15 Awesome things to do in Indianapolis

Our state’s capital, Indianapolis, has all kinds of fun things to do year-round. Because of its size, I’m going with an extra 5 items on my list this week. This list will not contain any sporting events (Pacers/Colts/Fever/Indians), shopping at large malls like Keystone and Circle Centre, or the Indy Zoo (already mentioned in another entry).

1.  Indianapolis Motor Speedway

This is one of the most iconic spots in Indy and one of the largest landmarks that defines the city. It is the host of multiple races throughout the year, the most famous of which is the Indy 500. While I have never been to a race here, several of my friends have been and talk about the loud, crazy atmosphere of the races. Apart from races, the Speedway hosts other events throughout the year. For the rest of the month of December, there is an event called Lights of the Brickyard, which is a 2 mile stretch of lights that weaves its way through the site. The Indy Mini Marathon also brings its runners into the Speedway for a lap around the track. I can tell you firsthand, this place is enormous! They also have a museum onsite that gives a fun look at the history of the place.

2.  Indianapolis Children’s Museum

Don’t let the name fool you, this museum is enjoyed by people from all ages. Indianapolis contains all sorts of museums, but this one sets itself apart from the others due to the cool look of it and the fun exhibits that it contains. Being a children’s museum, the museum has plenty of exhibits that are hands-on and engaging. It contains all sorts of exhibits, ranging from glass blowing to dinosaurs to locomotives. The five-floor museum contains over 120,000 artifacts and has over a million visitors each year. Reviews online are overwhelming positive, highlighting how enjoyable it is for all ages.

3. Escape Rooms

Escape rooms continue to be great pastime, especially in winter months when options on things to do become more limited. This is a great team-bonding activity or a great activity to do with a group of friends. While not every escape room location produces quality rooms, there are several in the Indy area that boast great reviews. The Escape Room Indianapolis is one that contains no “Easy” level rooms, which can either turn people off or be more intriguing. I have done the Art Gallery room there (Intermediate level) and had a blast! Further north of that place is Escape Indy, which has rooms of every level. I have done Mr. Dupree’s Office there (Easy level) and enjoyed myself. The workers at both places were very communicative and helpful. Escape the Room Indianapolis is further north, but I have no personal experience there.

4. The Indy Canal Walk

The Canal Walk is a great outdoor activity that is also FREE. This 3 mile walking loop feels so different than walking the streets of downtown Indy, but it is just a couple blocks away. The city has done a great job in making the Canal Walk a peaceful place. Plenty of people utilize this area for exercising, and there are some fun activities on the water as well, such as riding in a gondola, kayaking, and pedal boats.

5. Eagle Creek Park

This park is the largest in the city, covering 5,300 acres (3,900 being land). Eagle Creek contains over 16 miles of hiking, including at least 20 exercise stations. The large lake inside it is used for swimming, fishing, and boating, while a golf course also takes up residence inside of it. The most exciting part of the park is the area used by Go Ape, a treetop adventure company that operates a zipline course in the park. The course only has 5 ziplines, which is smaller than other places in Indiana, but it makes up for it in other things going on while in the trees, like Tarzan swings and wood bridge crossings. The park does cost $5 to enter, and there are costs to other activities there as well.

6. Garfield Park Conservatory

Botanical gardens are fun places to visit year-round. What is fun about places like this is that they often have seasonal displays that run anywhere from a week or two to over a month. The conservatory is one main building that houses all kinds of cool plants and greenery. Currently, Garfield Park Conservatory has a holiday seasonal display out that contains model trains and toy villages. Admission here is $2 when there is no special display, and $4 when there is a special display. There hours are 10am-5pm Mon-Sat and 1pm-5pm on Sundays.

