Best Places to Visit in Indiana
Searching for the best places to visit in Indiana? Well, you are in the right place! Indiana is a state full of beautiful small towns, cities with lots to do, and beautiful outdoor escapes, making it a wonderful place to explore... I spent four weeks exploring this Midwest state this July. These unique places won me over and I hope you like visiting them on your own getaway.
1. Indianapolis, Indiana
When I think about the best places to visit in Indiana, this capital city instantly comes to mind. Why? First off, it’s such a cool place with lots to see and do, whether I'm in the mood for museums or even outdoor fun. Secondly, it's an amazing destination for foodies with restaurants serving every flavor imaginable.
We flew from Austin to "Circle City" (2 hour 15 minute nonstop flight) to start our four week Indiana road trip. Once we landed, getting into a rental car and driving gave us the most freedom to explore (although if you are just visiting Indianapolis for a quick weekend getaway, public transportation is great in the city and you don't need a car). We stayed at Ironworks Hotel Indy for two days which won the prestigious AAA Four Diamond award and provided us with a very comfortable stay.
I like to start exploring downtown Indianapolis first because of world-class museums there, along with unusual art installations, and the Canal Walk (my favorite!) which I learned dates back to the 1800s!
I think that the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields is a must see hidden gem I always make time for. If you have kids don't miss The Children's Museum of Indianapolis which has been ranked #1 in the country and my son loves. Indianapolis Zoo is another highlight for our family.
- Location: In central Indiana along the White River, north of Greenwood and south of Carmel
- Location Map
What I loved best:
My personal highlight was the Canal Walk at sunset because it really makes me appreciate the city’s unique character.
In addition, over two days, we sampled great food at restaurants downtown, including great breakfast at Cafe Patachou, Bazbeaux Pizza for a casual family lunch, Harry & Izzy's and St. Elmo Steak House for steaks, The Capital Grille for delicious seafood.
2. Things to Do in Bloomington
This lively college town of around 80,000 residents has become one of my favorite day trips from Indianapolis. Why? First off, it's just an hour away so it's super convenient when I'm in the mood for a change of scenery. In addition, Bloomington has to be one of the coolest small cities I’ve explored, and it’s easily among my favorite places in the Midwest.
We stayed at 3-star Hyatt Place Bloomington for two exciting days. Right near the heart of downtown, I spent two hours at Tranquil Vibe Day Spa to unwind with a 60-minute massage followed by some time in the sauna.
In June, we enjoyed lunch at the outdoor patio at Cardinal Spirits (if you want to sit inside the tasting room/bar you must be 21+).
Top attractions we enjoyed in Bloomington are the Eskenazi Museum of Art, WonderLab Museum, and the Indiana University campus.
- Location: In south-central Indiana, nestled among the rolling hills of the Hoosier National Forest, southwest of Indianapolis
- Location Map
What I loved best:
The atmosphere at Cardinal Spirits was perfect for our romantic evening out with Chris and my personal highlight.
3. Fort Wayne
This historic city has become one of my favorite underrated gems in the Midwest because it offers such a joyful mix of culture, nature, and cool city energy.
Fort Wayne's about 120 miles northeast from Indianapolis (just under 2 hours on I-69) and is Indiana’s second-largest city. We checked into The Bradley for two days and visited the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo with our son, explored the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, caught a show at the Embassy Theatre, and visited the Fort Wayne Museum of Art for two hours. There were many cool outdoor spaces for our son to run, including Promenade Park, Lakeside Park & Rose Garden, and the Fort Wayne Trails.
- Location: In northeastern Indiana at the confluence of the St. Joseph, St. Marys, and Maumee rivers, north of Bluffton and southwest of Auburn
- Location Map
What I loved best:
Exploring Science Central with my son was my personal highlight.
4. Terre Haute, Indiana
I adored the elegant early-1900s architecture here along with the walkable downtown, and this city quickly became one of my favorite Indiana stops on our road trip.
Just over 1 hour on I-70 from Indianapolis, this city of roughly 58,000 people along the Wabash River, and is also one of my favorite day trips from the capital. To give ourselves more time to explore, we stayed two nights at 4-star Terre Haute Casino Resort which was unique and exciging.
I began my afternoon on Wabash Avenue, admired the Indiana Theatre, checked out small art galleries, and stopped in Fairbanks Park for a family picnic.
Dinner was at The Copper Bar, a comfortable place downtown with an old-world feel - we loved the outdoor seating and their affordable menu with nachos, onion rings and wings.
- Location: In west-central Indiana along the Wabash River, east of the Illinois border and south of Clinton
- Location Map
What I loved best:
My favorite highlight was Twelve Points Historic District with antique shops, cafés, and colorful restored buildings. We stopped at M. Moggers Restaurant & Pub and had great burgers in a casual pub setting with retro decor.
5. Carmel, IN
I thought that this city was one of the easiest day trips from Indianapolis (just 30 minutes on US-31). Even so, we stayed overnight at the Hotel Carmichael to get to know Carmel better on our road trip. The hotel's French-inspired décor and elegant lobby bar gave it a grand-hotel atmosphere inspired by the Midwest which we loved.
I began my visit in Carmel’s Arts & Design District where I saw restored 19th-century buildings, along with cafe and shops. Sculptures appear at nearly every corner too which I thought was super cool. Lunch at Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream was casual (and delicious!), followed by a stroll down Main Street.
- Location: In central Indiana just north of Indianapolis, east of Zionsville and west of Fishers
- Location Map
What I loved best:
Walking along the Monon Trail, the city’s scenic pedestrian path that winds through parks was a standout.
