Resort-like destinations,
close to home.
VisitIndiana.com is a great resources for all your Southern Indiana getaways, but here are a few highlights from our outstanding region.
French Lick
The French Lick area is a beautiful place to relax and unwind, a quick getaway for the whole family. Roll the dice at the beautiful French Lick Casino, don’t worry, the kids can hang out at the learning center while you enjoy some delicious food and place your bets. Water parks, wineries, ranches, golf courses and lakes, there is something here for every kind of adventurer.
Hoosier National Forest and Martin State Forest
The Hoosier National Forest in Crawford, Dubois, Martin, Orange and Perry counties, with the headquarters in Tell City, offers a tranquil setting to explore, fish, hike, hunt and reconnect with nature. There are over 260 miles of trails on the forest for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.
Martin State Forest in Martin County offers area residents and visitors the opportunity for camping, hiking, fishing and other outdoor recreation. It’s 7,863 acres was formerly overworked farmland and de-forested areas that have been restored by the State of Indiana for outdoor recreation use.
Paoli
Paoli is a gem of southern Indiana with winter wonderlands like Paoli Peaks offering skiing and snowboarding through the cold months. While summer adventures await at Wilstem offering ziplining, ATV tours, horseback trails and animal encounters. Yearlong fun the whole family can enjoy!
Patoka Lake
Patoka Lake is Southern Indiana’s #1 recreation area. The 8,800-acre lake along with 26,000 acres of DNR property offer boating, swimming, water-skiing, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, canoeing, and camping. Marinas and other privately-owned businesses around the lake provide boat rentals, lodging, houseboat and cabin rentals, and other nearby attractions.
Santa Claus
Located in Spencer County, over 1 million visitors annually flock to Santa Claus, Indiana, home of Holiday World & Splashin Safari, voted the #1 outdoor water park by USA Today in 2018 and 2019, and home of The Voyage, voted the #1 wooden roller coaster in the world by Time Magazine. Santa Claus is a town of just 2,500 people, but visitors come to experience the holiday spirit while mailing over 400,000 pieces of mail each year during the Christmas season at the Santa Claus Post Office!
West Boggs Park
This 1,600 acre facility owned by Daviess and Martin County hosts a 400 acre play area and the famous 622 acre West Boggs Lake fishery and recreational water. In the midst of those 400 acres are over 250 campground sites, miles of multi use trails, playgrounds, a swimming beach, shelter houses, and some amazing views. The newest additions to the park include its universally designed playground complete with the 100’ Burke Zipventure Zipline.
If nature and exploration are calling you, we’ve got you covered.
Hoosier National Forest has 202,814 acres of exploration waiting for you.
Even more fun, a short drive away.
Experience attractions in bigger cities just a short drive away from our region.
Evansville
Join in on community events like First Fridays, Franklin St. Bazaar, Night on Main and the Evansville BBQ Festival. Catch a hockey game with the Evansville Thunderbolts. You’ll also find a thriving Arts District, and entertainment and sports at the University of Evansville.
Bloomington
You’re not far from Indiana University and Hoosier basketball and football, great shopping at College Mall and west side shopping centers, and world class entertainment at IU Auditorium. If biking is your sport, Indiana University also annually sponsors the Little 500 bike race.
Indianapolis
Home to the Indianapolis Colts and much more, including the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, and one of the best Children’s Museums in the world. Great shopping from the most famous brands at downtown and suburban shopping centers.
Louisville
Boundary pushing twists on Southern cuisine have made Louisville one of the “10 Best New Food Cities” in America. Discover one-of-a-kind attractions like the legendary Churchill Downs, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, and the Muhammad Ali Center, along with a downtown riverfront that is home to the KFC Yum! Center, home of the University of Louisville Cardinals, and Louisville Slugger Field, home of the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate to the Cincinnati Reds.
