Indiana is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. The residents of Indiana are usually called Hoosiers because of its nickname, “The Hoosier State”.
Indiana is bordered by Lake Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois. The rural areas are covered with forests, hills and sandstone ravines created by receding glaciers. Most of the areas in the state has humid continental climate with hot, humid summer and cold winters. The extreme southern portions of the state have milder winters and warmer summers. Indiana gets most of its precipitation from March through August. April through October is a good time to visit this state.
Indiana has 24 State Parks, nine man-made reservoirs, and hundreds of lakes. The Kankakee River flows through Indiana creating freshwater marshland which is now drained and cultivated. Limestone in the southern part of the state has created many quarry regions which was used in the construction of many buildings in the state. Indiana limestone was also used in the Empire State Building, the Pentagon and thirty of the fifty state capitol buildings.
One of the memorable experiences in Indiana would be a trip to the Amish Acres Historic Farm and Heritage Resort or Amish Country/Heritage Trail in the city of Elkhart. The Amish people form a very traditional subgroup of Swiss and German Mennonites who are known for their simple living, plain clothes and strong resistance (or aversion) to modern conveniences such as electricity or automotive vehicles. Indiana is also home to the largest Quaker Seminary in the US, the Earlham School of Religion.
President Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home in Lincoln city is one of the major attractions. In Indianapolis, an excellent choice for the family is to enjoy the Children’s museum. For people who are interested in American’s Wild West and for art enthusiasts, there is the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art with exhibits from artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Frederick Remington – 500 W Washington St, IN 46204
For those who love ice-skating, swimming, and outdoor sports, one can visit the Ellenberger Park at 5301 E Saint Clair, IN 46204. Other places to visit are the Garfield Park Conservatory, Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, Museum of Art, Zoo and NCAA Hall of Champions.
Fort Wayne
There are many attractions in Fort Wayne. The African/American Historical Museum is devoted to the history, heritage and glory of the Africans who were forcibly brought to the USA. It also deals with slavery in America, the Underground Railroad, Black inventors and their achievements, etc.
Classic cars are the main theme at Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum where Packards, Cadillacs and Rolls Royces are on display. Another attraction not to miss is the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. Families with children will enjoy a day spent at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Outdoors enthusiasts will be overjoyed by the sights and sounds of the fifteen mile stretch of wilderness between the St Joseph and Maumee Rivers.
In Lafayette, the Knickerbocker Saloon featuring live jazz and blues every Tuesday. Started in 1835, this bar and tavern has been one of the state’s long standing favorites.
