Indiana Road Trip 2009

In need of some excitement this summer? Look no further than the boundaries of Indiana. From camping to roller coasters, Indiana has plenty of destinations to complete your summer road trip.

By Stephanie Swendsen and Lynn Fultz

Albanese Candy Factory, in Merrillville, Ind., provides public tours giving historical facts of “The Wold’s Best Gummies and Chocolate” while displaying the factory’s inner-workings and two-story chocolate waterfall and candy bins.

Brown County

The “Art Colony of the Midwest” draws visitors year-round. Midwest Living Magazine ranked Brown County #6 as one of the “100 Top Best Small Towns to Visit.” For nature lovers, a state park provides biking and hiking trails as well as camping. As an artist colony, Brown county is home to glassblowers, weavers, potters, knitters, woodworkers, photographers, painters, leather/metal workers and pioneer craftsman, making it the place to shop for unique gifts. Festivals are ongoing during the summer, including the Bean Blossom Bluegrass festival from June 14 – 21, the Rock Hill Music Fest on June 28 and the Green Stock Festival Aug. 8 – 10.

Clifty Falls

Near Madison, Ind. lies Clifty Falls State Park. Home to four different waterfalls and a deep canyon, the park offers hiking along scenic trails, swimming, and special events throughout the summer. Events include the Chautauqua Festival of Art on September 26 and 27 and the Madison Regatta Hydroplane Race from July 3 – 5.

Conner Prairie

Conner Prairie isn’t just for field trips in elementary school. They offer a wide variety of activities and events to entertain and educate people of all ages. Follow the North Star, an event occurring in both April and November, puts participants in slaves’ shoes, playing the roles of runaways in a simulation that is both physically and mentally demanding. Civil War Days in May reenact the camp and battle conditions of the time. June 6 – 7 features the Indiana Festival, and July 3 – 5 hosts the Glorious Fourth celebration

Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival is a nine-day event predicted to draw over 400,000 attendees. The festival includes an art fair, a children’s activities, senior events, food and beverage vendors, shopping, national music and entertainment acts, and a parade.

The Annual Muddy River Run also takes place in Fort Wayne. The Allen County fair grounds annually host this street rod show. The event consists of a “Cruise through Fort Wayne” parade of hot rods, exhibits, car judging, swap meets, crafts, music and other adult entertainment.

Holiday World

There’s no need to leave the state for an amusement park. Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari are located in Santa Claus, Ind. Two of their three large roller coasters won awards in 2008, and they offer lots of thrill rides as well. Their water slide, the Bakuli, was voted “2007’s Best New Waterpark Ride.” Holiday World boasts a large allergen-free menu, as well as free pop to keep you caffeinated all day long.

Indiana Dunes State Park, located in Chesterton, Ind., provides 2,182 acres of wooded forests, drifting sand dunes and more than three miles of beach bordering Lake Michigan. Picnic areas, hiking trails, campgrounds and recreational activities such as volleyball, boating and fishing are available.

John Dillinger, one of most infamous mobsters of the 1920’s and native Hoosier, left a legacy worthy for a museum. A $4 ticket to the John Dillinger Museum in Hammond, Ind., provides an interactive, educational and historical experience of the gangsters during the Great Depression.

The Levi Coffin House, former home of the “President of the Underground Railroad,” was responsible for aiding more than 2,000 runaway slaves in their escape to Canada. The home of Levi and Catherine Coffin has become a National Historic Landmark, providing public tours throughout the summer and fall seasons.

Michigan City is home to Washington Park Zoo, a nine-acre attraction of animals. The Old Lighthouse Museum is Indiana’s only operating lighthouse. Beaches, swimming, hiking, fishing, boating, ice-skating, volleyball, playgrounds and picnic areas are provided.

Parke County is home to 31 covered bridges. Six different routes are available to explore the bridges and back roads throughout this historical and scenic Amish community.

Turkey Run State Park of Rockville, Ind. offers hiking and bridle trails to discover sandstone gorges, ravines, canyons and wildlife. While visiting Turkey Run, visitors can go to nearby Sugar Creek, which provides one of Indiana’s best canoe and fishing opportunities. A swimming pool, picnic area and campground are also available. The park contains a nature center and multiple historic sites.

Peru Circus

No need to wonder when the circus is going to roll through again, The Greatest Amateur Show on Earth comes to Peru, Ind. every July. Children ages 5 to 21 put on stunning performances: juggling fire, hanging by their hair and teeth, swinging from trapezes, and many more acrobatic feats. The week-long festival features a fairway and concludes with a parade. Tickets are in the college student budget at $10 for a weekday show and $13 for the closing weekend shows; but get them early; the final shows always sell out.