Indiana felt familiar the moment I crossed its border—fields rolling into small towns, museums nestled into quiet corners, and voices full of Midwestern warmth. But what surprised me most was its sense of immersion. In Indiana, you don’t just observe—you participate. One moment I was flying through space in a children’s museum planetarium; the next, I was walking through a candlelit 1830s prairie town or standing beneath the sleek lines of a vintage Auburn Speedster. This wasn’t a state of just places—it was a state of stories, and I was invited into every one of them.
Best Things to Do in Indiana:
Stepping Back in Time with Hands-On Adventures at Conner Prairie
Conner Prairie was where I felt time bend. Set just outside Indianapolis in Fishers, this interactive history park dropped me into the 1800s without hesitation. I walked a dirt path through the 1836 Prairietown, past actors in period dress who didn’t “perform” history—they lived it. A blacksmith waved as he hammered a horseshoe. A schoolteacher invited me into a one-room schoolhouse. Somewhere near the garden, watching a woman harvest herbs for drying, I thought, “This isn’t a reenactment—it’s a conversation with the past.”
Each area pulled me deeper: Lenape Indian Camp, Civil War Journey, and even a balloon voyage that rose high above the landscape for a bird’s-eye view of it all. Kids laughed, adults asked questions, and I found myself lingering, not because I had to, but because I genuinely didn’t want to leave. It was the rare kind of place that makes you feel both curious and grounded.
Afterward, I had a late lunch at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream nearby—just a cone of butter pecan on a bench under a tree. It wasn’t fancy, but it was perfect. Sweet, simple, just like the stories Conner Prairie had shared.
Where I Stayed: I checked into the Prairie Guest House, a peaceful bed and breakfast just down the road with white clapboard walls, warm hosts, and a front porch made for unwinding.
Conner Prairie At a Glance
- Location: 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038
- Vibe: Immersive, educational, family-friendly
- Highlights: 1836 Prairietown, balloon voyage, Civil War Journey, Lenape Camp
- Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall when outdoor exhibits are in full swing
- Cost: $20–$25 per adult (seasonal pricing)
- Hours: Typically 10am–5pm; check for seasonal hours and special events
- Tip: Ask questions—the interpreters thrive on dialogue, and it brings the experience to life
Falling for design at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn surprised me—not just because of the cars, but because of how unapologetically beautiful they were. Housed in the original 1930s Art Deco showroom of the Auburn Automobile Company, the building itself was all marble floors, brass fixtures, and sunlit symmetry. As I walked among the gleaming hoods and swooping fenders, I thought, “This is what craftsmanship looked like when it dressed to impress.”
The museum told more than the story of the cars—it told the story of an era. I stood in front of a 1936 Auburn Speedster, its chrome headlights practically winking at me, and felt a twinge of awe. Upstairs, galleries explored the history of automotive design, advertising, and the larger-than-life personalities that helped build the industry. It wasn’t just for car buffs—it was for anyone who’s ever loved a detail done well.
Afterward, I walked over to Mad Anthony Brewing Company for a lunch that matched the museum’s boldness: a pulled pork sandwich with house-made chips and a cold local IPA. It hit just right—sharp, hearty, and exactly what I needed after the polish and gleam of the showroom.
Where I Stayed: I booked a room at the Inn at Windmere, a former Amish home turned cozy B&B with big skies, peaceful farmland views, and a quiet that made the museum’s engines seem like a dream.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum At a Glance
- Location: 1600 Wayne St, Auburn, IN 46706
- Vibe: Glamorous, nostalgic, design-forward
- Highlights: Auburn Speedsters, Duesenbergs, Art Deco showroom, automotive history
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for a quieter experience; early fall for classic car events
- Cost: $12–$15 per adult
- Hours: Daily, 9am–5pm
- Tip: Don’t skip the upper floors—the design and engineering galleries are quietly brilliant
Walking through light at the Eskenazi Museum of Art
The Eskenazi Museum of Art in Bloomington made me slow down—in the best way. Designed by I.M. Pei, the building was all angles and light, with no right angles in sight. As I wandered through the galleries, it felt like the space itself was part of the art—each hallway a canvas of glass and reflection. I stepped into a room filled with Rothkos and ancient Greek vessels, and thought, “Art doesn’t have to shout to leave an echo.”
The collection was both global and intimate: African masks stood near contemporary American photography; Picasso sketches hung a few steps from Chinese scrolls. There was a tension here between permanence and innovation, between brushstroke and beam. I stood in front of a Cy Twombly piece, quietly vibrating with color, and let it wash over me. No distractions, no noise—just the quiet conversation between artist and observer.
For lunch, I walked over to Farm Bloomington, just a few blocks from campus. I ordered the truffle fries and a wild mushroom flatbread, paired with an elderflower spritz. It was fresh, unexpected, and carried the same playful sophistication as the museum itself.
Where I Stayed: I checked into the Grant Street Inn, a charming Victorian bed and breakfast with garden paths and tall windows. It was the kind of place where I could keep thinking about what I’d seen, long after I’d left the gallery.
