~ Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Indiana, USA ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Indiana, USA

Indiana stretches from a tiny segment of mighty Lake Michigan in the north, down to Kentucky in the south, with Ohio to the east and Illinois to the west. This is a land of great contrast, from the beaches to the mountains and lakes, from the Indy 500 to the State Capitol. Here's our top ten places to visit and enjoy this history, the landmarks, nature and man's achievements.


1. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore



On the most southern shores of Lake Michigan is a 25 mile stretch of public, protected shore, beach, dunes, prairie, wetlands and forest covering 15,000 acres from Gary in the west to Michigan City in the east. The fifteen miles of sandy beaches are often said to be singing: a natural phenomenon that is not fully understood. They certainly squeak as you walk across them! Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts come here for the peace and abundant wildlife. Over 350 species of bird, many rare, have been observed and there is a similar number of plant species abundant here, including arctic and boreal rarities. Visitors should stop first at the new, all-purpose visitors centre near Porter. Here you can discover the natural and geological history of the park and all the opportunities: for camping, swimming, horse riding, cycling the Calumet Trail, hiking or just sunbathing. Hiking is very popular, with a great selection of self guided short and longer paths. One of the best, though it involves some tough dune climbing, is the mile-long Succession Trail, leaving from West Beach. A series of stairs and boardwalks takes you from sea level up into the dunes and to the peak: with dense woods. There are plenty of ranger-led activities and talks; Maple Sugar Time in March is a great chance to find out all about how the sweet and sticky stuff is made. Indiana Dunes is a wonderful landscape to explore, or simply relax in and beach lovers will be delighted.

[MysteRy]

2. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway
 


You can't think Indianapolis with thinking the Indie 500! In the suburbs of the city is the town of Speedway and since 1909 the motor racing circuit has been drawing the crowds. This is an iconic place in motor racing history and well worth a visit. Each May towards the end of the month, the drivers take on a grueling 500 mile race, over 200 laps of the course and its an international spectacle. But as well as the Indianapolis 500, Speedway plays host to Formula 1, motorbike races and NASCAR's Brickyard 400. If you're not there for the events, you can still visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum or the Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort. But even more fun are the on track experiences. In a genuine IndyCar Series two seater, you can feel all the G-Forces that the big boys do - reaching speeds of 180mph on the legendary track itself. Teens can get valuable training for the roads with the Miles Ahead half-day course. If you prefer to take things more slowly, take one of the ground tours with the museum staff. These run from March to November and should be booked in advance.

[MysteRy]

3. Amish Acres, Nappanee
 


Amish Acres, an historic farm and heritage resort near the town of Nappanee half an hour south of Elkhart, is an unique opportunity to experience the heritage of the Amish and their quiet, simple lifestyle, preserved almost entirely unchanged for over two centuries. The German and Dutch descendants carved out of a way of life in the Midwest that rejects a great deal of modern technology and the trappings of capitalism. To visit this careful, thoughtful restoration is to escape the pressures of 21st century life and glimpse a totally different way of living. Here in Nappanee, Indiana, three generations of one family farmed and lived.  See the tools, livestock, orchard and homes, the farming methods and the sheer rural simplicity of Amish everyday life. Tour the eighty acres by wagon and horse and explore the 138 year-old, twelve room homestead and barn.  The Stahly-Nissley-Kuhns farmstead is the sole only Amish settlement to be put on The National Register of Historic Places. The widow and her five sons were probably the first Amish of Indiana. From Memorial Day to Labour Day weekend the Acres is open every day and in the off season it is open from Wednesday to Sunday. You can also stay right here at the Inn, or simply take in a meal there.

[MysteRy]

4. Santa Claus
 


In the southwest of the state, between I-65 and the Ohio River is the tiny but famous town of Santa Claus. This is the only place in the world where Santa Claus stamps your letters at the Post Office! A group of volunteers make sure that each and every letter arriving for Santa gets a personal reply. People flock from all over the world to have their photo taken under Santa's statue, get their letters stamped and visit the many themed attractions. You can visit the Santa Claus Museum, the enormous Santa Claus Christmas Store, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari which is a great theme park including wooden rollercoasters, the Christmas Lake Golf Course,  Frosty's Fun Center, Santa's Stables and Santa's Candy Castle. There's no doubt: Christmas is all around, all year round.

[MysteRy]

5. Turkey Run State Park



Despite the name, it's not run by turkeys. Explore the deep canyons, the sandstone cliffs formed 300 years ago, groves of hemlock and scenic creeks. Over 2,300 acres are protected and remain much the same as when the founding fathers of America first came. The name probably originates from the wild turkeys who would cluster in the warmer canyon bottoms, called runs. They could easily be hunted here. Your first stop could be at the Nature Center, to learn about the history, the trees, the wildlife and how the gorges were formed. Then, take one of the many trails, some scaling ladders and suspension bridges across Sugar Creek. This scenic river is also perfect for kayaking, tubing and kanoeing in season. Also don't miss Rocky Hollow, in the northeastern corner of the park. Here there are narrow but deep gorges that the river rushes through, and the only waterfall in the area. The park is open every single day of the year from 7.00am until 11.00pm. The park is less than 65 miles west of Indianapolis.

[MysteRy]

6. Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis
 


Indianapolis is a great city, and its municipal heart is at the state house. This is actually the fourth state house for Indiana, which has been completely renovated - only being completely reopened in 1995 at a cost of eleven million dollars. The pride of the state, this grandiose building is open for tours throughout the week, though it remains a working government building. It is well worth a visit to see the impressive buildings, with walls of limestone, marble columns and a beautifully restored stained glass dome.

[MysteRy]

7. Brown County State Park



Five million visitors come to this beautiful place every year. For mountain biking, there's no place better. It's the largest of the state parks and lies near the artistic town of Nashville in the central south of the state. As well as taking to the hills by bike, many come here to hike, swim in the two lakes or the olympic-sized pool, camp, ride horses, fish and picnic. It's just an hour south of Indianapolis by road an protects 16,000 acres. Here in the forest you can find all manner of wildlife and birdwatchers will be especially happy and Fall is a great time to visit, to see the wonderful natural display as the leaves change colour.

[MysteRy]

8. Terre Haute
 


Near the Illinois border in Vigo County, Terre Haute, or 'high ground' is an historic, French influenced and artistic centre which has improved greatly in recent decades and now provides a great deal of interest for the visitor. There are three great parks, providing almost 350 acres of wide open green spaces, rivers, museums and art galleries. There are also three golf courses, a nature park, theme park ... so plenty for all the family to enjoy here in this city of just over 60,000 residents.

[MysteRy]

9. South Bend



On a meander of St. Joseph's River in the far north of the state is the city of South Bend. From its fur trading roots, the city has grown to house some 100,000 people, museums, theatres, galleries and a great zoo that is the oldest in the state. The University of Notre Dame with its landmark golden dome, over 170 years old and situated in beautiful grounds is well worth a visit. For those with a sweet tooth, the chocolate factory is not to be missed.

[MysteRy]

10. Lafayette
 


An hour north of Indianapolis on Interstate 65 is the small city of Lafayette, home to Purdue University, the scenic Wabash River, the first ever Air Mail delivery (by hot air balloon) and a host of historic buildings. This is a city that will satisfy every heart's desire - from golf to gardens, horse drawn carriage rides through the snow to symphonies; fountains to fests and art to zoos. Don't miss the historic downtown area, the university which has such an impact on the community, nor Prophetstown State Park with all its sports and recreational opportunities.