Introduction to Cheap Vacations in Indiana
Indiana has some of the most beautiful state parks in the country, and they’re all within an easy drive from Indianapolis.
Whether you want to relax with a swim or hike through wooded trails, there’s something for everyone here. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite cheap vacations in Indiana:
Hoosier National Forest
Hoosier National Forest is located in Indiana, a U.S. National Forest that covers the southern part of the state.
The forest contains the headwaters of the Wabash River, which flows into Lake Erie near Toledo, Ohio.
While on vacation in Indiana, Hoosier National Forest may be the perfect place for you to unwind while still taking in some nature.
Indiana Dunes Park
Indiana Dunes State Park is a state park in Indiana, United States. It is located in the southernmost portion of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and extends into northern Porter County, Indiana.
As a national lakeshore, the park was created in 1937 by an act of Congress and is managed by the National Park Service (NPS).
The park covers over 1,800 acres (7 km²) on the shoreline along Lake Michigan at Porter County’s only beachfront community: Crown Point Beach Park.
The area was once inhabited by Native Americans who hunted and fished along its shores; they called it “Domanakwai.
Indiana Caverns
Indiana Caverns is a popular attraction in southern Indiana. The cave is one of the largest limestone caves in the world, with an extensive underground network that includes more than 5 miles of passageways and more than 1 million bats.
The cave can be explored year-round by visitors who want to see its natural beauty up close or explore its many attractions for all ages.
These include a theater showing movies about Indiana history. You may use telescopes at this observatory to see the sky, and there is also a gift store where you can pick up keepsakes of your trip.
Starve Hollow Lake Recreation Area
Starve Hollow Lake Recreation Area is a great place to go camping, fishing, boating, or enjoying the scenery.
It is located in Starve Hollow State Recreation Area in Indiana.
It’s an excellent place for relaxing and enjoying nature; you can swim in its crystal clear water or enjoy the surrounding beauty of nature.
Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park is a good choice if you want to get away from it all. Located in southern Indiana, this park has hiking trails, picnic areas, and canoeing available for visitors.
There’s also a campground where you can stay overnight or on weekdays, and if you’re looking for something more relaxing than that, they have an indoor pool with swim lessons.
The Nature Center offers guided tours of the area’s natural wonders like Lake Lemon and Hoosier Prairie Dog Town, where there’s an actual town full of dogs.
The swimming pool has lifeguards on duty during regular hours, so it’s safe for kids who don’t know how deep the water is.
Winona Lake
Winona Lake is a resort town in Kosciusko County, Indiana. It was founded by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
The Winona Lake Hotel and Conference Center is one of the oldest hotels in the state, and it’s still popular with vacationers today.
The town hosts several religious conferences annually, including one called “The Winona Lake Bible Conference,” which attracts hundreds of visitors annually.
In addition to being home to this event, which dates back to 1852, Winona Lake also has many other attractions:
- The KAZE golf course offers 18 holes with views overlooking Lake Michigan as well as nearby beaches and parks;
- Numerous hiking trails around town will take you through forests or cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan.
McCormick’s Creek State Park
McCormick’s Creek State Park is located in Muncie, Indiana. It’s the second-largest state park in Indiana, with over 4,000 acres of land to explore and enjoy.
The park offers many activities for visitors to enjoy, such as hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking on the creek that runs through it.
The McCormick Creek Natural Area also has a small museum dedicated to natural history and educational displays about local wildlife like snakes or frogs.
The museum features a variety of interactive exhibits that allow children to learn more about these animals while visiting with their families or friends during their vacation days away from home.
While you’re at McCormick Creek State Park, you should try one of its delicious restaurants too.
There are several different options available depending upon what kind of food preferences your family has, from burgers & fries all day long until late into the evening hours.
Hesston Steam Museum
The Hesston Steam Museum is a working steam engine museum in Hesston, Indiana. It’s open year-round and has several exhibits that are free to visit.
The museum also offers guided tours, which cost around $8 for adults and $5 for children.
The grounds of the Hesston Steam Museum have hiking trails and biking trails for visitors to enjoy while they’re there.
