Indianapolis and where else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oglebay is on the way to Indiana, right at the halfway point pretty much. That would be fun for a night or two. In Ohio, Hocking Hills has beautiful waterfalls and hikes.

I second Hocking Hills. Check out the lodge right on property. You can hike some pretty neat trails right from the lodge. The rooms are nice, there is a hot tub and pool (pool weather dependent, hot tub all year) games for kids, restaurant, pizza, ice cream. We had a really great stay there

[Anonymous]

In Indy go to the Indy 500 racetrack and museum.

[Anonymous]

Driving from Indianapolis to Chicago, you could stop at the beaches. Good hiking but unfortunately too cold for the water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Indy go to the Indy 500 racetrack and museum.

Yes, this is a must. My kids loved it. I would also go to Connor Prairie. Definitely a highlight of our trip to Indy.

I agree that Pittsburgh would be a great stopping place. There is so much to do there. Awesome children's museums, Heinz Center, the incline, Randyland, Aviary, Mattress Factory--so much to do.

We went to Louisville last year for spring break and I can't say that I would recommend it. It's fine if you like horses and bourbon but unless your kids are big baseball fans/players, the slugger factory is nothing spectacular. Mammoth Caves is amazing but it's a hike from Louisville.

Maybe Cincinnati? I havent been in years but I'm sure there is lot to do to make it worth a stop.

[Anonymous]

If you have any connection to Notre Dame, or like football, South Bend is a great little town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Indy go to the Indy 500 racetrack and museum.

Check whether the museum is still closed. It was closed last summer.

[Anonymous]

Detroit! It could be chilly, though all of those places could be, but you've got Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford in Dearborn, DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit, Michigan Science Center.

Pittsburgh absolutely as well.

Chicago is definitely a must if you're looking for everything. One underrated museum is the Notebaert Museum. It's next to the Lincoln Park Zoo and has animals, a kids climbing area, and two different water play areas.

[Anonymous]

The Newport Aquarium, across the river from Cincinnati, in Kentucky, is very good.

I'd put in on par with the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Shedd (Chicago), and Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta).

[Anonymous]

Chiming in to second the recommendation for Connor Prairie in Indy - we spent nearly a whole day there. Also visited the children's museum on the same trip and thought it was just ok.

OP, I'd add Chicago to your trip.

[Anonymous]

Conner Prairie is good, there’s also Metamora or Brown County state park, Levi Coffin house on the Underground Railroad. Cincinnati has a good zoo and Kings Island. Mammoth Cave and Berea KY is cute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Detroit! It could be chilly, though all of those places could be, but you've got Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford in Dearborn, DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit, Michigan Science Center.

Pittsburgh absolutely as well.

Chicago is definitely a must if you're looking for everything. One underrated museum is the Notebaert Museum. It's next to the Lincoln Park Zoo and has animals, a kids climbing area, and two different water play areas.

Ex Pittsburgher, current Detroiter.

Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago would be a pretty decent itinerary. Then something new on the way back to DC.

Can Nashville fit into your trip?

[Anonymous]

On your way to Indianapolis, you'll pass right by the Air Force Museum in Dayton. I highly recommend it for kids. It is much bigger and easier to navigate than the Air & Space Museum on the Mall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have about 10 days to travel (solo) with my 4 and 8 year olds. We want to go to Indianapolis for the children’s museum but not sure where else we should explore. We’ve done Columbus for the zoo and Cosi already. Where else would you recommend? I was thinking maybe Louisville for Mammoth caves, slugger museum and corvette museum but would love some other ideas.

We’re leaving from MD and driving. They’re great in the car and don’t mind road trips.

We did a trip similar to this with our teens a couple of years ago. It was 10 days as well. Drove from DC to Dayton, stayed there and visited the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB. We also saw some other things related to the Wright Brothers in Dayton (bicycle shop, etc.) Dayton is very cute and we stayed there 2 nights.

Then went to Indianapolis and our first stop was the Speedway and museum. We did the private tour. Depending on your kids' interest, this may not be a great place for you. Mine love cars; so it was a no brainer that we were going.

There is a town in southern IN called Santa Claus. It is a total tourist trap, but fun. The Lincoln Boyhood home is nearby and was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Mammoth Cave National Park may be a bust for your kids. Also - note that this is about an hour from Louisville. The Corvette museum is in this same area (and fun if the kids like cars - there is a children's area in the Corvette museum). AND there is also the Lincoln Birthplace Monument in this part of Kentucky. It is beautiful there. (It is not his actual birthplace, but this is the best guess from NPS.)

Louisville was really dirty as a downtown area, but we did have fun at the Slugger factory, a minor league game, and Churchill Downs. I love downtown areas, but wow, Louisville needs some revitalization. Just note: it's not really a museum - the Slugger factory is an actual factory; they take you on guided tours through it.

After we left Louisville, we returned to DC via WV and New River Gorge National Park, which is lovely.


I know some people recommended Cincinnati. We had a surprisingly great trip there in the mid 2010s. Reds fans love baseball and are very friendly. The Zoo there is great. Your kids will probably like Fiona and Fritz.