Spring is the perfect time to make new and exciting memories with your family. If you’re in the mood to explore a cave, hop on a train, or fly through the air on a zipline, here are some local places where you can do just that!
Indiana Caverns
1267 Green Acres Dr. SW, Corydon | indianacaverns.com
Explore Indiana’s longest cave at Indiana Caverns in Corydon. Each guided tour takes guests 110 feet underground, where they’re treated to amazing views of rock formations and bones that date back to the Ice Ages. Visitors can also board a pontoon-style boat to explore the underground river and learn even more about this ancient cavern.
Above ground, Indiana Caverns offers gemstone mining, a zipcoaster, escape room, a playground and lots more fun to round out your day.
Squire Boone Caverns
100 Squire Boone Rd., Mauckport | squireboonecaverns.com
Squire Boone Caverns is a living cave where you’ll see rushing streams and underground waterfalls, as well as stalactites and stalagmites adorning the cavern walls, ceilings and floors. Walk in the footsteps of Squire Boone and his brother, Daniel, who discovered these underground caverns in the late 1700s. When you’ve emerged from the historic underground, explore some of the cavern’s other offerings, like Squire’s Barnyard, a candlemaking cabin, and gemstone mining.
Whitewater Valley Railroad
455 Market St., Connersville | whitewatervalleyrr.org
Whitewater Valley Railroad offers scenic round-trip excursions through Whitewater Valley with a layover in historic Metamora. The railroad dates back to 1867 and offers regularly scheduled excursions throughout the year, from April through December. Book your tickets for special train trips, including the Wild West Special with a band of cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen.
Nickel Plate Express
825 Forest Park Drive, Noblesville | nickelplateexpress.com
Ride in style aboard groundbreaking Santa Fe Hi-level cars from the 1950s featuring two levels that resemble a double-decker bus. All seating is on the upper level, offering stunning views. Excursion themes range from a Mother’s Day Express to an Ice Cream Express to adults-only journeys, offering a little something for everyone.
French Lick Scenic Railway
8594 IN-56, Box 150, French Lick | frenchlickscenicrailway.org
Enjoy a picture perfect getaway aboard the French Lick Scenic Railway. Sit back and enjoy the beauty of the hills of Southern Indiana and the edges of the Hoosier National Forest, where you’ll be treated to sights like limestone and sandstone rock cuts, a lake, and through the second longest railroad tunnel in the state. In addition to standard excursions, the railway offers themed rides throughout the season, including a Wild West Express, a Chocolate Tasting Train and a Dinosaur Adventure Ride.
Zip Timber Lake
1740 E. 675 N., Huntington | discovertimberlake.com
Just outside of Fort Wayne, you’ll find Zip Timber Lake in Huntington, a hidden gem for adventure-loving fans. Visitors can embark on a long (three-hour) full-service guided tour that includes 1,000 feet of lake zip-lining, eight canopy zip lines, a dual side-by-side zip, a climbing tunnel, navigating a 70-foot platform and wobbly, zigzag bridges. This challenging adventure is not for the faint of heart, and is best for older kids and adults. All ages can enjoy the 62-acres of campsite, which includes areas for swimming, pay-fishing, boating and hiking.
Strawtown Koteewi
12308 Strawtown Ave, Noblesville | koteewiadventures.com
Strawtown Koteewi is a hidden gem in Hamilton County, and is the perfect place for families looking for zip lining adventure and outdoor fun. Koteewi Aerial Adventure is located within the 800-acre park, and includes 60+ aerial obstacles and ziplines built into the trees of the park that climbers move over, under and through. And good news: This zip line and ropes course is fun whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, because the courses are tailored to different skill levels.
Strawtown is also home to an array of activities, including trails for hiking or riding horses, a natural history center and an archaeological exhibit. Koteewi Range, a top-notch archery range in the park, is where children can learn the art of archery under the guidance of skilled instructors. They’ll learn proper technique, focus, and concentration, all while fostering a love for this ancient sport.
