Travel: Train Trips, Caves & Zip Line Adventures

Ready for some adventure this spring? Why not hop on a train, explore a cave or fly through the air on a zipline! Here’s where to do just that.

Whitewater Valley Railroad

455 Market St., Connersville

Distance from Indy: 63 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes

Website: whitewatervalleyrr.org

Whitewater Valley Railroad is an operating railroad museum located in the eastern part of Indiana in Connersville. Along with providing train rides, the non-profit organization uses funds to restore railroad equipment, operate the railroad museum and educate the public about a transportation system many have not experienced. 

Between May and October, the WVRR offers excursions most weekends. Trips depart from the Connersville depot and arrive in Metamora, with a round trip through Whitewater Valley. Each train trip includes a two-hour layover for visitors to discover the historic canal town. Visitors can explore Metamora’s grist mill, restored canal and lock, aqueduct, shops and restaurants. 

Pro Tip: Throughout the summer, join one of several special excursions, like the Wild West Special. The five-hour themed trip includes a train ride and two-hour layover in Metamora, and also includes a host of bandits, marshalls, a robber and women from the Wild West providing entertainment along the way. 

Indiana Caverns

1267 Green Acres Dr. SW, Corydon

Distance from Indy: 135 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes

Website: indianacaverns.com

You’ll find Indiana’s longest cave at Indiana Caverns in Corydon, located in the southernmost part of the state. Families can enjoy a 75-minute tour on grated steel walkways with scattered stairs that allow you to descend 110 underground. Then, explore the river via pontoon-style boat, and learn about the rich history of Indiana caverns. Home to one of the largest deposits of Ice Age bones in the state, Indiana Caverns is one of the coolest places to take in breathtaking underground views. 

Above ground, kids can take part in gemstone mining, play on the Pygmy Playground, try to outsmart others in the Escape Room, and explore The Cavern of the Sabertooth, a crawling adventure where kids set out in search of the Sabertooth Lair. 

Pro Tip: Cave tours leave frequently throughout the day. Plan to arrive before or by 4:30 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

eXplore Brown County Zip Line Tours

2620 Valley Branch Road, Nashville, IN 

Distance from Indy:  57 miles / 1 hour 10 minutes

Website: explorebrowncounty.com/zip-lines

Visit XBC in Nashville for an exhilarating zip line adventure! Offering 15 different zip lines (including the fastest, longest, and tallest zip line in Indiana) ranging in heights from 20 feet to 70 feet and lengths from 80 feet to 1220 feet, XBC lets you explore the forest’s canopy in a truly thrilling and awe-inspiring way. All ages, abilities, and athletic skill are welcome and training sessions are provided to make sure each adventurer is comfortable and familiar with the equipment and the course. 

Pro tip: Safety alert! XBC does all it can to ensure a safe, low risk experience for all and has always met standards set forth by the Association for Challenge Course Technology. Safety inspections are done on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis.