If you’ve ever lived outside of Indiana or simply visit other states often, you’ve probably noticed that Indiana has a pretty bad (and unfair) rep outside of its borders. Seen by many as a flyover or drive-through state only, Indiana is underrated throughout the country by people who aren’t aware of just how many awesome things our state is responsible for. In case you need a refresher to stop haters from bad-mouthing this spectacular state, here’s a lengthy list of reasons why Indiana is pretty great.
- We have the best Children’s Museum in the country.
wikimedia The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is top notch and has been educating and exciting kids for over 90 years. Exhibits here are interactive, encouraging both children and their families to participate in them. Their dinosaur exhibit is one of their more famous ones.
- We’ve got a ton of pride.
Michael Tipton/Flickr It doesn’t matter if you’re team Purdue or team IU. The main point is that every Hoosier takes pride in their home state, from local community matters to college and state level sporting events.
- We have some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
YouTube This might sound like bragging, but as someone who has lived on the East Coast, I can attest that Hoosiers are some of the nicest people I’ve ever come across. They’re always willing to lend a hand or just have an uplifting conversation with you.
- We have some of the best food in the world.
Edsel Little/Flickr From St. Elmo’s to Shapiro’s, Zydeco’s, Triple X Restaurant, Bub’s Burgers, South Side Soda Shop, and The Tamale Place, Indiana has some amazing restaurants that have been featured on popular Food Network programs.
- We are surrounded by great colleges.
Wes Jackson/Flickr Notre Dame University, anyone? How about Butler? Purdue? Even schools like Indiana University, Valparaiso University, and Ball State have phenomenal programs. No matter what you want to learn, Indiana has a highly coveted program you can apply to.
- Indianapolis was rated #6 on the Next Top Cities for Tech Jobs.
Intiaz Rahim/Flickr Indianapolis is a city full of smart professionals and the city is finally gaining some national recognition. Working in Indy allows professionals to grow their careers and companies more quickly than they would in a much larger city.
- We gave you the 23rd President of the United States.
Cliff/Flickr That’s right, Benjamin Harrison was born in Indiana and served as US President from 1889 until 1893. It may have been more than a century ago, but it just goes to show that Hoosiers have always been ambitious, smart, and successful.
- We also helped raise the 16th President of the United States.
Kevin Burkett/Flickr Abraham Lincoln, who put an end to the Civil War, spent around a quarter of his life in Indiana. Lincoln lived in Spencer County as a boy for 14 years. He may have been born in Kentucky and a resident of Illinois for a longer amount of time, but Lincoln certainly was a Hoosier for most of his life.
- We have the greatest beer.
WIFU Public Radio/Flickr Seriously, we’re chock full of breweries and restaurants that proudly serve craft beers. From Upland to 3 Floyds to Sun King, Indiana has over 100 local breweries offering awesome flavors. We even have brewing competitions for budding brewers.
- We gave the world great musicians, writers, and artists.
Stab at Sleep/Flickr Michael Jackson, anyone? The entire Jackson 5 was born in Gary, Indiana and so were John Cougar Mellencamp and Babyface. Kurt Vonnegut was born here and is honored throughout murals in Indianapolis and his own museum. Sounds like Indiana is a fantastic place for creativity.
- We also gave you Garfield.
rtb/Flickr That’s right, Garfield creator Jim Davis was born here in Indiana. In fact, Garfield even takes place in Muncie, Indiana, and Davis continues to work on this project from his home in Albany, Indiana. It makes sense: we have great food and Garfield loves food.
- We have the best state fair in the country.
Just_Bryan/Flickr Okay, this may be a matter of opinion, but try attending the Indiana State Fair and then tell a Hoosier differently. From the awesome selection of foods to famous performers, rides, and activities, our state fair definitely tops the list.
- We have great sources for local food.
David Cornwell/Flickr With so much farmland in our state, eating from farm to table is extremely easy and convenient. We have amazing farmers markets and great options when it comes to selecting local produce, poultry, meat, and much more.
14 .We have some of the best communities.
Paul Ghering/Flickr Hoosiers all know that Indiana is a great place to grow up, and now we finally have some proof. Carmel, Indiana was voted the best place in the country to live a few years back, and has consistently remained in the top places to live since then.
These are just some of the many reasons why Indiana is one of the best states and haters can just shut up! What reasons did we miss?
wikimedia
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is top notch and has been educating and exciting kids for over 90 years. Exhibits here are interactive, encouraging both children and their families to participate in them. Their dinosaur exhibit is one of their more famous ones.
Michael Tipton/Flickr
It doesn’t matter if you’re team Purdue or team IU. The main point is that every Hoosier takes pride in their home state, from local community matters to college and state level sporting events.
YouTube
This might sound like bragging, but as someone who has lived on the East Coast, I can attest that Hoosiers are some of the nicest people I’ve ever come across. They’re always willing to lend a hand or just have an uplifting conversation with you.
Edsel Little/Flickr
From St. Elmo’s to Shapiro’s, Zydeco’s, Triple X Restaurant, Bub’s Burgers, South Side Soda Shop, and The Tamale Place, Indiana has some amazing restaurants that have been featured on popular Food Network programs.
Wes Jackson/Flickr
Notre Dame University, anyone? How about Butler? Purdue? Even schools like Indiana University, Valparaiso University, and Ball State have phenomenal programs. No matter what you want to learn, Indiana has a highly coveted program you can apply to.
Intiaz Rahim/Flickr
Indianapolis is a city full of smart professionals and the city is finally gaining some national recognition. Working in Indy allows professionals to grow their careers and companies more quickly than they would in a much larger city.
Cliff/Flickr
That’s right, Benjamin Harrison was born in Indiana and served as US President from 1889 until 1893. It may have been more than a century ago, but it just goes to show that Hoosiers have always been ambitious, smart, and successful.
Kevin Burkett/Flickr
Abraham Lincoln, who put an end to the Civil War, spent around a quarter of his life in Indiana. Lincoln lived in Spencer County as a boy for 14 years. He may have been born in Kentucky and a resident of Illinois for a longer amount of time, but Lincoln certainly was a Hoosier for most of his life.
WIFU Public Radio/Flickr
Seriously, we’re chock full of breweries and restaurants that proudly serve craft beers. From Upland to 3 Floyds to Sun King, Indiana has over 100 local breweries offering awesome flavors. We even have brewing competitions for budding brewers.
Stab at Sleep/Flickr
Michael Jackson, anyone? The entire Jackson 5 was born in Gary, Indiana and so were John Cougar Mellencamp and Babyface. Kurt Vonnegut was born here and is honored throughout murals in Indianapolis and his own museum. Sounds like Indiana is a fantastic place for creativity.
rtb/Flickr
That’s right, Garfield creator Jim Davis was born here in Indiana. In fact, Garfield even takes place in Muncie, Indiana, and Davis continues to work on this project from his home in Albany, Indiana. It makes sense: we have great food and Garfield loves food.
Just_Bryan/Flickr
Okay, this may be a matter of opinion, but try attending the Indiana State Fair and then tell a Hoosier differently. From the awesome selection of foods to famous performers, rides, and activities, our state fair definitely tops the list.
David Cornwell/Flickr
With so much farmland in our state, eating from farm to table is extremely easy and convenient. We have amazing farmers markets and great options when it comes to selecting local produce, poultry, meat, and much more.
Paul Ghering/Flickr
Hoosiers all know that Indiana is a great place to grow up, and now we finally have some proof. Carmel, Indiana was voted the best place in the country to live a few years back, and has consistently remained in the top places to live since then.
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