Things to Do in Indiana

The short answerUpdated Oct 12, 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: 628 things to do guides
Regions: Indianapolis Metro, South Central Indiana, West Central Indiana, Northeast Indiana, Southeast Indiana

From Get Indiana

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

Indianapolis Metro South Central Indiana West Central Indiana Northeast Indiana Southeast Indiana Michiana Southwest Indiana East Central Indiana The Region State Parks Hiking & Trails Waterfalls & Caves Camping Hidden Gem Things to Do Family-Friendly Things to Do

Indiana State Parks

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

Waterfall spilling into a rocky limestone canyon under green trees at McCormick's Creek State Park

McCormick's Creek Is Getting a Bigger, Better Campground. Here's What's Coming.

McCormick's Creek State Park is building a $25 million campground with 192 full-hookup sites, due in late summer 2028. Here's what's coming and what's open now.

Jarred Porter

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

Lakes & Beaches

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

Sandy public beach on Cedar Lake, Indiana, with a fishing pier, pontoon boats and a stamped-concrete lakefront park path under a blue summer sky

What's it like in Cedar Lake, Indiana?

Cedar Lake, Indiana, is a Lake County resort town built around northwest Indiana's largest natural lake. See its Monon-era history, things to do and places to eat.

Cheyne Reiter

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

Allison Martin visits Patoka Lake, Indiana's largest reservoir property, to talk fishing, hiking the historic Narrows trail, and biking the paved path.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Vintage black-and-white photo of midget race cars, numbers 11 and 12 among them, racing on the dirt track past a crowded wooden grandstand at Jungle Park Speedway in Bloomingdale, Indiana

Jungle Park Speedway: Indiana's Legendary Racing Ghost Track

Jungle Park Speedway near Bloomingdale, Indiana is a forgotten 1926 half-mile dirt track where Indy 500 legends raced. Here is its history and what remains.

Taylor Huff

Preserved trunk of the Constitution Elm inside its sandstone monument in Corydon, Indiana, with a bronze plaque and fall leaves

The Constitution Elm: Where Indiana’s Statehood Took Root

The Constitution Elm in Corydon, Indiana, shaded delegates as they wrote the state's first constitution in 1816. Learn its story and see its preserved trunk today.

Taylor Huff

Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum building in Elkhart, Indiana, with window art of Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America and other heroes

Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Elkhart, Indiana

The Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Elkhart, Indiana, packs comic books, movie props and rare collectibles into a family-friendly stop. See tickets, hours and more.

Taylor Huff

Colorized 19th-century portrait of Calvin Fletcher in a dark coat, white collar and black bow tie

Calvin Fletcher: The Man Who Helped Build Early Indianapolis

Calvin Fletcher, Indianapolis's first lawyer, helped build the early city through banking, schools and abolition work. See where his story lives on in Fletcher Place.

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.

Two bats flying in silhouette against a purple dusk sky with the moon glowing behind them

Balloons and Bats: How to Spend This Weekend in Terre Haute

Plan a Terre Haute weekend around the Balloon Festival, Sept. 25-26, and the free Indiana Bat Festival at ISU and Dobbs Park, with times, prices and a full itinerary.

Jarred Porter

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

Family-Friendly Things to Do

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

Aerial view of the lit Boone County Courthouse and string-lit square in downtown Lebanon, Indiana at dusk

What's it like in Lebanon, Indiana?

What's it like in Lebanon, Indiana? The Boone County seat serves up the Alley-Oop, Donaldson's Finer Chocolates, dinner in an old jail cell and Rick Mount history.

Cheyne Reiter

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

Geode-covered columns, an arched stone shrine and rose beds on the lawn of the Geode Grotto at Providence Home in Jasper, Indiana

The Providence Home Geode Grotto

The Geode Grotto at Providence Home in Jasper, Indiana is a garden of shrines built from thousands of cracked-open geodes — a true southwest Indiana hidden gem.

Taylor Huff

The red brick Old Pathology Building, home of the Indiana Medical History Museum, with its bay front and slate roof under a clear blue sky in Indianapolis.

