Explore Indiana
Do you know Indiana’s state motto? The Crossroads of America is the perfect motto for exploring Indiana along I-65. I sat down to think and plan my road trip. My home state, Illinois, neighbors Indiana and has access to several interstate highways. One such interstate is I-65, which can take me to some interesting sights in Indiana. So, I researched points of interest along I-65 and prepared to explore Indiana.
Interstate 65 rolls through several states and currently covers 887 miles. However, this post focuses on the State of Indiana.
I contacted the state tourism office for information and resources. I want to give a huge thank you to Visit Indiana for their quick and personalized responses. Along the interstate, many exciting and fun places and points of interest exist. I looked forward to the road trip. The journey begins with exploring Indiana.
Gary, Indiana
Leaving Chicagoland, I-65 picks up in Gary, Indiana, the birthplace of Michael Jackson, the Jackson Five, and Janet Jackson. The home is not located along I-65, so let’s save it for another trip. Gary is a hop, skip, and jump from Chicago and the city’s south suburbs. Let’s keep rolling as we explore Indiana.
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Merriville
The first stop is in Merrillville, Indiana, at Albanese Candy Factory. It is known for making the world’s best gummies and chocolates. If you’re a gummi fan, Albanese has many different flavors of Gummi Bears. You can eat soft-textured, sour, gluten-free, or fat-free Gummi Bears.
Albanese Candy Factory also sells milk chocolate, dark chocolate, sugar-free chocolate, and more. You can purchase cashews, almonds, pecans, and mixes if you like nuts. Albanese Candy Factory is a must-stop while exploring Indiana.
Photo by David Barajas on UnSplash
Fair Oaks Farms
Next, we will make a stop at Fair Oaks Farm in Fair Oaks, Indiana. The farm is an agricultural attraction located in the corn belt of Northwest Indiana. It is a perfect place to escape from the city to the countryside. Tourists can visit a variety of attractions. Both kids and adults like the Dairy Adventure, the Pig Adventure, and/or the Crop Adventure. It’s a great learning experience for all.
West Lafayette, IN
We head to West Lafayette, Indiana, hopping back in the car and driving along I-65. Time to fill up on food at the Triple XXX Family Restaurant. It is located near Purdue University on a hill in Chaucery Village. Triple XXX has been around since 1929 and is well known for delicious comfort food. It is also known for the Triple XXX Root Beer, which has been around since 1895.
After a great meal, it’s time to walk off some of the calories. The following stop is Prophetstown State Park, also located in West Lafayette, Indiana. As we explore Indiana along I-65, Prophetstown is a nice stop along the way. Prophetstown State Park commemorates a Native American village founded in 1808 by Tecumseh, a Shawnee warrior and chief. According to history, Prophetstown became a large, multi-tribal community in the 19th century.
If you like hiking and biking, trails are available in the state park. Campgrounds are available for those who wish to camp, and you can eat with your family in picnic and shelter areas. The park also has an open-air museum and a water park. There are plenty of activities for adults and children.
Travel Books on AmazonIndianapolis, IN
We have more places to explore along I-65, so let’s continue to drive. The next stop is Indianapolis. Some call it Indy for short, and it is the capital of Indiana and the most populous city in the state. While in Indy, we can visit the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. It is the world’s largest children’s museum, with over 472,900 square feet and five floors of exhibit halls.
Children and adults can see over 120,000 artifacts and exhibit items. While visiting the museum, visitors can check out three domains of objects: The American Collection, the Cultural World Collection, and the Natural World Collection.
Then, we will head to the Indianapolis Zoo, which is located in White River State Park. It is a fantastic zoo situated on 64 acres. Over 3,800 animals are housed at the zoo, which has a rich history in the city. The Indianapolis Zoo opened in 1964 and moved to its current location in 1988.
Columbus, IN
After visiting Indianapolis, we head south to Columbus, Indiana. Here, we can participate in an architectural tour. The community of Columbus has architectural designs by world-renowned architects like I.M. Pei, Eliel and Eero Saarinen, Dale Chihuly, and Richard Meier. Visitors can take a two-hour narrated tour of the architectural designs. Columbus is also known for its art, culture, and history.
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
A few other places to visit along I-65 include the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. It’s 7800 acres with eight hiking trails, log cabins, pioneer cemeteries, and driving tours. The Falls of the Ohio State Park/Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail is on the banks of the Ohio River and across from Louisville, Kentucky. Activities include fishing, walking, picnicking, and bird watching. Lastly, Goat Milk Stuff is a 36-acre farm in Scottsburg, Indiana. Here, you can purchase natural bath and body items and food from goat’s milk.
Conclusion
The journey to explore Indiana along I-65 takes us to some interesting sites. Indiana has many more places to visit, but they exist along other interstate highways. We will explore some of them in later posts. Plan your stay and research points of interest, lodging, and safety topics. Feel free to contact Visit Indiana for the latest updates about tourist information.
We continue our journey along I-65 to the next state, Kentucky.
Thanks for this trip suggestion! Indeed, the state of Indiana has a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions. I’m planning to travel to Merrillville soon. How much does it usually cost to travel around Indiana?
Good Morning,
Thank you for reading my post. The cost to travel in Indiana is average, not too expensive, but not too cheap either. It all depends on what you’d like to do while visiting. Plan out your trip and locations and then research the prices.