Indiana Vacations Travel Guide

General Information

Baby Equipment Rentals - companies in Indiana that rent baby gear and equipment including car seats, strollers, cribs and more

Family Resorts in Indiana - resorts, hotels and other family friendly lodging

Indiana Department of Tourism - things to do, places to stay, maps, calendar of events and more.

Zoos

Black Pine Animal Park
0349 W. Albion Road
Albion, Indiana 46701
Phone: (219) 636-7383
Black Pine Animal Park is not just a zoo, it's a sanctuary for rescued, rehabilitated, and retired animals. Dedicated to education and conservation, we provide a unique opportunity to meet (REALLY up-close!) exotic and endangered animals like lions, tigers, chimpanzees, monkeys, bears, and dozens of other mammals, birds, and reptiles from all over the world.

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
3411 Sherman Blvd
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808
Phone: (219) 427-6800
The zoo features 43 acres and 1,000 animal species, a train ride, animal contact area, and pony ride. The second phase of the Rain Forest, the Orangutan Valley, just opened in 1995.  Hug a goat in the popular contact area. Take a ride on a pony or the 1860 miniature train. See red pandas, sea lions, penguins, a giant tortoise, and much, much more. Relax in beautifully landscaped grounds and facilities.

Indianapolis Zoo
PO Box 22309
Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
Phone: (317) 630-2001

Potawatomi Zoo
500 S Greenlawn Ave
South Bend, Indiana 46615
Phone: (219) 235-9800

National Parks

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
Lincoln City, Indiana
Phone: (812) 937-4541
On this southern Indiana farm, Abraham Lincoln spent fourteen of the most formative years of his life and grew from youth into manhood. His mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, is buried here.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Porter, Indiana
Phone: (219) 926-7561 x225
Activities include auto touring, biking, bird watching, camping, cross country skiing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, nature walks, swimming and wildlife viewing.

George Rogers Clark National Historic Park
Vincennes, Indiana
Phone: (812) 882-1776
A classic memorial stands on the site of Fort Sackville to commemorate the capture of the fort from British Lt. Governor Henry Hamilton and his soldiers by Lt. Col. George Rogers Clark and his frontiersmen on February 25, 1779. The heroic march of Clark's men from Kaskaskia on the Mississippi in mid-winter and the subsequent victory over the British remains one of the great feats of the American Revolution. Adjacent to the memorial there is a visitor center where one can see interpretive programs and displays.

Museums

Evansville Museum of Arts and Sciences
411 S.E. Riverside Drive
Evansville, Indiana 47713
Phone: (812) 425-2406
Exhibits, experiments, planetarium and more.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Phone: (317) 334-3322
Fun, enjoyable, educational exhibits of all types for children.

Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium
Butler University
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Phone: (317) 940-9333
The observatory houses the largest telescope in the state of Indiana, a 38-inch Cassegrain reflector. The observatory and planetarium are open to the public on a regular basis from early February through late July, and mid September through mid December.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum
Indianapolis, Indiana
The Hall of Fame Museum on the grounds of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a National Historic Landmark since 1987, appeals to more than just the racing enthusiast. Displayed are more than 75 racing cars, including Indianapolis winners as well as race cars from internationally renowned motorsports events world wide.  Also displayed are several examples of early antique and classic passenger cars. Many of these cars were built here in Indianapolis, such as Stutz, Cole, Marmon, National and Duesenberg. Three of the first four 500 winning cars are permanently on exhibit, including the Marmon "Wasp" which won the first 500-Mile Race in 1911.  Surrounding the beautifully restored cars are numerous displays of engines, trophies, helmets, historic photographs and other priceless memorabilia, much of which has been donated by former participants.

President Benjamin Harrison Home
1230 North Delaware Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States from 1889 to 1893. He was President 100 years after George Washington, which made him the Centennial President. The Harrison Home houses some 3,700 artifacts and 2,440 books. About 75% of the artifacts in the home actually belonged to the Harrison's. In the home the visitors see ten of the rooms with period furnishings and Harrison items. The third floor, originally a ball room, houses exhibits.

Hesston Steam Museum
1201 E 1000 N
La Porte, Indiana 46350
Phone: (219) 872-5055
A unique outdoor museum featuring one of the most varied collections of steam equipment of its kind in the country. The collection includes stationary and traction engines, a steam-operated sawmill, and steam train rides on full-sized and scale model locomotives through 155 acres of natural meadows and forests.  From the threshing machine and saw mill to the antique cider press that makes fresh apple cider in the fall, all of Hesston's displays are authentic working steam machines.

Imagination Station
600 N. 4th Street
(corner of 4th and Cincinnati)
Lafayette, Indiana 47902
Phone: (765) 420-7780

The Alyce Bartholomew Children's Museum
Located in the Marquette Mall at
450 St John Road
Michigan City, Indiana 46360
Phone: (219) 874-UABC (8222)
The ABC Children's Museum is an experienced-oriented center dedicated to the concept of family learning. The Museum seeks to inspire children and adults through interactive discovery, thus fostering awareness of themselves and others.

