Indiana

When you hear "Hoosiers," you probably think of the wonderful movie of that name, which provides some insight into the basketball phenomenon that is Indiana. And, while it's true that basketball is nearly a religion for Hoosiers, don't forget that the College Football Hall of Fame, as well as the famous Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, call South Bend home. Indiana is home to many sports, including the world-famous Indy 500, and was the site of the first professional baseball game. But Hoosiers also means Land of the Indians, and that's a vital part of Indiana's history, although few Native Americans still call Indiana home today. But don't miss a visit to Angel Mounds State Historic Site in downstate Evansville, which is one of the nation's best-preserved prehistoric Native American sites. Another rich part of Indiana's history, and a great cultural experience for today's travelers, is the Amish and Mennonite settlements in the northern part of the state. Shipshewana is home to the Menno-Hof Museum, a fascinating view of this American subculture. Beyond sports, Native American and Amish interests, there's plenty to do in Indiana. If you're a fan of festivals, you won't want to miss the covered bridge festivals, held in different communities through the year. There are museums of every type, from the Studebaker museum in South Bend, the Duesenberg museum in Auburn, the RV and Manufactured Home Hall of Fame in Elkhart, to Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home in Lincoln City. Add in the Chicago suburbs of northwest Indiana, with casinos and theatres, plus the Indiana Dunes and other features of the Lake Michigan shoreline, and you can see Indiana has something to offer everyone.