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Labor Day weekend is coming up, and it’s not too late to plan a last-minute family getaway! Looking to bid summer farewell the right way? Pack up the car and hit the road with the family! We looked though our past travel articles for a few getaway ideas that the whole family will enjoy. Here are 5 spots perfect for Labor Day weekend getaways! Ft. Wayne, IN 🚗 2 hours from Indy Foster your child’s inner Einstein at Science Central. Kids of all ages will enjoy hands-on science fun in the 35,000-square feet of exhibit space. Take a ride on the High Rail Bike, interact with sea creatures at the Tidal Pool and play a tune on the giant keyboard in Kid Central, designed specifically for children ages 2 through 7 and their grown-ups. You can also become one with nature at Fort Wayne’s Botanical Conservancy. The whole family will enjoy unique garden designs, art displays and hands-on explorations both indoors and out. And this year, the city's brand new 4.2-acre Promenade Park is now open for your enjoyment! You won't want to miss a stroll among the trees along the treetop canopy trail, among other things. Here's a great list of things for families to do in Fort Wayne. View of Promenade Park and downtown Ft. Wayne from the treetop canopy trail Santa Claus, IN 🚗 3 hours from Indy Spencer County, Indiana is home to the festive town of Santa Claus, celebrating all year round with Santa-themed hotels and activities, as well Holiday World Theme Park (open now - October). Lincoln National Boyhood Memorial is only a short drive from the heart of Santa Claus and worth a stop as the last-known Indiana stomping grounds of Abraham Lincoln before he moved to Illinois and eventually the White House. Splashin' Safari water park at Holiday World. French Lick, IN 🚗 2 hours, 5 minutes from Indy Step back in time by booking a room at one of two historic hotels at the French Lick Resort. The French Lick Springs Hotel offers eight eateries, a bowling alley and organized children’s activities. The more upscale West Baden Springs Hotel boasts seven additional restaurants, an awe-inspiring atrium and a Saturday afternoon tea service. Visitors can also explore five miles of hiking trails or sign up for horse/pony rides at the onsite stable. If your kids love the water, set aside time for Big Splash Adventure Indoor Water Park & Resort, with its pirate-themed tube slides, body slides and lazy river. Day passes are limited but can be reserved in advance. For drier fun, board the French Lick Scenic Railway to enjoy a 20-mile round trip journey through southern Indiana. French Lick Scenic Railway South Bend, IN 🚗 2 and a half hours from Indy The History Museum features tours of a historic mansion, an interactive guide to the St. Joseph River Valley and fabulous rotating exhibits, while preschoolers can explore the hands-on Kidsfirst Children’s Museum on the lower level. Next door is the Studebaker National Museum, where you can explore an eclectic collection of wagons, presidential carriages and cars along with the interactive Studebaker Super Service Center, where kids can hone their mechanic skills fixing a pint-sized car. Downtown, the HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum consists of play spaces focused on the body, eating right and getting active, including the Little Noggins’ Nook just for babies and young toddlers. Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to South Bend without some chocolate. The South Bend Chocolate Company offers factory and museum tours, while the downtown Chocolate Cafe features an indoor climbing structure for kids. The History Museum in South Bend, photo courtesy of Facebook Louisville, KY 🚗 2 hours from Indy Perhaps best known as home to the Kentucky Derby, Louisville also boasts a walkable downtown packed with museums for all ages and a number of attractions perfect for young adventurers. Spanning 100 acres deep underneath the city, the Louisville Mega Cavern is home to the world’s only fully underground zip line course, aerial ropes challenge course and bike park. The former man-made mine has an average temperature of 60 degrees year-round and plenty of physical challenges to keep even the most adventurous kids moving. For some bouncing fun, visit House of Boom Extreme Air Sports, which takes the indoor trampoline park to the next level with an obstacle course, trapezes and a slackline. Check the calendar for daily KidsJump (6 and under) and weekly Family Night. Finally, this is horse country, so don’t miss out on riding lessons. The Louisville Equestrian Center offers instruction for all ages, from ponies perfect for children as young as 3, to show-quality horses for experienced riders. Tired yet? Slow down with a tour of the downtown museums, including the family-friendly Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and the interactive Kentucky Science Center. MEGA ZIPS at the Louisville Mega Cavern

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Last-Minute Labor Day Weekend Getaways

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ON STANDS NOW

FROM OUR SPONSORS

Latest Articles

Hidden Gems: Indy Salt Cave

Learn How to Camp at Conner Prairie

Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds in Indianapolis

INvestABLE Indiana: Giving Hoosiers with Disabilities the Ability to Save