Day Trips From Indianapolis

by Cindy Paul

Road day trip from Indianapolis Take a day off and get away, but not too far away. Here are some fun day trips from Indianapolis that are just a hop, skip and jump away, all within a single tank of gas. In the chart below, the FunCityFinder.com staff presents some of the best kept secrets of the Hoosier state, from historic jaunts to shopping sprees.

For more things to do in Indianapolis and beyond, check out the Indianapolis events and Indiana events pages.

One Tank Day Trips from Indianapolis

	Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore This breathtaking Indiana nature preserve offers fun for all ages. From camping and hiking, to snowshoeing and bird watching, families can do it all. This Hoosier gem is just a three hour drive from Indianapolis.
	Old Lighthouse Museum Indiana’s oldest lighthouse is located in Michigan City, Indiana. The lighthouse was converted into a museum, and visitors flock from all around for tours of this historic and educational adventure.
	Ragtops Museum Classic car lovers flock from all over the country to see the 70,000 square foot showroom at the Ragtops Museum. More than 60 assembled cars make up the museum’s collection, and many cars are for sale. For a relaxing and education day trip, venture up to the Ragtops Museum. While you’re in northwest Indiana, be sure to check out the beautiful shorelines at the Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore. The museum doubles as an event venue, hosting wedding receptions, family gatherings and several other private events.
	Brown County, Indiana Not much more than a half hour drive from Naptown, you’ll find a heavenly haven for your day trip from Indianapolis, with the unlikely name of Nashville, Indiana. Try the “Girlfriend’s Getaway,” a day to pamper your mind and body and rejuvenate your spirit. Don’t forget to check out the unique shopping boutiques and galleries before or after your spa visit; you will find treasures galore in Nashville.
	Circus Museum in Peru, Indiana Just over an hour’s drive north of Indianapolis, you’ll find the novel town called Peru, widely referred to as the “Circus Capital of the World.” If you plan your visit in mid-July, you can take in the awe-inspiring Circus Heritage Festival, which lasts an entire week. There’s plenty to see during the rest of the year, however, and it’s all guaranteed to take your breath away.
	Covered Bridges of Parke County There are 30 covered bridges in Parke County and a maple sugar festival each year in February. This is scenic Amish country, rife with history and the staunch, somehow moving character of the Heartland. Take your camera and the kids. Parke County is only about an hour due east of Indianapolis, near Rockville.
	Grissom Air Museum If you’re looking for an exciting and educational getaway from Indianapolis, head up to Peru, Indiana and check out the Grissom Air Museum. The museum features 25 outdoor aircraft on display, including a B-17 Flying Fortress and several other historic planes. The indoor museum teaches visitors about the history of flight, and it offers interactive experiences for the whole family to enjoy.
	Haunted Houses in Indiana From the traditional Halloween ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo to the Historic Hannah House, the grand state of Indiana is home to a multitude of scary secrets, some of them downright terrifying. We’ve compiled a list of some 25 popular places where you can spend the day being pleasantly spooked, all either fairly close to Indy or within the bounds of the metropolis.
	College Football Hall of Fame Head up to South Bend, Indiana for a glimpse at college football history. From the Heisman Awards to game reel bloopers, the College Football Hall of Fame is a great destination for football lovers, even in the off-season. Bring a few friends, or the whole family on an unforgettable day trip. If you’re looking for an excellent venue for a wedding reception, family reunion, birthday party, or another private event, the College Football Hall of Fame is a great spot. Hoosiers and college basketball lovers from across the globe are encouraged to view the long history of college football glory at the College Football Hall of Fame.
	Columbian Park Zoo About 50 miles northwest of the Circle City on I-65 is the interesting town of Lafayette. This is a bustling community of about 60,000 souls, with several points of interest to recommend it for a fun day trip from Indianapolis. Plan to visit the Columbian Park Zoo while you’re there. In June, the town puts on an unbeatable musical and culinary celebration called “Taste of Tippecanoe,” or if you happen to go in the beautiful month of August, you can catch the “Mosey Thru LayFlats Arts and Music Festival,” replete with dozens of local bands and artisans.
	Ruthmere Mansion and Museum in Elkhart, Indiana This historic mansion home was the first Beaux Arts mansion in the Elkhart region. It was home to A.R. and Elizabeth Beardsley, a very prominent couple in the northern Indiana community. The mansion was built by famous Chicago architect E. Hill Turnock in 1910. The Beardsleys named this famous mansion, which is now a museum, after their late daughter Ruth. This unique museum experience gives Hoosiers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the wealthy and affluent in the early 1900s. Intricate woodwork, classic art collections, beautiful gardens and many other features of Ruthmere wow visitors each year.
	The Levi Coffin House in Fountain City Located just outside of Richmond, Indiana, this national historic landmark is often dubbed the “Grand Central Station” of the Underground Railroad. Mr. Levi, in fact, is still referred to as the Underground Railroad’s President. Take a day trip to Richmond, about 1-1/2 hour’s drive east from Indy, and you’ll see some lovely sights along the Whitewater River on the way.
	Muncie Children’s Museum The medium-sized city of Muncie, Indiana, about an hour’s drive to the northeast of Indianapolis, offers lots to do in a day. You and your family may, in fact, decide to stay over to take in more of the sights and activities in Muncie. Be sure to see the Muncie Children’s Museum, an excellent complement to the world-famous Indianapolis Children’s Museum in downtown Indianapolis.