Things to Do in Indiana — United States: Top Attractions, Tours & Tickets

#1Indiana Dunes National ParkMustNorthwestern Indiana4.6(14,000)

This is Indiana’s most distinctive landscape: broad Lake Michigan beach, shifting dunes, wetlands and woodland trails in one outing. Use it for a beach-and-hike day, choosing a specific trailhead rather than trying to cover the whole park.

4h FreeArrive early on summer weekends; beaches and parking areas fill quickly.

Pairs with: Indiana Dunes State Park

#2The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (Tourist attraction)MustNine-County Region

This is an unusually ambitious children’s museum that works as a major destination rather than a rainy-day backup. Give it a substantial part of a day and let children’s interests determine which galleries get the time.

4h Timed entryOpening time on a weekday is the calmest window.

Reserve online in advance for weekends, school breaks and holiday periods.

Pairs with: Indiana State Museum (Tourist attraction) · Newfields

#3Holiday World & Splashin' SafariMustSouthern Indiana4.6(17,000)

This family-run amusement and water-park destination is one of the state’s signature summer trips, with a distinctly Indiana feel rather than a generic resort format. It is best treated as a full-day commitment, especially when the water park is operating.

8h Book aheadGo at opening and ride major coasters before moving to the water park.

Buy online before a summer weekend; selected dates can be busy even when entry is still available.

Pairs with: Marengo Cave U.S. National Landmark · Clifty Falls State Park

#4Turkey Run State ParkMustCentral Indiana4.8(8,300)

Turkey Run is the state-park choice for people who actually want to hike: ravines, creek beds and rugged sandstone terrain make it feel more adventurous than a scenic drive stop. Wear shoes that can handle wet, uneven ground and allow time for a proper trail loop.

3.5h Walk upStart early on weekends, when popular trailheads and parking areas are busiest.

Pairs with: Indiana Dunes National Park · Brown County State Park

#5NewfieldsMustNine-County Region4.7(6,800)

Newfields combines the Indianapolis Museum of Art with substantial grounds, making it the city’s strongest art-and-gardens outing. Plan enough time to do both the galleries and a walk outside, rather than treating the grounds as an afterthought.

3.5h Timed entryWeekday mornings are best for the galleries; visit late afternoon for a quieter garden walk.

Reserve ahead for special exhibitions and seasonal light events; general museum admission is usually easier.

Pairs with: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (Tourist attraction) · Indiana War Memorial & Museum

#6Indianapolis Motor Speedway MuseumMustNine-County Region4.8(5,100)

The museum gives essential context to the Indianapolis 500 and to a city whose identity is inseparable from racing. Pair the exhibits with a track tour when available; the latter turns a car collection into a sense of place.

2h Book aheadAvoid major race-week periods unless the event atmosphere is the point of your visit.

Book a track tour in advance, especially around race events; museum-only entry is generally easier.

Pairs with: Gainbridge Fieldhouse · Indiana War Memorial & Museum

#7Indianapolis ZooShouldNine-County Region4.5(23,000)

The zoo is a polished, family-friendly anchor within Indianapolis’s riverfront cultural district. It works especially well when paired with one nearby museum rather than crammed into an already full downtown day.

3.5h Timed entryArrive near opening, particularly in warm-weather weekends.

Purchase dated admission online for the best availability on weekends and school holidays.

Pairs with: White River State Park (Tourist attraction) · Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

#8Brown County State ParkShouldSouthern Indiana4.8(7,400)

Often called the state’s premier landscape park, Brown County delivers rolling forest scenery, hiking and a strong fall-color outing. Use it as the outdoors half of a Bloomington or Nashville-area trip, not merely a drive-through.

3h Walk upAvoid peak fall-color weekends if possible; weekday mornings are much more manageable.

Pairs with: Spring Mill State Park · Turkey Run State Park

#9White River State Park (Tourist attraction)ShouldNine-County Region

This is less a single attraction than Indianapolis’s useful cultural campus, tying together museums, the zoo and riverfront public space. Use it to build an efficient downtown half-day around the specific institutions that interest you.

1.5h FreeWalk the grounds in the morning or around sunset; event nights can make the area busy.

Pairs with: Indianapolis Zoo · Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art · Indiana State Museum (Tourist attraction)

#10Clifty Falls State ParkShouldSouthern Indiana4.7(5,500)

Clifty Falls offers dramatic creek-carved scenery and worthwhile trails above the Ohio River town of Madison. It is an excellent choice for travelers wanting a hike with a historic small-town meal or overnight nearby.

