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Honest-To-Goodness Indiana by Jon McLaughlin

Honest-To-Goodness Indiana by Jon McLaughlin
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Here are some favorite experiences to enjoy in the state’s diverse regions.

North

Elkhart Quilt Gardens offers a one-of-a-kind experience – a showcase of 20 gigantic quilt-patterned gardens. The gardens, stitched with hundreds of thousands of blooms combine with 21 hand-painted quilt art murals to create a tapestry of color in the heart of Indiana’s Amish Country.

 

Central

At the Indianapolis Zoo, you can pet sharks, view dolphins from beneath the sea and experience orangutans in the new International Orangutan Center. In this world-class exhibit, visitors watch as the orangutans interact with each other, climbing and swinging nearly 25 meters in the air. The center was designed to stimulate the apes’ physical, social and intellectual abilities and is an international research center designed to better understand this extraordinary species.

 

West

Parke County, the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World” is home to 31 of Indiana’s 98 covered bridges. History, stunning architecture and beautiful outdoor landscapes are waiting to be experienced in Parke County. Be sure to experience the Mansfield Covered Bridge during the Covered Bridge Festival, one of the best fall festivals in North America.

 

East

Parkview Field is home to the Fort Wayne Tin Caps. This baseball stadium is a signature attraction in the newly revitalized downtown of Fort Wayne. The stadium and the amenities around it have been named the best minor league baseball experience in America.

 

South

Indiana Caverns in Corydon is one of the longest cave systems in North America. Visitors can take an underground boat ride, see a three-story waterfall and explore diverse ecosystems with ice age fossils. Madison remains one of the Midwest’s favorite small towns, complete with great shopping and wonderful restaurants. Travelers can admire the amazing architecture in Madison’s National Historic Landmark District and take scenic driving tours around the town to admire the riverfront, fountains and Victorian-era mansions.

 

South Central

French Lick is home to the French Lick Resort. Comprised of French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel, this resort lets guests step back in time to the splendor of the early 1900s. French Lick offers boutique shops, a variety of restaurants, bowling alley, fitness center, pools and luxury spa. West Baden, a National Historic Landmark, continues to wow visitors with its one-of-a-kind domed atrium spanning 60 meters!

Honest-To-Goodness Indiana by Jon McLaughlin

Honest-To-Goodness Indiana by Jon McLaughlin
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Fun Fact

Indiana Fun Fact
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The first long-distance auto race in the U.S., the Indianapolis 500, was held May 30, 1911, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Must see places

Classic racecars on display in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in Indiana

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

See films, antique cars and the Auto Racing Hall of Fame in the museum on the Speedway grounds. Take a narrated tour of the oval track, where cars and motorcycles race throughout the year.

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Entrance to the Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana

Indianapolis Zoo and White River State Park

Enjoy 2,000 animals and 2,000 plants in natural environments in the zoo, aquarium and botanical garden in White River State Park. Ride a roller coaster, touch a shark and feed a lorikeet.

University of Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame

In South Bend, the gilded dome and statue of Mary on the main building set the tone at this storied Catholic university, established in 1842. Start a campus tour at the Eck Visitors Center.

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Formations inside Marengo Cave in Indiana

Marengo Cave National Landmark

Study rock formations and try gemstone mining inside this cave, which people have toured for more than 130 years. Outside, wander trails and canoe in the Blue River. Rent a cabin and stay overnight.

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Kids exploring Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers, Indiana

Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

Learn about Indiana’s science, art, nature and heritage via interactive exhibits, both indoors and out, on the 324-hectare wooded property in Fishers. Eli Lilly created the living history museum in 1934.

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Sculpture outside the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

This Indianapolis museum showcases Native American and Western artifacts and art, both traditional and contemporary, by such artists as Frederic Remington, Andy Warhol, Georgia O'Keeffe and Kay WalkingStick.

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View of the cascades at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, Indiana

Clifty Falls State Park

See roaring waterfalls and creek and canyon vistas in this 615-hectare park near Madison. Look at fossils, tour the former mansion of banker James Lanier and hike on rugged trails near the Ohio River.

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Sand dunes along the Lake Michigan coastline at Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park

For 24 kilometers on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, the tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece. Swim, sun, watch a film in the visitor center and explore forests.

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The fun exterior of the Children’s Museum of Indiana in Indianapolis

Children’s Museum of Indiana

In Indianapolis, at the world’s largest children’s museum, costumed interpreters guide visitors through entertaining exhibits about the arts, world cultures, sciences and humanities. Roam from the dinosaur age to space travel.

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Monument Circle, the epicenter of Indianapolis, Indiana

Soldiers and Sailors Monument and Monument Circle

This 87-meter limestone landmark, commemorating those who served in several wars, is the centerpiece of Monument Circle in Indianapolis. Step inside the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum to learn more.

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Explore Indiana destinations

The Ace Hotel Rooftop in downtown Los Angeles, California
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Explore Indiana destinations

Hot air balloon over Asheville, North Carolina
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Experience Indiana