Indiana is one of those places that we suspect may just be criminally underrated. It’s filled to the brim with all kinds of weird and wonderful things to do and see, many of which are kind of offbeat (but totally fun). Something you’re not likely to find published far and wide is just how offbeat and weirdly wonderful the Hoosier State can be, so we’ve done a little legwork and collected a shortlist of some of our favorite hidden gems that locals may not even know about. Here are some of our very favorite hidden gems in Indiana: the weird, the wonderful, and the totally fun.

1. West Baden Springs Hotel - "The 8th Wonder of the World"
8538 W Baden Ave, West Baden Springs, IN 47469, USA
nycscout/Flickr
Okay, lots of people know this one exists, but do they know why it's significant? Once known as the West Baden Inn, this incredible behemoth of a hotel was established in the late 1800s. From 1902 until 1913, it had the single-largest dome over its atrium in the United States. The hotel is such a stunning and wonderful place that it was quite literally nicknamed "the 8th Wonder of the World" by numerous news outlets of its time. Today, it's a wildly popular, not-so-hidden hidden gem right here in the Hoosier State; plenty of people know it's here, but very few know about its remarkable history.

Check out this amazing video of 2023's tree lighting ceremony:
2. The Milltown Shoe Tree
3826 S Devils Hollow Rd, Milltown, IN 47145, USA
Jerry Bedwell/Flickr
Nestled within Milltown on south Devils Hollow road sits a strange work of public art known as The Shoe Tree. It's been around for generations and, for whatever reason, we Hoosiers just really, really love adorning it with our old sneakers and shoes. Nowadays it's more like shoe trees since the original Milltown shoe tree was struck by lightning a long time ago and the art installation has since spread to neighboring trees.
3. The Periodic Display of the Elements
204 E Seminary St, Greencastle, IN 46135, USA
ChemTeacherTraveller/TripAdvisor
Tucked away within Depauw University in Greencastle is a cute little mini-museum featuring none other than the ever-intriguing Periodic Table of the Elements in a three-dimensional, observable form. Here you'll find small samples of most of the elements, as well as their corresponding numbers and designators on the Periodic Table. It's sodium cool, if you ask us.

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4. Angel Mounds State Historic Site
8215 Pollack Ave, Evansville, IN 47715, USA
Angel Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
Nestled on the bank of the Ohio River in beautiful southwest Indiana is the little-known Angel Mounds State Historic Site. Here, you'll find one of the single best-preserved Native American historical sites in the Midwest (if not the country). Learn about how the people of long ago survived, thrived, and died in places much like (and including) this one.

This awesome aerial tour of the monument site shows off what you can expect:
5. Veal's Ice Tree
6445 Mimosa Ln, Indianapolis, IN 46259, USA
Alexandra Stevenson/Flickr
What if we told you that, for decades now, one single family in Indiana has kept a pretty odd tradition alive that plenty of folks flock from all over to see? It's true - this bizarre "ice tree" has been a tradition for decades, and it's not about to slow down anytime soon. Veal's Ice Tree is a seasonal treat every Hoosier does at least once.
6. Jug Rock
722 Albright Ln, Shoals, IN 47581, USA
Figmig/Wikipedia
Did you know Indiana is home to the single largest free-standing table rock formation on this side of the Mississippi? Jug Rock is tucked within Shoals, Indiana, and has so ingrained itself into local culture that it's even been made the area's high school mascot. You can't climb it or deface it in any way, of course, but you definitely can (and should) check it out sometime. It's pretty weird, and pretty cool, too.

So, what are your thoughts? What kind of wild and wacky and lesser-known places did we not include here? Tell us about your favorites in the comments!

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Hidden Gems In Indiana

Tori Jane | December 07, 2023

What are some of the best hidden gems in Indiana?  

Indiana’s one of those amazingly diverse states that never gets any credit for being awesome. There are lots of hidden gems around here – and one might even argue that the state itself is a hidden gem!  

  • Cowles Bog – This incredible, natural bog is home to carnivorous plants and other bizarre flora that you’d never guess is in Indiana.  
  • Jug Rock – This weird geological formation in Indiana is the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi. It’s so notable that the local high school has it as their mascot.  
  • Wolf Park – Animal lovers will love this low-key wildlife preserve with, you guessed it, wolves.  

Learn more about all of these amazing hidden gems in Indiana.   

 

Which Indiana hidden gems are worth adding to my bucket list?  

With as many awesome hidden gems in Indiana as there are, your bucket list will be several pages long – and that’s awesome! There’s always time to get out and explore, so if you’re looking for more offbeat hidden gems in Indiana, be sure to check out: 

  • Rose Island – This is an island you can walk to located within Charlestown State Park. Once upon a time, it was an amusement park... now it’s ruins.  
  • Shades State Park – This place looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, not a place in Indiana. It’s awesome.  
  • Pine Lake – It's more than just a lake – there's a whole water park full of fun here!  

Learn more about these additional amazing Indiana hidden gems.  

 

What are some other must-do attractions in Indiana? 

Of course, there are more things to do in Indiana than just the hidden gems. There are plenty of must-see attractions in Indiana as well, and although they might be a little more mainstream, we promise they’re definitely worth it!  

  • Indiana Dunes National Park – Indiana's first and only national park is absolutely remarkable thanks to its surreal landscape: legitimate sand dunes with Lake Michigan as a backdrop. Incredible!  
  • Waterfalls – Indiana is home to numerous amazing waterfalls. The tallest is Williamsport Falls. Other notable cascades include Cataract Falls, Thistlethwaite Falls, and many more.  
  • State Parks – Indiana’s amazing state parks are all worth a visit! Turkey Run SP, Pokagon SP, Shades SP and more are all waiting for you!  

Learn more about the must-do adventures in Indiana. 

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