3h Walk upGo after dry weather for easier footing, and arrive early on fair-weather weekends.

Pairs with: Marengo Cave U.S. National Landmark · Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

#11Indiana Dunes State ParkShouldNorthwestern Indiana4.7(8,000)

This compact state park is the most straightforward way to combine Lake Michigan beach time with steep dune trails. It complements the national park rather than replacing it, particularly for visitors who want an easy base with concentrated scenery.

3h Walk upBe there early on hot summer days, when beach parking can fill.

Pairs with: Indiana Dunes National Park

#12Indiana State Museum (Tourist attraction)ShouldNine-County Region

This is the best broad introduction to Indiana’s natural, cultural and industrial story, and its downtown location makes it easy to fit into a first visit. It is particularly useful for travelers who want statewide context between more specialized stops.

2h Walk upWeekday afternoons are generally quieter than weekends.

Pairs with: Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art · White River State Park (Tourist attraction) · Indianapolis Zoo

#13Spring Mill State ParkShouldSouthern Indiana4.8(3,400)

Spring Mill is a satisfying blend of cave country, forest trails and a living-history village, so it offers more variety than a standard state-park stop. Give the village and trail system separate time rather than rushing between them.

3.5h Walk upWeekday mornings give the historic village its best atmosphere.

Pairs with: Marengo Cave U.S. National Landmark · Brown County State Park

#14Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western ArtShouldNine-County Region4.6(2,400)

The Eiteljorg is a focused, thoughtful museum of Native American and Western art that stands apart from the usual Midwest history-museum formula. It is an easy cultural add-on in White River State Park, particularly for art-minded visitors.

1.8h Walk upA weekday visit offers the quietest gallery experience.

Pairs with: Indiana State Museum (Tourist attraction) · Indianapolis Zoo · White River State Park (Tourist attraction)

#15Studebaker National MuseumShouldNorthern Indiana4.8(2,000)

This is a standout transport museum, using Studebaker’s South Bend legacy to tell a broader story of American vehicles and design. It rewards even casual car enthusiasts and is the most compelling museum stop in the city.

2h Walk upWeekday mornings are quietest, especially outside university and holiday weekends.

Pairs with: Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

#16Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile MuseumShouldNorthern Indiana4.9(2,200)

Set in an exceptionally atmospheric former automobile showroom, this is one of the country’s great museums for classic American cars and industrial design. It has enough visual impact to reward non-specialists, while enthusiasts can linger much longer.

2.3h Walk upWeekdays are best for an unhurried look at the cars and building.

Pairs with: Studebaker National Museum · Fort Wayne Zoo

#17Fort Wayne ZooIf timeNorthern Indiana4.7(11,000)

Fort Wayne Zoo is a strong family attraction and an appealing reason to give northern Indiana more than a transit stop. It is most worthwhile for visitors with children or animal-focused travelers, rather than as a statewide essential for everyone.

3h Walk upVisit at opening in summer, before both heat and crowds build.

Pairs with: Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

#18Indiana War Memorial & MuseumIf timeNine-County Region4.7(3,100)

This monument and museum delivers one of downtown Indianapolis’s most imposing civic interiors, along with military history that is more substantial than its exterior suggests. It makes a strong short visit between Monument Circle and the canal district.

1.3h FreeWeekday daytime is best; check hours before making a special trip.

Pairs with: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum · Newfields · Gainbridge Fieldhouse

#19Marengo Cave U.S. National LandmarkIf timeSouthern Indiana4.8(2,100)

Marengo Cave is an accessible introduction to southern Indiana’s karst landscape, with guided underground routes suitable for a road-trip stop. It pairs well with the region’s parks but is less rewarding if you dislike confined, damp spaces.

1.5h Walk upTake an early tour on summer weekends for the shortest wait.

Pairs with: Spring Mill State Park · Clifty Falls State Park · Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

#20Gainbridge FieldhouseNicheNine-County Region4.7(12,000)

For basketball fans, a Pacers or Fever game here is one of the most locally meaningful Indianapolis nights out. Without an event or an interest in sports venues, it is better regarded as a useful downtown landmark than a sightseeing priority.

3h Book aheadArrive early for ticketed events; nearby dining and parking tighten up beforehand.

Buy event tickets well ahead for high-demand games and concerts.

Pairs with: Indiana War Memorial & Museum · Indiana State Museum (Tourist attraction)