Eskenazi Museum of Art At a Glance
- Location: 1133 E 7th St, Bloomington, IN 47405 (on Indiana University campus)
- Vibe: Architectural, contemplative, internationally curated
- Highlights: I.M. Pei design, works by Picasso, Rothko, ancient and contemporary pieces
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings or late afternoons for a meditative visit
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm; closed Mondays
- Tip: Head to the top-floor galleries for quieter, light-filled spaces
Rediscovering wonder at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is technically for kids—but it didn’t take long before I was just as wide-eyed as they were. Five floors of color, science, movement, and imagination pulled me in from the moment I saw the dinosaurs bursting through the building’s glass walls. Inside, I explored everything from an immersive ancient Egypt exhibit to a giant carousel spinning gently above the atrium. Watching families scatter in different directions, I paused and thought, “Curiosity never really leaves us—we just forget how to follow it.”
In the Dinosphere, I stood beneath towering fossil casts lit by shifting light meant to mimic a prehistoric sunset. In another wing, I dipped into a mini film studio, then lost track of time at a racing exhibit full of hands-on challenges. I even joined a group of kids launching paper rockets just because I could. The joy here wasn’t confined to age—it was everywhere, and contagious.
After all that energy, I grabbed lunch at Café Patachou downtown—a cozy, local favorite known for its broken yolk sandwiches and cinnamon toast. I sat near the window with a turkey pesto melt and a cold brew, letting my brain catch up to my heart.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Bottleworks Hotel, a stylish boutique spot in a restored Art Deco Coca-Cola bottling plant. It felt sleek and playful—just like the museum, only with quieter hallways.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis At a Glance
- Location: 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
- Vibe: Energetic, imaginative, joy-driven
- Highlights: Dinosphere, ancient Egypt, carousel, hands-on STEM and art exhibits
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings or after 2pm to avoid peak crowds
- Cost: Around $20–$30 per person depending on date
- Hours: Typically 10am–5pm; closed Mondays
- Tip: Buy tickets online in advance—discounts are often available
Wandering into wild joy at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo was the kind of place that made me forget I was supposed to be “grown up.” It’s compact, beautifully designed, and filled with enough immersive habitats to turn a quiet morning into a full-blown safari. I started in the Indonesian Rainforest, where gibbons swung above a winding path and the air felt thick with green. At the edge of the dome, watching river otters play, I thought, “Wonder doesn’t need size—it just needs heart.”
From there, I wandered into the African Journey exhibit, where I fed a giraffe, got surprisingly close to zebras, and rode the Sky Safari lift over a savanna scene. The zoo was clean, calm, and gently thrilling—perfectly paced for both kids and anyone who needed to feel a little smaller in the best way.
Later, I headed to Tolon, a farm-to-fork gem in downtown Fort Wayne. I had the duck fat fries and their signature burger with house bacon jam. It was bold, rich, and still buzzing with the wild energy I’d carried from the zoo.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at The Bradley, a design-forward boutique hotel co-created by Vera Bradley co-founder Barbara Bradley Baekgaard. Chic, comfortable, and full of soft patterns and local touches.
Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo At a Glance
- Location: 3411 Sherman Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
- Vibe: Lively, immersive, cheerful
- Highlights: Giraffe feeding, African savanna, rainforest dome, Sky Safari
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and active animals
- Cost: $10–$18 per person depending on age and season
- Hours: Late April through mid-October, 9am–5pm daily
- Tip: Bring a refillable water bottle—paths are shaded but long
Descending into the depths at Marengo Cave
Marengo Cave felt like stepping through a hidden door into the Earth’s long memory. As I followed a guide into its cool darkness, the temperature dropped and the world softened. The cave’s pathways wound through cathedral-sized chambers and narrow passages, each filled with dripping stalactites and delicate soda straws. Somewhere in the silence, looking up at the shimmering flowstone curtain called “The Pipe Organ,” I thought, “This is the sound of time, slowed to a mineral whisper.”
The Crystal Palace tour was stunning—spacious and dramatic—while the Dripstone Trail felt more intimate and meditative. Lights illuminated mineral walls in warm tones, and I found myself whispering, even though we were alone in a space carved by centuries. It wasn’t just geology—it was reverence.
After surfacing, I drove to Overlook Restaurant in nearby Leavenworth. Set high above the Ohio River, it served fried catfish and homemade pie with a view that felt like reentry into light after the sacred dark. It was quiet, scenic, and exactly what I needed to reflect on what I’d just seen.
Where I Stayed: I stayed in a local Marengo cabin rental, rustic but cozy, surrounded by woods and just minutes from the cave entrance—perfect for an early morning or twilight tour.
Marengo Cave At a Glance
- Location: 400 East State Road 64, Marengo, IN 47140
- Vibe: Ancient, quiet, awe-inspiring
- Highlights: Crystal Palace, Dripstone Trail, dramatic cave formations
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round—cave stays a consistent 52°F
- Cost: $19–$26 per adult depending on tour length
- Hours: Open daily, 9am–5pm (longer hours in summer)
- Tip: Wear walking shoes and bring a light jacket—even on a hot day
Closing Thoughts
Indiana wasn’t loud about its magic—it just let me discover it in layers. In candlelit cabins and cool limestone caverns, in the laughter of kids chasing dinosaurs or the hush of a marble art gallery, it reminded me that depth doesn’t always need distance. Each stop told a different story, but all of them shared a kind of invitation—to participate, to wonder, to slow down. And somewhere between prairie skies and underground echoes, I found myself not just passing through—but connecting, quietly and completely.