A Fascinating Look Inside the Indiana Medical History Museum

The Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis preserves the country’s oldest surviving pathology building, open for one-hour guided tours by appointment.

Taylor Huff

Things to Do in West Central Indiana

What's it like in Fowler, Indiana?

Fowler, Indiana, is the Benton County seat in the heart of wind turbine country. See the Art Deco Fowler Theatre, a giant turbine blade, places to eat and local history.

Cheyne Reiter

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

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

Things to Do in Northeast Indiana

The Fun Farm in Fort Wayne

The Fun Farm in Fort Wayne is a 25-acre family adventure park with giant slides, farm animals, themed attractions and seasonal fall events like pumpkin patches and hayrides.

Taylor Huff

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

Things to Do in South Central Indiana

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 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

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

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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From Get Indiana

Indiana State Parks

McCormick's Creek Is Getting a Bigger, Better Campground. Here's What's Coming.

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

Harmonie State Park: The Magic of Fireflies

Indiana Parks Alliance: Giving Back to the Parks

What's it like in Lagro, Indiana?

Whitewater Memorial State Park: Honoring Our Veterans

Five Budget-Friendly Places to Travel to in Indiana

Brown County State Park: Falling for Leaf Peeping

Lakes & Beaches

What's it like in Cedar Lake, Indiana?

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

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

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

Hardy Lake: Where the Raptor Center Soars

Brookville Lake: Bluebirds, Walleye, and 50 Years of Lake Life

Mississinewa Lake: The Conservation Mindset

Cecil M. Harden Lake: Raccoon State Recreation Area & the Mansfield Roller Mill

Hiking & Trails

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

What's it like in Whitestown, Indiana?

What's it like in Brownstown, Indiana?

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

Guide to Visiting Boone County, Indiana

Calli Nature Preserve: Discover Rock Rest Falls in North Vernon, Indiana

Prophet's Rock: One of Indiana's Most Historic Overlooks

DePauw University Nature Park: A Hidden Outdoor Escape in Greencastle, Indiana

Waterfalls & Caves

Discover the Underground Wonder of Southern Indiana: Squire Boone Caverns

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

Clifty Falls State Park: Being a Good Neighbor

5 Must-See Waterfalls in Indiana

Strolling In the Deep: Bluespring Caverns

Camping

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

Camping at Indiana Dunes National Park: Your Complete Guide

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

Gardens & Arboretums

Sunken Gardens in Huntington, Indiana: A Peaceful Hidden Gem

The Most Romantic Botanical Gardens in Indiana

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

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

Eagle Creek Nursery: Indianapolis' Best-Kept Secret Growing Since 1925

Potawatomi Conservatories South Bend Botanical Gardens

Wellfield Botanic Gardens: Where Nature, Art, and Flavor Bloom

3 Must Visit Gardens In Indiana

Hidden Gem Things to Do in Indiana

Jungle Park Speedway: Indiana's Legendary Racing Ghost Track

The Constitution Elm: Where Indiana’s Statehood Took Root

Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum in Elkhart, Indiana

Calvin Fletcher: The Man Who Helped Build Early Indianapolis

Discover the Historic Library at West Baden Springs Hotel

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

Flossie Bailey: The Indiana Woman Who Fought for Justice

Billie Creek Village: Step Back in Time

Free Things to Do in Indiana

Balloons and Bats: How to Spend This Weekend in Terre Haute

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

What's it like in Seymour, Indiana?

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

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

WAMMfest Returns to Greenwood on Saturday, August 15

Celebrate Tenderloin Tuesday at Sun King Brewery in Westfield

Indiana County Fairs: The Complete Guide

Family-Friendly Things to Do

What's it like in Lebanon, Indiana?

What's it like in Decatur, Indiana?

The Providence Home Geode Grotto

A Fascinating Look Inside the Indiana Medical History Museum

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

A Night Out at The Harmony Theater in Hillsboro, Indiana

What’s it like in Kentland, Indiana?

What's it like in Odon, Indiana?

Things to Do in West Central Indiana

What's it like in Fowler, Indiana?

What's it like in Kirklin, Indiana?

What's it like in Monticello, Indiana?

What’s it like in Frankfort, Indiana?