6 Places In Indiana That Are Off The Beaten Path But Worth The Trip
By Tori Jane|Published August 04, 2023
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Feeling adventurous? Well, I think a better question for us might be “When are we NOT feeling adventurous?” but you catch my drift. Indiana is a wonderful place to live if you’re one of those folks who prefer a good adventure over anything else. So, why not take a little while to appreciate some of the lesser-known, offbeat attractions in Indiana that you just won’t find elsewhere? Sounds fun to me. Check these unique stops out and plan your adventure accordingly:
If you have even a passing interest in odd and unusual plant life, Pinhook Bog is calling your name. This highly unusual natural wonder is hidden within Indiana Dunes National Park and is often overlooked in favor of, well, the rest of the park. Discover amazing plant species like orchids and even carnivorous plants like the pitcher plant pictured above (try saying that three times fast).
Hungry? This truly unique restaurant in Indiana is a destination all its own. The whole place is themed, roughly, like the American Dream: blue-collar workers made this nation what it is, and that's what the folks at this place like to focus on. Oh, and the food's to die for, too - perfect for just after a long day at work.
When I say you can find just about anything at the oldest general store in Indiana, I mean ANYTHING. This awesome little hidden gem is almost two centuries old now, and it's still here for a reason - it's passed every test of time thus far, meaning we all have a fun little place to come check out any time the mood strikes.
It's tough to put the majesty of the intriguing and beautiful Providence Home Geode Grotto into words; it's one of those things you've just got to experience yourself. As the amazing result of a labor of love dreamed up by one man, this stunning grotto is literally filled top-to-bottom and side-to-side with locally-sourced, gorgeous geodes, as well as plaster, found objects, and other things. This one's a must-do.
Well, if this isn't the single most unique museum in Indiana, I'm not sure what is. It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like: an old rotary jail converted into a museum. It's one of the last remaining jails of its kind that still operates (as in works, not houses inmates), and it's a really fascinating glimpse into both the history of law and order and human engineering.
It's not every day you get to check out actual Native American burial mounds (among other things). A long, long time ago, what is now Angel Mounds State Historic Site was once a flourishing community. The mounds present were used for many things other than simple burials, all of which you'll learn while you're here. There are six large platform mounds in the park, as well as a visitor's center and guides. This one is perfect for a day trip.
There you have it: six unusual ideas for off-the-beaten path attractions in Indiana! What are some of your favorite oddball spots? Let me know – I love learning about all your favorite spots. You might even see me write about yours someday!
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