Home to Hoosiers, the Colts, and immense flatlands, the flyover state of Indiana is more than meets the eye. Indiana has earned bragging rights for plenty, from being the inspiration for one of the most popular sports movies of all time to having one of the largest Children’s Museums in the United States.
Whether you’re a local and interested in reading about your home state or you have plans to visit Indiana and are searching for local experiences, this compilation is for you. (Here’s another article on experiences that should be on every American’s bucket list.)
To compile this list, 24/7 Tempo researched various local and national websites, such as USDA.gov and the University of Notre Dame. Without further ado, let’s review the 20 things Indiana is known for.
1. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Known as the Racing Capital of the World, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway offers a thrill like no other. Several races take place at the IMS every year, like the Brickyard 400. However, the most popular race happens over Memorial Day weekend, attracting more than 300,000 annually, the Indianapolis 500.
Racing legends like Rick Mears, Dan Wheldon, and Jeff Gordon have won pivotal races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in their careers. Here’s another fun fact: The first stock car test was performed at the IMS in 1961. While racing attracts millions of fans annually, there have been heartbreaking losses during many races.
2. Basketball
Hoosiers breathe the sport of basketball, whether they are rooting for the youngest in the sport at elementary schools or taking in the atmosphere at a college basketball game. The state of Indiana bleeds basketball, so much so that the love behind this sport and basketball tournaments has earned a nickname, Hoosier Hysteria.
Indiana has produced an abundance of talented athletes. In fact, with the number of high school players who have gone on to play in the NBA, Indiana is one of the top successful states at training major league talent.
3. Expansive Farmlands
You can’t think of Indiana without picturing the expansive farmlands. Indiana has over 23 million acres, of which almost two-thirds are farmlands.
Indiana farmlands lead the country in producing corn and soybeans. However, they are just some food to come out of Indiana soil. This state is also a leading dairy, pork, and egg producer.
4. Corn
Fresh-shucked corn on the cob.
If you drive more than 30 minutes through Indiana, you will likely glimpse a cornfield. The rich and fertile soil in Indiana is perfect for growing corn. The extensive farmlands and rich soil have helped Indiana become one of the top states to produce the most corn.
Among the counties in Indiana which produce this crop, Jasper County provides the most. Typically, Jasper provides around 24.3 million bushels. Montgomery County follows it closely behind, providing close to 24 million bushels.
5. Santa Claus
Santa Claus, Indiana
Of course, North Pole Santa didn’t make his home in Indiana. Instead, Indiana is known for its town, Santa Claus. Located in Spencer County, it contains a surplus of Christmas Attractions.
These include Santa Claus Museum, Holiday World Splashin’ Safari, Santa Stables, and Santa’s Candy Castle. If you and your family are fans of Christmas all year round, a trip to Santa Claus, Indiana, is worth the travel!
6. Home of Abraham Lincoln
There are many notable facts about our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. He was self-educated, he led the United States during the Civil War, and he was assassinated in a theater. Yet, one fact that some people miss is that he lived in Indiana from age seven until age 21.
His residence was in Spencer County, and his family’s move happened around the same time Indiana officially became a state. The cabin that his father built sat on Pigeon Creek banks. You can still visit a replica boyhood home of Lincoln today. You can also explore hiking trails in the area and the historical farm during your visit.
7. Universities
Indiana has many excellent Universities for students to choose from. One of the more popular colleges is the University of Notre Dame, which ranks number 20 in National Universities. Notre Dame is a private university that was started in 1842. It is a top research institution and offers students unique skills and growth opportunities.
Among popular Universities in Indiana are:
- Purdue University
- Indiana University
- Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis
- Ball State
- Marian University
Many universities, like Purdue and Indiana University, have ongoing rivalries. These colleges excel in sports, including basketball, and academia.
8. Indianapolis Children’s Museum
You cannot go wrong with the Indianapolis Children’s Museum when looking for something fun to do with your child. It was founded in 1925 and is the largest children’s museum in the world. It has a 482,950-square-foot building and around 30 acres of land. Millions of travelers visit the museum annually to explore interactive, educational, and fun exhibits.
Exhibits are changed frequently, and children can explore various interests and ideas. Whether your child is interested in dinosaurs, science, trains, or sports, there’s an exhibit for almost every interest. Indianapolis Children’s Museum also provides opportunities for homeschool and early childhood programs, piquing a child’s interest and engaging their minds in new ideas.
9. State Parks
Spanning throughout Indiana, visitors have over 24 state parks to choose from. Whether wanting to visit a beach, go camping, or take in the beauty of nature, visitors have a wide array of choices in Indiana.
Turkey Run State Park is among the most popular state parks, known for its beautiful nature trails and canyons. Additionally, Brown County State Park has earned the nickname “Little Smokies” because it contains beautiful views of hills, forests, and ravines. Numerous tourists flock here yearly for horseback riding, hiking, and biking.
10. Indianapolis Zoo
Indianapolis is a central spot of Indiana and also the state capital. This convenient location makes the Indianapolis Zoo a hotspot for tourists and visitors from Indiana and out of state. The zoo first began in 1964 with 20 acres of land.
After several years, the location was moved to White River State Park, which now spans 64 acres. Although the zoo isn’t huge, many animal exhibits exist to explore. These include the Addra Gazelle, California Sea Lion, Cheetah, Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Chuckwalla, and more.