7. Sun King Brewery

This brewery and tasting room occupies 3 buildings in downtown Indy and is an extremely popular venue. Sun King is a brand of beer that grown in popularity quite a bit over the last few years, and many people flock to the original location. Here you are able to get growlers and sample flights at very reasonable prices. For $10, you can take a tour of the main brewing facility, sample up to 5 beers, and get a souvenir tasting glass. Hours are as follows: Monday - Wednesday: 10am - 9pm, Thursday - Friday: 10am - 10pm, Saturday: 11am - 10pm, Sunday: 11am - 8pm (No keg sales).

8. Mind Tripping Show

The Mind Tripping Show is one of Indy’s highest rated “Things to do”. The show takes place in one of the Hilton downtown and has been going on for 7 years! It’s the longest running live theatre show in Indy, and is self-described as “good, clean fun”. It’s a husband and wife act that take pleasure in interacting with the audience to put on a fun display of optical illusions and mind-reading. The show lasts about 90 minutes long, and a schedule can be found online on their website. Tickets are $40 for front row, $30 general admission, $25 for seniors and military.

9. Bad Axe Throwing

If the name doesn’t give you a clue, Bad Axe Throwing gives people a chance to throw axes at targets. Similar to a shooting range, you have a lane and a target at the end that you’re aiming for. The bets way to take advantage of this unique experience is to book an event (minimum of 6 people), which gives you 2.5 hours of throwing, 2 targets, and a throwing coach to show you how to do it right. The price for that is $39.25 each. However, they do have walk in hours where you can come in and throw for $20 an hour, but your target is just in a common area and there isn’t a coach to help you out. They are open 7 days a week from 8am-11pm, but walk in hours are only on certain days and only from 5pm-9pm, so be sure to check online for availability.

10. Fast Times Indoor Karting

This indoor go-cart track is 900 feet long and has two levels to it. Adult carts go up to 40mph and “junior” carts go up to 30mph. It costs $22 for an 8-minute race, plus an extra $2 if you don’t bring your own helmet. The cost does seem high, but there are often promotions for 2-for-1 prices. Many reviewers say 2 sessions is plenty for them because afterward you are hot, tired, and sweaty. Because this isn’t your average go-cart race, you must bring a government issued ID to race, and you need close-toed shoes. Their hours are as follows: Monday - Thursday ~ 11 AM - 10 PM, Friday & Saturday ~ 11 AM - 11 PM, Sunday ~ 11 AM - 8 PM.

11. Beef and Boards

This dinner theatre has been around since the 1970’s and hosts more than 155,000 people per year! The shows here are usually very well-known ones such as Elf, The Little Mermaid, A Christmas Carol, Grease, and Hairspray. The shows run for about 5 weeks each and usually last about 2 hours each (plus intermission). There are 3 sections facing the stage, which cause prices to range from $45-60 on Tue-Thu nights, $55-70 on Fri-Sat, and $50-65 on Sundays. The venue opens 2 hours before curtain, and the buffet starts 30 minutes after opening. Check the website for showtimes, as they vary by day.

12. Rhythm! Discovery Center

If music is an interest or hobby of yours, I highly recommend the Rhythm! Discovery center. It is a drum and percussion museum that is very interactive and highlights how percussion and rhythm has helped shape the world. They have many artifacts as well as educational programs that help visitors learn how to play certain instruments. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for students, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children.  Their hours are as follows: Mon: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tues: CLOSED, Wed-Sat: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sun: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

13. Action Duckpin Bowling

Modeled after 1930’s duckpin bowling, Action Duckpin bowling is a throwback to when bowling was considered just a “winter” sport. Duckpin bowling uses smaller pins and balls, giving players 3 tries in a frame to knock all of the pins down. It is housed in the basement of the Fountain Square Theatre Building and contains 8 lanes and a café that serves basic food options like sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. It costs $40 to reserve a lane for an hour, and reservations are highly recommended. Their hours are: Monday 11am-4pm, Tuesday 11am-9pm, Wednesday & Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-12am, Sunday 11am-6pm.

