Indiana Vacations, Indiana Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Indiana Vacation Guide

A state known mostly for its rural communities and wide open spaces, Indiana is the smallest state in the U.S. west of the Appalachian Mountains, with the capital city of Indianapolis as the only major city. It is home to the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL, the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, and the Indianapolis 500 motorsports race. Along with its many rural communities, Indiana is home to the Angel Mounds State Historic Site, which is considered one of the most well-preserved prehistoric Native American sites in the entire U.S. All in all, Indiana is a jewel of rural America, well-polished and glinting with possibilities.

The history of the state dates back thousands of years with the Paleo-Indian ruins dating back to 8000 BC, around the end of the Ice Age. The French explorer Rene-Rober Cavelier first cross Indiana in 1679, followed by the fur traders who began trading with the Indians and establishing trading posts along the Wabash River between the Mississippi River and Lake Erie. Ever since then the state has been an important route of trade between the various states, and its history can be tracked because of this. The state is packed full of national forests and state parks, including the majestic Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and the Hoosier National Forest.

The rural areas of Indiana are made up of fields and forests with sandstone ravines and gently rolling hills that were carved out by the ancient glaciers of old. Indiana is a marvel to behold when it comes to natural beauty, as most of the state is rural, rather than metropolitan areas. And while it's true that Indianapolis is in-and-of itself is a fairly magnificent city, it is the countryside which draws people to state, especially during the fall and spring seasons when nature is working her magic in hues and splendor. There are plenty of annual festivals every year as well, giving visitors a unique opportunity to see into the heart of American culture.