Visit Indiana Week kicks off with FREE admission to State Parks

Take a look what our area has as well

INDIANAPOLIS (May 5, 2018) – Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD) are celebrating Visit Indiana Week in conjunction with National Travel and Tourism Week on May 6 through May 12, 2018. 

"We are encouraging Hoosiers to hit the road and visit their favorite Indiana destination," said Crouch. "There's so much to explore in our great state: history, heritage, culture, food and of course, our amazing parks."

State Parks Sunday kicks off Visit Indiana Week with free admission to 51 Indiana Department of Natural Resources properties. Properties offering free admission include all State Parks, State Forest Recreation Areas and State ORV Riding Areas owned and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Those properties offer a combined 7,700 campsites and more than 150 cabins, and more than 700 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails

According to the U.S. Travel Association’s ‘Project Time Off’ study, over the last two years, 54 percent of Americans have left unused vacation time from the previous year on the table.

"Forty-eight percent of Hoosiers had unused vacation days last year," said Mark Newman, IOTD's executive director. "That's more than a billion dollars of untapped economic benefit.

With gas prices creeping back up, why not choose an Indiana destination for your next getaway? According to the U.S. Energy Administration, gas prices averaged $2.57 in March. That's an 11.1 percent increase from March 2017.

State Parks Sunday is also the last day of Let’s Camp America! Weekend, a nationwide initiative of the National Association of State Parks Directors. Let’s Camp America! Weekend is a chance for beginners to learn basic camping skills, and for experienced campers to get their equipment out for a spring weekend. Activities will take place at all 32 Indiana State Parks properties and on social media. The weekend celebrates all forms of camping, including tents, trailers, recreational vehicles and cabins.

Learn more about Indiana State Parks here. Find Indiana campgrounds here.

Over 200 attractions and properties will be offering discounts and promotions for travelers during Visit Indiana Week.

• May 7 - Museum Monday

From automobiles to art, check out Indiana’s finest museums on Museum Monday. 28 of them are offering discounts on admission.

*Photo opportunities: Auburn Cord Duesenburg Museum, National Automotive & Truck Museum, Red Skelton Museum, and Vincennes Historic Sites.

• May 8 - Tastings Tuesday

With so many breweries, wineries and distilleries in our state, this is your chance to sip and Savor Indiana’s finest. Many have discounted flights, tours and some are offering free tastings.

• May 9 - Wild Wednesday

From zoos to sanctuaries to farms to the wilderness, get an up close look at animals and wildlife with special deals on Wild Wednesday.

• May 10 - Throwback Thursday

Save $2 at all Indiana State Historic Sites on Throwback Thursday. Enjoy other special discounts at 32 other places across the state to learn more about Indiana’s rich history.

• May 11 - Foodie Friday

Temp your taste buds on Foodie Friday with discounts at local restaurants at that offer American pub fare, Italian cuisine, barbeque and fine dining.

• May 12 - Sports and Outdoor Saturday

From hiking to spelunking to paddling, from exploring Indiana’s underground caves to enjoying high speed adventures, Sports and Outdoor Saturday has something for everyone.

Join us for #VisitIndianaWeek!