Hannah Lindahl Children's Museum
1402 S. Main Street
Mishawaka, Indiana 46544
Phone: (219) 254-4540
At Hannah Lindahl Children's Museum you can step inside and you'll step back in time to a world your grandparents - even your great-grandparents - knew. You'll also get a close look at the wonderful world of nature, a taste of life in Japan, and the excitement in our Survive Alive fire safety training house. Every exhibit presents something fascinating to see!

National Model Aviation Museum
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, Indiana 47302
Phone: (765) 287-1256
The world's headquarters for model aviation is in Muncie, Indiana! Visit the National Model Aviation Museum and view the largest collection of model aircraft in the United States. Discover how aeromodeling helped change the world of aviation and examine the astonishing craftsmanship and artistry of its masters.  The museum store offers educational items for all ages. During the summer months, visit the 1,000 acre flying site and see Academy members fly their aircraft in competitions, especially on weekends and during the National Championships in July and August.

Grissom Air Museum
6500 Hoosier Boulevard
Peru, Indiana 46970
Phone: (765) 688-2654
In the unique, outdoor display, see a legendary B-17 Flying Fortress, the rare, record-shattering B-58 Hustler, the tank-killing barrels of an A-10 Warthog, along with other celebrated planes, including a F-11F, F-101, C-47, B-25, F-100, T-33, B-47, KC-97, C-119, F-105, F-4, O-2, U-3, EC-135, C-1 and UH-1H.  Inside the museum, visitors can sit in the cockpit of a Phantom jet, examine aviation armaments, flight trainers, uniforms, models, photos, survival gear, engines, war prizes, aviation art and more.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Indiana Beach
5224 E. Indiana Beach Road
Monticello, Indiana 47960
Phone: (219) 583-4141
Located on Lake Shafer, Indiana Beach offers the perfect family vacation or day's outing with amusements, thrill rides, live shows, a giant water park, swimming, shopping, boating, games, restaurants, dancing, and more. Overnight accommodations range from camp sites to luxury suites overlooking Lake Shafer.

Holiday World and Splashin' Safari
Santa Claus, Indiana 47579
Phone: (877)-Go-FAMILY (1-877-463-2645)
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari have world-class rides, a sparkling clean water park, fabulous live shows, and the friendliest staff on the planet!

Splash Universe WanaWaves
800 South Van Buren Street
Shipshewana, Indiana 46565
Phone: 1-87-SPLASHU2 (1-877-752-7482)
Escape with your Family to Splash Universe in Shipshewana, Indiana with over 100,000 gallons of water park fun! From twisting water slides and 500 gallon splash bucket, to the relaxing lazy river it’s always a summery 84 degrees. Hit the action in the shooting star arcade then enjoy a delicious Amish homestyle meal at our Clear Spring Restaurant. Plus, there’s shopping at any of the 105+ specialty shops.

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in Indiana, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Patoka Lake - Fishing, swimming and camping.  Within the area of the Hoosier National Forest Purchase Area.  Just west of the intersection of Indiana State Route 64 and Indiana State Route 145.

Monroe Lake - Fishing, swimming and camping.  Southeast of Bloomington in the Hoosier National Forest Purchase Area. U.S. 50 in Bedford closest to Dam.

Salamonie Lake - Fishing, swimming and camping.  Southeast of Wabash and Indiana State Route 37.

Wawasee Lake - Swimming, fishing, camping and boating activities.  Wawasee is the largest natural lake in the state at over 3,000 acres.  Just East of State Road 13 in Northern Indiana in the Town of Syracuse.

Zoos, Museums, National Parks, Theme, Amusement and Water Parks listed above.  During summer months the Winter Vacation spots listed below also offer mountain biking, golfing and other activities.  Visit the Ski resort area links below to find out summer activities.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Perfect North
19074 Perfect Lane
Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025
Phone: (812) 537-3754
Beginners ski area, several easy runs and varied intermediate and advanced ski runs.

Ski Paoli Peaks
2798 W County Rd 25S
Paoli, Indiana 47454
Phone: (812) 723-4696
Located in Paoli, Indiana, Paoli Peaks features 15 slopes on 65 skiable acres in the heart of Indiana Natural hill with 300 ft. vertical drop. Average grade: 10%-15%; Terrain: 25% beginner, 55% intermediate, 10% advanced, 10% expert.  They have over 110 snowmaking stationary towers & machines capable of producing 12 inches of machine made snow over the entire ski area in a 24 hour period at temperatures of 20 degrees F. Paoli peaks also has ski & snowboard rental shop and PSIA certified ski school.

Pines Peak Family Ski Area
674 North Meridien Rd
Valparaiso, Indiana
Phone: (219) 477-5993
The Pines is the only ski area in Northern Indiana and was built on a high moraine left behind by the same glaciers that carved out Lake Michigan.  Just one hour from Chicago, it's a great place to spend a day with family and friends.  Take the Quad chair lift to the top of the main hill and see Chicago 50 miles away.  Their motto is "Learn here, ski or snowboard anywhere".

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Indiana, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages