Spring means longer days, fresh blooms, and the perfect excuse to get out of the house. If you’re planning a spring break escape, four easy wins are Discover Dubois, Festival Country, the Indiana Dunes, and Steuben County. From lake days and small-town main streets to sandy hikes and outdoor adventures, these destinations capture the full range of what spring in Indiana has to offer.
Start planning your Indiana getaway this spring.
Discover Dubois
Southern Indiana is full of discoveries for you to find. Discover Dubois County, where you can spend the morning on the water at Patoka Lake, wander the Victorian storefronts and local bites along Huntingburg’s Historic 4th Street, and wrap the day in Downtown Jasper. Add in a movie-famous baseball backdrop at Huntingburg League Stadium (“A League of Their Own”), plus festivals and local favorites like the Schnitzelbank, and you’ve got a spring break that feels equal parts outdoorsy and charming.
Festival Country
Just south of Indy, Festival Country is a fun-filled adventure waiting to be explored. Start in Downtown Franklin (a perennial crowd-pleaser), hunt down Instagrammable alleys and art, and make the Coffee Trail your default itinerary. For families, Rascal’s Fun Zone is a great time to watch the kids go-karting and playing games, while for grown-ups, Mallow Run Winery offers tastings and seasonal events. And if you time it right, you can catch big local celebrations (think craft brew events, vintage/handmade markets, and farmers markets) and still have room for a proper Indiana bite on the Tenderloin Tasting Trail.
Indiana Dunes
If spring break needs fresh air, the Indiana Dunes delivers—with beaches and brag-worthy hikes. Tackle the 3 Dune Challenge, take the Diana of the Dunes walk for local legend vibes, or borrow Backpacks for Naturalists to turn the day into a DIY ranger mission. Between the Indigenous Cultural Trail, drop-in volunteer opportunities, and seasonal events like the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, there’s plenty beyond the shoreline. Cap it off with a good meal nearby, whether that’s craft beer and fusion at Blockhead Beerworks or a scratch-made Italian stop like Lucrezia Café.
Steuben County
Steuben County is scenic, relaxed, and quietly packed with things to do. Start your adventure at Pokagon State Park on Lake James, then head out to Trine State Recreation Area for more trails and woods. Want something different? Check out the open landscape at Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve or hop aboard the Indiana Rail Experience. Pair it with hometown events (markets, festivals, balloon weekends) and a solid meal at Timbers Steakhouse & Seafood or the Potawatomi Inn dining room.
Shipshewana
Nestled in Northern Indiana, Shipshewana is a great destination for a family-friendly vacation. Take your kids on the historic 1906 Dentzel Carousel, ride through the city or countryside on a buggy ride, watch a show at the Blue Gate Theatre, or shop till you drop at the many local merchants.
South Shore
As you might already know, Indiana Dunes National Park is a must-see! Even better for spring break, Indiana Dunes National Park's Douglas Center in Gary hosts interactive exhibits, a video, and live animals each Saturday. Stop by Albanese Confectionery for a sweet treat and a tour, or the HEROES Arcade, Museum, and Gallery in Michigan City to let your imagination run wild. Then round off your stay with an adventure through the 300 acres of the Gabis Arboretum.
Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne turns into "Fort Fun" for spring break! Children can spark their imagination at one of their many museums, including Science Central. The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, a downtown nature oasis, offers three gardens under glass. Families can also explore the Fort Wayne Zoo, one of the top-rated zoos in the nation and a favorite spring break destination.
French Lick
French Lick is a unique destination that is magnified during spring break. Big Splash Adventure Indoor Waterpark & Resort lets guests experience the tropics year-round in their 40,000 square foot facility. Wilstem Wildlife Park gives visitors the chance to encounter and interact with exotic creatures, which now includes an Asian Elephant! Make a pitstop at Otis, the fishing sasquatch, for a photo you'll definitely want to share. Top off your stay by lodging at the historic West Baden Springs Hotel or the French Lick Springs Hotel.
Lafayette-West Lafayette
One of the best destination dining locations is Triple XXX Family Restaurant, the last standing “XXX Thirst Station” root beer drive-in around the country. With warmer temperatures approaching, it means that it is time to shop for new clothes, and Lafayette's 50+ local boutiques and shops are the place to start! Click here for more spring break getaways in Lafayette-West Lafayette.
Evansville
The Children's Museum of Evansville is located in the heart of the city. With over 20,000 square feet of exhibits, it is an experience to behold. The Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden connects families with hundreds of animals from around the globe.
SoIN
Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana provide a relaxing reprieve from everyday life. Derby Dinner Playhouse features multiple live productions throughout the year. Kids and adults alike can watch candy being made at Schimpff's Confectionery in a live demonstration. A tour at the Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site lets visitors experience the 20,000-square-foot mansion, hand-painted ceilings, a remarkable carved staircase, and other intricate masterworks. Read more about spring break in SoIN here.
Columbus
Every attraction in Columbus shows off its architectural wonder! Kidscommons is a hands-on museum where guests can design their city of the future, find their inner artist, and learn about other cultures. The free Commons Playground is a great jungle gym featuring five steel columns, roping, and steel to connect 50 custom-made platform pieces. No visit to Columbus is complete without a stop at Zaharakos Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor.
Richmond
Any spring break trip has to start with chocolate. Richmond's Chocolate Trail leads you to historic candy factories, tasty ice cream shops, and more. Over 10 locations offer free chocolate treats! Beautiful nature is plentiful, including Thistlethwaite Falls, a must-see waterfall. A visit to Richmond must also include a trip to the only two Egyptian mummies on permanent display in Indiana.
Hamilton County
Just north of Indianapolis, Hamilton County is chock-full of many attractions in multiple cities that will provide a memorable spring break getaway. Strawtown Koteewi Park allows kids to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow at their archery center. Conner Prairie, K-Trails Equestrian Adventures, and Topgolf are just a few more great options.
Hendricks County
One of the more unique spring break attractions is The Tie Dye Lab in Avon! The do-it-yourself studio allows participants the chance to color t-shirts, hats, socks, bandannas, and more. If food is your forté, Oasis Diner in Plainfield is a fun place to take kids on a day trip. It is one of only 5 historical diners to remain on US 40 from Illinois to Maryland.
Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest of its kind in the world and ripe for a spring break visit! When it comes to learning and exploration, the museum is just the first stop; the Indianapolis Zoo is a must see destinations for families and couples. Indianapolis also has some of the best trails in the Midwest, from the Cultural Trail to the Canal Walk at White River State Park.
State Park Inns
Indiana's State Parks feature seven beautiful hotels located among some of the best natural areas in the country. Indiana State Parks with Inns include Brown County, Clifty Falls, Fort Harrison, McCormick's Creek, Pokagon, Spring Mill, and Turkey Run. Abe Martin Lodge at Brown County State Park boasts a 12,000-square-foot water park facility with a zero-entry pool, water basketball court, water volleyball court, whirlpool, and slides!
Caves
Discover the underground wonders of Southern Indiana, where breathtaking natural beauty awaits around every corner. Explore the dazzling formations of Marengo Cave, the historic charm of Squire Boone Caverns, the mysterious boat tours of Bluespring Caverns, and the adventure-filled Indiana Caverns. Each unique cave offers an unforgettable journey perfect for explorers of all ages!
