📍 United States

INDIANA DISCOVERY: DUNES, CAVES AND COLLEGIATE CHARM

Dunes rising above Great Lakes shores, limestone caves protecting ancient formations, covered bridges spanning peaceful creeks. Indiana surprises.

≈ 11
Days
1743
Km
8
Stops
📖 5 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore Indianapolis and its museums, then catch fresh air on the dunes of Lake Michigan. Stop at South Bend around Notre Dame, before descending into limestone caves and strolling through Bloomington, a university town. End at New Harmony, peaceful gardens and utopias of old. Indiana surprises with its detours, between gentle nature and deeply rooted culture.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Indianapolis

motor speedway monuments museum mile canal

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6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Monument Circle — Soldiers & Sailors Monument (observation deck ascent if open)
2
Eiteljorg Museum (Native American & Western arts)
3
Indiana State Museum (state historical overview & sciences)
4
Newfields (park & art museum)
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Canal Walk — stroll or pedal boat/kayak rental on the White River Canal
→
Indianapolis Zoo — wildlife discovery (seasonal option)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 114.9 km
Travel time: 1h55
2
Day

Marshall

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8 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Turkey Run State Park — gorges, footbridges and trails (Trail 3 + 5)
2
Shades State Park — shaded ravines (short complementary loop)
🎯

Activities

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Light canyoning hike (rocks, natural stairs) at Turkey Run
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Wildlife observation & photography of wooded landscapes
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 121 km
Travel time: 1h35
3
Day

South Bend

notre dame fighting irish studebaker history

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6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Indiana Dunes State Park — Lake Michigan beach & dunes trail
2
Michigan City — Old Lighthouse Museum & pier (lighthouse view)
3
South Bend — River Lights Plaza (light installation, evening)
4
Studebaker National Museum (automotive history)
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Swimming or coastal walk on the dune sand (weather permitting)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 257 km
Travel time: 2h35
4
Day

Fort Wayne

three rivers confluence botanical gardens downtown

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6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Pokagon State Park (Angola) — winter toboggan or lakeside trails
2
Shipshewana — Amish district (craft shops, cheeses, market depending on day)
3
Winona Lake — lakeside village, walk & small galleries
4
Fort Wayne — Riverfront & art museum (Fort Wayne Museum of Art)
🎯

Activities

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Climbing the observation tower (depending on site) and views of the northeastern lakes
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 128 km
Travel time: 1h35
5
Day

Marion

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9 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Ouabache State Park (near Bluffton) — bison watching & climbing the fire tower
2
Grant County — Garfield Trail (photo stops at themed statues)
🎯

Activities

→
Nature walk in meadow and forest edge (light birdwatching)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 84 km
Travel time: 1h10
6
Day

Madison

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10 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Columbus — modern architecture & public art (quick downtown tour)
2
Brown County State Park (Nashville) — overlooks, wooded ridges
3
Madison — Historic District & Ohio River waterfront
4
Clifty Falls State Park — viewpoints & trails to waterfalls
🎯

Activities

→
Short scenic hike at Brown County (Overlook), then sunset over the Ohio at Madison
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 218 km
Travel time: 2h50
7
Day

Bloomington

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10 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Corydon — Indiana's first Capitol (historic site & downtown)
2
Marengo Cave — US National Landmark (underground guided tour)
3
Spring Mill State Park (Mitchell) — Pioneer Village & Gus Grissom Memorial
4
Bloomington — Indiana University campus (heritage walk)
🎯

Activities

→
Gentle caving (developed trails) at Marengo & photos of limestone formations
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 270 km
Travel time: 3h50
8
Day

New Harmony

utopian experiment labyrinth roofless church gardens

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8 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (Lincoln City) — historic farm & trails
2
Santa Claus — Holiday World (theme park & water area, seasonal)
3
Evansville — Bosse Field (filming location) & Ohio riverfront (quick photo stop)
4
New Harmony — sanctuaries, labyrinths & public art (walking tour)
🎯

Activities

→
Contemplative walk in the gardens & labyrinths of New Harmony
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 238 km
Travel time: 3h30
9
Day

Indianapolis

motor speedway monuments museum mile canal

Indianapolis - Photo 1Indianapolis - Photo 2Indianapolis - Photo 3Indianapolis - Photo 4Indianapolis - Photo 5Indianapolis - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Cataract Falls SRA — two waterfalls & covered bridge (short hike)
🎯

Activities

→
Scenic route back to Indianapolis with photo stop at the falls
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 312 km
Travel time: 4h

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.

Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

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