Family vacations in Indiana can be rewarding experiences or absolute disasters — it all depends on pre-trip homework. To make planning easier, we've done all the preparation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on traveling with children, here are recommended attractions for those planning Indiana family vacations.
University of Notre Dame and South Bend
A trip to Indiana isn't complete without a visit to the
to see its spectacular golden dome. The dome overlooks the university's 1,250-acre campus of ivy-covered walls. Features include St. Mary's Lake, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and the legendary football stadium, which sits beside the Hesburg Library. Check out the the mural of Touchdown Jesus on the side of the library. While in South Bend, visit the
, the
and the
.
Address: 100 Eck Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556Phone: 574-631-6000Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Price: Free
Children's Museum of Indianapolis
One of the largest children's museums in the world, the
offers five levels of hands-on exhibits and "playscapes" for children and families to learn about science, health, animals, pop culture and the world. In particular, the Dinosphere, SciencePort, Biotech Learning Center and the Carousel of Wishes and Dreams are not to be missed.
Address: 3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208-4716Phone: 800-820-6214 or 317-334-3322Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day; open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Labor Day through February; closed Easter, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.Price: Tickets range from $11.50 to $16.50
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution,
is a living history museum that allows families to interact with costumed interpreters of different periods in time and step back into their worlds. Outdoor exhibits include a Lenape Indian camp and an authentic 1836 Indiana village. Special events are conducted year-round to enhance the learning experience.
Address: 13400 Allisonville Road Fishers, IN 46038Phone: 317-776-6006 or 800-966-1836Hours:Both indoor and outdoor areas of the museum are open Tuesday through Sunday from May through October. During November, the indoor museum is open Thursday through Sunday. In December, the indoor museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. Hours vary.Price: Adults, $14; seniors, $13; children (ages 2 to 12), $9. Members and children younger than 2, free. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Dunes rising as high as 125 feet and sandy beaches extending 15 miles along Lake Michigan are the biggest draws of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Hiking, biking and horseback riding — as well as wildlife-watching opportunities through the lakeshore's intricate system of bogs, marshland, woods and flatlands — keep families coming back every season.
Address: 1100 N Mineral Springs Rd Porter, IN 46304Phone: 219- 926-7561Hours: Open year-round: Summer hours from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Winter hours from Labor Day weekend to Memorial Day weekend, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's DayPrice: Admission and parking are free, except at West Beach, which charges $6 per car Memorial Day through Labor Day. Walk-ins and bicyclists pay $1.
Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana
At
, the whole family will want to try to tame the Wildebeest, the world's longest water coaster with a third of a mile of twists, turns and drops. Younger ones can ride the Freedom Train through Mother Goose Land and climb Holidog's Treehouse. If they're tall enough, children can ride the Raging Rapids, the Pilgrims Plunge and the Scarecrow Scrambler.
Address: 452 East Christmas Blvd Santa Claus, IN 47579Phone: 877-GO-FAMILY (877-463-2645) or 812-937-4401Hours: Holiday World and Splashin' Safari are open daily in the summer. Hours vary. See the website for more details.Price: Adults, $42.95; guests shorter than 54 inches or seniors, $32.95; children 2 and younger, free.
The Indy 500
On Memorial Day weekend, Indianapolis is the scene of the "greatest spectacle in racing," as it has been for the past 100 years. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race is the main event and the largest single-day sporting event in the world. It is preceded every year by the time trials and a month-long festival, culminating in a world-class parade that highlights all of the race car drivers, celebrities, civic groups and honorees the day before the race. If you can't make it in May, a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a good idea any time, as there is also a museum commemorating the race's historic moments.
Address: 4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222Phone: 317-492-8500Hours: IMS Hall of Fame Museum, March through October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November through February from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended hours during May. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.Price: Prices for tickets to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway vary widely and must be applied for online. IMS Hall of Fame Museum tickets: Adults $5; children 6 to 15 years old $3; children under 6 free
White River State Park
The 250-acre White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis offers family-friendly attractions including the Indianapolis Zoo, the White River Gardens, the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the NCAA Hall of Champions Museum, an IMAX theater and the Indianapolis Indians' Victory Field. The 64-acre Indianapolis Zoo features 250 species of animals in their natural habitats and simulates a trip around the world. Families won't want to miss the butterfly house at the White River Gardens, and kids of all ages will enjoy paddle boating on the canal that runs through the state park.
Address: 801 West Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204Phone: 317- 233-2434Hours: Each of the individual attractions within the park sets its own hours. The Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Indiana State Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The NCAA Hall of Champions Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.Price: Admission is charged at the individual attractions, ranging from $7 to $16.
Have you been to Indiana? What are your favorite attractions?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.