Midwestern Traveler: It’s time to put the Hoosier State at the top of your travel list
When it comes to travel, Indiana may not be the first destination that comes to mind. However, the Hoosier State has a lot to offer for families, couples and those looking for a weekend getaway. From beaches to city living, you can see and do a lot in Indiana without traveling too far from home.
Indianapolis
The state’s capital is also its largest city. With a booming downtown area, there are breweries, museums and entertainment galore for those who choose to stop in Indianapolis. The big city that feels small, you can soak up its history while introducing your taste buds to new dishes or take the littles to one of the most popular attractions in the city—the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. According to the museum, the exhibits and activities are designed to help create extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. From dinosaurs to an immensely popular Barbie exhibit, children will put this at the top of their list of most fun things they did on a trip to Indiana.
Adults will enjoy the craft beer scene in Indy, including its Craft Pass, a unique experience with a mobile passport that takes you to the city’s best breweries, distilleries and craft beverage producers.
According to Visit Indy, outdoor lovers have plenty of outdoor recreation spots to take advantage of throughout the city and surrounding neighborhoods. Some of these top spots include Eagle Creek Park, Fort Harrison State Park, Garfield Park Conservatory, Holliday Park and White River State Park.
Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne is a family-friendly destination, and there are plenty of things to do in the city. At the top of the list is the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. According to Visit Fort Wayne, the zoo it ranked among the top 10 zoos in the country.
“Families love Fort Wayne because they find so many amazing things to do all throughout our city,” says the team at Visit Fort Wayne. “Visit one of the nation’s top 10 zoos, test your imagination at our hands-on science center, wander through lush gardens and enjoy dozens of hands-on opportunities for your family to reconnect, laugh and learn together when you get away to Fort Wayne.”
Other popular destinations in Fort Wayne include the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Science Central and the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.
Bloomington
Even if you aren’t a fan of Indiana University, Bloomington is a must-see location. The city features a beautiful natural landscape, unique buildings and plenty of things to do to from dining to exploring the campus and checking out its long list of festivals and events.
Indiana University calls Bloomington home, and if you haven’t seen the campus, well then, you should put a stop at the top of your list. The university was founded in 1820 and it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. There are museums to help you connect with local history as well as to local industries such as limestone, of from which campus buildings are constructed. If you visit during the school year, be sure to check off a fun bucket list of activities such as eating pizza from Mother Bear’s Pizza and relaxing at Cox Arboretum.
If you want a bit of outdoor exploration, head to the Fairfax State Recreation Area, where there’s a beach and fishing or go hiking at Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve.
Foodies will want to put a few of these Bloomington stops on their to-do list as well, including Bedräk Cafe, Dagwood’s Deli Sub Shop, C3 Bar and Hartzell’s Ice Cream. Before you leave, immerse yourself in Bloomington culture with a walk down the popular Kirkwood Avenue.
Indiana Dunes National Park
A beach getaway is much closer than you may think. If you’re looking for sun, sand and water, check out Indiana Dunes National Park. Located in the northern part of the state along Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes is a place you never knew you needed to visit.
The park occupies 15 miles of lakeshore, and its popular dunes are just the tip of the iceberg. Other recreational activities at the park include wetlands, 50 miles of hiking trails and world-class bird watching on its 15,000 acres of land.
From countryside escapes and lakeshore getaways to a bustling capital city, Indiana is a place to truly enjoy a quick getaway from home.
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