15 Things You Really Have To Do In Indiana This Summer
Trisha Faulkner
Author
Before you know it summer is going to be over. Will you be happy with what you, your family, and/or your significant other did this summer? Here’s a list of 15 summer fun activities you can consider enjoying before summer officially ends.
1. Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens
Located at 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, is a wonderful zoo and gardens! This zoo has several different attractions that my family and I greatly enjoy seeing time and time again. My child’s favorite is the Dolphin Presentation! All kids enjoy the splash area of the Dolphin Presentation, meaning no pictures for me! The zoo has an African Plains animal exhibit that I just love. There are misting stations so we can stay cool and plenty of snack booths to stay hydrated and refreshed.
I also enjoy the White River Gardens! It is beautiful and shall I say pleasant? With three acres of land, the White River Gardens show off a stunning kind of beauty. Inside is the Hilbert Conservatory, which is climate controlled. The Hilbert Conservatory hosts seasonal shows throughout the year. The DeHaan Tiergarten is stunning in itself. Even though it is outside, it is my favorite part of the White River Gardens. The garden changes designs as the seasons go on!
2. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, lies a wonderful zoo for children. With several exhibits to choose from, you never know where to start! An awesome exhibit is the Australian Adventure. There are many other exhibits though! There are also rides of course.
Now, what is really awesome about this zoo is the VIP experience! With VIP tickets, you get to get closer than ever to certain animals! Is that cool, or what?! Ok, so say you forgot the stroller or just did not want to bring it. There are stroller rentals! There are even wagon rentals! And, guess what? You can feed the animals!
3. Fort Wayne TinCaps at Parkview Field
At 1301 Ewing St. Fort Wayne lies the Fort Wayne’s TinCaps home field: Parkview Field. You can catch delightful home games here and follow them all season long! At Parkview Field you can also catch concerts and special events. Parkview Field is also open to walkers and runners throughout the day.
4. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Rides and slides, food, and snacks, you can find it all at 452 East Christmas Boulevard, Santa Claus. With top-ranked roller coasters and a huge water park, you cannot go wrong! Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari offers fun that does not end! Free parking, free soft drinks, free Wi-Fi, free sunscreen, free visit with Santa Claus, and free hugs from Holidog and Kitty Claws. Need I say more?!
5. Indiana Dunes
At 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, going along the shore of Lake Michigan, you can find the Indiana Dunes. 15 miles of sandy beaches for water fun and 70 miles just for hiking, the fun does not stop here. The Indiana Dunes beaches are ranked in the top five family beaches in North America! Bird watching is amazing here at Indiana Dunes with over 350 migratory species. Don’t forget the fishing opportunities!
6. Indianapolis Motor Speedway
With a need for speed, you can satisfy your speed-demon urges in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit the Hall of Fame Museum and brush up on your racing history. You can choose to take a track tour and or a grounds tour. There is free parking on days that they are not holding a race or other special event.
7. Quilt Gardens Tour
To find the most intricate patterns of all visit Quilt Gardens Tour in Elkhart County. Stop and smell these beautiful flowers with your family. What makes these gardens unique is that these gardens are made to look like quilts. Volunteers plant these flowers to make a beautiful “quilt”.
8. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
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Locates at 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, is The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. This museum offers many exhibits, including Hot Wheels: Race to Win, which allows you to race Hot Wheels! There are a total of 21 exhibits in this amazing museum! There are even after dark events!
9. Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park is located at 8121 Park Rd., Marshal. With hiking trails, bridle trails, historic sites, camping sites, nature center, and a conference center, the fun never ends. Enjoy family time at Turkey Run State Park. Get the family together and go canoeing or even fishing. Turkey Run State Park even has an Olympic sized swimming pool to cool off in!
10. Indiana Beach
Located in Monticello you will find an awesome amusement park on Lake Shafer. With rides and a waterpark you cannot go wrong. The fun does not stop here at Indiana Beach. Get the family and go for a day, or more, and get ready to be wowed! Between dining experiences and night life, you cannot go wrong here!
11. Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium
At 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis you will find the beautiful Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium. If you are looking for a weekend of fun and education this is the place to be. Public tours are only on Fridays and Saturdays. Every other day you have to book a private tour. Admission is cheap. Making the visit here even better, there are two telescopes are available to look through!
12. Hesston Steam Museum
Hesston Steam Museum is located at 1201 E 1000 N, La Porte. At the Hesston Steam Museum you can take the kiddos on a ride on two different tracks. Take a tour of the museum and see the awesome steam powered machinery.
13. Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
Located at 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers you will find the amazing Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. Here you will have fun that never ends. Have the family grow closer than ever while enjoying everything from craft corners to a balloon voyage! Make history real life here at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park!
14. Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park is located at 1810 State Road 46 E, Nashville. If you are feeling outdoorsy this is the perfect place to be. You can take a guided trail ride on a horse or bring our own! With swimming in an Olympic sized swimming pool and fishing, or even ice fishing, the activities never stop!
15. Marengo Cave National Landmark
At 400 East State Road 64, Marengo is the Marengo Cave National Landmark. Here you can go in The Crawl, which caters to kids of all ages. The Crawl is a maze for children. There is also cave exploring, camping, canoeing, an observation room, and even gemstone mining!
Have you ever been to any of these places before? Maybe you are thinking about going to them now? Maybe you have a favorite not on this list? Share with me in the comments!
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