Indiana may not high each traveler’s record, however on my street journey I found golden lake shores, windswept dunes, countless cornfields, leafy parks, and mysterious caves. Here are the locations that received me over…
1. Indiana Dunes National Park
The Indiana Dunes National Park was probably the most tranquil and beautiful locations I explored on my journey—15 miles of golden sandy shoreline alongside Lake Michigan with picturesque dunes rising behind it made the views unforgettable and gave the entire place a peaceable, restorative vibe!
I drove slightly below an hour southeast from Chicago and stayed for 4 days on the funky Al & Sally’s Motel. I hiked to Mount Baldy, the extraordinary transferring dune, noticed herons alongside the Great Marsh Trail, and explored Chellberg Farm, the place I realized how households lived and labored the land within the early 1900s. The solely caveat—I came upon the water high quality can differ, so I like to recommend checking stories earlier than swimming!
My favourite highlights…
- Seeing patches of the uncommon Eastern Prickly Pear blooming alongside the sandy trails of the Dunes—their sunny yellow flowers appeared virtually neon in opposition to the intense blue skies!
2. East Pierhead Lighthouse
I personally thought this was probably the most photogenic spots on my Indiana street journey – standing on the finish of the pier in Washington Park, its red-roofed 1904 tower in opposition to the blue expanse of Lake Michigan made it an icon of Michigan City.
From Indiana Dunes it was solely a 20-minute drive, and I liked strolling the pier and the slim metal “catwalk” that linked the lighthouse to the shore. Although I couldn’t go inside, I spent the afternoon absorbing the views, then wandered by way of Washington Park with its seashore, marina, and the quaint Michigan City Lighthouse Museum.
My private highlights…
- Staying for sundown – I liked how the sky gentle up with oranges, pinks, reds, golds, and even a contact of violet, it was a really romantic second watching the colours shimmer over the water!
3. Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park actually received me over with its unspoilt magnificence—2,382 acres of sandstone gorges, old-growth forests, hemlock groves, and the glowing Sugar Creek made it probably the most placing parks I explored in Indiana, with a rugged, adventurous vibe that I couldn’t get sufficient of!
After a two-hour drive northwest from Sapphire Natural Pool, I spent three days right here climbing the rugged Trail 3 with its ladders and slim gorges (my photograph is above!), crossing the photogenic suspension bridge over Sugar Creek, touring the historic Lusk Home and Mill Site, and cooling off within the Olympic-size pool. Every nook felt wild, dramatic, and unforgettable!
My private highlights…
- Stopping by the lovable onsite Golden Forest Gift Shop and shopping for an indulgent triple-berry honeycomb cheesecake and domestically made Cedarwood & Sage Soap!
4. Washington Park Beach
Washington Park Beach was probably the most attractive and dreamy sandy stretches I visited on my Indiana journey —two miles of golden shoreline with beautiful views of Lake Michigan, the East Pierhead Lighthouse, and since it was a transparent day I even noticed the Chicago skyline.
After strolling over from East Pierhead Lighthouse, I spent a relaxed day swimming within the designated areas, absorbing the summer time vibe, and later catching reside music on the sand. I additionally wandered by way of the broader park with its picnic spots, marina, and family-friendly playgrounds, although I realized it was finest to examine the water high quality earlier than diving in!
My favourite highlights…
- Hearing from locals that in January the water freezes, and crashing waves rework into dramatic ice formations and pure sculptures alongside the shore!
5. Brown County State Park
The Brown County State Park was so dreamy and unspoilt—rolling hills, foggy ravines, and fiery autumn colours gave it the vibe of Indiana’s personal “Little Smokies.”
After driving an hour south from Coxhall Gardens, I spent two days climbing Trail 9 with its fairly views of Ogle Lake, wandering the peaceable forested Trail 7, and leaf-peeping alongside the scenic Park Loop Road. The complete place had a peaceful, rustic appeal that made it one among my favourite spots on my journey!
My highlights…
- Staying over on the household and pet pleasant Abe Martin Lodge – I liked the enjoyable indoor water park and munching on Persimmon Pudding Bites on my rustic cabin porch!
6. Cataract Falls
The Cataract Falls wowed me with each their energy and wonder—I discovered Indiana’s largest waterfalls dropped 86 ft in two dramatic cascades alongside Mill Creek surrounded by flat rock ledges that gave the entire space a relaxed, picnic-perfect vibe.
From Turkey Run I drove simply over an hour east to Lieber State Recreation Area and spent a day exploring – photographing the charming Cataract Covered Bridge, climbing the quick scenic trails, and pausing usually to soak up the Insta-worthy surroundings!
My highlights…
- I hiked the simple mile-long Cataract Falls Loop in 45 minutes – I liked listening to the thunder of each waterfalls fading into the mild trickle of sunlit Mill Creek!
7. Hoosier National Forest
What struck me most concerning the Hoosier National Forest was its untouched magnificence—sprawling hardwood forests, limestone bluffs, caves, and shimmering lakes that created a peaceable, off-the-radar vibe.
From Bloomington’s Griffy Lake I drove 45 minutes south and spent two days exploring – crawling by way of the fascinating Sullivan Cave, climbing the dramatic Hemlock Cliffs with its waterfall, backpacking within the wild Charles C. Deam Wilderness, and unwinding on the peaceable Hardin Ridge Recreation Area overlooking Patoka Lake.
My favourite highlights….
