Have you ever been curious about the Midwest? Well, look no further than Indiana, the state known as the “Crossroads of America.” Usually overlooked as the state you have to drive through, Indiana has developed into a worthy travel destination for just about anything.
Indiana is famous for its southern sensibilities, basketball, saying the word “ope,” and hosting the greatest spectacle in motor racing. It is also known as corn country; the land is flat and full of farmland being worked on year-round.
However, Indiana is not just about farmland and manufacturing anymore – we have world-stage attractions, one-of-a-kind food, and so much more!
Let’s discover the 20 things that Indiana is known for.
Table of Contents
1. Indianapolis, Indiana
Begin your Indiana adventure by visiting the capital city Indianapolis.
Here you will be acquainted with the first nickname for Indianapolis, Indy. There are many other nicknames locals give to Indianapolis because of its rich history.
Indiana was famous for also being named “The Crossroads to America,” and “Railroad City” because Indiana was a transportation and shipping hub for products moving across America.
2. Vast farmlands
Indiana is known for its vast farmlands.
As soon as you exit the city into the suburbs or rural areas, you will be surrounded by farmland. Indiana grows a plethora of crops; corn, soybeans, watermelons, tomatoes, mint, and tobacco.
Do be sure to take a drive through the countryside if you get the chance. Indiana is famous for its flat land; you can see the entire countryside disappearing into the horizon.
3. Indiana weather
Indiana is known for having a complete weather cycle.
During the summer, temperatures can reach upwards of 95 degrees. While in the winter, the coldest temperatures can go below negative 30 degrees!
Although this sounds harsh, this temperature range makes spring and fall one of the most beautiful in America. During fall you can find big brown and dark red leaves to jump into, while in the spring, the colors of blooming flowers are breathtaking.
An important note about visiting Indiana and the weather is to make sure to pack the right clothing!
4. Home of the Hoosiers
The residents of Indiana are called Hoosiers. This word comes from a poem by John Finley, “The Hoosier Nest.”
Unrelated to the poem, Hoosier is defined as “a man who carries corn.”
The word was used to describe Indiana men who transported corn across America. Over 150 years ago Indiana adopted this name as the nickname for its residents.
5. It’s Pacer Time!
There’s a local saying Indiana is famous for, “no one in this state is born without knowing how to play basketball.”
Indiana is known as the basketball capital of the world, according to its residents of course. The Indiana Pacers have been a longstanding point of pride for Hoosiers.
This has led to an interesting phenomenon within the Indiana basketball community. For some reason, Indiana has become known for rivaling every major basketball team since Reggie Miller played for the Pacers in 1987.
Reggie gave the city its basketball pride; we stood up against the big city New York Nicks, then it was Detroit and the tough Pistons, and now, we seem to follow LeBron James wherever he goes.
6. The Monon Trail
For the fitness-lover look no further than the Monon Trail. An old train route transformed into the state’s biggest walking trail, Indiana is famous for this 26-mile long asphalt trail starting in northern Indianapolis and moving into the downtown area.
There are many access points to enjoy this trail, with numerous stops along the way that can generate another “Top 20” list.
7. The Indy 500
Indiana has small, hometown characteristics, but what Indiana is famous for internationally is the Indy 500. Also called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indy 500 is a 500-mile race with speeds reaching over 250 miles per hour.
Every year during Memorial Day Weekend, Indiana hosts the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Motor Speedway hosts many other types of racing, including Formula 1, Moto GP, Drag racing, and many others.
The track itself is so big there is a golf course on the inside!
8. Mass-Ave
Indiana is famous for its cultural center located within Indianapolis called Mass Avenue, in short, Mass Ave. Here you will find murals coving the sides of buildings, street art, and live music.
This street is mainly known for its many festivals throughout the year, some advertised or some thrown together at a moment’s notice.
The magic of Mass Ave is not knowing what will happen on the day of your visit. There might be a parade, a live band, or a community art project that you may even get to contribute to.
9. Indianapolis Children’s Museum
A place of wonder and excitement, the Children’s Museum experience is always hard to forget.
Indiana is famous for having the largest Children’s Museum in the world. There are five floors of interactive history and science, the themes of which rotate annually.
