Indiana the beautiful place that we search to know what is Indiana famously known for? Yes! Famously known for sitting on the great lakes regions of North America, the historical state of Indiana gained its status as the 19th State of the United States. Its capital Indianapolis is also the largest city in the State. Bordered with other States like Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana is the 38th largest land area in the country. On the other hand, it is the 17th most populous State among the nation’s union of 50 States.
From the mysterious nickname as “Hoosier state” and Orthopedic capital of the world, Indiana is famously known for the Limestone treasure. Although a Basketball crazy State, it is the place where the country’s first industrial union existed.
In 1679, Robert Cavelier Sieur de la Salle, a French explorer, first explores this famous land of Indians or Indiana that has an important timeline in the American past. Became a State on December 11, 1816, besides its motto of “the Crossroads of America”, the State is also well known for its special hospitality.
The State of Indiana shares its identity with North Carolina having Cardinal as their state bird. With having Peony, the State flower and Tulip as the State tree, the state is so rich in its beautiful landscapes.
Amazing Adventures
the Whitewater Canal
Booked in the National registrar of historic places, the Whitewater Canal is the historic site and a place for your ultimate adventure on a long water stretch. It was built upon the idea of the State’s motto of “Crossroads of America”.
Indiana Dunes State Park
One of the best of American State parks, Indiana Dunes State Park is a natural wonder in Indiana State. Adventure lovers just rush to its beach, dunes, marshes, swamps, hardwood forests, and white pine groves so they can feel the unique outback adventure in the state.
Spirit of Jasper train
A scenic ride from the Spirit of Jasper Train is so unique and a must in the State. The luxurious ride will take you to explore the beautiful and amazing landscapes in southern Indiana.
Hoosier National Forest
Derived from the State’s nickname, The Hoosier National Forest is the place for people to enjoy the amazing dense greenery so they can feel the spirit of the American Indians.
White River State park
Situated in Indianapolis and America’s only cultural urban state park, White River State Park is the center of Indiana’s Cultural and fun engagement. The State Park also has a blend of multiple attractions so that tourists can get real amazement.
Falls of Ohio state park
Falls of Ohio State Park, Indiana is the ideal place for hiking, fishing, and exploring the ancient fossil beds dating back millions of years.
Historical Museums
Indiana State Museum
Through its iconic Indiana State Museum, you can best learn the State of Indiana. The museum depicts the science, art, culture, and history of the state right from the beginning to the present.
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Right in the heart of Indiana, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of the oldest and largest encyclopedic art museums in America. The museum is a collection of over 54000 artworks from around the globe and consists of some exceptional nature parks.
Levi Coffin House
A national historic landmark, Levi Coffin House is the federal structure of the 19th century. This old house belongs to Levi and Catherine’s coffin who helped the slaves to escape in the era of pre-civil war.
Basketball hall of fame museum
Being famously known for Basketball, Indiana proudly hosts the Basketball Hall of Fame Museum. It is dedicated to showcasing the great American collegiate football history and its hall of fame exhibits.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Indiana is famously known for Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum showcasing the history of motor racing in Speedway, Indiana. The museum is also best describes the rich and attractive automotive industry in the state. Here the major attraction is Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.
Rotary jail Museum
One of the three jails of this kind in America, Rotary Jail Museum in Crawfordsville, Indiana is the only jail in the country that still spins. It is an exciting museum to watch in the state.
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The world’s largest children’s museum, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the major attraction in the State. A place where children just love to learn through fun and interactive learning through various exhibits and play.
Conner Prairie
Situated in fishers, Indiana, Conner Prairie is an outdoor museum and it reflects the 19th-century life of Indianan state in a realistic environment.
Eiteljorg Museum
Eiteljorg museum in Indianapolis is the home of some of the fine collection of American Indian visual art and the unique artworks from the west.
RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum
To witness the best of innovation and technological advancement in the country and in the state, just head to RV/MH Hall of Fame. A museum with self-guided tours provides visitors viewing old traditional vehicles and the present era transportation techniques.
Unique Culture
Indy 500
World’s oldest automobile race, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or more famously, the Indy 500 is the prestigious annual event not only in Indiana but also in the United States.
Amish Community
Because of the high number of Amish Community in Indiana, you will find a great influence of swiss, german and anabaptist culture in the town. You can spot a number of Amish community churches and homes in the town’s backdrop.
Hoosier hysteria
Indiana is famously known for Hoosier Hysteria, an annual event and a part of Indiana University basketball program. It is the opening practice to the season of great basketball rivalry among Indiana high schools.
Three rivers festival
The Three rivers festival is a non-profit event and is held in Fort Wayne, Indiana annually. People across the town and even outsiders come with their family to enjoy the event for fun and entertainment purpose.
Indiana state fair
The prestigious Indiana State fair is the most awaited annual event in the State. This annual event held in summer is a great opportunity for the State personals, competes for their artwork. The fair also invites some of the renowned musicians to entertain the crowd with fun-filled activities.
500 festival
Another major event that showcases the spirit of Indiana and national unity is the “500 festival”. This major festival is a mixture of various events, parades, and live entertainment.
Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival
Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival is the annual musical event and is held in Bean Blossom, Indiana. Drawing much of the crowd, the festival host some of the great State and interstate performers performing on stage.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival
The ACD Festival is regarded as one of the greatest festivals of the classic car show in the world. Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival is about viewing the auction and decoration of the vintage cars in Indiana. The event also pops up with some fine arts and crafts so that visitors can enjoy the show.
