Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Indiana
Tori Jane
Author
Indiana is something of an open secret. While many folks in the United States tend to dismiss it as boring “flyover” country, they couldn’t be further from the truth. Indiana is an amazingly beautiful place with enchanting things to do, see, and experience, and what better time than spring to come see it at its best? There are lots of things to do in Indiana in spring, and many of these things are free and/or very affordable and excellent for families. Come out to the Hoosier State and see what Indiana is all about: we suspect you’ll be absolutely amazed. Want to go for it in the spring? Check out the 13 best things to do at this time of year:
Flower Blooms In Indiana
Did you know that Indiana is home to several utterly jaw-dropping flower blooms that take place every spring (and better still, a lot of them extend into summer)? From fruits and veggies to stunning wildflowers galore, the spring flower blooms in Indiana are a force to be reckoned with for the eyes (and the nose). Take your allergy meds and get in the car, we’re gonna go check out the two best flower blooms in Indiana!
1. The Tulip Bloom at Wellfield Botanic Gardens
Few things in this life are as enchanting as wildflower blooms in the spring, and one of the best wildflower blooms in Indiana is the one that takes place every year at the Wellfield Botanic Garden. Every season, hundreds of tulips – and we mean HUNDREDS – burst back to life after a whole winter of being dormant, and that’s just the beginning: the incredible blooms taking place at this garden are nothing short of utterly spectacular, and they make for a magical experience for the whole family.
2. The Azalea Bloom at Azalea Path Botanical Garden
The amazing Azalea Path Botanical Garden is actually the private garden of Steve and Beverly Knight that comes to life every year with amazing color. Typically open from April 1st until June 1st from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., this jaw-dropping labor of love is one of Indiana’s most wonderful hidden gems. Like just about everywhere else on this list, this one is gorgeous all year (though any visits during the off-season must be scheduled ahead of time via phone call). Need an amazing venue for a spring wedding? They can do that – and what better way to tie the knot than surrounded by a million azaleas? No wedding – no problem. Just come out and browse for a while.
Botanical Gardens In Indiana
Fun fact: there are approximately two dozen botanical gardens and/or arboretums in Indiana, and spring is an amazing time of year to explore them. You could do one a week for the whole season (as long as they’re open, anyway)! When it comes to botanical gardens in Indiana, it’s tough to pick just a few great ones – but here are a few of the best:
3. The Bloomington Arboretum
The Bloomington Arboretum, also known as the Jesse H. and Beulah Chanley Cox Arboretum, also known as the Cox Arboretum, is a gorgeous little escape from real life located on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington. While often praised for its beauty during the changing of the leaves in autumn, this amazing garden is just as breathtaking in the spring when everything comes roaring back from winter slumber. It’s not overly enormous, coming in at just 11 acres in size, but what it lacks in enormity it more than makes up for in beauty. Here you’ll find 12,000 trees, with upwards of 700 planted per year. Explore this oasis on foot on the numerous wonderful trails you’ll find here.
4. The Jerry E. Clegg Botanical Garden
The small-but-mighty Jerry E. Clegg Botanical Garden is one of the best free things to do in Indiana in spring and it’s easy to see why: it’s beautiful and conjures a sense of peace within the soul. Nestled right up next to beautiful Wildcat Creek, it’s easy to see why this one is so beloved among the locals who know it’s here. The primary goal of this park is to restore populations of native flora and fauna to Indiana, and as a result, it’s astonishingly awesome in the spring (and the summer, if we’re being honest).
5. Friendship Botanic Gardens
Anyone on the hunt for wholesome, family fun shenanigans will find themselves in love with the awe-inspiring Friendship Botanic Gardens. With plenty of awesome outdoor activities to indulge in this season and some truly stunning hiking trails to explore, you’ll never get bored of this beautiful garden. There’s always something going on, so be sure to check out the visitor guide on the official website for a complete calendar of events. With all there is to do and see at Friendship Botanic Gardens, it’s no secret as to why it’s so beloved among the locals. Once you’re done here, you’re not more than a stone’s throw away from Indiana Dunes National Park, so check it out if you get the chance!
Parks To Visit In Indiana This Spring
What better way to explore Indiana this spring than by visiting our amazing parks? With 24 incredible state parks, one stunning National Park, and countless city and town parks to choose from, the fun truly never ends – you could probably spend a lifetime exploring them all. Of course, some shine during each season. Some are wonderful in the fall, when autumn colors light everything aflame. In the winter, some turn into picturesque wonderlands, and in the spring… well, some become a veritable paradise. Some of the best parks to visit in Indiana this spring include:
6. Charlestown State Park
Once upon a time, a chunk of what is now Charlestown State Park used to be the old Indiana Army Ammunition plant. This gorgeous state park is hidden away in southern Indiana, where it’s really quite popular (and for excellent reasons) among hikers, mountain bikers, and even urban explorers, as there’s an abandoned amusement park on an island you can walk to within the park. Go check it out and you’ll see what we mean.
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7. The Edna W. Spurgeon Woodland Reserve
Fun fact: the old Edna W. Spurgeon Woodland Reserve was actually the first ACRES property to be procured. It’s also one of the most interesting geological wonders in Indiana, as its made up of an area of low ridges hollowed out by glaciers and glacial meltwater. It’s a slice of paradise right here in the American Midwest, and it makes for an amazing day trip – particularly when it’s spring and everything’s bursting back to life. You’ll find yourself surrounded by sugar maple, tulip trees, and other mature forest; it feels like you’re far away from everything, but you’re not.
8. The Sunken Gardens at Huntington
The Sunken Gardens in Huntington, Indiana, draws in visitors from all over the state. Less than two hours from Indianapolis and just 40 minutes from Fort Wayne, this family friendly park and garden is jaw-droppingly beautiful and fun for all. These gardens began construction in 1923 and concluded in 1929; that November, the garden was featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. In the 1960s, a restoration and revitalization project ensured the gardens will be beautiful for generations to come. In the spring, the wildflowers abound – so bring a camera. You’ll need one. Most golf courses aren’t even THIS green.
Spring Hikes In Indiana
One of the best pastimes in human history is, undeniably, hiking. We do it, our grandparents likely did it, our ancestors did it… you get the idea. The urge to traverse the wilderness has long been a part of our very beings, and luckily for us, Indiana has thousands of miles of trails to explore. Indiana’s state parks are truly just the beginning – many cities and towns in Indiana have awesome trails that meander right through, too. What better time to head out than springtime? There’s something for everyone and all skill levels, so lace up those hiking boots, get some water, and let’s go! Not feeling up to wandering far from home? Go ahead and hike around some of the awesome farmers markets that are always open right around now. Spring is an awesome time of year.
9. Camp Creek and Fall Creek Loop
The scenic Camp Creek and Fall Creek Loop trail is one of the best spring hikes in Indiana thanks to the fact that each and every season it explodes into colorful brilliance as all the wildflowers in the world seem to bloom. As you traverse this trail admiring not just the incredible wildflower blooms but also the lakes, ponds and river that makes this place so special, even beginner hikers will get a feel for one of the most popular pastimes in the United States of America: hiking! Always pack in what you pack out, and be sure to pack water and wear good shoes – always! And while you’re here, remember that you’re just a half hour away from attractions like the Indianapolis Zoo, shopping boutiques, restaurants and breweries, and more.
10. The Mount Summit Trail
Though open year-round, the Mount Summit Trail is probably at its best in the spring and summer, though in autumn you get some pretty spectacular color as well. In the spring, wildflowers come roaring back to life and the trees unfurl brand-new bright-green sprigs that’ll soon cover them entirely for another warm season. At just over two and a half miles long, this trail is rated as easy, though there are several point where you’ll definitely want to watch your footing. Following snowmelt, it can be a bit muddy – so wear good shoes!
11. Taylor Ridge Trail (Trail #9)
Taylor Ridge Trail is actually famous among hikers in Indiana for its amazing wildflowers in the springtime. Who needs spring break ideas full of parties and alcohol when your spring break can involve outdoor adventure galore? With some epic, nearly treetop views and bucket list worthy beauty, Brown County State Park is often referred to as one of the most beautiful places in the entire state, and we’re inclined to agree. The Taylor Ridge Trail is typically flush with flowers in the spring, and it makes for an idyllic getaway into the woods – if only for a little while.
Spring Picnic Spots In Indiana
If we had to pick a “close second” in terms of longstanding human traditions, it would probably be picnicking. There’s something so serene about packing a meal and then enjoying it out in the open wild. Given all the amazing parks and escapes in the Midwest, it’s no secret as to why there are just so many perfect spring picnic spots in Indiana. Sure, cafes and ice cream sound great, but sometimes you just kinda feel like going the old-school route with a basket, some sandwiches, and the open outdoors. A couple of these perfect picnic spots include gems like:
12. McCormick’s Creek State Park
Just over an hour from Indy, about one hour from White River State Park, and two hours from Fishers, this absolutely bucket list worthy waterfall park in Indiana is one of the best places to set up a picnic in the entire USA, if you ask us. With incredibly photogenic waterfalls, flawless woodlands, and some of the most beautiful countryside in the Midwest, you’ll wish you could have lunch here EVERY day. Few things are as relaxing to the spirit as munching on a delicious meal to the sound of babbling brooks in every direction. Did you know that this was Indiana’s first state park? Now you do – now come out and enjoy it!
13. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area
Last on this list but by no means last by any literal stretch of the imagination, Cataract Falls is a jaw-dropping place that looks like something out of a fairy tale more than a place in Indiana. Just a little over an hour from the beautiful Conner Prairie in Fishers is the utterly incredible Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, which might be THE best place to have a picnic of all time. We don’t make the rules, we just report on them. Cataract Falls is the largest waterfall in Indiana by volume, and it’s especially awesome in the spring when nearby snowmelt ensures that it swells to a roar. It’s worth mentioning that Cloverdale is just 40 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, as well as the famous Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Come for the amazing picnicking opportunities - wander for the other goodies nearby!
If you’ve lived in Indiana for your whole life, you’re probably one of the two kinds of people who live here: either you love it and you love to shout about it from the rooftops, or you’re entirely convinced that the whole state is a boring hellscape with nothing fun to do or see. Well, perhaps now if you’re the latter you have a few beautiful new ideas to explore and maybe change your mind (and we can change your mind). And if you’re the former, well, same – we just can’t get enough of the Hoosier State’s beauty, either! What are your favorite things to do in Indiana during the spring? Let us know!
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