Indiana is well known for some popular attractions, like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Holiday World, and the Indiana Dunes. Yet, some of the coolest attractions in the state are ones that not enough people visit. Here are 11 underrated attractions in the Hoosier state that you’ll want to check out:
- Columbian Park Zoo - Lafayette
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook This incredible attraction is not only great because it’s full of animals and activities - it’s also completely free. With almost 200 animals and educational programs available, this zoo is a remarkable hidden gem that too little people visit. Check it out at 1915 Scott St, Lafayette, Indiana.
- Amish Acres - Nappanee
Tom Gill/Flickr Step back to simpler times and experience Amish life at Amish Acres in northern Indiana. This incredible village is full of fun experiences, from great country-style Amish cooking and baking to theatrical performances to village tours and local shops. You’ll also fall in love with the gorgeous scenery. Learn more here and find it at 1600 W Market St, Nappanee, IN 46550.
- Oliver Winery - Bloomington
Yelp Check out Indiana’s oldest and largest winery in this gorgeous spot in Bloomington. Sample different house-made wines, go on a tour to learn more about the wine making process, and pack a picnic lunch and roam outdoors for a unique and unforgettable experience. Learn more about this winery here and check it out at 200 E Winery Rd, Bloomington, IN 47404.
- Michigan City Old Lighthouse Museum - Michigan City
cwillini/TripAdvisor This incredible and unique museum offers tours of the state’s oldest remaining lighthouse. It also provides information on the three lighthouses in Michigan City and provides a ton of fun and historical facts. This tour is charming and should not be missed! Check it out at 1 Washington Park Marina, Michigan City, IN 46361.
- Cataract Falls
Matt Ridings/Flickr Come explore Indiana’s largest waterfall by volume at this incredible attraction. Climb up to explore the upper or lower falls, and don’t forget to check out the charming Cataract Falls Covered Bridge from 1876. You’ll find this gorgeous spot at Off Country Rd. 1050 North, 2605 N. Cataract Road, IN 47460.
- Metamora Gem Mine - Metamora
Hoosier51/TripAdvisor Do you have gold fever? If so, you’ll absolutely love mining for precious gems at this quaint little gem, mine. Pick your bucket of dirt to uncover the gorgeous treasures buried beneath and start panning your gems! You can learn more about this gem mine here and visit at 19055 S Main St, Metamora, IN 47030.
- Sunset Wine Cruise - Birdseye
Yelp View gorgeous Patoka Lake on this cruise that departs at dusk and also offers wine tastings. Invite your friends and have fun sampling 5-7 different wines while also enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Learn more about this exciting cruise here. All cruises depart from 2991 N Dillard Rd, Birdseye, IN 47513.
- Lazy River Adventures - Winamac
Riverside Rentals/Yelp Indulge in a day of relaxing fun in the sun and water with lazy river rides from Riverside Rentals. Enjoy the gentle lull of the Tippecanoe River with your family and friends before summer slips away. Learn more here.You’ll find it at 589 E Old St Rd 14, Winamac, IN 46996.
- Riverboat Cruises - North Webster
The Dixie Sternwheeler Inc/Facebook Nothing says Americana quite like a riverboat cruise. You can enjoy this classic American adventure in North Webster on the Dixie Sternwheeler, the state’s oldest sternwheel riverboat. Learn more about this historic boat here and catch a ride at 401 South Dixie Drive, North Webster, IN 46555.
- WhoaZone Floating Waterpark - Whiting
City of Whiting, Indiana/Facebook This brand new floating waterpark offers a ton of fun for ringing out the end of summer. Enjoy trampolines, rope climbs, inflatable slides, monkey bars, towers, and so much more at this awesome destination. Find out more here and visit at Whihala Beach at 1561 Park Rd, Whiting, IN 46394.
- Rugged Adventures - Winamac
Rugged Adventures/Facebook If you love outdoor adventures, you’ll love this amazing adventure park. Enjoy bubble soccer, archery, an epic game of laser tag, and the ultimate obstacle course all in one fantastic park. Check out all of their offerings here and visit them at 2912 US-35, Winamac, IN 46996.
What are some of your favorite little known attractions in Indiana? For more fun before summer disappears, check out this summer bucket list.
Columbian Park Zoo/Facebook
This incredible attraction is not only great because it’s full of animals and activities - it’s also completely free. With almost 200 animals and educational programs available, this zoo is a remarkable hidden gem that too little people visit. Check it out at 1915 Scott St, Lafayette, Indiana.
Tom Gill/Flickr
Step back to simpler times and experience Amish life at Amish Acres in northern Indiana. This incredible village is full of fun experiences, from great country-style Amish cooking and baking to theatrical performances to village tours and local shops. You’ll also fall in love with the gorgeous scenery. Learn more here and find it at 1600 W Market St, Nappanee, IN 46550.
Yelp
Check out Indiana’s oldest and largest winery in this gorgeous spot in Bloomington. Sample different house-made wines, go on a tour to learn more about the wine making process, and pack a picnic lunch and roam outdoors for a unique and unforgettable experience. Learn more about this winery here and check it out at 200 E Winery Rd, Bloomington, IN 47404.
cwillini/TripAdvisor
This incredible and unique museum offers tours of the state’s oldest remaining lighthouse. It also provides information on the three lighthouses in Michigan City and provides a ton of fun and historical facts. This tour is charming and should not be missed! Check it out at 1 Washington Park Marina, Michigan City, IN 46361.
Matt Ridings/Flickr
Come explore Indiana’s largest waterfall by volume at this incredible attraction. Climb up to explore the upper or lower falls, and don’t forget to check out the charming Cataract Falls Covered Bridge from 1876. You’ll find this gorgeous spot at Off Country Rd. 1050 North, 2605 N. Cataract Road, IN 47460.
Hoosier51/TripAdvisor
Do you have gold fever? If so, you’ll absolutely love mining for precious gems at this quaint little gem, mine. Pick your bucket of dirt to uncover the gorgeous treasures buried beneath and start panning your gems! You can learn more about this gem mine here and visit at 19055 S Main St, Metamora, IN 47030.
View gorgeous Patoka Lake on this cruise that departs at dusk and also offers wine tastings. Invite your friends and have fun sampling 5-7 different wines while also enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Learn more about this exciting cruise here. All cruises depart from 2991 N Dillard Rd, Birdseye, IN 47513.
Riverside Rentals/Yelp
Indulge in a day of relaxing fun in the sun and water with lazy river rides from Riverside Rentals. Enjoy the gentle lull of the Tippecanoe River with your family and friends before summer slips away. Learn more here.You’ll find it at 589 E Old St Rd 14, Winamac, IN 46996.
The Dixie Sternwheeler Inc/Facebook
Nothing says Americana quite like a riverboat cruise. You can enjoy this classic American adventure in North Webster on the Dixie Sternwheeler, the state’s oldest sternwheel riverboat. Learn more about this historic boat here and catch a ride at 401 South Dixie Drive, North Webster, IN 46555.
City of Whiting, Indiana/Facebook
This brand new floating waterpark offers a ton of fun for ringing out the end of summer. Enjoy trampolines, rope climbs, inflatable slides, monkey bars, towers, and so much more at this awesome destination. Find out more here and visit at Whihala Beach at 1561 Park Rd, Whiting, IN 46394.
Rugged Adventures/Facebook
If you love outdoor adventures, you’ll love this amazing adventure park. Enjoy bubble soccer, archery, an epic game of laser tag, and the ultimate obstacle course all in one fantastic park. Check out all of their offerings here and visit them at 2912 US-35, Winamac, IN 46996.
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