14. Indianapolis City Market

This city market is a highlight of Indianapolis for the amount of local food vendors in one place. There are over 25 vendors here, some of which sell their own boutique goods, while many other sell delicious food. There is also a taproom on the 2^nd floor that serves 19 different Indiana craft beers on tap. What’s nice about the city market is the variety of food available there; you can stop by and grab dessert, a light snack, or a full meal! Starting May 1^st, there is also a farmer’s market that sets up shop just outside the front doors of the building. The market hours are Mon-Fri from 7am-9pm and Sat 8am-9pm.

15. Murat Theatre

The Murat, or Old National Centre, is a fascinating venue because it houses multiple rooms where concert and plays can be held. The largest room can hold 2,500 people, and it is the room where plays, bigger name comic acts, and larger concerts are held. The next room is the Egyptian Room, which is just one level and can hold up to 2,000 people. The 3^rd room is the Deluxe Room, which can hold 250 people or 500 if you also add the Deco Lounge next to it. The Old National Theatre does a great job of balancing different types of artists and performers to grave their stages, keeping all of the rooms clean and well kept up. I have seen Wicked, Pentatonix, and The Piano Guys in the main room and have enjoyed all 3 experiences.   

10 Fall Activities in Indiana

Fall is my favorite season for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I absolutely love how the leaves all turns colors. It's also great due to comfortable weather during the day, football season, and because all of the awesome fall activities that you can do. This entry will be a little different than others because each item in the list won't necessarily be about a specific location, though I may mention some specific spots throughout this post.


1. Apple Orchards/Pumpkin Patches
Indiana is full of orchards and patches from which to gain plenty of apples, pumpkins, gourds, and more. You can't beat fresh apples for eating or baking, and pumpkins are fun if carved, used as a decoration, or eaten! My last blog post is solely dedicated to some of the best orchards in the state. Even though it's late October, there are still certain apple types becoming ripe for picking.

2. Corn Mazes
Corn mazes are a lot of fun if you have a group of friends or family who want to get together and problem solve. Corn mazes can get pretty intricate, such as Exploration Acres in the Lafayette area, which has a Stranger Things themed corn maze this year., What's nice about corn maze places is that they frequently have other things to do at the location as well, such as playgrounds, hay mazes, corn boxes, food trucks, fire pits, hay mountains (some with slides!), and other fun things to keep kids occupied. Amazing Fall Fun, which is just north of Fort Wayne, does a good job of having plenty of activities to enjoy at the location besides just the maze. I recommend going at night as well because it adds a whole different element to it!

3. Haunted Houses/Forests/Rides
I personally hate getting scared and would never go to any of these places, but I know that a lot of people get a kick out of going to haunted houses. Once October arrives, plenty of venues begin prepping locations to be as scary as possible. Indy Scream Park in Anderson is probably one of the most well known, but there are other places worth a visit too, such as Indiana Fear Farm in Jamestown, Hanna Haunted Acres in Indy, Reaper's Realm in Hammond, Nightmare on Edgewood in Indy, Edge of Insanity in Kokomo, and Haunted Castle/Black Forest in Fort Wayne. I'm not sure for all of these which ones have age limits or which ones are allowed to touch you, but I do know that at Fear Fair in Seymour they are allowed to touch you.

4. Bike Trails
There are miles of bike trails around Indiana that are awesome ways to enjoy beautiful fall scenery. They offer exercise and great views, so it's a win-win. With the weather cooling down in fall, you won't get as overheated while riding, which makes for a much more comfortable ride. The Cardinal Greenway and Monon Trail are both great options for bike trails.

5. Mississinewa 1812
I unfortunately wasn't able to get this entry out before the festival, but 1812 is a fun event that ran October 12-14 this year. It not only involves plenty of historical value in reenactments, but it also brings plenty of people in to try the food. One of the biggest sellers for food here are the giant turkey legs. Admission to 1812 is $9 for adults at the gate. I personally have never been, but I have plenty of friends who have either gone or worked at the event who have had a fun experience.

