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A travel guide to Indiana full of family fun, historic landmarks and unique experiences

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A travel guide to Indiana full of family fun, historic landmarks and unique experiences


While in Indiana, there are plenty of tourist attractions that can be enjoyed by the whole family. 

The town of Santa Claus is an adored spot for a touch of holiday cheer any time of year. 

If the timing is right, you can catch the infamous Indianapolis 500 while in the state. If not, there are plenty of other races that take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the year and tons of history to be learned at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. 

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If you need inspiration about what to do while you’re in the Hoosier State, below are a few ideas to add to your itinerary.

  1. Visit the town of Santa Claus
  2. Stop at the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln
  3. Catch a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Museum
  4. Explore Marengo Cave
  5. Go to Indiana Dunes National Park

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Dunes National Park are two of many favored tourist attractions in Indiana. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images I DIANE DESOBEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

1. Visit the town of Santa Claus

There are so many attractions that fill the town of Santa Claus, Indiana. 

There is plenty to see and do in Santa Claus, including Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. 

This theme park is full of exciting roller coasters and tons of attractions for the little ones in your family. Water rides are available to enjoy during the warmer months.

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While at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, there are lots of shows, including ones full of magic and comedy, to see while you’re visiting. 

If you are in need of holiday spirit before the season officially comes around, you can shop at the Santa Claus Christmas Store in the town and also visit the Santa Claus Museum & Village. 

Santa Claus, Indiana, is home to a family-friendly theme park and plenty of festive stops throughout the town. (Kevin Pang/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

2. Stop at the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln

A short five miles away from Santa Claus is Lincoln City, where you can find the home where former President Abraham Lincoln spent much of his childhood. 

Lincoln was born in Kentucky, but his family later moved to Indiana, where he lived from 1816 until 1830, according to the National Park Service’s website. 

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While there, you can visit the park museum to learn more about the life of Lincoln, visit the Lincoln Living Historical Farm and walk the Boyhood Trail, just as Lincoln did while he was growing up. 

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3. Catch a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Museum

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the famous Indy 500, which has taken place since 1911, according to Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s website. 

The Indy 500 is usually held in May, but the attraction is still worth a visit whatever time of year you find yourself in Indiana. 

Check the website to see what events are happening during your visit. 

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While in Indiana, catch a thrilling race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

If you’re visiting at a time when no events are taking place, you can always take a tour of the track for a behind-the-scenes look at the space. 

There’s also a museum on site, but it is closed for renovation until April 2025. 

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4. Explore Marengo Cave

Many visitors head to Marengo Cave on their trip to Indiana. 

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The cave’s formation dates back around a million years, according to Marengo Cave’s website, but it was not discovered until 1883.

In 1984, Marengo Cave was named a National Natural Landmark. 

If you love to camp, you can pitch a tent in the campground at Marengo Cave and bring your furry friends with you.  (iStock)

Tours of the cave take place year around, with two different walking tours offered to visitors. 

One is the “Crystal Palace” tour, which takes about 40 minutes, and the “Dripstone Trail,” which is a 60-minute tour. 

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There are many other activities that are available at the cave beyond the walking tours, like a waterfall crawl and an underground adventure. 

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If you want to stay close to Marengo Cave, there is a campground where you can pitch a tent or rent a cabin for a more luxurious camping experience. 

5. Go to Indiana Dunes National Park

If you like to camp, fish and hike, Indiana Dunes National Park is for you. 

Dunewood Campground is open for overnight stays from April 1 through Oct. 31, according to the National Park Service’s website, though the park itself is open year round.

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Make sure to take your camera with you, as you will be surrounded by stunning views worth snapping a photo of. 



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Indianapolis, IN

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

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Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win


INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 6-14) thumped Omaha (Royals), 11-3. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.206) went 2 for 3 with a double, his first home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.239) went 3 for 4 with a double and his first homer, a two-run shot. DH Enmanuel Valdez (.273) went 2 for 4 with his first homer and three runs scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.258) went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. SS Davis Wendzel (.269) went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. RHP Carson Fulmer (2-0, 5.51) started, gave up three runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. RHP Chris Devenski (1.50) and LHP Joe La Sorsa (3.24) each pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Omaha (Royals), 3:05 p.m.

