Indiana

The Indianapolis 500 draws a multitude of racing fans to Indiana’s state capital each year, but the Circle City also has a wealth of destinations for those who want to explore museums, restaurants and more. Plan a trip to the shores of Lake Michigan to visit Indiana Dunes National Park, explore rural small towns across the state or make a weekend getaway to college towns such as Bloomington, West Lafeyette or South Bend in the fall to take in some of Indiana’s storied college football programs.

Mom and son looking at artifacts at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana (photo courtesy of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis)

Schedule a day of play at this Indianapolis, Indiana, attraction that boasts a collection of more than 130,000 items, as well as interactive experiences and games for little ones.

Stalactites and stalagmites at Squire Boone Caverns in Mauckport, Indiana (photo courtesy of Squire Boone Caverns)

Head to Mauckport, Indiana, to explore this subterranean marvel, which is home to the largest publicly accessible active rimstone dam in the United States.

America’s Christmas Hometown in Santa Claus, Indiana (photo courtesy of santaclausind.org)

Celebrate the holiday season in Santa Claus, Indiana, where every day feels like Christmas and the Jolly Old Elf is found around every turn. 

Oinking Acres Farm Rescue & Sanctuary in Brownsburg, Indiana (photo courtesy of Oinking Acres Farm Rescue & Sanctuary)

Play with potbellied pigs at this spot in Brownsburg, Indiana, where neglected animals have found a new life and love to interact with visitors. 

Raclin Murphy Museum Of Art in Notre Dame, Indiana (photo courtesy of Raclin Murphy Museum of Art)

Visit Notre Dame, Indiana, to see University of Notre Dame’s impressive art collection, which spans thousands of works and includes an outdoor sculpture garden.

Neapolitan pizza at Hawkins Family Farm in North Manchester, Indiana (photo courtesy of Hawkins Family Farm)

Dine on an Italian specialty al fresco in North Manchester, Indiana, at this family-owned spot that hosts seasonal Friday pizza nights on the farm. 

Basketball throwing game at Kid's Planet in Brownsburg, Indiana (photo courtesy of Kid's Planet)

Bring the kids to Brownsburg, Indiana, where four floors of fun await. Children of all ages will love the slides, trampolines, arcade and more. 

Child looking at red panda at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana (photo courtesy of Potawatomi Zoo)

See the more than 400 animals that reside at this 23-acre nonprofit zoo in South Bend, Indiana, that offers opportunities for incredible up-close experiences.  

Pond with fountain and willow trees at Friendship Botanic Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana (photo courtesy of Friendship Botanic Gardens)

Created for the Century of Progress Exhibition in the 1930s, this 105-acre Michigan City, Indiana, park features more than two dozen themed gardens.

Exterior of Michigan City, Indiana’s Old Lighthouse Museum in the winter (photo by Josh McIntyre)

Built in 1858, this Michigan City, Indiana, lighthouse was a beacon and keeper’s residence until the early 1940s. The Michigan City Historical Society opened it as a museum in 1973.