Story Ideas

Indianapolis

A family playland by day and an exciting social scene by night! So whether you’re exploring the world’s largest children’s museum or tasting food prepared by a James Beard-nominated chef, it’s a trip to remember. There’s also tons for sports fans, from touring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or NCAA Hall of Champions to taking in an Indianapolis Colts game and more.

French Lick Resort

Two grand hotels await you at one destination! Beautifully restored to their early 1900s grandeur, French Lick and West Baden hotels promise luxury, including spa treatments, a casino, world-class golf, entertainment, fine dining, horseback riding and much more.

World-Class Racing & Pro Sports

“The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” happens once a year, but visitors can tour the famed oval speedway all year long. There’s also professional football, basketball, baseball and soccer plus the NCAA Hall of Champions.

Amish Culture

The Amish communities in Indiana welcome tourists with delicious food, fine craftsmanship and live theater. You’ll find a relaxed pace is a breath of fresh air in today’s hurried world.

Destination Dining & Drinking

It doesn’t take long to get from farm to fork when the restaurant is at the farm! Indiana is home to several destination dining establishments, and you can taste and tour over 300 wineries, breweries and distilleries.

Columbus Architecture

See why camera-toting visitors come from all over the world to tour the art and architecture of this welcoming city. Churches, homes and other buildings were designed by internationally renowned architects such as I.M. Pei, who also designed the pyramid at the Louvre. Public art is around every corner, also created by well-known sculptors like Swiss artist Jean Tinguely.

Lincoln's Boyhood Home

Abraham Lincoln lived in southern Indiana from age 7-21, and visitors can walk in his childhood footsteps as they learn more about our 16th President. But it’s not just history lessons. The summer months also include a calendar of outdoor concerts and other productions at the 1,500-seat Lincoln Amphitheatre, located inside Lincoln State Park.

Stunning State Parks

Indiana is home to a diverse array of State Parks, seven with beautiful Inns. There are hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, as well as large lakes for boating and fishing. All offer campsites and cabins for staying close to nature.

1000+ Festivals

Indiana loves to celebrate, and visitors are always welcome! Our many festivals toast the changing seasons, ethnic traditions, the current harvest, music, specific food and so much more.

Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, Bloomington

A favorite retreat of the Dali Lama, this relaxing retreat offers tours, yoga classes, meditation and festivals. Stay overnight in a yurt or cabin.

Annie Oakley Perfumery, Ligonier

The one and only U.S. perfumery, which has sold 2 million bottles since they opened in 1980! A factory tour lets you view the creative perfumery process, and a perfumer might create a fragrance just for you.

Tobaggan Run at Pokagon State Park, Angola

About 90,000 people come each winter to zoom down the region's only refrigerated toboggan run. The ride begins at the top of a 30-foot tower and then drops along dips and valleys for 1/4 mile—top speed is 42 mph!

World's Largest Ball of Paint, Alexandria

It started in 1977 when someone painted a baseball, and it's grown ever since. Now it has more than 26,000 coats of paint and weighs about 2-1/2 tons! Visitors can add their own coat of paint to this giant oddity.

Covered Bridges, Parke County

Nine communities welcome you to the Covered Bridge Capital of the World, home to a 10-day festival that draws over 2 million visitors from around the world each October. Unique foods, crafts and 31 covered bridges highlight the festival.

NCAA Hall of Champions, Indianapolis

Americans are crazy about college athletics, and our state is home to the National Collegiate Athletic Association headquarters. The Hall of Champions is an interactive place to learn about the 24 collegiate sports and the 400,000 studentathletes who compete in them.

Mascot Hall of Fame, Whiting

Just opened in 2018, this children's museum features some of the most famous furry mascots which get the crowds going at collegiate and professional sporting events. There are tons of ways to play and be active in this attraction near Lake Michigan.

Wind Farm Tours, Fowler

It feels like you've entered another world when the fields of windmills suddenly pop up on the horizon. From April to October you can tour a wind farm, where you even walk up to touch a blade.

Ozark Fisheries, Martinsville

This aquaculture farm raises ornamental fish, including goldfish, koi and butterfly koi. Your tour includes the farm, the koi spawning facilities, production ponds and shipping facilities.

Broken Wagon Bison, Hobart

Take a wagon ride amidst a herd of about 70 American bison, grazing in the field. The onsite store sells this delicious and low-fat meat as well as unique jewelry and other gifts.

Traderspoint Creamery, Zionsville

Committed to sustainable farming, this certified organic dairy farm handles everything from soil to spoon. Learn where your food comes from during guided tours, and taste the delicious difference in the restaurant and farm store.

St. Elmo Steak House, Indianapolis

A favorite since 1902, this restaurant wins awards every year and is frequented by celebrities from all over. Known for its steaks, of course, but also its mouth-burning Shrimp Cocktail—a must-order item on the menu.

Tenderloin at Nick's Kitchen, Huntington

An Indiana classic sandwich is a giant breaded pork tenderloin, often bigger than the bun. While you can find it on menus across the state, this was a recent award winner in a public opinion poll.

Wick's Sugar Cream Pie, Winchester

The official State Pie of Indiana, sugar cream pie is just that: sugar, cream and mighty tasty. Tour the pie factory and have a slice for yourself in the cafe.

Joseph Decuis, Roanoke

It's a farm. It's fine dining. It's a restful inn. And it's home to Wagyu beef, which are raised with the Japanese tradition of massaging the cattle.

Pete Dye Golf Trail, Statewide

Pete and Alice Dye are two of the most celebrated designers of golf courses in the world, and Indiana is home to seven of them. Play a round at each one to compare their beauty and challenges.