Indiana summer vacation guide

Looking to get away this summer? You need not look far. There are a number of excellent options right here in Indiana providing  ‘Hoosier Hospitality’ no matter what your interests or budget may be. These sites are perfect for day-trips and weekend getaways, so have a look and take your pick.

Visit Indiana

Visit Indiana has released the Best of Indiana Summer Gotta-Dos including the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Clifty Falls State Park, and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.  Read more about their Top Ten picks and find more resources here:

• Check out VisitIndiana.com’s trip idea online search.
• Follow VisitIndiana.com’s Indiana Insider blog for the latest in Indiana tourism news at www.in.gov/visitindiana/blog/
• Request an Indiana Travel Guide, Indiana Festival Guide, Indiana Golf Guide or Indiana State Map by contacting your legislator.
• Order regional travel brochures from VisitIndiana.com
  • North
  • East
  • West
  • Central
  • South Central
  • South

Staff Picks

Lake Wawasee–Syracuse, Indiana. Take family or friends for a weekend of fun on the water. You can rent a cottage and watercrafts and enjoy fishing, watersports and other activities on and along the lake.

New Harmony Inn–New Harmony, Indiana. New Harmony is a former utopian town with historic charm located along the Wabash River.  It’s home to the Red Geranium Restaurant, a cozy dining spot offering great American cuisine and a long list of international wines. For a peaceful getaway, this is your place.

Scenic View Resort–Bloomington, Indiana. This lodge boasts amazing views of rolling hills and beautiful Lake Monroe. Visit Scenic View’s own restaurant and beer garden, and enjoy its close proximity to the lake where fun cab be had at the beach and on the water.

Lake Michigan–Michigan City, Indiana. Michigan City offers a wide variety of activities to keep you occupied. Rent a beach house or unpack at a hotel and enjoy some time at the beach, climbing the dunes or exploring the town’s many restaurants and shopping sites.

More Trip Ideas

• Download the 2010 Indiana Recreation Guide and the 2010 Indiana Fishing Guide from the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources.
• Visit camp.in.gov to learn about camping sites in Indiana and make online reservations.
• Visit stateparks.in.gov to learn about visiting Indiana’s  state parks and reservoirs.
• Search for a local farmer’s market on the Indiana’s Farmer’s Market Online Directory.
• Contact your local visitor’s bureau or tourist board.

Calling all young authors!

Senator Lanane joins essay winner Megan Moran and her parents prior to the Statehood Day ceremony at the Statehouse.

The Indiana Statehouse Tour Office is once again sponsoring an essay competition in conjunction with “Indiana Statehood Day,” a celebration of Indiana’s 194^th birthday. Winners will be honored at the Statehood Day Celebration taking place on Friday, December 10, 2010, from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. EST, at the Indiana Statehouse.

The topic of the essay should convey what living in the state of Indiana means to the student and what makes them proud to be a Hoosier.

The competition is open to any Indiana 4^th grade public, private or home school student. Essays must be at least 100 words and no longer than 400 words, handwritten or typed. The  student, teacher, and school name, along with the an address and telephone number must be included in each essay. The school name should be on every essay if essays are sent from an entire class.

Essays must be received or postmarked October 25, 2010.

Check out last year’s Statehood Day celebration here!

Essays may be  sent to:

Jennifer Hodge, Coordinator, State Capitol Tour Office,

200 W. Washington St. Room 220

Indiana Statehouse,

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

For more information on the contest, call 317-233-9830.

• Judges will choose first, second, and third place winners.

• Winners will be notified on or before November 24, 2010.

Indiana “daycation” ideas

This summer many Hoosiers are opting for a ‘daycation’ rather than the traditional vacation. Daycations, or day trips, provide an opportunity to enjoy local sites and attractions without the worries of packing, long drives, airport delays and overnight stays. Indiana has a host of excellent options to enjoy some ‘Hoosier hospitality’ on your daycation no matter what your interests or budget may be.

Trip Ideas

• Check out VisitIndiana.com’s trip idea online search.
• Follow VisitIndiana.com’s Indiana Insider blog for the latest in Indiana tourism news at www.in.gov/visitindiana/blog/
• Request an Indiana Travel Guide, Indiana Festival Guide, Indiana Golf Guide, or Indiana State Map by contacting your legislator.
• Order regional travel brochures from VisitIndiana.com
  • North
  • East
  • West
  • Central
  • South Central
  • South
• Download the 2010 Indiana Recreation Guide and the 2010 Indiana Fishing Guide from the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources.
• Visit camp.in.gov to learn about camping sites in Indiana and make online reservations.
• Visit stateparks.in.gov to learn about visiting Indiana’s  state parks and reservoirs.
• Search for a local farmer’s market on the Indiana’s Farmer’s Market Online Directory.
• Contact your local visitor’s bureau or tourist board.

Museum Access Pass

This successful statewide initiative provides low-income Hoosier families with opportunities to visit museums and attractions at the reduced rate of $1 per family member.