8 Indiana Family-Friendly Adventures You Haven’t Tried Yet

Indiana might not be the first state that comes to mind when planning a family vacation. But it holds some truly surprising experiences.

From underground caves to interactive museums and outdoor escapes, the Hoosier State offers adventures that go far beyond the usual tourist traps.

Many families stick to the same old destinations year after year. They miss hidden gems that spark curiosity and create lasting memories.

Whether your kids love nature, history, science, or just getting their hands dirty with new experiences, Indiana has something special waiting.

These eight adventures are perfect for families looking to break out of their routine and discover something fresh.

Each one offers a unique twist that will have your children talking about the trip for months.

Get ready to explore places you never knew existed right in your own backyard.

1. Explore the Underground World at Marengo Cave

Marengo Cave offers families a chance to step into a completely different world without leaving Indiana. Located at 400 E State Road 64, Marengo, IN 47140, this national landmark takes you deep beneath the surface where stunning rock formations have been developing for thousands of years.

Kids will be amazed as they walk through passages lined with stalactites and stalagmites that look like something from a fantasy movie.

Two different tours are available, each offering its own adventure. The Dripstone Trail is perfect for younger children and those new to caving, featuring well-lit paths and fascinating formations with names like the Crystal Palace and the Pillars of Hercules.

For families seeking more excitement, the Crystal Palace Tour adds an element of challenge with steeper climbs and tighter squeezes. Both tours are guided by knowledgeable staff who share stories about the cave’s discovery in 1883 and the geology that created these underground wonders.

The temperature inside stays around 54 degrees year-round, so bringing jackets is essential even on hot summer days. After your underground exploration, the property includes a gemstone mining area where kids can sift through dirt to find real minerals and fossils to take home.

There is also a small gift shop and picnic area for families who want to extend their visit. The entire experience typically takes two to three hours, making it perfect for a half-day adventure.

Marengo Cave provides an educational experience that feels like pure fun, teaching children about geology, history, and natural preservation in an environment they will never forget. It is an adventure that appeals to all ages and creates stories your family will retell for years.

2. Get Hands-On at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Standing as the largest children’s museum in the world, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis at 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208 transforms learning into an adventure that captivates kids from toddlers to teens. With five floors of interactive exhibits, families could easily spend an entire day exploring without seeing everything.

The Dinosphere exhibit brings children face-to-face with real fossils and life-sized dinosaur recreations, including a massive T. rex skeleton that towers overhead. Kids can dig for fossils themselves in the Paleo Prep Lab, where real paleontologists work on actual discoveries.

Another highlight is the SciWorks area, where physics and engineering come alive through hands-on experiments. Children can build structures, test water flow, and explore the principles of motion through play.

The museum also features a historic carousel, a glass-blowing studio where artisans demonstrate their craft, and the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience where kids can test their athletic skills. Seasonal exhibits rotate throughout the year, ensuring that return visits always offer something new.

For families with younger children, the Playscape area provides a safe, engaging environment designed specifically for kids under five. This space includes sensory activities, climbing structures, and imaginative play areas that help develop motor skills and creativity.

3. Paddle Through Shades State Park

Shades State Park, located at 7751 S 890 W, Waveland, IN 47989, offers families a chance to experience Indiana’s natural beauty from a completely different perspective. The park’s rugged terrain features deep ravines, sandstone cliffs, and the scenic Sugar Creek winding through it all.

Canoeing or kayaking along Sugar Creek provides an adventure that combines peaceful floating with occasional mild rapids that add just enough excitement for older children. Several local outfitters near the park rent equipment and provide shuttle services, making it easy for families to enjoy a few hours on the water without needing their own gear.

The creek’s current does most of the work, so even beginners can navigate successfully with basic instruction. Along the way, families will pass towering cliffs covered in moss and ferns, spot wildlife like herons and turtles, and enjoy the shade of the dense forest canopy overhead.

For families who prefer to stay on land, the park offers ten different hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. The Devil’s Punchbowl trail is particularly popular, leading hikers through narrow ravines and past unique rock formations.

