Go on – plan on making a day of it. Roll the windows all the down, play your favorite music and enjoy the ride. Get in touch with nature by having a leisurely picnic and then taking a long, relaxing hike in Yellowwood State Park. While you’re there, stop off and see Gobbler’s Rock, a four hundred pound rock that’s lodged precariously in a tree. Lay lazily on the shore of Lake Monroe and let the sun make you blind as it reflects off the water. Drop in on any on of literally hundreds of local artists painting the town in a variety of hues. Watch while handmade beeswax candles are dipped and hung to dry, or stare incredulously as a glassblower slowly and painstakingly blows an exquisite round bowl. Bright sunlight shoots jaggedly through pieces of stained glass as the smell of scented candles delightfully ‘tickles’ your sense of smell. Listen to the soft “click-click-click” of a loom weaving fabric.

Next, take in the flea market and then visit an antique store or two; there certainly are enough of them in these parts ! If you’re patient and willing to look carefully, there are definitely old-fashioned bargains to be found. And when it’s time to eat, you certainly won’t be disappointed – there are many fine restaurants and cafes to eat at. If it’s something sweet on your mind, try and stop yourself from indulging in rich, creamy fudge, caramel apples, funnel cakes or elephant ears, all local favorites and available in abundance. You have a lot of hard choices if you make the decision to stay the night. From a few of the larger national chains to more small and charming l bed-and-breakfasts, there’s something for every taste and budget. You can find many travel deals on the Internet today.

Everything from the Indiana State Museum to the Indianapolis 500 can be found within the city limits of Indianapolis. Although the Lincoln Museum is an excellent stop for history buffs and is found in Fort Wayne. This museum covers the life of Abraham Lincoln and how he contributed to society. South Bend has the Northern Indiana Center for History and Evansville is a historic riverfront town with the Willard Library that is listed as a historic place and has been reported to be haunted.

Perhaps the biggest attraction of Indianapolis is the largest single day sporting event in the world at the Indianapolis 500. However, there is more to the town than just auto racing. There are a variety of attractions and other sporting events that you can do year round in the city. In addition, the city offers excellent dinning and a unique shopping experience. There is the Indianapolis Zoo, the IMAX theater, the NCAA Hall of Champions, the White River Gardens, the Indiana State Museum, the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial and the Eiteljorg Musuem which showcases a wide collection of American Indian and Western Art so that no matter what your interests you are sure to find something that interests you in Indianapolis. Through the state, Indiana has a variety of chain hotels and motels to choose from at an affordable price for any traveler. In 2006 a new contemporary hotel opened called the Conrad Indianapolis on Washington Street which is twenty-three stories and has 241 rooms with a spa, two restaurants and a fitness center. For a historic experience there is the French Lick Resort Casino in the town of French Lick on State Road 56 which is currently undergoing renovations. It features a 1920 golf course and will soon have a casino, pool, fitness center and several eateries and watering holes on site for guests.