To some, Indiana is one big cornfield, but to true Hoosiers, we know that Indiana is more than that; it is also home to beautiful sites, fun activities and more!
Despite the Midwest’s chilly winters, Indiana has many options for getting off the couch and staying active in the winter.
Visit Indiana is a robust resource full of exciting activities to do in the wonderful state of Indiana throughout the year, including many great outdoor winter activities.
Places to ice skate in Indiana
No matter your level of ice skating ability, use this winter season opportunity to perfect your spin. Find an indoor or outdoor ice skating rink near you to explore today!
The Ice Rink at Holliday Park in Indianapolis lets you skate under the stars. Also providing skating and hockey lessons, this real-ice rink is open most days from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. until Feb. 29, 2024.
Artic Zone Iceplex is in Westfield. This ice rink allows individuals and groups to rent out the rink for their own private use and has public skating options during the winter. Check out the monthly event calendar for dates and times.
Headwaters Ice Rink at Headwaters Park in Fort Wayne has public skating, but also hosts fun events like Dancing Through the Decades, Frosty Flow, Skate It Off and Skating with Miracle Sister featuring a special guest! For more details read the Ft. Wayne Parks & Recreation Department Fun Times Winter newsletter.
Howard Park Ice Skating in South Bend is an ice rink that was rebuilt and re-opened to the public within the last few years. Visit Howard Park to ice skate and stop by one of the small cafes nearby for a cup of coffee or a small bite to eat.
Fuel Tank at Fishers offers public skating sessions on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Do your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews have a birthday this winter? Host a birthday party here this winter! You can also arrange a private figure skating session with a coach.
Frank Southern Ice Arena is in Bloomington. Come one, come all to Frank Southern Ice Arena for public skating, holiday skating and special events. Check out its website for the full schedule. Admission is only $6 per person and ages four and under are free! The skate rental is an additional $3.
Places to ski, sled and snowboard in Indiana
Plan an outdoor activity extravaganza this winter season! There are many places to be active in the snow that are fun for all ages. Check out these skiing, sledding, snowboarding and tubing locations and start planning your outdoor extravaganza on the slopes.
Perfect North Slopes is in Lawrenceburg and offers an alpine skiing resort that boasts 23 trails ranging in difficulty level. Not only can you ski, but you can also snow tube and snowboard. For hours of operation, check its website or call to find out more.
Paoli Peaks is located in Paoli. Paoli Peaks Mountain Resort is a great destination for skiing, snowboarding and arctic blast tubing for winter lovers. Paoli Peaks opens for the season very soon, check its website for hours of operation and to purchase your tickets for a fun-filled day!
Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes is in Noblesville at Strawtown Koteewi Park. Check its website to purchase snow tube tickets and season passes. Their target opening day is Dec. 23 and season passes will be for sale soon!
Simon Moon Park, located in Westfield, has multiple attractions to choose from, but during the wintertime Simon Moon Park is best known for its sledding hill. Open from sunrise to sunset, bring your fastest sled and enjoy the wintry outdoors!
Flat Fork Creek Park in Fishers features a sledding hill that is often described as exhilarating and fast! Come try out the hill for yourself and see if you have what it takes to go down this speedy snow-covered hill this winter.
Places to hike in Indiana
Hiking in Indiana isn’t just for the warmer months. Check out these hiking trails throughout the state and enjoy a crisp hike in the fresh, winter air!
Fort Harrison State Park, located in Indianapolis, has many trails that visitors can walk or run on throughout the year. One of the highlights of Fort Harrison State Park in the winter is that it has one of the biggest sledding hills in the area. Grab your family and sled and have fun!
Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis offers more than 1,400 acres of water and 3,900 acres of forest. You are sure to love these beautiful trails and a park full of adventure. Visit the website to read more about its history and the Eagle Creek Park Foundation.
Charlestown State Park in Charlestown is filled with rugged hills and nature to explore. This state park is a part of the Indiana Birding Trail where avid bird watchers can enjoy the 72 species of birds that call the park home.
Brown County State Park in Nashville is one of the most popular spots in southern Indiana. Brown County offers scenic views, hiking and biking trails and a quaint downtown area with a variety of shops, restaurants, wineries and antique stores you can enjoy.
Lindenwood Nature Preserve in Fort Wayne features trails for all levels of hiking experience. Located near the heart of Fort Wayne, it is the perfect excuse to stop in the downtown area and enjoy a quick bite to eat after exploring the outdoors.
Rum Village Nature Center is in South Bend and includes 160 acres of natural woodland. The hiking trail runs three miles long and goes throughout the nature center. In addition to the hiking trail, Rum Village has a dog park, nature center, disc golf and mountain bike trails that guests can enjoy year-round.
As the weather gets colder it is important to pay close attention to your mental health. The change in weather can decrease activity and increase isolation and feelings of loneliness. These top 5 mental health awareness tips for cold weather are important for everyone to consider during the winter season. Find time this winter to step outside and have fun while enjoying these exciting and fun Indiana winter activities!
*The information in this article was compiled from a variety of sources and is intended to provide helpful tips only.