Trail 9 takes you to stunning overlooks where you can see for miles across the creek valley below. The trails are well-marked and maintained, though some sections include steep stairs and rocky terrain that require sturdy shoes.

4. Discover History at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

History comes alive in ways textbooks never could at Conner Prairie, located at 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038. This living history museum transports families back to the 1800s, where costumed interpreters stay in character and invite visitors to participate in daily life from another era.

Children can help with chores in the 1836 Prairietown, learning how families cooked, cleaned, and worked before modern conveniences. They might churn butter, help in the blacksmith shop, or play games that children enjoyed two centuries ago.

The interpreters are skilled at engaging kids with questions and activities that make history feel relevant and exciting. One of the most thrilling experiences is the 1859 Balloon Voyage, where families can ride in a tethered hot air balloon that rises 377 feet above the ground.

The views are breathtaking, offering a unique perspective on the surrounding landscape and the historical village below. The balloon operates seasonally and requires an additional ticket, but it is worth every penny for the unforgettable experience.

The Lenape Indian Camp teaches children about the Native American culture that existed in Indiana before European settlement. Families can see traditional dwellings, learn about native plants and their uses, and hear stories passed down through generations.

Conner Prairie also features the Civil War Journey exhibit, where visitors can explore what life was like for soldiers and civilians during that difficult period. The outdoor nature park includes trails, a treehouse, and a discovery station where kids can examine insects, plants, and other natural specimens up close.

Special events happen throughout the year, including seasonal festivals and evening programs. The museum has multiple food options and shaded areas for rest, making it comfortable to spend an entire day exploring different time periods and learning through experience rather than observation.

5. Zip Through the Trees at Zip Line Tours

For families with adventurous spirits, zip lining through Indiana’s forests offers an adrenaline rush combined with stunning natural views. Several locations across the state provide professionally guided zip line experiences suitable for children as young as seven or eight, depending on weight requirements.

One popular option is Zip Line Tours at Boone County, located near Indianapolis, where families can soar through the canopy on a series of connected zip lines. The courses typically include six to ten different zip lines of varying lengths and heights, with the longest stretching several hundred feet.

Safety is the top priority, with professional guides providing thorough instruction and checking all equipment before anyone launches. Participants wear harnesses, helmets, and gloves, and guides accompany groups throughout the entire course.

The experience begins with a practice zip on a shorter line close to the ground, allowing everyone to get comfortable with the equipment and technique before moving to higher platforms. Once on the course, families will find themselves gliding between trees, feeling the wind rush past, and seeing the forest from perspectives usually reserved for birds.

Between zip lines, participants walk along suspended bridges and platforms built high in the trees. These transitions add variety to the experience and give everyone a chance to catch their breath while taking in the scenery.

Most courses take two to three hours to complete, and guides share interesting facts about the local ecosystem and wildlife throughout the tour. The physical activity is moderate, requiring basic fitness but not extreme athleticism.

Children who might be nervous at first often end up being the most enthusiastic by the final zip line. The combination of challenge, achievement, and natural beauty creates an experience that builds confidence and brings families closer together through shared adventure and encouragement.

6. Wander Through the Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo at 1200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46222 goes beyond typical zoo experiences by combining animal exhibits with botanical gardens and an aquarium all in one location. Families can easily spend a full day exploring the different environments and getting up close with creatures from around the world.

The Dolphin Pavilion features one of the country’s most impressive dolphin presentations, where these intelligent marine mammals demonstrate their natural behaviors and learned skills. The underwater viewing area allows visitors to watch dolphins swim gracefully just inches away through thick glass walls.

The Plains area recreates African savannas where elephants, rhinos, and giraffes roam in expansive habitats designed to mimic their natural environments. Giraffe feeding experiences are available seasonally, giving children the unforgettable thrill of hand-feeding these gentle giants while learning about conservation efforts.

