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Awesome Adventures in Indiana with Kids and Teens
Indiana is such a beautiful mid-West state. With the small towns, the Ohio River and so many family-friendly attractions, it’s a great place for a road trip, weekend trip, or scenic drive. This travel destination for families with kids and teens is an exciting place you’ll want to explore; rolling hills, Lake Michigan, the Lincoln Highway, and the bustle of middle America. Your family will be captivated by all of the history and exciting places to explore and learn about. These Indiana road trip attractions for families are great places to add to an exciting road trip itinerary of the Mid-West United States. If you want to turn your road trip into exciting learning that counts for school, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in Indiana with these Indiana road trip attractions kids will love.
Indiana with Kids & Teens – Road Trip!
The first time I visited Indiana I didn’t think I could have dreamed of so many rolling hills of farm fields. It was gorgeous. Our epic road trip included the most wonderful places from Indianapolis to Chicago with stops in little towns and college towns. That’s the great thing about road trips (and GPS); you can wander wherever you like. Road-tripping can be such an outdoor adventure!
In our family, road-tripping is a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. A 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of Indiana. Below are all the resources you need to help you find the best places to visit. Included are great ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people who call the heart of the United States their home. So have a great time using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore the historical sites in Indiana! First stop, state parks, and historic sites.
Indiana Historical Sites & Parks
- Turkey Run State Park: State Park in Parke County, Indiana.
- Conner Prairie: History museum and park in Fishers, Indiana.
- Brown County State Park: State park in Nashville, Indiana.
- Indiana Dunes State Park: State park in Chesterton, Indiana.
- Pokagon State Park: State park in Angola, Indiana.
- White River State Park: State park in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Marengo Cave: Park in Marengo, Indiana.
Museums & Galleries in Indiana
- Indiana State Museum: Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Indianapolis Museum of Art: Art Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Indiana Children’s Museum: In Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana’s Gardens, Zoo & Aquariums
- Indianapolis Zoo: Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Potawatomi Zoo: Zoo in South Bend, Indiana.
Add These To Your Indiana Road Trip Itinerary
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway: Car race track that is the home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Paoli Peaks: Ski resort in Paoli, Indiana.
- Perfect North Slopes: Ski area in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
- Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort: Amusement park in Monticello, Indiana.
Indiana offers so many exciting things to do! Museums, outdoor activities at the State Parks, and exciting beach adventures. And don’t forget the autumn foliage. It’s gorgeous! Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about Indiana.
Indiana Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning
Make the most of learning about Indiana by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the Indiana State Study pack into your pre- and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.
Use The World As Your Classroom in Indiana
The Indiana State Study pack is one of the best ways for your family to have fun learning about Indiana at home (virtually) or on the road visiting historic towns from the open road.
Learn About Indiana’s Famous People
- Benjamin Harrison – 23rd President of the United States of America
- Cole Porter – Singer/songwriter famous for over 30 stage and film musicals
- Ernest Taylor Pyle – Pulitzer Prize-winning World War II journalist known for his stories about ordinary American soldiers.
- James Whitcomb Riley – Poet
- Wilbur Wright & Orville Wright – Aviators famous for their invention of the airplane.
Learn About Indiana’s Famous Landmarks:
- George Rogers Clark National Historical Park – Contains the largest national monument outside of Washington D.C.
- Indiana Dunes National Park – Well known for being one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the United States of America. Great for hiking!
You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 3rd grade to 12th grade.
The Indiana State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.
Use The World As Your Classroom
Indiana Family Travel Tips
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most pleasant weather, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Summers can be hot and humid, while winters can be cold in the north.
🌟Theme parks: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Kings Island in Mason, and Indiana Beach in Monticello
🌟Museums: Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Zoo, the Conner Prairie living history museum in Noblesville
🌟Outdoor activities: Hiking and camping in state parks like Turkey Run and Brown County, canoeing on the Wabash River, visiting Lake Michigan beaches
🌟Educational attractions: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the Children’s Science Center in Fort Wayne
🌟Unique experiences: The world’s largest ball of twine in Cawker City, exploring the Amish community in Elkhart County, riding a real steam train at French Lick Scenic Railway
🎈Free attractions: Many state parks, museums, and libraries offer free admission.
🎈Picnic lunches: Pack delicious and affordable meals to enjoy outdoors.
🎈Discount days: Look for discounts on attractions and events.
🎈State park stays: Camping or renting cabins in state parks is often cheaper than hotels.
🎈Seasonal events: Enjoy free festivals, farmers markets, and outdoor concerts.
Exploring The Midwest?
Michigan, Ohio & Illinois are exciting stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.
Homeschool, Travel & Learn With The Let’s Study The Americas, the Caribbean, Australia & Oceania Bundle
No more cobbling your curriculum together and hoping it works! Everything you need is included in these World Geography bundles!
Explore More!
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- Biggest Museums in USA
- Gas Saving Tips for Your Next Family Road Trip
- Family Vacations: Oklahoma with Kids & Teens
Going On A Trip? Grab This!