When you first walk into the Children’s Museum, you will notice North America’s largest water clock. This clock is completely powered by water, and uses the water itself to tell time!
10. Broad Ripple
If you want to branch out of the city and journey into local areas, a small town on the edge of Indianapolis you must visit is Broad Ripple.
This town is a local hotspot full of one-of-a-kind restaurants including Broad Ripple Bagel and Deli. Their specialty is simply anything you want to eat, but it will be served on a bagel.
Broad Ripple also has nightlife with a little bit of everything. Many bars allow you to sample home-brewed Indiana beer, most likely made by the residents of Broad Ripple.
Most importantly, Broad Ripple is a small hub for passing bands. Bars and nightclubs host different live bands every weekend.
11. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Indiana is famous for being the home of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, a ginormous amusement park that has the biggest water park in America. Located in Santa Clause, Indiana, Holiday World has over 50 attractions.
America’s top wooden roller coaster, the Voyage, is located here and has a steep 70-degree drop! If you are a fan of amusement parks, Holiday World is the place to go.
12. “Ope” kind of people
A somewhat unfamiliar phrase that is very common in Indiana is the expression “ope.” If you listen closely, you will hear this word in place of the phrase “excuse me.”
This small word represents how Indiana is known for its hometown sensibilities. For example, let’s say two locals are talking on the sidewalk, and you need to get by. When these two locals see you they will say, “ope,” separate, and let you by with a smile.
It’s a small funny phrase if you listen for it, and all it means is a Hoosier doesn’t want to get in your way.
13. Little Nashville
A somewhat underground tourist destination far from the city center is a small town called Little Nashville.
Located just underneath Brown County State Park, it’s a fabulous destination in its own right; Little Nashville is a small town meant to copy the real city of Nashville. Here you can walk around and visit local shops that carry everything from homemade foods to homemade toys!
14. Country roads
Indiana was not given the name, “Crossroads of America,” lightly. A local saying is, “you can never get lost in Indiana,” because all major highways lead straight to Indianapolis.
This means you can access any area within the state and have a direct link back to the state capital. This allows for easier travel throughout the state without the worry of getting lost.
15. Indiana State Parks
Indiana is known for its state parks that offer a wide range of activities to nature-lovers of all kinds. The three most popular parks are Eagle Creek Park, Brown County State Park, and the Indiana Dunes State Park.
The Indiana Dunes State Park, located in northern Indiana, sits on the southern tip of Lake Michigan. Here locals enjoy over 50 miles of walking, running, and bike paths.
16. Geocaching
A somewhat obscure hobby Indiana is famous for is called geocaching.
Enjoyed by local Hoosiers, Geocaching is where you download an app that tells you where a “geocache” is located. Your job is to go find the geocache box and look inside!
Most Geocaching takes place at state parks where you’ll be walking through the woods. When you find the box, you’re allowed to take something from the box, but you must also leave something for the next traveler in search of the geocache.
17. Conner Prairie
Indiana is famous for its living museum called Conner Prairie.
Located outside of Indianapolis, Connor Prairie will transform you back into colonial times. You can take a candlelit tour where you will learn what it was like to live in the 1800s. There are also monthly “Taste the Past” events where you will be made a pilgrim dinner.
During the summers, there are also war reenactments in remembrance of Indiana’s battles during the Civil War. Conner Prairie is an excellent destination if you are interested in Indiana’s colonial history.
18. Johnny Appleseed
Johnny Appleseed is the name of a man in one of America’s folk tales. Legend has it that he walked across America planting apple seeds, and that is why today there are apple orchards in America.
Though the story may be false, there was a real Johnny Appleseed who lived in Indiana and had many apple orchards!
Indiana is famous for being the origin of the Johnny Appleseed legend. He was a pioneer born in 1774 and died in 1845. His apple orchards are still in use today and span over 1,200 acres across Indiana.
19. Pork-tenderloin sandwiches
There are some Hoosiers that say a restaurant is no restaurant at all unless they serve pork tenderloin sandwiches.
Originating in a small farming town, Indiana is known for creating the pork tenderloin sandwich, and if you ask any Hoosiers, they’ll say Indiana makes the best ones.