11. Presidents and Vice Presidents
If you are a history buff and live in Indiana, visiting past Presidents’ homes is a great way to spend an afternoon. These homes include:
- William Henry Harrison
- Abraham Lincoln
- Benjamin Harrison
In addition, the Vice Presidents who have come out of Indiana include:
- Thomas Marshall (1913-21, Under Woodrow Wilson)
- Charles Fairbanks (1905-09, Under Theodore Roosevelt)
- Thomas Hendricks (1885, Under Grover Cleveland)
- Schuyler Colfax (1869-73, Under Ulysses S. Grant)
- Dan Quayle (1989-93, Under George H. W. Bush)
- Mike Pence (2017-21, Under Donald Trump)
12. Childhood Home of Michael Jackson and Siblings
Before he was the King of Pop, Michael Jackson and his siblings spent their childhood in Gary. Michael Jackson was open about his tumultuous childhood and relationship with his strict father. Although he started out in a band with his siblings, Michael Jackson quickly became a national legend.
Their childhood home was a two-bedroom house in Gary. While visitors cannot enter the Jackson childhood home, you can drive past it to glimpse where this music icon and his siblings first got their start.
13. The Colts
Perhaps one of the first things that pops into your mind when hearing Indiana is The Indianapolis Colts. This may be especially true if you are a football fan! The Colt’s beginning, however, didn’t start in Indianapolis. Instead, it began in Baltimore as the Baltimore Colts in 1953.
In 1983, the team relocated to Indianapolis and became the Indianapolis Colts. This team plays in the AFC and has won two Super Bowls, one in 1971 and one in 2007. On top of those wins are three NFL championships. (1958, 1959, and 1968).
14. The Pacers
The Indianapolis Pacers play in the National Basketball Association Eastern Conference. Initially, the Pacers were part of the ABA, American Basketball Association, and the team began in 1967. During 1970, 1972, and 1973, the Pacers won the league championship with the ABA.
Among the notable Pacers players are:
- Reggie Miller
- Rek Smits
- Roger Brown
- Jermaine O’Neal
- Paul George
15. Limestone
Built in 1926-1933, this Classical Revival-style building was designed by Walker and Weeks to serve as a memorial to veterans and the war dead of World War I, as a bid by Indianapolis to attract the headquarters of the American Legion to the city. The structure was based on the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and anchors the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza, a large open-air public park in the middle of Downtown Indianapolis that was built according to City Beautiful principles, with the master plan having been completed by Walker and Weeks in 1923. The 210-foot (64 meter) tall building is clad in Indiana limestone with a two-tier massing, a rusticated stone base, a terrace at the top of the first tier with urns at the corners, large staircases up to the terraces and a stone balustrade around the exterior of the terrace, a stone base at the bottom of the second tier, bronze doors, decorative torchiere-style light fixtures, tall ionic colonna...
Limestone is often used to create beautiful and sturdy buildings. It is a carbonate sedimentary rock considered the “nation’s building stone.” Many memorials, capitols, and state buildings have been built with limestone.
Southern Indiana is a large producer of limestone, and the following buildings have been reportedly made with Indiana limestone:
- Lincoln Memorial
- Empire State Building
- Tribune Tower
- Grand Central Station
- The Pentagon
16. Indiana Dunes National Park
South of Lake Michigan sits the gorgeous Indiana Dunes National Park. In 1926, the Indiana Dunes officially became a state park to preserve this area’s beautiful nature and value. There are over 2,000 acres of landscape in the Indiana Dunes.
Visitors can explore hiking trails, watch birds, or swim in Lake Michigan. The beaches allow tourists to enjoy a sunny day on the water. Picnic areas, fishing, camping, and a nature center are also available to create a perfect day out.
17. Hoosiers Movie
If you are big on sports movies, chances are you have seen or at least heard of the Hoosiers movie. It came out in 1986, and the theme is about a small high school basketball team that beat the odds and became the state champions. Their coach is a new one who comes with plenty of baggage.
The Hoosiers movie is inspired by the true events surrounding the Milan High School basketball team, The Indians, in 1954. While the movie is fictional, the inspirational events tell a similar story of an underdog team who defeated the odds. In 1954, the Milan Indians became the smallest school in Indiana to win a single-class state basketball championship. Thus, the movie is a feel-good watch, giving hope to underdogs everywhere that the seemingly impossible is never too far out of reach.
18. Johnny Appleseed
Many pioneer legends have paved the way for life today; Davey Crockett, Daniel Boone, and Johnny Appleseed have extensive folklore surrounding their lives. Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman. Initially born in Massachusetts, he soon traveled through Ohio and later Indiana.
The folklore surrounding Johnny Appleseed colors the man as a wanderer; however, the opposite is true. John Chapman was a businessman who bought land and planted nurseries to grow and sell apple trees. He traveled by foot and later became known as the Apple Man. Johnny Appleseed died at the age of 71 in Fort Wayne.
19. Casinos
Poker dice rolls on a dollar bills, Money. Poker table at the casino. Poker game concept. Playing a game with dice. Casino dice rolls. Concept for business risk. chance good luck
There are many excellent casinos located throughout the United States. In Indiana, there are 12 casinos in operation. Among them are:
- Horseshoe Hammond
- Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
- Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg
- Rising Star Casino
While Indiana casino revenue was down in 2023, they still brought in 169.5 million dollars in October.
20. Pork Tenderloin
A noteworthy food of Indiana is the pork tenderloin. The famous sandwich is notable because of the sheer size of the breaded tenderloin. Which is twice the size of the buns it sits in between.
The original breaded tenderloin sandwich is thought to have started at Nick’s Kitchen. It opened in 1908. The authentic tenderloin sandwich is reportedly the best in Indiana when you order it at the still-standing establishment. (For more food content, click to read about what dessert Indiana and other states are famous for.)