Patoka Lake Marina
Patoka Lake Marina is an excellent place for a cheap vacation in Indiana. The marina offers boat rentals, camping, and lodging options, as well as many other activities.
The marina also has a restaurant on site where you can enjoy food while enjoying the scenery or watching your boat get ready for another day on the water.
Turkey Run State Park
Northern Indiana is the location of Turkey Run State Park, just north of Kokomo. It’s a great getaway if you’re looking for something cheap and relaxing.
The park itself has more than 100 miles of hiking trails, but it also has amenities like swimming pools and campgrounds.
If you want to stay overnight at one of those campsites, there are plenty of options around the park that will fit your needs: from primitive camping spots to cabins with kitchens or even yurts.
Hall of Heroes Super Hero Museum
At the Hall of Heroes Super Hero Museum in South Bend, Indiana, you can learn about the history of superheroes and see some fantastic costumes.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and admission is free.
The Hall of Heroes features over 1,200 items that represent the evolution of superhero comics from their inception through today’s modern comics industry.
There’s also a vast collection of props used in movies & TV shows like Batman & Spider-Man.
O’Bannon Woods State Park
O’Bannon Woods State Park is in Lawrence County, Indiana, United States.
The park’s name honors Frank O’Bannon, the 41st Governor of Indiana, who was known as a “friend of the parks.”
In addition to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, O’Bannon Woods State Park also offers many cultural activities for visitors.
Visitors can enjoy hiking or biking through this beautiful forested area or explore their surroundings by canoeing on one of two lakes or fishing from shorelines near each campground site.
If you prefer more active pursuits like golfing or swimming, this place has all that too.
Spring Mill State Park
The park is located along the Mississinewa River and U.S. Route 35, south of Bloomington and north of Mitchell.
It includes several different types of terrain, including woodlands and wetlands, limestone bluffs, sandstone cliffs, caves, springs, and streams.
The park also contains a nature center where you can find out more about the local flora and fauna.
Turkey Run Inn and Lodge
The Turkey Run Inn and Lodge is a historic inn located in the state park of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The lodge has rooms, cabins, and a restaurant.
There is also a gift shop that sells souvenirs, hiking gear, clothing, and more.
The pool at this hotel can be used by guests or those who want to swim for fun.
There’s also a hot tub available if you want to relax after swimming on your vacation trip with us.
Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park is in Lawrence County, Indiana, United States.
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed it during the Great Depression, and it was made accessible to the public in 1941.
The park offers camping facilities and cabins, as well as picnicking areas with grills and playgrounds for children.
A swimming pool is open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day; however, it does not have lifeguards on duty during hot months such as July or August.
Spring Mill State Park features hiking trails, several miles of equestrian trails for riders of all levels who enjoy horseback riding or trail riding with their dogs; fishing at nearby lakes; boating on Lake Monroe Reservoir; cross-country skiing in wintertime when snow falls around here regularly.
Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park is located in Brown County, Indiana, near Nashville. The park has a variety of activities, including hiking and fishing.
In addition to these activities, the park also offers campgrounds with hookups for RVs or tents.
There are several trails available at the park that you can use for hiking or biking. There are also plenty of picnic areas where you can enjoy lunch while watching wildlife, such as deer or raccoons.
For those who prefer swimming over hiking or biking, there’s a lake within Brown County State Park with boat rentals available on-site so that everyone can enjoy their time at this beautiful location.
Shades State Park
Shades State Park is a large state park located in Indiana, United States. It is situated along the Ohio River in the state’s south-central region.
The park’s main attraction is its namesake, the Shades of Gray Bridge, which spans 653 feet across a narrow strip between cliffs on both sides.
The bridge was built with stone from nearby quarries and then assembled into its current form by two men who were paid $4 per hour for their work; today, it remains one of only three bridges left intact following construction over 100 years ago when steel had yet to be invented.
Conclusion
We hope this list has given you some ideas of what to do while visiting Indiana. We know it can be hard to narrow down your choices of activities, but we’ve provided as much information as possible so that you can select appropriate activities for your trip.
