"Home in the Hoosier Heartland!" Top 5 Page for this destination Indiana by pabertra

Indiana Travel Guide: 2,582 reviews and 5,705 photos

Welcome to my homestate! Indiana typically conjures images of expansive cornfields, old farm houses, and the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but you'd be amazed at all of the things there are to see and do here. The city is thriving with many great cultural districts offering things from gondola rides, to dinner at the infamous St. Elmo's, to world class musuems, and kitsch shopping districts.

Many small towns grace the state with historical treasures like the Ben-Hur Musuem in quaint Crawfordsville, the James Whitcomb Riley Home in Greenfield, and the West Baden Springs Hotel. If you love the great outdoors Indiana holds some really beautiful terrain from horseback riding amongst the fall foliage in Brown County State Park to canoeing on Sugar Creek below old covered bridges, to hiking and biking in the Hoosier National Forest, and frolicking in the sand at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Indiana is a land of many unique populations including a large population of Amish and Mennonites. The state is best described as a place that no matter where you go it always has that small town feel. So go ahead and get lost on some little backroad and see what treasures you stumble upon...Indiana is full of surprises.

Cool Places To Visit In Indiana

Beautiful Madison, IN

Below is a list of places of interest in IN, along with a few notes about what's there, and a recommended number of days to spend at each place.

1. Indianapolis
Great up and coming city! Top notch sports venues, beautiful
canal and musuem district, great downtown dining and mall,
Mass Ave, Broadripple, and of course the Motor Speedway
(3 days)

2.Nashville
Known for great country quaint shopping, a large artist
colony has arisen here, home of the T.C. Steele State
Historic Site, Brown County State Park is infamous for its
fall color palette, no trip is complete without a meal at
the Nashville House
(1 day)

3. Madison
Come see Midwest Living's #4 out of 100 of the top towns to visit. This 138 block national historic district is loaded with unique shops, local eateries, and quaint architecture. The town is best known for its annual regatta on the Ohio.

Your Restaurant Guide

Indiana Countryside

I really have made it a point to keep up with the ever evolving Indy restaurant scene as I truly appreciate the unique, gourmet, and inspiring. If you are debating whether to visit a particular restaurant, are looking for ideas on where to eat, or just want to see what Indy has to offer check out my restaurant tips. They are organized by the best restaurants first all the way through the worst. Or feel free to write me and ask for suggestions...I take great pride in my hometown!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Quait small towns, One great city, Loads of Friendly Hoosiers
Cons:No really big cities, but Indy is growing!
In a nutshell:Hoosier Hospitality-Friendly Faces, Back Home Places!

Intro Updated Aug 9, 2007
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Reviews (104)

Zing! ---Innovative Small Portions To... Restaurants (32)

Zing offers small plate portions of American innovative dishes that are meant to be shared in a chic and modern... more travel advice

Tucking a Buck to the Belly Dancer - Indiana

Santorini's--The Best Greek in Indy! Restaurants (32)

This place is consistently listed amongst the Best of Indy restaurants in Indianapolis Monthly. The low key Greek... more travel advice

Harry & Izzy's---Steaks & Seafood... Restaurants (32)

Harry & Izzy's shares the same owners as Indy's infamous St. Elmo's, offers the same St. Elmo's Fire for all of the... more travel advice

George Rogers Clark Nat'l... Things to Do (43)

more travel advice

Nightlife (5)
See All The Vogue
Hotels (2)
See All Embassy Suites (Downtown)
Local Customs (3)
See All Monument Circle Christmas Tree
Favorites (4)
See All General Lew Wallace The Author of...

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Mysterious Old Boxcar
Sports & Outdoors (9)
See All Go Hiking at Bear Wallow
Transportation (2)
See All See the Heart of Downtown By Horse Drawn...
Shopping (1)
Circle Centre Mall

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (26)

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rcsparty Aug 25, 2010 at 5:18 AM

Great Indy page, we loved living there...happy birthday
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hunterV May 4, 2009 at 10:19 AM

~ Hi, Paige ! Thanks! Your parks and buildings are really impressive and so are your stories...
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hindu1936 Sep 4, 2008 at 8:21 AM

Hi Paige, thanks for the great photos of some historic places. Our trip will be rushed so am looking for landmarks and museums to see on the way. much appreciated, AND the drive-in! joe
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850prc May 6, 2008 at 12:08 PM

Hi Paige, are y'all Hoosiers getting tired of all those damned politicians in your state? :) Just finished reading all your food tips. GREAT, especially the breakfast place. I'm inspired to make an omelet for dinner now.
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miner Feb 7, 2008 at 8:35 PM

Excellent tour of Indy. My son lived there for 3 years and we never saw very much when we visited.
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tomkean Aug 24, 2007 at 3:06 AM

I grew up in Indiana in the 60's, and will visit for almost 4 weeks in September. Your tips were great .. made me really excited about visiting Indiana .. a state that offers a lot, but is not on many peoples' "Must See" lists. Thanks.
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BigBlueOne Aug 21, 2007 at 2:57 PM

Saw your birthday was coming... Happy Birthday! If you're looking for a new restaurant to try I would suggest Bonge's Tavern (definitely not a chain- just discovered it a little bit ago). If you want more info let me know- its a cool experience.
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DSwede Jul 2, 2007 at 12:28 AM

If only I had known, I drove by Rossville only a month or so ago... could have visited the blacksmith
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gkitzmil Jun 4, 2007 at 4:16 PM

Well done!
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becool1977 May 20, 2007 at 12:32 AM

hi there ...... very nice homepage you have in here...... Indiana is a beautiful state and the people of Indiana are so lovely and friendly.. i've lived there for 3 years that was the best years of my life.... God bless Indana ..... best wishes