For Indiana residents, here are three things to do experiences that should be included in your bucket list to fully enjoy all that the Hoosier state has to offer.
Take a hike at Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park, located approximately 90 minutes west of Indianapolis, is highly recommended for hiking enthusiasts in the Midwest. Situated at 8121 E. Park Road and just a half-hour southwest of Crawfordsville, the park features a cabin dedicated to Richard Lieber, the founding figure of Indiana’s state park system. In case Turkey Run is too crowded, locals suggest exploring the neighboring Shades State Park, which offers equally stunning and challenging trails.
Experience the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ at the Indianapolis 500
Witness the exhilarating Indianapolis 500, known as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” which draws around 300,000 spectators to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway every May. The event holds immense significance for Hoosiers, who cherish traditions such as the rendition of “(Back Home Again in) Indiana,” the majestic flyover during the national anthem, and the iconic milk-drinking celebration. Alongside captivating music and the symbolic act of brick kissing, the race itself takes center stage as cars zoom by at speeds exceeding 150 mph, creating an essential element of the thrilling experience.
Eat fried chicken in Oldenburg, Indiana
Indulge in delicious fried chicken at Wagner’s Village Inn in Oldenburg, Indiana, a small town with a population of 674. Located at 22171 Main Street, the restaurant has been praised by the James Beard Foundation as serving some of the finest fried chicken in the Midwest. This esteemed recognition, the 2023 America’s Classics Award, has only been bestowed upon around 100 restaurants nationwide since its inception in 1998. St. Elmo’s Steak House, also in Indiana, was the only other restaurant from the state to receive this honor in 2012.