Summer is finally in full swing, but it will be gone as fast as it came. These free summer activities will help you enjoy the season without breaking the budget while letting you enjoy a little bit of everything.
Indiana is full of odd attractions and exciting outdoor fun. Check it all out:
- Sechler’s Pickles
Google/Adam Held Northeast Indiana is home to a unique attraction that will teach you how pickles are made. This free factory tour leads you through the entire process. You’ll see them go from cucumbers to the tanks where they are brined, into the store where they are displayed by flavor and given out as free samples for everyone to try. Click here for more information about this excellent tour from previous coverage about this marvelous small town pickle factory.
Address: 5686 IN-1, St Joe, IN 46785
- Indiana Garfield Trail
Facebook/City of Jonesboro, Indiana Consisting of 14 unique statues that all feature Garfield, this unique trail in northern Indiana takes place in the birthplace of this cartoon cat’s creator. Jim Davis was born in Grant County, and you can learn more about the unique artwork that celebrates his iconic comic here.
- Covered Bridge Loop Trail
Flickr/GPA Photo Archive When it comes to free summer activities, a road trip to some of the state’s most historic structures is always budget-friendly. The only cost to you will be the gas in your car when you traverse the southern portion of the state in search of nine of our most historic covered bridges. Get more details about this stunning loop trail here.
- Chocolate Trail
Facebook/Warm Glow Candle Company This chocolate lovers’ journey is not only free but comes with a secret prize if you complete every step of the adventure. The idea is to grab a Chocolate Passport and then visit half a dozen chocolate and ice cream shops in the Richmond, Indiana area to not only receive a treat but get your passport stamped. Click here to find out what to do once you’ve hit up all the locations.
- Lakeside Park & Rose Garden
Google/James Ramsey Featuring more than 2,000 roses in 150 varieties, this sunken garden is a little-known city attraction that belongs on every bucket list. In addition to the gardens, you’ll also find playgrounds, basketball courts, and tennis courts.
Address: 1401 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN, 46805
- Quilt Gardens
Facebook/Experience Elkhart County, Indiana Located throughout Elkhart County, this trail of local businesses is truly a sight to see. Each year many businesses in the area plant quilt gardens that are available to view from May to September. In 2019, there are 17 gardens and 21 hand-painted murals to find. Get more details about it here.
- Whitewater Gorge Park Trail
Google/Michael Sullivan This 3.5-mile trail features a wealth of exciting sights like a bird sanctuary, nine bridges, waterfalls, and historical buildings. This first stop is Thistle Falls on this 16-point trail, and it only gets better from there.
Address: 65 Waterfall Road, Richmond, IN, 47374
For more like this, check out these 15 things you’ve just got to do in Indiana this summer.
Google/Adam Held
Northeast Indiana is home to a unique attraction that will teach you how pickles are made. This free factory tour leads you through the entire process. You’ll see them go from cucumbers to the tanks where they are brined, into the store where they are displayed by flavor and given out as free samples for everyone to try. Click here for more information about this excellent tour from previous coverage about this marvelous small town pickle factory.
Address: 5686 IN-1, St Joe, IN 46785
Facebook/City of Jonesboro, Indiana
Consisting of 14 unique statues that all feature Garfield, this unique trail in northern Indiana takes place in the birthplace of this cartoon cat’s creator. Jim Davis was born in Grant County, and you can learn more about the unique artwork that celebrates his iconic comic here.
Flickr/GPA Photo Archive
When it comes to free summer activities, a road trip to some of the state’s most historic structures is always budget-friendly. The only cost to you will be the gas in your car when you traverse the southern portion of the state in search of nine of our most historic covered bridges. Get more details about this stunning loop trail here.
Facebook/Warm Glow Candle Company
This chocolate lovers’ journey is not only free but comes with a secret prize if you complete every step of the adventure. The idea is to grab a Chocolate Passport and then visit half a dozen chocolate and ice cream shops in the Richmond, Indiana area to not only receive a treat but get your passport stamped. Click here to find out what to do once you’ve hit up all the locations.
Google/James Ramsey
Featuring more than 2,000 roses in 150 varieties, this sunken garden is a little-known city attraction that belongs on every bucket list. In addition to the gardens, you’ll also find playgrounds, basketball courts, and tennis courts.
Address: 1401 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN, 46805
Facebook/Experience Elkhart County, Indiana
Located throughout Elkhart County, this trail of local businesses is truly a sight to see. Each year many businesses in the area plant quilt gardens that are available to view from May to September. In 2019, there are 17 gardens and 21 hand-painted murals to find. Get more details about it here.
Google/Michael Sullivan
This 3.5-mile trail features a wealth of exciting sights like a bird sanctuary, nine bridges, waterfalls, and historical buildings. This first stop is Thistle Falls on this 16-point trail, and it only gets better from there.
Address: 65 Waterfall Road, Richmond, IN, 47374
What other free summer activities do you love to do in Indiana? Share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
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