The Forests section brings visitors face-to-face with orangutans, tigers, and bears in lush settings that emphasize the importance of habitat preservation. The zoo’s commitment to conservation is evident throughout, with educational signage explaining how visitors can help protect endangered species.

The Deserts dome houses reptiles, desert mammals, and plants adapted to harsh, dry conditions, while the Oceans building features a walk-through shark tunnel where predators swim overhead and all around. Touch pools let children gently interact with rays and small sharks under staff supervision.

The White River Gardens section offers a peaceful contrast to the animal areas, with beautifully landscaped gardens, a conservatory filled with tropical plants, and seasonal displays that change throughout the year. Families can rest on benches surrounded by flowers while children run along winding paths.

Multiple playgrounds, splash areas, and dining options are scattered throughout the zoo, ensuring that even the youngest visitors stay entertained and comfortable. The zoo also offers behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters for an additional fee, providing even deeper connections with wildlife.

7. Ride the Rails at the Whitewater Valley Railroad

Step back in time aboard vintage train cars at the Whitewater Valley Railroad, located at 455 Market St, Connersville, IN 47331. This heritage railroad offers families a chance to experience travel as it was in the early 20th century, complete with restored passenger cars and historic locomotives.

The scenic train rides travel through the beautiful Whitewater River Valley, crossing historic bridges and passing through small towns and countryside that time seems to have forgotten. The journey typically lasts about two hours round trip, providing plenty of time to relax and enjoy the changing scenery outside the windows.

Children are often fascinated by the rhythmic clacking of the wheels on the rails and the occasional whistle blast from the locomotive. Many of the train cars date back to the 1920s and 1930s, carefully restored to their original glory with wooden seats, vintage lighting, and period details.

Volunteers who are passionate about railroad history staff the trains and are happy to answer questions about how the trains work and share stories about the railway’s past. Special themed rides operate throughout the year, including holiday trains, murder mystery dinners, and the popular Pumpkin Patch Express in autumn.

These special events add extra entertainment and make the experience even more memorable for families. The train station itself is worth exploring, with a small museum displaying railroad artifacts, old photographs, and equipment that shows how railroads shaped Indiana’s development.

The gift shop sells railroad-themed toys and souvenirs that make perfect mementos of the trip. Tickets should be purchased in advance, especially for special events, as space is limited and popular rides sell out quickly.

The gentle pace of train travel offers a refreshing change from the rush of modern life, giving families quality time together without distractions. It is an experience that appeals to train enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, offering both nostalgia and education wrapped in an enjoyable afternoon adventure.

8. Explore Space at the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium

Located on the Butler University campus at 4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46208, the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium opens up the universe to curious minds of all ages. The facility features one of the largest telescopes available for public viewing in the United States, along with a state-of-the-art planetarium that creates immersive journeys through space.

Public viewings are held regularly, allowing families to look through the massive telescope at planets, stars, and distant galaxies that would otherwise remain invisible to the naked eye. Seeing Saturn’s rings or the craters on the moon up close creates a sense of wonder that pictures in books simply cannot match.

Knowledgeable astronomy students and faculty guide visitors through the viewing experience, explaining what they are seeing and answering questions about the cosmos. The planetarium shows use cutting-edge projection technology to display the night sky on the dome ceiling, creating the illusion of sitting under the stars.

Different programs cater to various age groups, with some designed specifically for younger children featuring engaging narration and simplified concepts. Others explore more complex topics like black holes, the life cycle of stars, or the search for planets outside our solar system.

The combination of visual spectacle and educational content makes these shows entertaining and informative for the whole family. The facility also hosts special events during significant astronomical occurrences like meteor showers, eclipses, or planetary alignments.

These events often draw large crowds of enthusiastic sky watchers who share in the excitement of witnessing celestial phenomena. Admission is very affordable, making it an accessible adventure for families on any budget.

The observatory grounds include a small park area where families can walk and enjoy the campus environment before or after their visit. Parking is available nearby, and the facility is easily accessible.

Introducing children to astronomy through hands-on observation rather than just reading about it can spark a lifelong interest in science and exploration.