National Park, open to the public on one guided tour each September.

Taylor Huff

Hand-tinted portrait of Katherine "Flossie" Bailey smiling, with dark curled hair and a dark top

Flossie Bailey: The Indiana Woman Who Fought for Justice

Flossie Bailey of Marion, Indiana, led the state NAACP after the 1930 Marion lynching and helped pass Indiana's 1931 anti-lynching law. Here is her story.

Taylor Huff

Visitors walking past the white clapboard Billie Creek General Store at Billie Creek Village near Rockville, Indiana, with a green street clock, mums and rows of pumpkins in the foreground on a fall day

Billie Creek Village: Step Back in Time

Billie Creek Village near Rockville, Indiana, is a 70-acre recreated 1900s village with 30+ historic buildings and three of Parke County's covered bridges.

Taylor Huff

Three street tacos topped with shrimp, cilantro and cotija on a metal rack at Tlahcos Mexican Cuisine in Plainfield, Indiana, with guacamole and a red cocktail behind them

Tlahcos Mexican Cuisine: A Flavorful Hidden Gem in Indiana

Tlahcos Mexican Cuisine in Plainfield, Indiana serves street tacos, quesa birria, ceviche and craft margaritas in an upscale room just west of Indianapolis.

Taylor Huff

Free Things to Do in Indiana

Parks, trails, public art, downtown walks, scenic drives, and easy ideas that do not need a big budget.

The Indiana 9/11 Memorial on the Downtown Canal in Indianapolis, with a black granite sign, two World Trade Center steel beams, a bronze eagle, and the Colts building in the background.

15 Indiana 9/11 Memorials, and Friday's Confirmed Ceremonies

Friday is the 25th anniversary. Here are 15 Indiana 9/11 memorials, most built around World Trade Center steel, plus the ceremonies confirmed for Sept. 11.

Jarred Porter

The John Mellencamp mural on a brick building in downtown Seymour, Indiana, reading “I Was Born In A Small Town,” with picnic tables on the lawn of the adjacent pocket park

What's it like in Seymour, Indiana?

What's it like in Seymour, Indiana? The Crossroads of Southern Indiana pairs the John Mellencamp mural and Seymour Oktoberfest with Larrison's Diner and Rails.

Cheyne Reiter

The Sock Barn outside Nashville, Indiana, a dark green wooden barn with a hand-painted sign, its side wall covered in dozens of hanging socks

The Sock Barn in Nashville, Indiana: Brown County’s Quirkiest Landmark

The Sock Barn outside Nashville, Indiana, is Brown County's quirkiest roadside stop, a barn covered in socks left behind by hikers who took a geode home.

Taylor Huff

The rubberized red-and-green Pfeil Miracle Field at Normain Park in Mishawaka, with a Miracle League of Northern Indiana outfield banner and scoreboard.

Miracle League Complex at Normain Park: Mishawaka's Fully Accessible Ballpark and Playground

The Miracle League Complex at Normain Park in Mishawaka pairs a rubberized adaptive ballfield with a fully gated inclusive playground, splash pad and sensory garden.

Jarred Porter

Family-Friendly Things to Do

Ideas with easier timing, room to move, nearby food, and enough flexibility for real family logistics.

Historic brick storefronts along a downtown street in Decatur, Indiana, with a three-story corner building and US 224 route signs at the intersection ahead

What's it like in Decatur, Indiana?

What's it like in Decatur, Indiana? The Adams County seat is home to the Decatur Sculpture Tour, Soul Pig BBQ, Bellmont High and the director of "Hoosiers."

Cheyne Reiter

Visitors ride a canopied wagon pulled by a tractor through a herd of American bison in an open pasture at Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve near Fremont, Indiana

Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve: One of Indiana's Most Unique Wildlife Experiences

Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve near Fremont, Indiana, offers guided wagon tours straight into a roaming bison herd, a hidden gem wildlife stop in Steuben County.

Taylor Huff

The vertical Myers marquee and Dinner Theatre sign on the front of The Harmony Theater in downtown Hillsboro, Indiana, with a message board reading Come as a Guest and Leave as Family

A Night Out at The Harmony Theater in Hillsboro, Indiana

The Harmony Theater in Hillsboro, Indiana, known for decades as Myers Dinner Theatre, still pairs a homemade buffet with live shows in Fountain County.

Taylor Huff

Colorful mural in Newton County, Indiana of writer George Ade and baseball player Edgar "Sam" Rice, painted alongside a South Newton High School logo and a canoe scene at Willow Slough

What’s it like in Kentland, Indiana?

Kentland, Indiana is the Newton County seat at the crossroads of US 41 and Route 24, home to the Pun’kin Vine Fair, the Old Colonial Inn and a 1906 courthouse.

Cheyne Reiter

Things to Do in West Central Indiana

More in West Central Indiana
The 'Travelers Point' vintage train mural painted on a brick building along Main Street in downtown Kirklin, Indiana, with the town water tower in the background.

What's it like in Kirklin, Indiana?

What's it like in Kirklin, Indiana? This Clinton County small town packs antique shops, standout bakeries, and a grain-to-glass distillery onto a bustling Main Street.

Cheyne Reiter

Aerial view of a wooden roller coaster curving out over Lake Shafer at Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana, with a Ferris wheel beside the boardwalk.

