Everyone In Indiana Should Check Out These 10 Tourist Attractions, According To Locals

Let’s be realistic for a moment: Indiana isn’t exactly a bastion of tourism. But you ought to know by now, if you’ve been reading for any amount of time, that this is a tragic oversight on the part of just about everyone who’s decided NOT to come see the Hoosier State for themselves. As it turns out, there are plenty of must-see tourist attractions in Indiana; I’ve gone ahead and put together ten of the top favorites, as determined by readers! If you’d like to nominate somewhere for a possible mention or even feature someday, feel free to tell me about it by filling out our nomination form. Without further ado, check out 10 of the best attractions everyone ought to do at least once:

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA

HavekKidsWillTravel/TripAdvisor

Here's a fun fact: the Indianapolis Children's Museum is the single largest children's museum in the world, and how lucky are we that it's right here in Indiana? Fun for kids and adults alike, this one's a must-do even for adults traveling without kids. It's quite a wonder.

West Baden Springs Hotel, 8538 W Baden Ave, West Baden Springs, IN 47469, USA

Philip R/TripAdvisor

Once upon a time, West Baden Springs Hotel was actually called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Part of the French Lick Resort, which is composed of three incredible, world-class hotels, West Baden Springs is home to an utterly jaw-dropping atrium that measures an impressive 200 feet across and 100 feet tall; the rooms are cozy and luxurious, and you'll wonder how you ever stayed anywhere else while in the West Baden Springs area.

Advertisement

Indiana Dunes National Park, Porter, IN 46304, USA

Tom Gill/Indiana Dunes National Park/Facebook

Indiana Dunes National Park is a true wonder of the world... probably moreso than a man-made hotel, anyway. When people think about Indiana, I'm fairly certain they don't imagine enormous sand dunes and a lake that goes on for so long it looks and feels more like the sea, but maybe they should. If there's only one park you can visit while in Indiana, this one's it.

Advertisement

Brown County State Park, 1801 IN-46, Nashville, IN 47448, USA

Tammy S/TripAdvisor

Okay, well, maybe I take that back... at least partially. Brown County State Park is honestly just as high a priority on the must-do list as Indiana Dunes National Park is; Brown County is often referenced as the "most beautiful" region of the whole state, and this incredible state park showcases this beauty in all the best ways. Lovers of the outdoors, rejoice: there's hiking, camping, biking and more galore!

Michigan City Lighthouse, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA

Tom Gill/Flickr

Okay, so, while you're at Indiana Dunes National Park, there are a couple other must-do attractions nearby. The legendary Michigan City Lighthouse sits at the end of a pier of the same name, stretching into Lake Michigan seemingly forever. It's easily one of the most photogenic places in all of Indiana, and here you're sure to forget that you're even landlocked at all.

Related Stories

11 Incredible Hidden Gems In Indiana You’ll Want To Discover This Year

Crossing This 170-Year-Old Bridge In Indiana Is Like Walking Through History

There Is A Unique Man-Made Wonder Hiding In This Small Town In Indiana

Beverly Shores, IN, USA

Tom Gill/Flickr

I can't finish this list without mentioning Lake Michigan itself. If you're a fan of road trips, I definitely suggest checking out the link above. It's a delightful adventure that will take you on a wondrous tour of Lake Michigan's incredible shores. You'll find yourself in small towns like Beverly Shores, Michigan City, and more.

Williamsport Falls, 25 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993, USA

Gail Musser/AllTrails

Are you ready for another fun fact? Okay, here goes: there are NUMEROUS waterfalls in Indiana. Seriously, when it comes to unexpected landscapes, Indiana has everyone else beat. Williamsport Falls is an incredible 90 feet tall, and as a result, it's Indiana's tallest cascade. The best times to check the falls out is during snowmelt, in the spring, or following a good rainstorm; you'll hear the falls before you see them, and the hike that leads to 'em is one of the best in the state.

Parke County, IN, USA

Tom Gill/Flickr

This article is just full of fun facts, apparently, because I've got another one for you: Parke County, Indiana, is considered the covered bridge capital of the Midwest. With 31 jaw-droppingly photogenic covered bridges in this county alone, lovers of landscapes that look like something from an idyllic dream are sure to fall in love with this one. For a great memento, turn your favorite bridge photos into puzzles. Trust me, they'll be perfect!

Advertisement

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 W 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46222, USA

Indianapolis Motor Speedway/Facebook

Indiana is perhaps most well-known for being home to the Indianapolis 500, one of the largest races in the world. As such, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a must-do for anyone visiting the Hoosier State with even a little interest in history (or racing). It just so happens to be the oldest superspeedway in the country, too. How lucky are we!

Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 101 Basilica Dr, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA

Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame/Facebook

The intensely beautiful Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, Indiana, is a gothic feast for the eyes. Even if you're non-religious, you likely won't be able to keep your jaw off the floor. The decadence of the chambers are sure to amaze you; you might have seen some beautiful places of worship in your day, but this one is probably the most beautiful in the entire region. For more bang for your buck, be sure to tour Notre Dame while you're here.

There you have it: ten of the best tourist attractions in Indiana, according to you – the readers! Need a place to stay during your adventures in Indiana? No worries – our friends at Booking.com have your back. Can’t get enough of the Hoosier State? No worries – check out our epic Indiana travel guide for more ideas.