Quick Summary:

  • Q: What makes Indianapolis a great tourist destination?
  • A: Often referred to simply as "Indy", the bustling city of Indianapolis is an incredible tourist destination with a rich variety of attractions and activities.
  • Q: Can Indianapolis be used as a base for day trips?
  • A: Yes, Indianapolis makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area on a day trip, offering many exciting destinations nearby.
  • Q: What are some fun activities to do around Indianapolis during warmer months?
  • A: In the warmer months, visitors can take a ride on the historic Whitewater Valley Railroad, drive through the scenic back roads of Brown County to visit art galleries, swim in a lake, or visit the waterfront Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort.
  • Q: What activities can visitors enjoy during winter near Indianapolis?
  • A: During winter, visitors can go tobogganing in Pokagon State Park or visit West Baden Springs and the nearby ski resort of Paoli Peaks.
  • Q: Where can art lovers go for a day trip from Indianapolis?
  • A: Art lovers can enjoy driving through the scenic back roads of Brown County, visiting one art gallery after another.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Bedford ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bedford | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Rob Melis/stock.adobe.com

2. Bloomington ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bloomington | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Shelley/stock.adobe.com

3. Brown County

Brown County | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© KengYang/stock.adobe.com

4. Cataract Falls

Category: Activities
Cataract Falls | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Kenneth Keifer/stock.adobe.com

5. Columbus

Columbus | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Shelley/stock.adobe.com

6. Whitewater Valley Railroad

Category: Kids & Family
Whitewater Valley Railroad | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Andrea Izzotti/stock.adobe.com

7. Crawfordsville

Crawfordsville | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Jamie/stock.adobe.com

8. Fort Wayne

Category: Activities
Fort Wayne | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Katherine/stock.adobe.com

9. Marengo Cave

Marengo Cave | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Nick/stock.adobe.com

10. Marshall County

Marshall County | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Michael Carroll/stock.adobe.com

11. Mishawaka

Mishawaka | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Taylor/stock.adobe.com

12. Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort

Category: Accommodations
Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Arseniy Krasnevsky/stock.adobe.com

13. Muncie

Muncie | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© kinderkz/stock.adobe.com

14. New Harmony

New Harmony | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© f11photo/stock.adobe.com

15. Parke County

Category: Activities
Parke County | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© DM3589/stock.adobe.com

16. Patoka Lake

Category: Activities
Patoka Lake | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© arnuphapy/stock.adobe.com

17. Pine Lake Waterpark

Category: Kids & Family
Pine Lake Waterpark | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© phpetrunina14/stock.adobe.com

18. Pokagon State Park

Category: Activities
Pokagon State Park | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

19. Porter

Porter | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Richard/stock.adobe.com

20. Santa Claus

Santa Claus | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© teressa/stock.adobe.com

21. Shipshewana

Shipshewana | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Branden/stock.adobe.com

22. Spencer County

Spencer County | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Van Truan/stock.adobe.com

23. Valparaiso

Valparaiso | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© photo.eccles/stock.adobe.com

24. West Baden Springs

Category: Activities
West Baden Springs | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Syda Productions/stock.adobe.com

25. West Lafayette

West Lafayette | Weekend & Day Trips from Indianapolis, Indiana
© Alex Krassel/stock.adobe.com

More Day Trip Ideas:
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Daubenspeck Nature Park
Terre Haute
Noblesville
Howard Steamboat Museum

Indianapolis Museum of Art
Monroe Lake
Deam Lake
Indiana Historical Society
Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Dollie's Lavender Farm

Map:


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