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Fun ideas for an Indiana Spring Break staycation

Posted at 3:34 PM, Feb 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-01 19:39:38-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- Instead of hassling with the time and money to travel out-of-state for this year's Spring Break, just stay in Indiana!

Indiana is cool and has a lot of things to do outside of Indianapolis for your Spring Break staycation!

Story, Indiana: What's the story here? It is essentially a once-booming town cut off to major roads when people created Lake Monroe.

The tiny town has kept its old charm and the center of that is a quaint inn! Story Inn takes guests back in time to a day without cell phones, because your cell phone won't work. This hidden gem from the 1850s boasts a farm-to-table restaurant, basement watering hole, and outdoor patio for cookouts. You can drive the winding roads through the forest to the inn or simply go by horseback! The food for the restaurant is grown on site in the inn's garden. It is also supposedly haunted by a lady roaming one of the rooms.

MORE | What's the story behind Story, Indiana?

Brown County: Stay in one of the local cabin homes, shop antique stores on the main drag, explore art galleries of local creators, eat fudge and ice cream at the local shops. Adults can enjoy the taste of local wines and get a "grain to glass" tour of Bear Wallow Distillery in Gnaw Bone just down the road off State Road 46.

Take a hike in Brown County State Park and see views that make you forget about all the rows of corn in Indiana.  For the kids, the Abe Martin Lodge which includes a big indoor water park, no matter the weather!

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Wolf Park: For a unique and educational trip, pay a visit to the Wolf Park in West Lafayette. It is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to research, conservation and education of wolves. Families can take guided tours to learn about these animals. You can go up for Howl Night and hear the wolves and foxes use their trademark voices, as that is their most active time of day.

Indiana Dunes: Drive up north to the southern tip of Lake Michigan and pretend you are down south at a beach, but you never had to leave the state! The Indiana Dunes State Park attracts millions of visitors each year.  You can walk along the towering dunes and also the dining and nightlife the area has to offer. This area also encompasses more than 70 miles of trails for hiking and biking through the dunes, forests, prairies and marshes.  

Cataract Falls: Come see and hike near the largest waterfall in the state of Indiana inside Cataract State Park. This park is located in Cloverdale, just about an hour southwest of Indianapolis. Cataract Falls drops for a total of 86 feet and supposedly the best time to visit is between December and May. 


Cataract Falls in Owen County (Photo by: Norberto Nunes Photography)

Columbus, Ind: You may enjoy seeing the world famous architecture in Columbus, Indiana.  A movie was recently set in this scene because of its unique beauty. Columbus is actually ranked 6th in the entire United States for its architecture and design.

You can schedule a tour of the city to learn more about it, and also stop by some iconic local spots like Zaharakos Ice Cream, Henry Social Club, and Upland Brewery's location at the pump house. 

Elkhart, Ind: If you are looking for something different to do for Spring Break, take a trip up north to the RV capitol of the country...Elkhart! You can swing by the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum to appreciate the the pioneers of the RV and mobile home manufacturing industry. 

Hoosier Gym: Basketball fans, this one is for you. Head east to Knightstown, Indiana and schedule a tour of the famous Hoosier Gym where that iconic movie was filmed. The movie was inspired by the Milan HS win in the state tournament and the look of the facility still has that old-school feel. If you are lucky, you can score some hoops while on your visit. While you are out that way, stop by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Museum in New Castle -- a shrine to Indiana's basketball heritage. 

West Baden Spring: Take a staycation in the tiny town of French Lick and enjoy the historic West Baden Springs Hotel. The facility is known for its grand appearance, rejuvenating spa and casino. Plus this has been around for more than a century -- so you know it has to be good.

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