Indiana is a state full of history, culture, and natural beauty. From the Indianapolis Children's Museum to the Snite Art Museum at the University of Notre Dame, there are plenty of attractions to explore. For outdoor enthusiasts, there's Prophetstown State Park and Little Smokies Park. And for car lovers, there's the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
Whether you're looking for a family-friendly adventure or a romantic getaway, Indiana has something for everyone. The Indianapolis Children's Museum is the world's largest children's museum and covers 29 acres in the city's United Northwest neighborhood. It features an impressive collection of more than 55,000 artifacts, including 300 cars and 25 previous Indianapolis 500 winners. There are also interactive playgrounds, costume building workshops, and a restored 1917 carousel.
Prophetstown State Park is a new addition to Indiana's state park system and offers plenty of ways to interact with nature. The 125-acre farm features hands-on experiences with farming, gardening, and feeding livestock. There's also an aquatic center with a deep-sea entry pool, lazy river, and 30-foot water slide. The Eiteljorg Museum of American and Western Indian Art is located at the entrance to White River State Park in central Indiana.
It houses an extraordinary collection put together by Indianapolis businessman Harrison Eiteljorg and includes Western paintings and sculptures from the 19th century onward. The Snite Art Museum at the University of Notre Dame offers free admission and a dense collection of 19th and 20th century art from different cultures and periods in world art history. It also has rotating exhibits, including thesis projects by current MFA students at the university. Indiana University's flagship campus in Bloomington is home to the iconic Sample Gates and Kirkwood Observatory.
The historic mansion on campus also hosts several events throughout the year, including candlelit Christmas tours, early childhood programs, and 1940s Ballroom celebrations for adults only. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a must-see for car lovers. It displays trailers, motorhomes, photos, souvenirs, and more from the 1920s onward. Visitors can also see how recreational vehicle interiors and appliances have changed over the years. Marengo Cave is an underground network of passages hidden beneath downtown Indianapolis that was accidentally discovered by children in 1883. It covers 22,000 square feet and has more than 130 columns that create a labyrinthine feel. Guided tours are available every third and first Saturday of the month. Finally, don't miss out on Indiana's only urban cultural state park: White River State Park in Indianapolis.
Covering 250 acres, it features interactive science exhibits on two floors as well as a walking tour of Road Back in Time.
