Looking for a vacation destination in the Midwest, someplace where you can get acquainted with a bustling city and explore summer-green farm land and small towns? Take a look at some of the guides the Internet holds for visitors to Indiana.
www.eiteljorg.org
If you need one reason to visit Indiana this summer, try the newly expanded Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, one of the nation’s top collections in the field. The museum’s new galleries and gardens sit right in downtown Indianapolis, close to hotels, at the entrance of the White River State Park Museum campus. Through Oct. 9, you can see an exhibit of the Western photography of Edward Weston, who captured images of California and the Southwest in the first half of the 20th Century.
www.in.gov/whiteriver/home01.html
While you’re in the neighborhood, explore the rest of White River State Park, including the Indianapolis Zoo and the NCAA Hall of Champions.
www.indyairshow.com
You’ve missed this year’s Indy 500 race, but there’s still time to see tons of horsepower in action. The Indianapolis Air Show is set for Aug. 26-28 with the Navy’s Blue Angels precision flying team, civilian aerobatics, a car show and restored combat aircraft.
www.indianasportscorp.com/ISC2/gymnastics.php
That same month, you could take in the Visa USA Gymnastics Championships set for Aug. 10-13. Go to the upper left corner of the screen for the home page of the Indiana Sports Corp., where you can learn about other athletic events.
www.indianapolis.org
Don’t ignore the rest of the urban environment. Go to Indianapolis and look under “What to Do” for attractions and recreation. The city offers a Children’s Museum, the State Capitol, Eagle Creek Park where you can rent a canoe or kayak, and acres of golf courses. Don’t miss the directories of hotels, motels, inns and campgrounds, and the drawing for a free Indianapolis Getaway Package.
www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com
And even without the big race, you can always drive over to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and visit the museum.
www.amishcountry.org
Then it’s time to get out into the countryside to visit places like Amish Country in northern Indiana. Click on “What to Do” for information on backroads tours, festivals and shopping, and look for the link to the “Furniture Crafters Tour.” Click on “Amish Beliefs FAQ” for courtesy tips to follow.
www.in.gov/enjoyindiana
Fill out your vacation with help from the state’s official Enjoy Indiana Web site, a source of information on festivals, outdoor recreation and “Trip Ideas,” for spots including West Baden Springs and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. While you’re at it, click on “Travel Discounts” and “Free Getaways.”
Roger Petterson, Associated Press Writer
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