What's it like in Monticello, Indiana?

From the historic Indiana Beach and the twin lakes of Lake Shafer and Lake Freeman to beautiful golf courses, a winery, and go-to restaurants, Monticello is a must-visit small town in Indiana.

Cheyne Reiter

Frankfort, Indiana Water Park

What’s it like in Frankfort, Indiana?

From the Hot Dog Festival to Case Arena to Glover's Ice Cream, Frankfort packs serious character into Clinton County. Here's the full breakdown.

Cheyne Reiter

Joey Chestnut Is Coming to Terre Haute: Rural King's Memorial Day Eating Contest Launches a National Qualifier Series

Popcorn, Power, and a Hoosier Homecoming: Joey Chestnut Returns to Terre Haute This Memorial Day

Joey Chestnut returns to the Terre Haute Rural King on Memorial Day 2026 to defend his 42-bag popcorn record and launch a national qualifier series.

Jarred Porter

Things to Do in Northeast Indiana

More in Northeast Indiana
A paddler's point-of-view from a teal kayak drifting down a calm, tree-lined Indiana river on a sunny summer day, with water shoes propped on the bow.

5 Underrated Indiana River Float Trips for a Low-Crowd Summer

Skip the Turkey Run crowds. From the spring-fed Mongo float to the Blue River's limestone bluffs, here are five underrated Indiana river floats for summer.

Jarred Porter

Aerial view of downtown Wabash, Indiana, centered on the domed Wabash County Courthouse and surrounded by brick storefronts and tree-lined streets.

What's it like in Wabash, Indiana?

Wabash was the first city in the world lit entirely by electricity, is the birthplace of the man who founded Honeywell, and sits right along the river that gave it its name.

Cheyne Reiter

The bell tower on the Manchester University mall, surrounded by striped green lawns and campus buildings under a clear blue sky in North Manchester, Indiana

What's it like in North Manchester, Indiana?

North Manchester, Indiana: a Wabash County small town and the birthplace of VP Thomas Marshall, home to Manchester University, the Eel River, and a historic covered bridge.

Cheyne Reiter

The stone grave marker of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, topped with a green apple and ringed by a black iron fence.

Discovering Johnny Appleseed’s Grave: A Quiet Gem in Fort Wayne

Johnny Appleseed's grave rests in a quiet Fort Wayne park. Learn who the real John Chapman was, how to find the gravesite, and why locals still visit it today.

Taylor Huff

Things to Do in South Central Indiana

More in South Central Indiana
The abandoned Zoom Flume concrete waterslide near Bloomington, Indiana, its curved channel covered in vibrant multicolored graffiti with green forest behind it.

The Zoom Flume: Bloomington's Hidden Waterslide Relic

The Zoom Flume near Bloomington, Indiana is an abandoned 1970s waterslide turned graffiti-covered hidden gem, now drawing photographers and urban explorers.

Taylor Huff

The exterior of The Brick (Brick Bar & Grill), a small red-brick tavern in Jonesville, Indiana, with a covered entry and a Coca-Cola machine.

The Brick: A Hidden Gem in Jonesville, Indiana

The Brick in Jonesville is a hole-in-the-wall Indiana bar serving cheeseburgers, housemade chili, and hot sauce. Here's what to order and how to plan your visit.

Destany Long

The Farmhouse Café & Tea Room: A Hidden Gem in Nineveh, Indiana

The Farmhouse Café & Tea Room: A Hidden Gem in Nineveh, Indiana

The Farmhouse Café and Tea Room in Nineveh sits inside a restored 1800s brick farmhouse with homemade lunches and a garden center to explore after.

Taylor Huff

New Season Underway at Salem Speedway

New Season Underway at Salem Speedway

Salem Speedway has hosted legends like A.J. Foyt, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart since 1947. The new season is underway at this iconic Indiana track.

Shelby Zellmer

Browse Things to Do

Use the latest stories as a trip-planning feed, then narrow by region or search for a specific destination.

Indiana’s First National Park

Indiana’s First National Park

Taylor Huff

Questions

Trip questions people actually ask

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

01

What are the best things to do in Indiana?

The best things to do depend on the trip: state parks and trails for outdoor days, restaurants and small towns for day trips, festivals and events for seasonal plans, and hidden gems for unusual stops.

02

How do I plan an Indiana day trip?

Choose one anchor destination, then add a nearby food stop, town square, park, shop, or attraction. The regional filters on this page help group ideas into realistic trips.

03

How often is this guide updated?

New travel, food, parks, best-of, and hidden gem stories feed this guide when they fit the topic.

04

What are good free things to do in Indiana?

Parks, trails, scenic drives, downtown walks, public art, festivals with free entry, farmers markets, and historic main streets are usually the easiest free starting points.
Parks

05

What are the best family-friendly things to do?

Look for state parks, museums, seasonal festivals, farms, zoos, children-friendly trails, lake towns, and food stops with easy parking and flexible timing.

06

What are good weekend trips in Indiana?

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

07

When is the best season to explore Indiana?

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

08

How do I find things to do near me?

Use the region filters first, then search for a city, town, attraction, park, restaurant, or event type to narrow the guide.
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