Looking for the best things to do in Indiana? From Indianapolis motor thrills and historic college towns to riverfront charm and museum gems, this easy-to-use Indiana itinerary helps you experience the very best of the Hoosier State.
Whether you’re climbing towering sand dunes, walking the Indy 500 track, or hiking through Hoosier forest trails, this guide brings together the most iconic sights and memorable heartland moments to help you build your dream Indiana vacation.
- Indianapolis: The heart of Indiana and a hub for sports, racing, and culture—home to the Indy 500, top-tier museums, and a booming downtown food scene.
- Bloomington: A lively college town centered around Indiana University, packed with arts, music, lake life, and charming streets full of local flavor.
- Fort Wayne: Indiana’s second-largest city blends family fun (zoo, science center) with riverfront trails, a growing arts scene, and historic neighborhoods.
- South Bend: Best known for Notre Dame, but beyond football, you’ll find riverfront parks, architecture, and a surprisingly cool food and brewery culture.
- French Lick: A historic resort town famous for its grand hotels, mineral springs, casino, and the scenic French Lick Scenic Railway.
- Brown County (Nashville): A rustic-chic escape with fall foliage, artisan shops, cabin getaways, and some of the Midwest’s best hiking in Brown County State Park.
- Michigan City: Where Indiana touches Lake Michigan—sandy beaches, lighthouse views, outlet shopping, and the Indiana Dunes National Park just next door.
- Indiana Dunes National Park: Rolling sand dunes meet lakefront adventures—one of the newest national parks in the U.S. and a summer favorite.
- Carmel: Just north of Indy, Carmel offers artsy vibes, manicured trails, upscale dining, and one of the most impressive suburban downtowns in the country.
- Columbus: Small-town size, world-class architecture. Columbus is a design lover’s dream with striking modernist buildings all over town.
📅 India Calendar
- First Fridays (Monthly, Statewide): Art walks and live entertainment in towns like Goshen, Bloomington, and Lafayette
- Indianapolis 500 (May, Indianapolis): The Greatest Spectacle in Racing at the Indy Speedway
- Shipshewana Quilt Festival (June, Northern Indiana): Colorful quilt displays and Amish craft vendors
- Three Rivers Festival (July, Fort Wayne): Parades, fireworks, and concerts by the river
- Notre Dame Football Season (Fall, South Bend): A bucket-list college game day experience
- Indiana State Fair (August, Indianapolis): Fried food, farm animals, rides, and concerts
- Bloomington Lotus World Music & Arts Festival (September, Bloomington): Global sounds and downtown festivities
- Parke County Covered Bridge Festival (October, Rockville): Indiana’s most scenic fall festival with 30+ historic bridges
- Circle of Lights (November, Indianapolis): Downtown lights up for the holidays with music and spectacle
- Festival of Trees (December, Indianapolis): Dozens of themed trees and holiday cheer at the Indiana Historical Society
- Christmas at the Zoo (December, Indianapolis): Sparkling displays and animal fun at the nation’s first zoo light show