5 Cool And Unusual Things To Do In Indiana (2024)

Located in the Midwestern part of the United States, the beautiful state of Indiana might not be the first spot on your radar when you think of where to go for your next holiday in the country. However, there are plenty of reasons why you need to visit this state, its vibrant cities and its beautiful natural attractions. From food to covered bridges, there are so many things that make the state of Indiana one of the most unique in the entire Midwest. From rugged nature trails to finger-licking sugar cream pies and even seeing the Notre Dame up close.

5 Cool and Unusual Things To Do In Indiana

Here are some of the cool and unusual things to do in Indiana.

1. Check Out Parke County, Known For Its Covered Bridges

Parke County is known as the covered bridge capital of the world. It is the most unique place to visit in all of Indiana. As you enter this beautiful county, you will suddenly feel like you have driven into a magical world of romance and beauty. The village of Parke County appears to be from a simpler time, more than 100 years ago. There are 31 covered bridges here made with sturdy oak and poplar trees that are native to this region. Painted signs caution horse-drawn wagons to slow down and cross at a walk. You will also feel like slowing down and just taking in the breathtaking beauty and uniqueness of this town.

2. Market Street Catacombs in Indianapolis

One of the most exciting and unique things to do in Indiana is to explore the one-of-its-kind market street catacombs located in the capital city of Indianapolis. This highly mysterious underground network of passageways was constructed in 1886, and it is hidden underneath downtown Indianapolis.

The Market Street Catacombs are spread out over 22,000 square feet, and the elaborate underground system has over 130 columns that give it a labyrinth kind of look and feel. However, visitors can relax knowing that there are no dead bodies or even paranormal sightings here.

Tunneled underneath the streets of this bustling city with brick and limestone archways, the catacombs were used for transporting and storing meats and other products that were to be sold in the City Market. This huge subterranean area remained much cooler than the streets above, which is why the catacombs were used to help preserve food for the whole market at night while the vendors waited to set up stalls again the next day.

Today, over a century later, several parts of the catacombs are still remarkably intact, but certain parts are crumbling because of their limestone foundations. Owing to the excellent preservation efforts of the City Market, the Indianapolis catacombs are one of the few catacomb sites that still exist in the US.

The best way to explore this unique and magnificent underground labyrinth is to join a tour offered by the Indiana Landmarks. There are guided tours that are available on every third first, and third Saturday of the month.

3. Visit The Only Living History Museum – The Conner Prairie Interactive History Park

Located in Fishers, the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park is literally a living history museum. For history buffs, this is the best way to dive into the past. Conner Prairie is a unique recreation of how local life used to be like in the 19th century. Not only is this an educational visit, but you will also find many fun and engaging activities to take part in here.

While here, you must check out the William Conner home, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are numerous exhibits, activities, and interactive fun to be had for people of all ages here. This is the perfect attraction to visit in Indiana to take a step back in time and find out what life was like so many decades ago.

4. Get Behind The Wheels Of A Real NTT Indycar Series Car

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a must visit for those who are looking for cool and unusual things to do in Indiana. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the famous IndyCar Series, the NASCAR Cup Series, and many other leading races in the US. Unlike other states that have many rules about visiting race tracks, you can head over to this motor speedway to watch many famous races, including the popular Indy 500. Not many people know that you can even take a test drive with an on-track experience with the Indy Racing Experience Driving Program that lets you take a car for a spin.

At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you get to sit behind the wheels of a near NTT IndyCar Series car, which is a car that has actually taken part and competed in the Indy 500 race. While the speed is up to you, but imagine being able to power up to 180 miles an hour.

After spending some time on the track, you can take a full Indianapolis Motor Speedway tour that is offered by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Here you get access to many behind-the-scenes landmarks at the speedway, including learning about the detailed history of this complex.

At the museum, you will also get to check out several rare sports cars, trophies, and many other unique and unusual artifacts from the world of motorsports that are all showcased here in Indianapolis.

5. The Unusual Antique Alley

If you like to check out antique things, then a visit to Indiana’s famous and unique Antique Alley in Richmond County is a must. There are thousands of people who take antiquing to be a very serious hobby and are always looking for something old and classy to add to their collection instead of running after the latest fad.

To reach this fascinating place, you need to hop into your car and drive on the 60-mile Historic National Road that connects Richmond to Knightstown. You will find over 1000 antique dealers lining this national route, their shops inviting you to check out the many antique treasures. You can peacefully spend the day browsing through thousands of antiques and also experiencing the peaceful Indiana countryside. This popular route is located in the historic Cambridge City, where there is even an entire mall dedicated to antiques and numerous antique dealers, all located within just a three block radius. So head over to the Historic National Road without any more delay to bag some unique and priceless antiques.