Parke County Covered Bridge Festival
Indiana’s largest festival and a specialty, Parke County Covered Bridge Festival allows visitors to view the beautiful covered bridges. With the guided tours, the fest also hosts entertainment, shopping and food complexes for its attendees.
Famous sites
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
A national historic landmark, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is the memorial in Indiana. It portrays the life of the great American president Abraham Lincoln in his childhood days.
Covered bridges
The state of Indiana has a total number of 98 historic wooden covered bridges, more than any other state in the world and because of this fact, it is known as the covered bridge capital of the world.
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument and also the State’s official memorial is a site paying homage to those Indianans who fought and sacrificed their lives in the yesteryear wars. These wars include the revolutionary war, the war of 1812, the Mexican war, civil war, and the Spanish-American war.
Wyandotte caves
A top and a must-visit attraction of Indiana is the magnificent Wyandotte caves, a national and natural treasure of limestones of what the State is famous for.
George Rogers Clark National historical park
A national historic park of U.S, George Rogers Clark National historical park is dedicated to the American Colonel George Rogers Clark. George Clark is the man behind the revolutionaries successful attempt of capturing Fort Sackville from the British. Because of this historic event, the British surrendered and so paved the way for American independence.
Angel Mounds State historic site
Angel Moulds is the prehistoric Native American sites in Indiana and it tells the story of Indigenous people of the area mainly of the middle Mississippian culture. It is the place where earthen mounds are unearthed, typically used for ceremonial and residential purposes.
Tippecanoe battlefield
Tippecanoe battlefield is a site in Indiana and it hosted a historic battle of Tippecanoe on 7th of November, 1811. Just adjacent to the area resides the Tippecanoe battlefield museum so that visitors can learn the story behind the battle.
Cuisine
Coney hot dog
Coney hot dog is a special food in Indiana and comes with bun topped dish usually with a topping of the meat sauce. You may find this cuisine in many of the Coney Island Restaurants in the State.
Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich or so-called “sandwich of Indiana” is the unique specialty of the State. The nice tasty Sandwich is a mixture of bread, sauce and fried cutlet of meat, salads.
Hoosier rib-eye
The Hoosier rib-eye sandwich is another very common and tasty treat of Indiana. Because of including the State’s nickname, this sandwich is so popular in the State. The perfect make of grilled rib-eye and tomato sauce, the dish is not only delicious but easy to make.
Sweet corn
Indiana is also famous for its sweet corn. Because producing the most amount of corn, sweet corn and its dishes are so common in many of Indiana’s households.
Chicken and Noodles over Mashed Potatoes
A recipe which is slowly but steadily popular in the State is the nice tasty Chicken and Noodles over mashed potatoes. Originally came from the regional Amish Communities, the dish is so unique, delicious, and easy to prepare.
Persimmon pudding
A traditional American dessert, Persimmon pudding is another specialty of Indiana and it comes as a perfect combination of persimmon pulp, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, and eggs. With the coating of flour, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, milk, and melted butter, it really becomes a mouth-watering treat.
Sugar cream pie
Indiana’s sugar cream pie is what deserves to be a must taste treat in the State. A mixture of vanilla custard, cream, and cinnamon with other useful ingredients, this cake recipe is so sweet and delicious.
Unique facts
Top producer
- Indiana is known for producing the highest amount of Corns, Soybeans, poultry, duck, Mint, Pharmaceuticals, electrical products, caskets, mobile homes, wood office furniture, and Kitchen cabinet accessories in the country.
Highest road miles
- The state has the highest miles of roadways interconnected with all the other major states in the U.S.
Foreign student’s attraction
- Indiana University and Purdue University are the world-class universities, attracting so many foreign students than the other states.
Famous persons
- Famous personalities like Michael Jackson (Singer, Dancer) and David Letterman (famous presenter and comedian) are from the State.
Only president
- Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the country was from the State.
Mother of Vice Presidents
- Indiana is famously known as “Mother of Vice Presidents” because it produced more vice-presidents before WW1. Now it is second to New York, which produced eight in the modern era.
Inventions
- The state is the sole inventor of the Autocar, Machine gun, electric streetlights, the first successful airplane and Gasoline pump in the world.
Coca-cola design
- Do you see the Coca-cola bottle and ever wondered from where its design came from? Well, you can probably think of Indiana or just check it otherwise.
Weird fact
- Interestingly, it is the place where the first train robbery had occurred in the country.
First baseball game
- The first professional baseball game in America is played in the State of Indiana.
Catching in automotive
- The State is the home of the second-largest automotive industry in the country.
Specialty in films
- The State proudly hosted a majority of the American Christmas films.
World’s largest
- World’s largest Christmas tree (Soldiers and Sailors Monument) still stands in the State.
Special Doll
- The state is where the first Raggedy Ann dolls come to our lives.
Interested towns
- The State has very interesting towns such as Popcorn town (an epicenter of corn production in the State) and Santa Claus town (where Christmas like celebration can be felt all summer long).
Final Words
Well, the State of Indiana has a unique identity in the United States, no matter what is the mystery behind that “Hoosier thing”. One thing is sure, the State of Indiana is famously known for its old tradition that continues going forward with the State’s potential achievements.
The 19th biggest GDP in the nation, this corn flick of the nation has given shape to the country through its turbulent yet historic past and to the modern era.
