Exploring Southern Indiana this Summer
If you’re a road trip person trying to find a unique trip for summer, look toward the Hoosier State of Indiana. If Southern Indiana isn’t on your radar as a great driving destination, here’s why it should be.
Exploring Southern indiana this summer – Getting There
How you get to Indiana and how you determine your starting point depends on where you live. If you’re not already in the Midwest, Southern Indiana is a solid choice for a “Drop in and rent a car”-style road trip. Indianapolis International Airport (IND) might be on the smaller side, but there are over 50 cities where you can get a nonstop flight right into Indy.
If you’re driving, Indianapolis is close to several major Midwest cities:
- Chicago – 180 miles
- St Louis – 243 miles
- Milwaukee – 279 miles
- Detroit – 288 miles
The smaller Indiana cities on my list – Bloomington, Nashville, and Columbus – are all around an hour’s drive from Indianapolis.
Exploring Indianapolis
Indianapolis is a city of almost 7 million people, but it still has a very small city vibe. It ranks as the 16th most populated city in the United States, which I found surprising. Even though Indianapolis is home to major sports activities and one of the state’s major universities, I didn’t find the energy to be “big city,” and for me, that was a good thing.
What to do
- Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – Even if you’re not traveling with kids, don’t skip this one. It’s the world’s largest children’s museum, and it’s incredibly cool at any age.
Tip: Allow at least half a day for the Children’s Museum if you want to see everything.
- Indianapolis Zoo – This is a great, easy-to-navigate zoo with lots of bells and whistles, including rides, animal feedings, and behind-the-scenes opportunities.
- Eitlejorg Museum – Explore the art and culture of the American West and the Indigenous Peoples of North America.
- Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library – This gem of a museum includes a quirky boutique downstairs and a coffee shop upstairs. Having at least a nodding acquaintance with the author’s works before you go is ideal, but my teenagers, who weren’t familiar with Vonnegut’s writing (surprisingly), enjoyed their visit.
- NCAA Hall of Champions – This interactive experience tells the stories of student athletes throughout the NCAA’s history.
- Indiana State Museum
Tip: If you’re up for a longer museum day, the Eiteljorg Museum, the NCAA Hall of Champions, and the Indiana State Museum are located near each other.
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
- Sporting Events – Indy is well known for being a sports city and if you’re a sports fan, there’s so much more than the legendary auto race that’s named for the city. Indianapolis is home to NFL and NBA teams, the Colts and Pacers, a WNBA team that’s been making a huge splash recently thanks to superstar Caitlin Clark, and minor league baseball and hockey.
If you’re looking for an Airbnb outside of downtown Indianapolis but still within an easy drive to all the things you want to do in Indy, the Red Carriage House is awesome. There’s a full kitchen plus two bedrooms and a comfy living room with a sleeper sofa that gave my family of four plenty of room to spread out.
Bloomington
This Southern Indiana college town offers beautiful architecture and a surprising international food scene. It’s an easy drive from Indianapolis and one of the things that immediately struck me was how green and lush the landscape is in early summer. My word for Bloomington and the surrounding area is verdant.
What to Do
- Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center – An unexpected delight, the center and its tranquil grounds are worth the stop.
- Beer, wine, and spirits – Upland Brewing Company (specializes in sours) and Cardinal Spirits (super fun craft spirits and canned cocktails).
- International Row – Downtown Bloomington’s 4th Street is lined with restaurants serving up a variety of flavors from places you might not expect to see in a small Midwestern city, such as Burmese and Tibetan, along with several Thai and Korean options.
- Explore the IU Campus – This open campus has stunning landscaping and architecture that’s perfect for an early morning walk during the summer, when most of the students aren’t in residence. The Eskenazi Art Museum and the Lilly Library are also open to visitors.
- Monroe Lake – Kayaking, SUP, boating, and fishing. There’s also a sandy beach for swimming.
Nashville – the Other Nashville
Between Bloomington and Columbus, you’ll find Nashville. No, not that Nashville. Located in Brown County, Nashville is a charming mix of quaint shops, outdoor adventure, and art. The area is surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest, Yellowwood State Forest, and Brown County State Park. To me, it felt more like Tennessee or West Virginia than Indiana, minus the hills.
What to Do
- Brown County State Park – Hike, bike, and explore the park’s nature center. You can rent from Brown County Bikes if you don’t bring your own bike along. They also offer e-bike rentals and guided tours.
- Hard Truth Distilling Company – Not your average distillery experience. Take the “Get Lost” ATV tour that takes you through the woods to sip and sample. Other experiences, from moonshine making to whiskey masterclasses, are available, too.
- Zip through the treetops on the longest, fastest zipline in Indiana.
- Explore local art – The Brown County Art Guild and the Brown County Art Gallery are great places to see the work of local artists. Many of the boutiques tucked in downtown Nashville have local art for sale, too.
Columbus
Columbus, about a 45-minute drive from Indianapolis, is easy to explore in a day or two, depending on how much time you have. Columbus was my last stop on my tour of Southern Indiana and we saw and did a lot in one long day before heading to the airport the following morning.
Tip: The Hotel Indigo in Columbus was a fun, moderately priced place to stay. Although it’s a chain, the building has absorbed the artsy spirit of the city, and the bright and cheerful decor and comfortable room were a good combination.
What to Do
- Take a guided architecture tour – The tours start at the Columbus Visitor’s Center, which is a must-visit stop in itself. The gift shop has a robust selection of books and there’s a Chihuly piece on display, which is quite impressive for a small-town visitor’s center.
- Beer and spirits – Best places to sample local libations are Zwanzigz Pizza & Brewing, 450 North Brewing Company (more than beer – there’s wine, spirits and delicious food, too), and Savage Distilling.
- Check out local gardens and more architecture – Miller House and Gardens and The Inn at Irwin Gardens
- Don’t miss eats: Ice cream at Zaharakos is a must when in Columbus. This authentic 1900-era soda fountain is full of nostalgia and deliciousness. For a more elevated finish to a day of exploring, grab a table at the Henry Social Club.