6. South Bend, Indiana
Curving along the St. Joseph River like a natural amphitheater, this is one of the most surprisingly unique places I’ve visited and it quickly became my favorite destination in northern Indiana!
We drove about 2 hours 30 minutes from Indianapolis and stayed in an affordable vacation rental for five easy days.
Although eight times smaller than Indianapolis, South Bend has a lot to offer. In addition, I found it more affordable here, so you can stay longer like we did.
Downtown South Bend riverfront is lovely, one of the coolest city attractions I’ve come across. Don't skip the Studebaker National Museum if you are a fan of history and cars - I thought it was one of the coolest museums in the Midwest. There are many unique restaurants to choose from, such as the Fiddler's Hearth offering old-world setting, or The Lauber if your kids are demanding a good burger and fries like my son usually does.
- Location: In northern Indiana along the St. Joseph River, just south of the Michigan border and west of Elkhart
- Location Map
If you have time, take a detour even further north afterwards to check out my favorite beaches in Michigan.
What I loved best:
My personal highlight was the University of Notre Dame. Walking across the campus feels like being in a different time, with the golden dome, the Basilica and other beautiful historic buildings that completely won me over.
Local tip: There’s also an Amtrak line and intercity buses that connect Indianapolis and South Bend cities and - I like the change of pace while taking the train because you get to sit back and relax while you enjoy the scenery.
7. Elkhart
This is one of my favorite small Midwestern towns to visit because it has a little bit of everything, including history, riverside scenery, cozy cafés, and that friendly Indiana pace of life.
We drove about 15 miles east from our previous stop in South Bend to this city of around 54,000 residents at the confluence of the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers. (Public transportation exists via the South Shore Line and Amtrak connections if you don't want to drive.)
During my two day stay at the Hotel Elkhart, I had coffee overlooking Main Street, visited the Midwest Museum of American Art for two hours, where I admired an impressive collection of 19th and 20th-century works. Next morning, we checked out the Heritage Trail that links Elkhart to neighboring Amish Country towns like Goshen, Nappanee, and Shipshewana.
Back in town, we went on a romantic walk at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens ($10 for adults), truly a hidden gem in the city.
- Location: In northern Indiana near the Michigan border, east of South Bend and west of Goshen
- Location Map
What I loved best:
An evening by the Riverwalk, where we watched a sunset over the water was my personal highlight. In addition, I loved my date night with my husband at Artisan where I had an amazing shrimp risotto.
8. Evansville
Stretching along a sweeping bend of the Ohio River, this is one of the most surprisingly lively small cities I’ve visited in the Midwest. I think it’s one of the best escapes in southern Indiana. Why? To me, this place felt historic yet alive, with brick buildings now home to boutiques, the coolest art spaces, and restaurants. In addition, Evansville is a graceful river city with Victorian elegance, late-19th-century structures and Art Deco landmarks downtown.
We drove from Bloomington, a scenic two-hour journey through farmland, small towns, and countryside. I spent the afternoon exploring the Reitz Home Museum, a beautifully preserved 1871 mansion. From there, I wandered along Main Street, and then toward the riverfront for sunset. Dinner at The Rooftop meant sweeping views over the Ohio River.
We stayed two restful nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville, a smartly updated downtown hotel attached to the historic Ford Center.
- Location: In southwestern Indiana along the Ohio River, near the Kentucky border and west of Newburgh
- Location Map
What I loved best:
My personal highlight was the way the Ohio River reflects the golden glow of the city’s vintage-style lamps in the evening.
9. Chesterton
I loved visiting this cozy Northwest Indiana town in late fall, usually arriving by car from Chicago when we were based there, which made the trip quick and low stress (just about an hour, depending on traffic!).
We spent 90 minutes browsing the European Market and tasting some amazing fresh pastries there. I love that Chesterton is the kind of place where I can spend a morning hiking the lakeshore and an afternoon exploring small shops, all without any big-city overwhelm.
- Location: In northwestern Indiana near the southern shore of Lake Michigan, east of Gary and west of Michigan City
- Location Map
What I loved best:
Driving just a few minutes north to Indiana Dunes State Park, one of my favorite beach spots on Lake Michigan.
Local tip: Public transit is quick and affordable from Chicago if you plan ahead and check the schedule. The South Shore Line commuter train runs from downtown Chicago to nearby Dune Park station in about 1 hour 20 minutes for under $10.
10. Columbus, Indiana
Set along the gentle curves of the Flatrock River, this is one of the most unexpected architectural gems I’ve visited in the Midwest. In fact, I think it’s one of the best design-focused towns in America. Why? Because Columbus blends everyday life with extraordinary buildings in a way that feels natural, not showy. You get iconic works by Eero Saarinen, I.M. Pei, and Harry Weese just steps from peaceful parks and a friendly, down-to-earth downtown.
After a quick one-hour drive from Indianapolis, we based ourselves at 3-star Hotel Indigo Columbus Architectural Center for two exciting days. I loved that the streets were alive with color, due to public art and the wonderful flower displays. The Columbus Farmers Market is a highlight, complete with live music, and local produce.
Relaxing by the Driftwood and Flatrock Rivers was lovely in the summer. We visited the cozy Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor & Museum for an old-fashioned treat.
- Location: In south-central Indiana along the East Fork White River, southeast of Indianapolis and north of Seymour
- Location Map
My personal highlight was sampling local craft beer at Upland Columbus Pump House by the river.
What I loved best:
For me, Columbus is one of the best places in Indiana for a day trip or a weekend getaway. It's romantic, peaceful, and a favorite escape I can’t wait to return to!
An evening exploring small galleries, and catching a performance at the Commons were my personal highlights.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
