Winter Road Trips in Indiana

Are the bare trees and gray skies getting you down? Maybe you need a change of scenery. You don’t have to travel far to find new adventures. Indiana is home to plenty of fun destinations to visit for a day or over a weekend, offering a refresher course on what’s awesome about the Hoosier state. Check out a few of our favorites.

Put on your hat, gloves, and hiking boots and hit the trails at Turkey Run State Park. Located along Indiana State Road 47, just southwest of Crawfordsville, the park boasts scenic views, sandstone ravines, and a trail system. Spend the night at the Turkey Run Inn, which offers winter specials.

Yes, our Colorado family members can boast about hitting the Rockies each weekend in search of the best powder for skiing. But we Hoosiers have our own downhill options with the bonus of little traveling fees and no wasted time heading west for a weekend. Paoli Peaks in southern Indiana gives you the chance to ski, snowboard, or snow tube down the hill for a fun winter adventure.

Maybe French Lick has been on your bucket list for a while. Why not treat yourself to a weekend away in a luxury hotel hailing from the early 1900s? Try your luck at a Vegas-style casino or indulge in its two rejuvenating spas. The golf course may be closed during the winter months, but you can still treat yourself at 1875: The Steakhouse adjacent to the hotel’s main lobby.

Head north to Valparaiso for a day trip. Although the biting winds off Lake Michigan may discourage you from checking out the Indiana Dunes, you can still find plenty to do in this vibrant city. Catch a show at the Chicago Street Theatre or visit the Porter County Museum, known as PoCo Muse. Don’t forget to stroll around the campus of Valparaiso University while you’re there.

Brown County gets a lot of love in the fall, when Mother Nature’s brightest palette of colors takes over the landscape. Why not check it out over the winter months, when you don’t have to fight traffic to find a seat at your favorite restaurant? Rent a cabin for the weekend or just drive down and poke around the quaint Village of Nashville or the beautiful nearby Indiana University campus.

Whether you want to engage in winter sports or relax in fine luxury, or anything in between, Indiana has options for every winter wish. Have fun getting to know our Hoosier state and stay warm!