The Best Day Trips from Bloomington, Indiana

Brown County, Indiana
Brown County, Indiana | © Trail Seeds / Flickr
Courtney Johnston

Bloomington is an incredible college city bursting with activities, shops, and restaurants worth exploring. It’s also within driving distance of many unique and incredible attractions within Indiana. If you’re looking to take a day trip from Bloomington, Indiana, you’ll love these five amazing options.

Brown County State Park

This delightful state park is arguably the most scenic in all of Indiana and is home to a variety of outdoor attractions. This outdoor paradise is often referred to as the “Little Smokies” because of its strong resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. The park offers some of the best hills in an otherwise flat state, with over 16,000 acres of ridges, gullies, ravines, and hills to explore.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Visitors can climb the 90-foot-tall (27.4 meters) Fire Tower for a unique look at this gorgeous park, which also offers a nature center, lodging (cabins and campgrounds), an indoor water park, horseback riding, and miles of beautiful trails. It’s a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Bloomington and enjoy a tranquil day surrounded by nature.

Brown County State Park, 1810 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN, USA, +1 812 988 6406

Brown County State Park

Columbus, Indiana

This city retreat is full of incredible places to explore, from award-winning architecture to must-visit restaurants. Columbus is a mecca for some of the most fascinating examples of modern architecture in the country, such as the North Christian Church, First Baptist Church, Miller House and Garden, and the Republic building. You can take an unforgettable self-guided tour of these structures any time of year.

North Christian Church

Columbus is also filled with outdoor sculptures and artwork, as well as the kidscommons: Columbus’ Community Children’s Museum. This museum is packed full of interactive exhibits that kids will love, as well as a rock climbing wall and nearby indoor playground.

When it comes to food, you can’t leave Columbus without trying Zaharakos, the historic ice cream parlor and soda shoppe that’s famous in this historic city. Enjoy classic American food (such as burgers and sandwiches) and decadent ice cream, milkshakes, and fountain sodas. You should also explore the incredible soda fountain museum on the second floor.

Columbus, IN, USA

Zaharakos

Marengo Cave

Nestled in the small town of Marengo, this incredible cave system is one of the most visited spots in Indiana. Marengo Cave offers two scenic tours of this five-mile-long (eight kilometers) cave: the Dripstone Trail (roughly one mile [1.6 kilometers] and 60 minutes long) and the Crystal Palace Tour (approximately .33 miles [0.5 kilometers] and 40 minutes long). This attraction also houses a crawl simulator, gemstone mining attraction, and personalized cave-exploring adventures (with reservations).

Marengo Cave, 400 East State Rd 64, Marengo, IN, USA, +1 812 365 2705

Marengo Cave

Nashville, Indiana

This artistic community offers a unique adventure in southern Indiana. Stay and dine at the historic Story Inn, a restaurant and inn rumored to be haunted and filled with quaint charm. Spend the day exploring Nashville’s many treasures, from tiny shops to historic buildings, by hopping aboard the Nashville Express tour train.

Nashville

Or walk around by foot to get a real sense of this eclectic community. You’ll find antique stores, home décor shops, quaint restaurants and eateries, a fudge shop, ice cream store, wineries, and much more. There’s even a small theatre located in the downtown area where you’re likely to catch an exciting show or performance.

Nashville, IN, USA

Nashville

Wilstem Ranch

This beautiful ranch offers a scenic getaway from city life. Enjoy a quiet stay in the on-site lodge to take advantage of their numerous outdoor activities. Enjoy thrills while zip-lining and experiencing ATV adventures.

Animal lovers are in for even more of a treat. Wilstem Ranch is home to one-of-a-kind elephant encounters, where guests can pet and even bathe these exotic creatures. Wilstem also now offers giraffe and kangaroo experiences, as well as a small petting area featuring other incredible animals.

Wilstem Ranch, 4237 W Us Highway 150, Paoli, IN, USA, +1 812 936 4484

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

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2 years.

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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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