Southern Region
Back to Top of ListThunderbird at Holiday World, Santa Claus
Holiday World is an absolute must for amusement park adrenaline junkies! The world’s first theme park is also home to the nation’s first launched wing coaster: Thunderbird. Within 3.5 seconds, riders are sent up the first hill at 60 mph. Thunderbird does not mess around with its 14-story Immelmann loop, Zero-g roll, barrel roll, and loop. The rapid-fire “near miss” elements throughout the ride especially add to the thrill. And there are so many other rides and slides for you to discover at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari!
Bat Chaser & The Plunge at Indiana Caverns, Corydon
There are two reasons to spend some time above ground at Indiana Caverns Family Adventure Park in Corydon. The Bat Chaser, a first-of-its-kind zip coaster in the Midwest, marries the best elements of ziplining, hang gliding, and roller coasters. Twist and turn through a grove of large trees for 603 feet. Indiana Caverns also has a 50-foot free-fall drop attraction named The Plunge!
Rockin’ Thunder River Tours, Madison
Cruise along the Ohio River and Kentucky River at fast speeds on the Rockin’ Thunder River Tours. The four cruise options range from a 40-mile, two-hour scenic tour to a 155-mile, two-day river adventure. Your captain and crew will point out historic locations, share river stories, and help spot wildlife like bald eagles, osprey, deer, and more.
Cheetah Chase at Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus
Splashin’ Safari’s third water coaster features two ProSlide RocketBLAST®-powered racing slides totaling more than 1,700 feet of track. On Cheetah Chase, riders will experience a water-powered flat launch before racing against their families toward the finish line. The most iconic parts of the ride are arguably the two FlyingSAUCER® elements, which create a faster and tighter ride with more substantial g-force.
The Voyage at Holiday World, Santa Claus
When imagining thrill rides in Indiana, this is what likely comes to mind. The Voyage has been named the top wooden coaster in the United States by several publications over the past 20 years of operations. This relentless coaster takes the traditional layout to the edge of insanity, with one of the steepest drops of any wood coaster around. Riders will experience weightlessness for 24.3 seconds, making it an airtime machine. Along the 1.2 miles of track, three sections of extreme 90-degree banking have passengers holding onto the edges of their seats. Not to mention The Voyage holds the record for the most underground tunnels in the world.
Interlake Off-Road State Recreation Area, Lynnville
Interlake spans approximately 3,550 acres with nearly 100 miles of multi-use recreational facility focusing on off-road vehicles. The three areas of mining and reclamation create a variety of trail experiences for ORV enthusiasts. All vehicle types are welcome, including Jeeps, trucks, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and more.
Mac’s Seaplane, Rising Sun
Ascend to the sky from a water takeoff! Mac’s Seaplane offers scenic Ohio River seaplane rides with a tour of the local area. The short ride lasts about 15 minutes, while the more extended tour lasts 40 minutes. Trips are made by appointment, so call (513) 280-2986 for more information.
The Mammoth at Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus
Summer is the time for an epic ride on the world’s longest water coaster, Mammoth! Six-passenger boats are conveyed up the water coaster’s first lift hill and taken down many airtime-filled drops. LIMs (Linear Induction Motors) fly the boats back up hill after hill. You may be facing forward, sideways, or backward, but the ride is a blast in every position. Zoom over to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari for this splish-splashing good time.
Redbird State Recreation Area, Linton
Redbird is full of many miles of off-road vehicle trails. The property sits on 1,400 acres of former surface and underground coal mine land. The unique history creates a diverse set of features and challenges for all ORV lovers. A ride up Powerline Hill, pictured above, is one of the best thrills in the entire state.
Central Region
Back to Top of List1859 Balloon Voyage at Conner Prairie, Fishers
Conner Prairie’s 1859 Balloon Voyage has been transporting guests up, up, and away for over a decade. The yellow-and-orange striped balloon ride travels to a maximum height of 370 feet (taller than the Statue of Liberty and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument) in a matter of a few minutes. Relax—since the balloon stays tethered the entire time, there’s zero chance of floating away. On a clear day, passengers get a gorgeous panoramic view of the Conner Prairie grounds below. All flights for the 1859 Balloon Voyage are limited to 20 passengers or less.
Skydive Indianapolis, Frankfort
Is there anything more thrilling than free-falling 13,000 feet from the sky at 120 mph? Skydive Indianapolis is the largest skydive center in Indiana and has a highly trained group of instructors. If it’s your first time, consider a tandem skydiving experience where your instructor can handle all of the details. No matter what, take a leap of faith at Skydive Indianapolis!
Badlands Off-Road Park, Attica
Badlands Off-Road Park is home to 800+ acres of multi-directional, diverse trails. Terrains include sand dunes, wooded trails, gravel, mud, and rocks. Bikes and ATVs can test their skills on the full-size MX Track. SUVs, 4x4s, and Side-by-Sides can take on the challenges of the fun Rock Quarry/SUV Park. Regardless of your skill level, you will find riding treks ideally suited for your abilities.
Freedom Helicopter Ride, Fishers
Take an unbelievable flight over downtown Indianapolis on a state-of-the-art helicopter! The breath-taking scenic tour will also soar over the best scenic routes in the surrounding area. Freedom Helicopter rides can accommodate up to three passengers per flight.
Fastimes Indoor Karting, Indianapolis
You can’t come to the Racing Capital of the World without a racing thrill yourself! It’s fun to zip past strangers, but do you think you can beat your friends and family? Rides at Fastimes Indoor Karting accelerate over 40 mph on the 900-foot bi-level race track. The karts are equipped with 9 HP Honda engines.
IndyCar Two-Seater Racing Experience, Indianapolis
Have you ever wanted to experience the speeds and g-forces of an IndyCar? Get in and sit behind a professional race car driver as you encounter the thrills found only on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track! The Indy Racing Experience has a fleet of two-seat, ride-along IndyCars, with purpose-built Dallara chassis. Each participant must be 18 years or older. Book your once-in-a-lifetime Indy Racing Experience here.
Northern Region
Back to Top of ListSteel Hawg at Indiana Beach, Monticello
A gem of family entertainment along the picturesque shores of beautiful Lake Shafer, Indiana Beach is ready to welcome guests for a rip-roaring good time! The gravity-defying Steel Hawg opened in 2008, featuring a 111-degree drop, two inversions, and reaches speeds of 41 mph.
Ziplining, Statewide
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to soar majestically through the sky like a bald eagle? If so, you’re in luck! Indiana is home to many scenic zip lines that provide thrilling experiences for visitors of all age levels. Glide through the “Little Smokies” in Brown County or hover for thousands of feet over Timber Lake. If you aren’t ready to spread your wings fully quite yet, there’s also some more tame indoor ziplines in the Hoosier state, like the Sky Rider at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Franklin. No matter what, Indiana zip lines will have your legs dangling and heart thumping.
East Race Waterway, South Bend
East Race Waterway, located in downtown South Bend, is a one-of-a-kind recreational facility. As the first artificial whitewater course in North America, its rapids rival those of the Colorado River and can generate waves up to six feet or higher. The course is approximately 2,000 feet long, with a total fall of about 12 feet depending on the flow. The obstacle placements create whitewater turbulence for novices and professionals alike. Book your whitewater rafting trip here!
Super Decathlon Aviation Ride, Fort Wayne
This is guaranteed to be a life-changing experience. The Super Decathlon Aviation Ride is exactly what it sounds like with 30 minutes of loops, rolls, spins, and inverted flight high above the Fort Wayne landscape. The ride can be tailored to your wishes, whether you prefer a tame or aggressive flight. Some of the maneuvers included on the Super Decathlon Aviation Ride include a 4-point hesitation roll, Immelmann, hammerhead, and knife-edge. Do you think you can handle it?
Cornball Express at Indiana Beach, Monticello
Cornball Express is a thrilling high-speed wooden roller coaster featuring exciting drops, twists, bunny hops, and tight turns. Built by CCI in 2001, its first drop towers 78 feet while reaching a top speed of 46 mph. Steel Hawg is a great coaster, but many enthusiasts say this is the best ride at Indiana Beach.