What is interesting about this sandwich is its size. Using a regular hamburger bun, you place the fried pork tenderloin between the two buns, while 90% of the sandwich sticks out from the side.
Speaking from experience, it’s pretty darn good and you should make sure to order one.
20. Madison, Indiana
Indiana is known for its southern hospitality; the best place to experience this is in Madison, Indiana. Located way down south just north of the Ohio River, Madison sits right on the edge of the water.
A restored colonial town keeping the traditional early American architecture, Madison is considered the southern soul of Indiana.
With numerous crab shacks, burger joints, and old antique shops, the food alone in Madison is worth the visit. However, you can also tour old buildings and enjoy numerous antique shops holding hidden treasures.
I hope you have a chance to visit Indiana and everything it has to offer. Indiana is not known for turning people away; rather we want you to spend time and appreciate what Indiana is famous for.
What is Indiana famous for? – Pin it!
Two of my favorite places! Little Nashville and Madison!
3 things
im bored
im kinda depressed
and im in school
me too
I am 64 years old, born and raised in Indiana, lived here for 62 of those 64 years. I have never heard anyone say “ope”. I have never heard any references to the saying before this article.
I am not a recluse. I have a Master’s degree and work in a profession involving contact with hundreds of people each day.
I am also 64 yrs old and have lived here all of my life. As a registered nurse I worked in home care covering 5-6 counties and I have never heard the word/phrase “ope”!
People here say it all the time! I say it in place of excuse me. It’s not said like ope the name. But like Opp. People also use it in place of the phrase -oh shoot! I’m a travel RN and have went to many states but lived in northern Indians my whole life.
I am ConnieHunter and I still say Opp when I am in the way of people trying to pass. I was born Constance Mae Webber in the Methodist Hospital to Inez Blanche Hunter Webber and Robert C Webber ,inventor of the world-famous Webber Heat Pump that uses GeoThermal GroundSource Heat from the earth without using oil, nor lumber, nor coal and thus does not put carbon into the atmosphere. My cousin Tim Hunter in Spencer Indiana lives in a hundred year old. house that is built halfway into a dirt hill and halfway out. That house should probably be deemed a Historical Indiana Treasure by Governor Eric Holcomb. Does anyone know how to make this happen? Sincerely, ConnieHunterActress.@Gmail.com
Please do you have a job for a farmhand? I’m looking to relocate but needs to be sure of a job to fare my stay in Indiana.
Where are you now ? Where do you want to move from and to where do you want to move to ?
In Wabash you will hear it.🙂
Yep!!! Exactly. We say it in Indiana
By Lafayette ?
I agree about ope never ever heard anyone say it been here for 27 years husband has been here for 67 years nope not a real thing..
I’m not sure if it’s different in other parts, but I say it all the time and almost everyone I know says it. it’s quite real-
You’re probably so used to it you don’t even notice it, and probably say it yourself as well. I didn’t notice it until I moved from indiana and it was pointed out to me. Now I notice it and still use it.
(From Indiana) Me and my girlfriend were just talking about this except we say it all the time. Don’t know when we started using the saying but me and my family use it pretty regularly
Me either! Where did the author of this article get their information? Also “HOSIER” is supposed to be from when Indians lived here and before someone opened the door they’d say “WHO’S HERE?” leading to the phrase HOSIER NOT SURE OF THE SPELLING
I think someone is confused. I say ope when I accidentally run into someone, or some thing, or get in someone’s wat. But no, its not an Indiana thing by no means.
I agree, I do the same thing…“ope, sorry!” It’s more of a sound, versus a word that I’m consciously saying. I never realized I was “saying” it…it just comes out naturally!
Ope
Ope is an Ohio thing. I was kinda pissed about that too!!! Haha. We are always getting mistaken for one another.
Im 71 now, lived my life here. I didn’t realize it. Yes, now I here it, heard it used it. It just didn’t recognize it until now. Listen closely and you hear it. It very subtle. It’s there!
I’ve lived in Evansville for 58 years. I say it all the time and never realized it before reading this article! I usually say the words together “ope, excuse me” if I feel like I’ve gotten in someone’s way. Too funny!
