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Family Fun in Eastern Indiana

As if ice cream, candy and pie aren’t enough reason to book this trip, all the fun activities that go along with it sure are. There’s outdoor adventure galore at the area lakes, wildlife areas and parks. You can also make free throws and learn about our amazing hoops prowess at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

About this Road Trip

Sweet Tooth Destinations

It’s okay to admit that sweets drive you. Especially when you can indulge yourself at stops like Ivanhoe’s Drive-In, where they have over 100 milkshakes and sundaes (delicious sandwiches and salads, too). The famous Wick’s Pies are baked in Winchester, and you'll love their version of sugar cream — Indiana's official state pie. Buy pies to take home or have a slice after a delicious meal at Mrs. Wick's Bakery & Cafe. And “good” is more than their name at Good’s Candy Shop. Yes, the Good family has been making candy since the 1940s, with the current location being the newest and largest candy shop in this part of Indiana. See how the fifth generation of Goods make fine ice cream and chocolates.

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Outdoor Sightseeing

Mounds State Park features 10 unique earthworks built by the prehistoric Adena-Hopewell people, likely as gathering places for religious ceremonies. The largest is believed to have been constructed around 160 B.C. There’s also a nature center with wildlife viewing room and interactive games. At Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve, you can explore 475 acres including marsh, forest and prairie. Open from dawn to dusk, it features a tree identification trail, approximately 3.5 miles of easy walking trails, and a ¼-mile ADA handicapped-accessible trail with benches. Check out Thistlethwaite Falls, named for Timothy Thistlethwaite, who blasted a new channel in the West Fork of the Whitewater River in the early 1800s to direct the water over this rock formation to provide more waterpower to his nearby sawmill.

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Basketball & Ball Jars

If you know Indiana, you know we love our basketball. The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates the proud heritage of the game from its 1890s origins to today. You’ll see uniforms and trophies, but you’ll also get to shoot for a buzzer beater, announce a game-winning shot and more interactive fun. Special exhibits highlight John Wooden, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird and the 1954 Milan Indians (inspiration for the movie Hoosiers). You’re likely familiar with the famous Ball canning jar, but did you know its roots are in Muncie? The Ball family legacy lives on at Minnetrista, a gathering place with beautiful gardens, interactive exhibits featuring art and history, and unique events like a farmers market.

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Fishing, Boating & Camping

This is a great destination for water lovers. Enjoy fishing, kayaking, boating, camping and more at Salamonie Lake, J.E. Roush Lake Fish and WIldlife Area, Summit Lake State Park and Ouabache State Park.

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Roadside Attractions

Social media was made for curious roadside attractions, so get ready for the World’s Largest Ball of Paint. Mike and Glenda Carmichael have been caring for this oddity for over 35 years, which currently weighs over 4,000 pounds and holds about 23,400 layers of paint. You can even add a layer of your own when you visit. Jim Davis, the creator of the popular Garfield comic strip, hails from Grant County, and they’ve honored his legacy with more than a dozen fun and unique statues on The Garfield Trail. Find them all to brighten your newsfeed.

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Map Out Your Road Trip

See the road trip stops on the map below. To customize and save your itinerary, click the list button. Remember: you should contact the destinations for updates.

Check out the activities, destinations, restaurants and lodging options below. You can click to add or remove each stop from your itinerary. Remember to contact each place for the latest updates on openings and hours. Once you've planned your trip, you can print or download your selections.

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Grains and Grill

In February of 2015, Joanie and Barry Howard opened Grains and Grill in an old John Deere showroom, a business that served local farmers in Fairmount and Grant County for most of the…

765-380-0137
GrainsandGrill.com

Ivanhoe's Drive In

Our casual atmosphere will help you to relax and enjoy a meal with friends or family. Our menu offers sandwiches, meal-size salads, and our famous chicken salad. Treat yourself to dessert…

765-998-7261
ivanhoes.com

Goods Candy Shop

Good’s Candy Shop invites you to visit our shop in Anderson, IN, to meet our candy shop family, and see how our fine ice cream and chocolates are made. The Good family has been making…

765-642-7247
GoodsCandyShop.com

Thistlethwaite Falls

In the early 1800's, Timothy Thistlethwaite blasted a new channel in the West Fork of the Whitewater River to direct the water over this rock formation and provide more waterpower to his…

765-935-8687
ThistlehwaiteFalls.com

World's Largest Ball of Paint

Like some Valspar deity, the World’s Largest Ball of Paint sits quietly and ever-growing in Alexandria, Indiana. For 36 years, the ball of paint has been cared for by Mike and…

765-724-4088
BallOfPaint.com

Loblolly Marsh

Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve is Indiana’s 250th dedicated nature preserve. Its 475 acres include marsh, forest, and prairie. The preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk and…

260-368-7428
visitjaycounty.com/see/parks/loblolly-marsh