6. Bonfires
Fall is the perfect season for bonfires because the nights actually cool off to the point where you want to get close to the fire. Summer bonfires are nice, but it's normally still in the 70's at night and fires aren't as appealing. Having a fall bonfire makes you actually need the heat from the fire! Pass around some hot drinks, have smores, tell stories...the list goes on. If you don't have access to a fire pit of any kind to have a fire, try finding a business or restaurant that has them, such as Abbey Coffee in Marion.

7. Hiking
As I said in previous seasonal entries, I will be promoting hiking each season because it offers a totally different feel to it every season! Hiking, like biking, offers a great way to get immersed into the scenery of fall. With hiking, you actually get to go through forests to see all of the different colors changing and see all of the leaves falling with style. I have two previous entries that discuss different places to hike in Indiana, one free and one about state parks. However, the general consensus on many different websites say that Brown County State Park offers the best views of fall colors due to the rolling hills and great vantage points.

8. Ziplining
Why hike/ride through fall scenery when you can fly over/through it? Ziplining provides a great adrenaline rush and gives people a chance to battle their fear of heights. Flying from tree to tree at high velocities provides such a thrill, and luckily there are multiple places in Indiana where you can do this. There are plenty of ziplining locations the further south you go in Indiana, but around me there are three outstanding options: Go Ape! in Eagle Creek Park in Indy, White River Ziplining in Anderson, and Zip Timber Lake in Roanoke. Certain locations, like Go Ape!, also feature different obstacles from tree to tree, such as swaying wood steps, wood bridges, tunnels, and nets that you zip into and crawl up.

9. South Bend Chocolate Company
This company has multiple locations in Indiana, but they are concentrated more up in the South Bend/Mishawaka area. Like many great chocolate stores, they offer a wide variety of chocolates and seasonal items too! They have several different candies that they cover in an orange pumpkin icing (including Oreos!) There are also seasonal popcorn mixes, like caramel apple, candy corn, or pumpkin. They also serve coffee and some amazing hot chocolate!

10. Colts and Pacers games
Fall is a great time to take a trip down to Indianapolis and take in a professional basketball or football game. I highly recommend taking a look at each team's schedule so you can determine when a good time to go would be. Some people like games where tickets are cheaper, which are normally against teams that don't offer as much excitement as others. Other people enjoy the games where the teams will be tested, and those tickets are usually more expensive. Also, be on the lookout for discount or family nights. What's nice about both venues is that they are indoors, so you don't need to be scared away by cold temperatures.

Honorable Mention: Halloween Events
There are a lot of well-known places like zoos and museums that offer festivities geared towards kids around Halloween. Even conservatories get in on the fall fun and change their decor for the season.

10 Apple Orchards in Indiana

Happy Fall everyone! Now that it is officially fall, let’s start thinking apple orchards! Apple season is in full swing, but picking becomes most popular in the next month or so. Indiana is ripe (cringy pun intended) with great apple orchards that are worth a visit.

1.  Hainlen Orchard (Converse)

Hainlen Orchard is one of the few area orchards that can boast that they’ve been around for over 100 years. They’re most known for their award-winning apple cider. People aren’t allowed to actually go out and pick apples here, but they have a massive selection of apples inside of their store. That store contains apples, cider, baked goods, and a host of other jams and jellies. One interesting product they sell is cherry cider. Once Halloween gets closer, Hainlen Orchard also gets a stock of pumpkins and gourds. They’re open from 9am-5pm from Mon-Sat and from noon-5pm on Sunday.  

2. Phil’s U-Pick Orchard

Phil’s is an orchard started back in the 70’s by a teacher who was tired of being inside all of the time. Home to over 10,000 apple trees, Phil’s grows all kinds of apples, including some interesting hybrids that are pretty new to market, such as Evercrisp and Sun Crisp. Apart from apples, you can also buy apple cider made in Denver, IN, maple syrup from Huntington, concord grapes and plums from northern Indiana, corn stalks, decorative corn, pumpkins, gourds, and other miscellaneous items. There is no indoor area to Phil’s, as all items sold are under a large tent on the property. Phil’s is open 7 days a week right now from 11am-6pm. 