- Heading out to the large Wesley Chapel Gulf, the park’s largest sinkhole—I simply parked up and walked over to search out this dazzling pool of turquoise water which had a refreshing cool air drifting up from under!
8. Indiana State Capitol Building
The Indiana State Capitol Building in downtown Indianapolis actually impressed me with its grandeur—in-built 1888 from domestically quarried limestone and white oak, its neoclassical dome gleamed above town skyline and gave the entire place a stately, historic vibe!
Just a brief 15-minute drive from Holliday Park, I toured the inside and was wowed by the marble staircases, stained-glass rotunda window, opulent chandeliers, and galleries of classical work and sculptures. Taking a guided tour made the historical past come alive, though it was the height season so it was additionally very crowded!
My highlights…
- Admiring the grand marble staircases and the ornate Supreme Court Chamber with its carved quarter-sawn oak paneling and stained-glass skylights—it felt very inspiring to face within the place the place so many large selections have been made!
9. Clifty Falls State Park
The Clifty Falls State Park had such a wild, off-the-beaten-path vibe with beautiful surroundings consisting of rugged canyons, cascading waterfalls, and dense forests which made it really feel splendidly distant and uncrowded.
I truly ended my Indiana street journey on this spot, driving two hours southeast from Cataract Falls to Madison and spending two days climbing to the 4 waterfalls—Big Clifty, Little Clifty, Hoffman, and Tunnel Falls—whereas braving the eerie, dripping deserted railroad tunnel and even performing some primitive tenting!
My favourite highlights…
- Staying on the Riverboat Inn and Suites – I liked waking as much as a breakfast of Sweet Cornbread with Honey Butter in my deluxe suite which missed the Ohio River!
10. Holliday Park
I found that Holliday Park was a shocking spot for its distinctive mix of artwork and nature. The placing ruins of New York’s St. Paul Building rose like sculptures in opposition to a backdrop of inexperienced woodlands, pretyt ponds, and the winding White River giving it a novel, inventive vibe.
After driving slightly below an hour southwest from Anderson, I spent a day wandering its trails, recognizing birds, picnicking by the water, and trying out the nature-themed playground. I particularly liked pausing on the inventive stone ruins – they have been so atmospheric and unexpectedly Instagram-worthy in the course of Indianapolis!
My highlights…
- Walking the simple 0.4-mile Pond Trail in 20 minutes, pausing to see lily pads dotted with dragonflies, frog calls echoing from the reeds, and sycamore reflections shimmering on the pond!
11. Griffy Lake Nature Preserve
I discovered that Griffy Lake Nature Preserve was a peaceable magnificence spot —1,200 acres of forests, wetlands, and rolling hills wrapped round a glowing 109-acre lake with a peaceable, hidden-gem vibe simply exterior Bloomington.
After a fast 30-minute hop west from Brown County State Park, I spent the day kayaking throughout the tranquil lake, picnicking by the shore, and climbing the simple Wetlands Trail, the place I noticed frogs basking within the solar and even a painted turtle slipping quietly into the water.
My private highlights…
- Enjoying a picnic by the boat launch tables, absorbing glowing lake views and being excited to identify a bald eagle hovering and whistling overhead!
12. Mounds State Park
I came upon first hand that the Mounds State Park was a stunning spot for its mixture of historical past and nature – right here historical Adena-Hopewell earthworks rose from rolling hardwood forests and wildflower meadows giving it a tranquil, virtually religious vibe!
After leaving Washington Park Beach, I drove about three hours south by way of farmland to Anderson and spent a day exploring – climbing the Great Mound relationship again to 160 B.C. for panoramic views, climbing a number of of the six scenic trails alongside the White River, and discovering quiet spot to take a picnic surrounded by tweeting birds and fairly flowers!
My private highlights…
- Hiking the peaceable 1.4-mile Trail 5 in 50 minutes – I adopted the winding White River, noticed a fantastic blue heron on the banks, and watched wild turkeys foraging noisily by way of the forest flooring!
13. Coxhall Gardens
Coxhall Gardens charmed me with its good stability of blooming gardens and placing artwork items —sprawling lawns, flower-filled gardens, and chic statues gave the property a refined but relaxed vibe.
From downtown Indianapolis it was only a 30-minute drive north to Carmel, the place I picnicked beneath the chiming 90-foot Carillon Bell Towers, wandered the manicured grounds previous sculptures and ornate ponds, peeked on the stately Coxhall Mansion from afar, and loved the picturesque Children’s Pavilion tucked into the gardens.
My favourite highlights…
- Strolling by way of the flower-lined paths earlier than settling on the picnic tables close to the Children’s Garden—then people-watching whereas gorging on blueberry soda and Maple Bourbon popcorn!
14. Sapphire Natural Pool, White Rock Park
The Sapphire Natural Pool dazzled me with water so turquoise it appeared virtually tropical—so clear and vibrant it appeared virtually tropical—and it gave the entire quarry a enjoyable, adventurous vibe!
After a 90-minute drive northeast from Hoosier National Forest, I spent a day zip-lining over the pool, tenting on the grounds, and even watching licensed scuba divers descend into the depths. The solely catch—there have been no lifeguards right here, so I discovered that every thing was carried out at your personal danger!
My highlights…
- Watching the daredevils hurled themselves off the cliffs, plunging into the quarry’s good blue water with thunderous splashes and wild cheers (my photograph is above)!
Where is Indiana?
Indiana is a Midwestern state within the USA, nestled between Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan, with Lake Michigan to the north and the Ohio River forming a lot of its southern border.