Are you a fan of the countryside? We don’t blame you; it’s absolutely beautiful, usually, and it’s often filled to the brim with all kinds of fun, interesting, scenic, or otherwise offbeat hidden gems and stuff to see. We went ahead and created yet another awesome Indiana road trip! This time, we’re focusing on those hidden gems you can’t miss out on that just so happen to be outside the major cities. Embark upon our rural hidden gems in Indiana road trip and experience adventure like never before: with offbeat little places, you may not have ever noticed before. Follow along on the official Google Maps path!

Buckle up and let's gooooooo!
Google Maps
1. Our first stop is at a truly amazing little place: Wolf Park, an awe-inspiring sanctuary for wildlife where you can get up close and personal with some stunningly beautiful wolves.
Wolf Park/Facebook
4004 E 800 N, Battle Ground, IN 47920, USA
Wolf Park/Facebook
Of course, the wolves aren't the only draw: there are also other critters that call the preserve home, like bison, which are incredibly majestic and worth seeing as well. Experience wildlife like never, ever before at this amazing animal sanctuary in Indiana.
2. Our next adventure takes us to Muncie, where we'll have an experience unlike any other: the Bob Ross Experience.
Bob Ross Experience
620 W Minnetrista Blvd, Muncie, IN 47303, USA
Bob Ross Experience
And here, at the Bob Ross immersive exhibit in the original studio it was filmed at, you're in for a happy little time. Lots of visitors get emotional when touching the actual brushes Bob used, or trying on one of his signature shirts, and we get it. We would, too. Bob was a wholesome force for good, and his legacy continues through his work. For those of us who felt like we lost a personal friend when he passed, the Bob Ross Experience in Indiana is well worth the journey.
3. Candle lovers, this next one's for you: now we head to Centerville, where we'll check out the Warm Glow Candle Company.
Warm Glow Candle Company/Facebook
2131 N Centerville Rd, Centerville, IN 47330, USA
Warm Glow Candle Company/Facebook
Do you smell something burning? Maybe lots of things? Don't worry, there's no fire - unless you count the thousands of tiny ones dancing on the wicks of all the candles you'll ever need in your life, which you'll find at Warm Glow. Famous for its lumpy-bumpy textured, highly fragrant candles, this is one adorable little hidden gem in Indiana that everyone is sure to love.

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4. Our fourth stop takes a turn for the unusual: it's a courthouse. But look closer. At the spire:
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
2 N Main St, Greensburg, PA 15601, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Yeah, that's a whole tree up there. And nobody really knows why. Realistically, a seed wound up there somehow at some point in the 1860s-70s and sprouted - but how did it manage to thrive, and for so long? The original courthouse roof tree in Indiana died in the early 1900s, but another quickly sprang up in its place on the roof, and to this day, it's still up there. Still up there, and still strangely charming. You go, little buddy. You do the thing. We have faith in you.

Be like this tree in life: let nothing, not even gravity or a lack of nutritious soil, get in the way of your growth. You hear? Groovy. Onward to the next stop!
5. This one's for all of our sci-fi fans out there: next we go to Guilford Township and experience the delightfulness that is the world's largest Dr. Who museum.
Who North America
8901 S State Rd 67, Pendleton, IN 46064, USA
Who North America
Who knew (see what we did there?) that the Hoosier State lays claim to the single biggest Dr. Who museum and store in the WORLD? It's true! Hidden in this tiny township is a hidden gem so shiny you'll never want to leave it. WHO North America is one of a kind, and best of all, it's ours - all ours!
6. Up next, a peculiar hill where gravity forgets how to do its job.
Jim Grey/Flickr
39.6015, -86.4085
Laurie Piskun/Wikipedia
Have you ever not felt like getting up and going to work in the morning? Same. Well, this bizarre gravity hill in Indiana feels the same way, apparently, because for decades it's been baffling motorists who, thanks to an optical illusion, will swear up and down that things - including vehicles - are paradoxically pulled uphill. Don't take our word for it; check it out and let your mind be blown.
7. And, finally, we meander on over to the oldest general store in Indiana known as Cataract General Store, which has been open since 1860.
Cataract General Store/Facebook
2799 S Cataract Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, USA
Cataract General Store/Facebook
When it comes to the oldest businesses in Indiana, nobody holds a candle (not even one from Warm Glow) to Cataract General Store. What'll you find here? A better question is what won't you find here? It's a delight and a half, and you'll want to give yourself at least an hour to explore.

So there you have it: a super fun, quirky, jam-packed road trip in Indiana through rural areas, where you’ll find some of the most charming (and odd) little stops. Which stops are your favorites? What would you add? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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More to Explore

Best Hidden Gems in Indiana

Tori Jane | December 07, 2023

What are some of the best hidden gems in Indiana?  

Indiana is such a tragically underrated place. It’s chock-full of amazing things to do, see, and experience, and although it may not be a beacon of the travel industry, we can still celebrate it for the wonderful hidden gem it is. Some of the best hidden gem attractions in Indiana worth checking out include:  

  • Pinhook Bog – Did you know that there are carnivorous plants growing naturally in Indiana? Yep. You’ll find them at Pinhook Bog, which is a lesser-known part of Indiana Dunes National Park.  
  • The Geode grotto – The Providence Home Geode Grotto is an absolutely jaw-dropping labor of love with tens of thousands of Indiana-sourced geodes making it up. It’s incredible.  
  • The Rotary Jail Museum – Once upon a time, jails were... rotary. Yes. Rotary. Come see one of the last remaining jails of this kind that still functions!  

Learn more about each of these wonderful hidden gems in Indiana.   

What other hidden gems in Indiana are worth checking out?  

Of course, the list doesn’t begin or end with the items above. There are so many hidden gems in Indiana that it’s overwhelming to try and figure out where to begin; the ones above will provide a good starting point, and if none of those strike your fancy, you should look into some of these other awesome hidden gems in Indiana:  

  • Angel Mounds – These amazing Native American mounds are much more than “just” burial mounds. They tell entire stories of a culture long gone.  
  • The Sunken Gardens – This stunning garden in Huntington is a testament to just how beautiful our state is. It’s breathtaking and worth a visit.  

Learn more about these awesome Indiana hidden gems worth checking out!  

What are some other awesome things to do in Indiana?  

There are many not-so-hidden gems in Indiana, too! While visiting, there are some must-see destinations, like:  

  • Williamsport Falls – Indiana's tallest waterfall is definitely in need of some appreciation. Always. On top of the appreciation it already gets.  
  • Marengo Cave – Did you know that Indiana has legitimately amazing caves? Now you do.  
  • The Dunes – Indiana Dunes National Park is, at the time of this writing, the first and only national park in Indiana. The sand dunes here are otherworldly, and with Lake Michigan as the backdrop, they seem like something out of a sci-fi novel.  

Learn more about the must-see attractions in Indiana.  

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