ALTOONA (Double-A, 2-12) had two hits – both solo home runs – and beat Portland (Red Sox), 2-0. LHP Dominic Perachi (1-0, 1.80) started and went six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. RHP Landon Tomkins (3.38) followed with two scoreless. RHP Jaycob Deese (3.00) worked the ninth for his first save. LF Titus Dumitru (.146) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. C Shawn Ross (.182) went 1 for 3 with his second homer.

Next: Sunday vs. Portland (Red Sox), 1 p.m.

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GREENSBORO (High-A, 10-4) lost 8-3 to Brooklyn (Mets). C Easton Carmichael (.273) went 2 for 4 with an RBI. RF Shalin Polanco (.250) went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. 1B Jared Jones (.277) went 2 for 5 with a run scored. RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 7.36) started, recorded one out and gave up four runs on two hits and four walks. RHP Jose Garces (3.60) pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Brooklyn (Mets), 2 p.m.

BRADENTON (Low-A, 5-9) allowed seven stolen bases in its 6-5 loss to Tampa (Yankees). CF Edward Florentino, starting a rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury, went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and run scored. LHP Reinold Navarro (6.43) started and gave up three hits, four walks and two earned runs over three innings while striking out five. SS/1B Eddie Rynders (.128) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. DH Edgleen Perez (.238) went 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. LF/CF Josh Tate (.208) went 2 for 5 with an RBI. 2B/SS Antonio Pimentel (.154) went 2 for 4 with a double. RHP Greiber Mendez (5.40) and RHP Noah Murdock (0-1, 9.00), who took the loss, each gave up two hits and one run in one inning. RHP Treyson Peters pitched the final three innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two.

Next: Sunday at Tampa (Yankees), noon

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Indianapolis, IN

The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026

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The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It was another busy week in high school sports in central Indiana and ‘The Zone Extra’ has it all covered.

Athlete of the week and Guerin Catholic senior outfielder Ian Taylor is off to a scorching hot start to the young season. Check out his interview as well as Guerin Catholic head coach Dave Schrage talk about Taylor’s success.

The Johnson County baseball tournament came to a close. See highlights from Center Grove’s tournament victory.

The 4A baseball coaches poll was released as well as the 3A softball coaches poll.

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The former Columbus North gymnastics coach, John Hinds, passed away at 88 years old.

Center Grove head softball coach Alyssa Coleman joins the show for a coaches corner conversation.

See highlights from the Colts Local Pro Day, featuring several former Hoosiers and Purdue’s Devin Mockobee.

Girls lacrosse is in the first season as an IHSAA emerging sport.

All of that, and more, can be found in the full The Zone Extra show above.

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Indianapolis, IN

Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis

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Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis


(WISH) — A tornado watch was issued until 3 a.m. EDT Saturday for counties northwest and west of Indianapolis, and into Illinois.

Indiana counties in the watch area are Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Elkhart, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Parke, Pulaski, Putnam, St. Joseph, Starke, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren and White. The watch area includes the cities of Crawfordsville, Elkhart, Lafayette, Lebanon, South Bend, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued two watches in Indiana. The other one until midnight EDT Friday includes the Indiana counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter. That includes the city of Gary. That watch also extends into Illinois.

Storms on Friday night in central Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota led to dozens of confirmed tornado warnings. The storms in central Illinois has gusts up to 80 mph, and tornadoes embedded in heavy rain.

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An alert issued after 10:30 p.m. Friday from the National Weather Service at Indianapolis said, “A line of strong thunderstorms is nearing the state line with a history of widespread damaging winds and tornadoes. The line is expected to continue to produce damaging winds as it moves into Indiana with the potential for additional tornadoes. The line is then expected to gradually weaken as it moves further into the state.”



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