Best Weekend Getaways from Indianapolis Before Summer Ends (Part 1)

If you enjoy the hot summer days of Indiana just as much as we do, don't sleep on some of the best weekend getaways from Indianapolis to book on your calendar before summer ends. We packed a list of fun and exciting summer destinations in Indiana that includes everything from outdoor activities (yay!), unique sights, and adventure, and organized them from closest to farthest from Indianapolis, so you can pick the perfect trip for however much time you have.

County Fairs and Indiana State Fair

If you don't want to stray too far from Indianapolis, exploring the local county fairs is a great prequel to the Indiana State Fair, happening in August.

Throughout the weeks that precede the State Fair, you can pick and choose from a variety of county fairs that make up the perfect summer bucket list, showcasing livestock, arts and crafts, food, and other exhibits.

Distance from Indianapolis: right in your backyard. The Indiana State Fairgrounds and many county fairs are just minutes away.

Turkey Run State Park

Turkey Run State Park near Marshall, Indiana, is known for its rugged beauty and for offering some of Indiana's best hiking trails. While it can be fully appreciated in every season, summer is particularly special because you get to experience this park from a different perspective: floating along Sugar Creek.

Sugar Valley Canoes offers canoe, kayak, and tube rentals, and you can make it as easy or as challenging as you like by choosing a trip length between 3 and 15 miles. Along the way you'll pass the region's famous covered bridges and abundant wildlife — you can even paddle as far as neighboring Shades State Park (yes, another park!)

Distance from Indianapolis: about 65 miles, roughly a 1.5-hour drive.

Join our upcoming Turkey Run & Shades hike →

Patoka Lake

This beautiful 8,800-acre lake is surrounded by Hoosier National Forest, and can be explored by powerboat, kayak, or from shore along the State Park's hiking trails. You can even rent a pontoon, or why not a floating cabin, at the marina.

You can sip a glass of wine at Patoka Lake Winery, or perhaps take a wine cruise while you sip and take in the lake. If wine isn't your thing, try some of the local whiskey at Old Homestead Distilling Co. or a cold beer at Patoka Lake Brewing.

Distance from Indianapolis: about 120 miles, roughly a 2-hour drive.

Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari

Santa Claus, Indiana, is home to Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari Water Park. This destination combines two great summertime thrills in one: a theme park’s worth of rides and roller coasters, plus a water park with slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. They also have an amazing water coaster called the Mammoth, certified by Guinness World Records!

Even if you go in the summer, you can celebrate Halloween and enjoy Thanksgiving food staples as you walk through the different festive and holiday-themed attractions and food stops at the park.

If that wasn’t enough to convince you, you can also enjoy a full day of free soft drinks and the best-smelling sunscreen we’ve ever encountered!

Did you know the “Voyage” roller coaster (featured in the picture) has one of the steepest drops of any wooden coaster worldwide? Grab your spot on our Holiday World trip and see it for yourself."

Distance from Indianapolis: about 145 miles, roughly a 2.5-hour drive.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Of course we couldn’t talk about summer in the Midwest without mentioning both Indiana Dunes National Park and nearby Indiana Dunes State Park, which provide the sandy beach experience and the water waves once thought to be exclusive to coastal states. The parks boast towering sand dunes, diverse wildlife, and miles of pristine beaches alongside Lake Michigan, with incredible views that make them the perfect destination for hiking, biking, swimming, and bird-watching.

Distance from Indianapolis: about 155 miles, roughly a 2.5- to 3-hour drive.

More Getaways Coming Soon

This is just the beginning of our summer bucket list, and we've got even more destinations lined up for Part 2, so keep an eye out for our next post before you lock in your last few weekends of the season.

And if road-tripping solo (or convincing your friends to commit to a plan) isn't really your thing, let us do the planning for you. Outsiders Indy runs group trips to some of these exact destinations; all you have to do is show up. Check out our upcoming trips and come explore Indiana with us.