3. Apple of His Eye Orchard (Anderson)

This orchard is part of the ministry of the couple who owns it. They opened their orchard in the early 2000’s and have been producing their own apple butter, apple sauce, and apple pie filling. Their apple cinnamon doughnuts are also a treat because they are made with apple butter and were made with in conjunction with Pillsbury. As far as apples go, they have over 800 trees that produce 27 types of apples. Throughout the year, they also get other products like peaches, blueberries, strawberries, and tomatoes. They are open Monday-Saturday from 10-6. 

4. Tuttle Orchard (Greenfield)

While the first few on this list have been smaller, orchard-focused locations, Tuttle Orchards has a whole operation that brings people in. They have a corn maze (4 acres), pumpkin patch (20 acres), tractor rides, kiddie play area, and the orchard (8,000 trees). Across the street, you will find a grill area where they make food on Saturdays, a café and sweet shop open all week, a farm store that is open year-round, and a bee hive observation. The farm store sells over 200 Indiana products and all kinds of fruits, veggies, baked goods, and products for your home. Tuttle Orchards is open from 9am-7pm Mon-Sat and the grill is open Saturdays until Oct. 28^th from 10:30am-5:30pm. 

5. McClure’s Orchard (Peru)

This 20-year-old orchard/winery currently is selling pears, pumpkins, squash, and 15 different types of apples. Some of the apples there are in-store only, while others are allowed to be picked by guests. They offer an extensive list of wines and hard ciders to taste, with flights, howlers, and growlers available. The first two samples are free! McClure’s also does horse rides, trolley rides, and live music (Saturdays only). The orchard, gift shops, and restaurants are open 7 days a week from 10am-6pm. 

6. Jacobs’ Family Orchard (New Castle)

The farm at Jacobs’ Family Orchard has been around for 80 years, but the orchard itself wasn’t added until 2002. The farm not only contains the 35-acre orchard, but also contains a 20-acre pumpkin patch, an 8-acre sweet corn field, and 4 acres where other produce is grown. Apart from a kiddie play area, the farm contains a corn maze and a sunflower maze. There are around 30 different types of apples grown here. There is a store on the premises to sell all sorts of goodies, but the two most popular items are the apple cinnamon donuts and the apple cider slushies. They are open 8am-6pm Mon-Sat and 1pm-6pm on Sundays.

7. Stuckey Farms (Sheridan)

Stuckey Farms offers 27 varieties of apples and 4,000 trees available for picking. The farm sits on 40 acres, 25 of which are devoted to just apple trees. The store on-site also offers peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, baked goods (including doughnuts), cider, and more! The farm prides itself on being a place that families can come to and enjoy, so on weekends from Sept. 15-Oct. 21 they offer a Harvest Festival that involves hay rides, a corn maze, a play area, pig races, and apple cannons. Admission for the festival is $12.50. Stuckey Farms is open Mon-Thu from 9am-6pm, Fri+Sat from 9am-8pm, and Sundays from 1pm-5pm.

8. Appleworks (Trafalgar)

Appleworks does a great job of sustainability, making a conscious effort to not be wasteful in watering (with several retention ponds), with soil, and with the trees themselves. They pride themselves in having over 50 varieties of apples, which is almost double what many other orchards have. However, this is not a u-pick for apples (it is for pumpkins, though). Apart from apples, they have plenty of other fruits and veggies that they grow on the premises. Their store contains many of the usual items that orchard stores have: jams/jellies, baked goods, salsas, baking mixes, etc. Apart from orchards, Appleworks also has a kid play area, farm animal exhibit, bamboo maze, picnic area w/waterfall, live music, and greenhouses. The hours are 7 days a week from 9am-7pm. 

