Top 5 Weekend Getaways from Indianapolis

Indianapolis is the capital city of the state of Indiana and also one of the most developed ones. It is also known to be the most populated city in the state of Indiana and has grown to be the cultural and economic centre of Indiana.

Apart from the skyscrapers and highly developed roadways, this city has a lot of beautiful natural surroundings to offer. There are many parks, lakes and botanical gardens in the city. The famous attractions of this place include Indianapolis motor speedway, Indianapolis zoo, white river state park etc.

But everyone wishes to escape the city life, even when they live in the beautiful city of Indianapolis, so here are a few places that you can consider for weekend getaways that are not so far from the city.

5 Most Visited Weekend Getaways from Indianapolis:

1. Madison vineyards

Everyone likes to treat themselves to a glass of wine whenever they get back home after work. What if you can spend your entire weekend at a place which has a vast selection of wines for you to enjoy from? Won’t it be a dream come true?

Visit the Madison vineyards which are located in Southern Indiana, the property is along the Ohio River and is very beautiful. You can also witness the whole art of preparing most exceptional quality wines. Additionally, you won’t have to wander that far to find a place to stay as they have numerous bed and breakfast options for overnight stays as well.

• Distance from the main city- 98.3 miles, takes about 2 hours by road
• Best time to visit- any time of the year
• Places to stay- they offer a place to stay for their guests.

2. Santa Claus, Indiana

We are not talking about the actual Santa here,but this place is not short of gifts and treats either. This is the perfect place to visit with your family if you have been unable to plan a vacation for a long time. There are rides, water parks, museums and restaurants which offer delicious food.

This property has all forms of entertainment to offer and is the perfect distraction from the monotonous city life. The adults can indulge themselves in canoeing and camping offered here.

• Distance from city centre- 154 miles from southwest of Indianapolis
• Best time to visit- any time of the year
• Places to stay- Tents (if camping), Santa’s lodges, Santa’s cottages, Lincoln Pines Lakefront Resort

3. Columbus

Columbus is a vast,place but since it is not far from Indianapolis, you should not miss the chance of exploring itif you get a chance. Columbus is known for its magnificent architecture and beautiful art forms. You can travel in the city economically by taking a bus.

There are many art galleries and tours that are offered to familiarize you with the architectural history of Columbus. The place also has various cafes and bars where you can find delicious food. Many pubs and open grills are also located here.

• Distance from City Centre- 44 miles from south Indianapolis
• Best time to Visit- any time of the year
• Places to stay- Hotel Indigo Columbus, Sleep Inn and Suites, Charwood suites

4. Patoka Lake

It is one of the most famous lakes in Indiana,and you should really visit it if you are trying to find peace and solace. Apart from sitting beside the lake and admiring its beauty, you can rent houseboats and power boats to enjoy more.

The lake also has a winery nearby, so you shouldn’t miss the chance of grabbing a glass of fine wine beside the lake. Many activities like kayaking, canoeing, camping, swimming and horseback rides are also found here. It is Also possible for you to take a cave tour while you are here. You can seek the help of a guide and visit it alone as well. In the winter season, you can snowboard and ski as well if you plan to visit during those months. It can be one of the best getaway trips if you have your friends or families along with.

• Distance from Main city- 119.4 miles
• Best time to visit- if you want to take part in adventure sports, then summer time and if you wish to ski and snowboard then winter time
• Places to stay- Patoka lake Marina and Lodging, White Oaks Cabins, Comfort Suites

5. Bloomington

Bloomington is a small town in Indiana and has a charming vibe. You can roam around the city if you are the kind of person who likes to travel and explore places. You will find various cuisines as well in this beautiful town so foodies won’t go back disappointed.

This area also hosts numerous festivals, stand up comedy acts and events. You can look for the events that are taking place in this town before heading for a getaway trip. You can visit various museums and Art Galleries as well if you wish to learn  more about the history of this place.

Other attractions of this town include The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, Memorial Stadium, the B-Line hiking trail, and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. You will be able to cover most of the venues in this town in the 2- 3 days.

• Distance from the main city- 50.6 miles and around one and a half hour by road
• Best time to visit- any time of the year
• Places to stay- Courtyard Bloomington, Holiday Inn Bloomington, Towneplace Suites

So here are a few locations that you can visit if you are living in Indianapolis and looking for places to explore during the weekend. The above-mentioned places can be explored with friends as well as families. You should definitely try to cover all of these places one by one to enjoy being in Indianapolis.

If you are a traveller and a foodie, don’t forget to try out the local delicacies as tiny places and towns have the best food to offer. These trips will not cost you much,sodo take out the time to visit more such sites.