Indiana is considered a Midwestern state. It was a part of the Union and not the Confederacy. Yes there are a lot of people from Kentucky and Tennessee but there a lot of people from Ohio, Illinois and Michigan too. Sooo
I’m 57 years old and lived here my whole life and never have I heard the term OPE in any statement or conversation. I live in east central Indiana and have been all over this state and never heard that word.
Yeah… right there with you. I’ve lived here my whole life and traveled throughout the state. I’ve never heard ‘ope’… just as you say… “in any statement or conversation”.
Yup… been here my whole life. Grew up in Hobart and I can honestly say without hesitation that ” I HAVE NEVER” heard of the word, “ope.” I’m 68 and now live in Chesterton with my lovely bride. BTW, I love my state of Indiana and are damn proud to have been born here.
Have a great day.
Most of that stuff can be found in just about every other state too and often a much better version of it. Also; Pork-tenderloin Sandwiches are not an Indiana invention and have always been popular in many other states. Indiana needs to get over it’s inferiority complex and quit making silly, phony and superficial stuff up to try and feel proud of itself for. It’s no wonder people in other states make fun of Indiana, including many people who live in Indiana.
Sounds like you have half a brain, because anyone that lives here knows that we did not invent the PTS. It was meant to be taken in jest. You’re too serious get over yourself youngin.
Indiana is known as ‘The crossroads of America ‘ because Indy had the first UNION STATION(TRAINS) AND, so many train tracks crossed here ,it was considered the travel CENTER of the U.S.. Similar to Atlanta Airport today!!! Jeezzz , has little to do with Indiana highways. And, Indianapolis was built with plans of Washington,D.C., Thus, has same street names, matching landmark buildings, & the Circle was originally governors mansion site, just where Whitehouse is in D.C.!!!! JR
The picture used for the Children’s Museum is actually a picture of the Eiteljorg Museum of Native and Western Art. These are two entirely separate and unrelated museums about 3 miles apart. BOTH are worthy of inclusion on the list though.
The photo for the Children’s Museum is of two other museums (the State Museum and the Eitlejorg).
I live in southern Indiana I didn’t see Springmill state park listed it’s a must see. Also maringo cave is another great site . Blue springs caverns in Mitchell Indiana a hour boat ride in a cave system
INDIANAAAA
I had to chuckle reading the other comments! Nor have I heard or used the term “Ope” in my 64 years in Indiana. I haven’t heard anyone call Nashville “little Nashville” usually, most just say Brown County in my observations. I noticed we didn’t mention “fall back” and “spring forward”. Guess what just happen this early morning… we found that elusive hour again! We have our own time zone!
Only Evansville has their own timezone…guess you forgot half your brain when the time switched.
The oldies are hard of hearing they say as well…
I hear people say ope ale the time! I say it often to its like oops without the s.
Lol. The name of the town isn’t “Little Nashville.” It’s “Nashville.”
Omg no way…I was confusion now i am not.
Did I leave the iron on ???? Rats… thinking out loud again…
Sorry Naptown, got to run before I burn the house down but if you’re looking for a bunch of hoodilally the slight fuss of debate, well, then ..this must be the place. There’s more than corn (why weren’t the Amish mentioned?) and pretentiousness in Indiana. Good luck ! Safe travels through the once home of one of the two only ever appointed Grand Wizards of the Klu Klux Klan (east side; Irvington). Ya’ll come back real soon now, ya’hear?!?
I lived over 48 years in Northern Indiana, and I am proud to be a Hoosier. I was married over a year ago and moved South with my husband, and I have not seen a tenderloin sandwich offered anywhere down here.
I never used the word “ope”, but there are lots of cliches that I use that I have never heard anyone else use. Maybe it’s because my parents were born in the 40’s and they are age related to their era.
When I think of my home state, I think of basketball, corn hole tournaments, RV capital of the world, Elkhart, which was a couple miles from my surroundings. We also have the Indy 500, Park County with all its cover d bridges, and some of the best vegetable gardens!
Hoosier at ♥️🤍
me too
I am in school and bored and want to go to recess