9. Huber’s Orchard (Starlight)

This is another orchard that also contains a winery. It is over 150 years old and is a total of 600 acres. Like Appleworks, Huber’s makes an effort to practice sustainable agriculture for everything grown on the property, which is quite a lot. They offer about a dozen varieties of apples on site, which are available to pick in the orchard. Their store offers all kinds of fruits and vegetables of their own, and they even have a bakery and a cheese shop. There is also a large play area for kids and a hall for weddings/receptions/meetings. Huber’s is open Sun-Fri from 9am-6pm and 9am-8pm on Saturday.

10. County Line Orchard (Hobart)

This orchard boasts an impressive red barn-type building that stores its many wonderful products. They do u-pick for apples( over 30 varieties), pumpkins, and sunflowers. Other activities on the property is the kid’s area, bee area, outdoor music area, and corn maze. A lot of activities here do have a small cost, even the u-pick, so be aware of that. Come hungry and take advantage of the bakery, sweet shop, and restaurant. They are well known for the apple cinnamon and pumpkin donuts The hours are 8am-6pm daily, though many of the attractions don’t open until 9am. The grill (weekends) and restaurant (daily) hours are 11am-5pm.

10 Incredible State Parks in Indiana

Even though it isn’t as scenic as some states, Indiana has a lot to offer in its state parks. There are 26 parks in total, and they are spread throughout the state. The following list showcases the ten best ones to visit.

1. Turkey Run (Marshall)

Turkey Run State Park has my vote as the best state park in Indiana. There are many other people who agree with me as well based on reviews I’ve seen online and what friends have said. Turkey Run features some of the most rugged trails in any of the state parks, with certain trails winding through a creek bed and others that contain a portion where you are going downhill while walking on rocks. There is also a trail that has two ladders on it that go up/down a rock wall. Apart from these adventurous trails, there are also trails that lead to a covered bridge and an old cave that was used for mining many years ago. Another defining feature is the large suspension bridge that crosses over Sugar Creek. It truly has everything you could want for a good day’s hike.

2.  Shades (Waveland)

Shades State Park is just 15 minutes from Turkey Run and contains many of the same types of fun, challenging trails, but for some reason isn’t anywhere near as popular. If you’re looking for trails that cause you to hike through creek beds, lead to fun waterfalls, and contain decent elevation changes (for Indiana), consider going to Shades. It’s much quieter than Turkey Run because of the lighter amount of foot traffic, which honestly helps you appreciate nature better. Shades is actually larger than Turkey Run, but the trails in Shades are much shorter (though just as many are marked Rugged).

 

3. Mounds (Anderson)

Mounds State Park contains a lot of history in it. One of the oldest houses in the area are on its grounds and open for visitation, and there are many replica artifacts to see inside the house. The park gets its name from the large mounds that were created by the Native Americans that once lived in the area. These are not burial mounds; rather, they were made to view different ceremonies that the tribe would perform. This state park also has a fun trail that goes down to the White River and follows it for a time. It’s fun to see people canoeing or kayaking by as you hike feet from the river’s edge. Mounds doesn’t necessarily have any challenging trails like the first two parks in this entry, but it does have two connector trails that involve some boardwalks and quite a bit of stairs. This park is also a lot smaller than Shades and Turkey Run, but it still contains 6 miles of trails.

4.  Ouabache (Bluffton)

One distinguishing characteristic of this state park is the bison exhibit. There are around 8-10 of these creatures in a habitat near the old fire tower, and there is even a bison baby that is less than a year old. This park offers a nice lake for swimming and fishing too. Even though the park is barely over 1,000 acres, the park still has over 13 miles of trails (plus one 2.5-mile bike trail). However, these trails are mostly flat and don’t offer as much excitement as some of the others parks on this list. It does offer one of the longest trails, with a 6-mile trail that skirts around the lake, bison exhibit, and campground. It’s a nice place to come for a relaxing hike.

