Introducing Indiana: why this Midwestern state should be on your radar
Set in the heartland of America, Indiana is too often overlooked – but its dune-filled landscapes, culture-packed capital and artistic small towns are as inviting as its notoriously warm people…
Nicknamed the “Hoosier State” (the term Hoosier describes the state’s early settlers and was popularised in John Finley’s 1833 poem “The Hoosier’s Nest”), Indiana blends the charm of its small towns and farming communities with big, buzzing cities and mighty cultural and industrial achievements. Rearview mirrors, petrol pumps and the iconic Coca-Cola bottle were all invented here, and megastars including actor James Dean called the state home.
For travellers, there are both natural and urban delights, from wildlife-rich dunes and wetlands to Indianapolis, arguably one of the USA’s most underrated capitals. Planning a Midwestern adventure? Here’s why Indiana should be on the itinerary:
1. You’ll discover one of the USA’s newest national parks
Spread out along the southern sand-fringed shore of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the newest in the US. In its biodiverse, 15,000 acres, you’ll find dunes (of course), marshes and forests, and more than 1,000 species of flowering plants. Bring your binoculars, too – the national park is also home to more than 350 bird species.
If you’re up for a challenge, consider taking on the Three Dune Challenge: as the name suggests, you’ll tackle the three tallest sand dunes in the park, along a 2.4km trail that includes 168 vertical metres.
2. There’s rich Native American culture to explore
Indiana celebrates its Indigenous culture, too, at museums like Indianapolis’s Eiteljorg Museum, where visitors can explore examples of beadwork, basketry and sculptures through an extensive collection representing several hundred distinct Native nations.
Meanwhile, Angel Mounds State Historic Site, located along the Ohio River in southwest Indiana, is one of the best preserved pre-contact Native American sites in North America. Built between 1000 and 1450 AD, it was once home to more than 1,000 people of the Mississippian culture and features earthen mounds, an interpretive centre, reconstructed Mississippian buildings and a nature preserve with hiking trails.
3. It’s a four-season destination
Four defined seasons offer their own distinct charm through the year in Indiana. From March, wildflowers pop up across the prairies; summer calls for a stroll along sparkling Lake Michigan; and autumn colours make for unforgettable hikes in Indiana’s many state parks.
In springtime, bluebells and yellow wood sorrel dot Spring Mill State Park, home to limestone canyons covered in emerald moss. Then, as summer takes hold, Summit Lake State Park draws campers and kayakers.
Fall calls for a hike at Turkey Run State Park, named for the wild turkeys that roam its woods, where 23 km of trails meander through the forest beloved for its fiery autumn foliage. Or at Pokagon State Park, a winter wonderland, visitors can zoom down a toboggan run, cross-country ski and snowshoe.
4. Culture and adventure meet in Indianapolis
The best way to explore Indianapolis – the state capital that was the backdrop for the 1979 hit movie Breaking Away, about a working-class teen obsessed with cycling – is by bike.
The scenic Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a 13km bikeway, loops through downtown, joining together six distinct cultural districts, including Fountain Square, a hip neighborhood known for its vintage boutiques, and White River State Park, a sprawling urban park home to the Indiana State Museum.
But ‘Indy’ is perhaps best known as the host city for the iconic Indianapolis 500, the highly anticipated annual car race. The 108th Indianapolis 500, scheduled for 25 May 2025, will bring racing enthusiasts from around the world to witness the thrilling competition at the oval-shaped Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
5. Indiana’s small towns pack a punch
Tiny Marion, with its classic Main Street lined with locally owned boutiques and restaurants, takes visitors back to the 1950s. The small town is the birthplace of James Dean, the actor known for his roles in Rebel Without a Cause and East of Eden, and Garfield the Cat, a grouchy yet playful feline created by local cartoonist Jim Davis in the late 1970s. Explore the James Dean Museum in nearby Fairmount to learn about the life and legacy of the mid-century actor, and check out the many Garfield-themed murals and sculptures around town.
Around an hour’s drive north, Fort Wayne sits along the quiet banks of St Marys River: pop into a kayak at the 32-acre Promenade Park and paddle the river, then hike the 171m treetop canopy trail that stretches from the historic Wells Street Bridge to the Harrison Street Bridge. The Pearl Street Arts Center (opened in September 2024) brings an extra dose of culture to the Downtown area, with gallery space and an auditorium.
French Lick, located at the state’s southern tip, is another road-trip must – the small spa town is known for its natural mineral springs and Gilded-era grand hotel, the French Lick Resort.
