Highest-rated free things to do in Indiana by visitors

Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Indiana.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Indiana using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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Tripadvisor

1 / 30

#30. Columbian Park Zoo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (242 reviews)
- City: Lafayette
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2 / 30

#29. Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum

- Rating: 4.3/5 (442 reviews)
- City: Columbus
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3 / 30

#28. Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg

- Rating: 3.4/5 (596 reviews)
- City: Lawrenceburg
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4 / 30

#27. Crown Hill Cemetery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (306 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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5 / 30

#26. Monon Trail

- Rating: 4.7/5 (356 reviews)
- City: Carmel Hamilton County
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6 / 30

#25. Circle Centre Mall

- Rating: 3.6/5 (271 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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7 / 30

#24. Indiana University Bloomington

- Rating: 4.8/5 (651 reviews)
- City: Bloomington
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8 / 30

#23. Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets

- Rating: 4.1/5 (501 reviews)
- City: not available
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9 / 30

#22. Huber's Orchard & Winery

- Rating: 4.4/5 (315 reviews)
- City: Starlight
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10 / 30

#21. Purdue University

- Rating: 4.6/5 (287 reviews)
- City: West Lafayette
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11 / 30

#20. Caesars Southern Indiana Casino

- Rating: 3.7/5 (991 reviews)
- City: Elizabeth
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#19. Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes

- Rating: 4.8/5 (347 reviews)
- City: South Bend
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#18. Santa's Candy Castle

- Rating: 4.2/5 (321 reviews)
- City: Santa Claus
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#17. French Lick Casino

- Rating: 3.9/5 (910 reviews)
- City: French Lick
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15 / 30

#16. Oliver Winery

- Rating: 4.7/5 (461 reviews)
- City: Bloomington
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#15. Shipshewana Flea Market

- Rating: 3.8/5 (648 reviews)
- City: Shipshewana
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17 / 30

#14. Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino

- Rating: 3.8/5 (3,046 reviews)
- City: Anderson
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18 / 30

#13. Basilica of the Sacred Heart

- Rating: 4.9/5 (702 reviews)
- City: Notre Dame
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#12. Monument Circle

- Rating: 4.6/5 (925 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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20 / 30

#11. Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

- Rating: 3.9/5 (4,305 reviews)
- City: Shelbyville
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21 / 30

#10. The Fashion Mall at Keystone

- Rating: 4.4/5 (134 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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#9. Hard Truth Distilling Co.

- Rating: 4.6/5 (340 reviews)
- City: Nashville
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#8. Urban Vines Winery & Brewery Co.

- Rating: 4.9/5 (853 reviews)
- City: Westfield Hamilton County
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#7. Indiana War Memorial

- Rating: 4.7/5 (673 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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#6. White River State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (485 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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#5. University of Notre Dame

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,077 reviews)
- City: Notre Dame
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#4. Indiana Dunes National Park

- Rating: 4.2/5 (528 reviews)
- City: Porter
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#3. Michael Jackson Family Home

- Rating: 3.8/5 (187 reviews)
- City: Gary
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29 / 30

#2. Horseshoe Hammond

- Rating: 4.0/5 (15,745 reviews)
- City: Hammond
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#1. Central Canal

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,166 reviews)
- City: Indianapolis
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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