 

5. Fort Harrison (Lawrence)

This park offers a mix of fun hiking and history because it is directly next to an area that used to be a functioning U.S. Army base. Fort Harrison is located just outside of the bustling city of Indianapolis, but once you’re in the park you don’t even get the hint of a big city. Apart from traditional hiking trails, this state park contains a large sledding hill, dog park, warfare museum, horse trails, bike trails, golf course, and fishing. While not as rugged as Turkey Run or Shades, Fort Harrison offers elevation changes that are similar to Mounds. The Fall Creek Trail, while only 1 mile long, offers some great views of the river nearby and goes by a tranquil duck pond. The most difficult trails to hike are the bike trails, which are technically labeled “multi-use trails”.

6. Pokagon (Angola)

Pokagon has within its park limits a toboggan hill that I’ve been wanting to try out for years. People traveling on one of the two tracks can get up to 35-40 mph in the right conditions! While I can’t speak much more about that, but I can offer info about the hiking trails in the park. There are just as many miles of trails as the last 2 parks on the list, but most of Pokagon’s trails are rated “moderate” or higher, which is not something Ouabache or Fort Harrison can claim. Several trails mosey through forests and out into wetland areas, the best of which is trail 9. Apart from hiking, this park also offers swimming, fishing, horse trails, a biking trail, and camping. Adjacent to the state park is Beechwood Nature Preserve, which offers another 1.7 miles of trail.

 

7. Clifty Falls (Madison)

Visitors tend to come here to take in the four scenic waterfalls or to hike the challenging trails. Eight of the park’s ten trails are marked as “Rugged” or higher, as many trails go up and down the canyons around the river/its waterfalls. Many of the trails are short, however, with only three of the ten going farther than a mile. With all of the elevation involved in traversing these trails, that may end up being a good thing. I speak from experience when I say the park is beautiful, but a day here will wear you out! Highly recommended!

8. Brown County (Nashville)

Brown County is the most talked about state park in Indiana, and after having visited, I can understand why. It is the largest state park in Indiana (15,000+ acres) and boasts 1.3 million visitors per year. Most of this foot traffic is to catch the amazing views that the park offers. Being in southern Indiana, the park contains many rolling hills and views of these hills are said to remind people of the Smoky Mountains. Despite its size, Brown County only has 14-15 miles of hiking trails, though it also contains 25 miles of bike trails and nearly 70 miles of horse trails. Also offered here are fishing, swimming, and camping, but much of the focus is on the scenery here. People come here from all over the United States to view this place in the fall, and the views are said to be absolutely incredible. If heights don’t bother you, consider going up the 90 foot fire tower for a great view of the surrounding hills.

 

9.  Chain O’Lakes (Albion)

A state park like this one is best enjoyed if you have a canoe, kayak, or small fishing boat. Chain O’Lakes, as the name suggests, contains 9 connected lakes that are ideal for a day of exploring or fishing. There are also 3 more lakes in the park, though they are smaller and more for scenic hiking than anything else. There are more than 23 miles of hiking trails here, and many of them come across one of the lakes at some point. Two trails here are rated “rugged”, though the hiking itself is not tough. The trails are rated that way mainly due to stairs and changes on elevation. A few of the trails go by a schoolhouse that was built back in 1915 and serves as a cool way to step back in time and see what school was like then. Chain O’Lakes is also one of the better parks to camp at because of the size of the campground and the availability of family cabins that are on a hillside overlooking one of the lakes.

10.Indiana Dunes (Chesterton)

This state park is probably the most unique one in Indiana because of the sandy dunes that take up many miles of the hiking trails. The miles of Lake Michigan beaches can be walked in the park, and some of the dunes get as high as 200 feet! One of the main attractions here is the beach, where people flock in the summer to enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan. Hiking the 16+miles of trails here is something much different than your average trail due to the frequent changes in elevation and all of the sand you need to be wary of getting in your shoes. If you’re up for a challenge, go for trail 8, which is a 1.5-mile trail that takes you up and down the 3 tallest dunes in the park. The scenery here is extra special because of the great lake views available on multiple trails.

Honorable Mention: McCormick’s Creek (Spencer)

This park almost made the list due to its waterfall, cave, quarry, fire tower, and 10+ miles of trails. It's also Indiana's oldest state park!