It may not be exactly known why Indiana
is called, the “Hoosier State”, but
one thing is for sure. If you have ever seen
the movie, “Hoosiers”, you have likely
begun to associate Indiana with basketball.
In the small Indiana town of French
Lick, one of the NBA’s best all-time players
honed his skills while growing up. Larry Bird
is just one of the celebrity names of famous Indiana
natives, others being James Dean, Orville Redenbacher
and late-night talk show host David Letterman.
You might be wondering where to go in Indiana, and
where you can stay when you get there. If
you are visiting Indiana on a budget, you will be
happy to know that a good amount of chain motels
and hotels can be found throughout the state, and
for those who have a bit extra to spend, the Indiana
hotels also have some gems waiting for you among
their selection. There’s never been
a better time to visit Indiana, even if you are
just in for the weekend. Come see what Indiana
has to offer, and see why this Midwest state is
growing in popularity.
When it comes to finding Indiana hotels and places
to stay, your selection will consist mostly of bed
and breakfasts, hotels/motels, campgrounds, cabins,
resorts and lodges. Depending on where you
find yourself in the state will largely affect your
Indiana accommodations options. You will find
the greatest selection of Indiana hotels, and discount
lodging in Indiana, in and near the state’s
capital of Indianapolis. Indianapolis
is also the state’s largest city, and in recent
years the city has blossomed into a pleasant place
to either visit or live in. Indianapolis sees
the bulk of its visitors in the warmer months, especially
when the Indianapolis 500 motor race is in town
on Memorial Day weekend. But, when the big
race isn’t in town, there are other Indianapolis
attractions worth visiting. Among them are
the President Benjamin Harris Home, the Indiana
State Capitol Building and the city’s museums.
Indianapolis is becoming ever more sophisticated,
and shopping and dining in this crossroads city
is always getting better. As for the hotels
in Indianapolis go, you will have a complete selection.
The hotels in Indianapolis range from the budget
motel to the swanky new digs of the new Conrad Indianapolis.
Staying at one of the downtown hotels in Indianapolis
is the preferred way to go, as it limits the amount
of travel you’ll have to do in and out of
the city.
In the northern region of Indiana, where I-80
traverses the full width of the state, you will
find the college town of South Bend. Home
to the University of Notre Dame, South
Bend has brought many a visitor in who is either
curious about the campus or interested in seeing
a Notre Dame football game. Due to the presence
of this prestigious university, the South Bend IN
hotels offer up a range of selections that is more
than adequate. South Bend IN hotels range
from money-saving motels and chain hotels, to character-rich
bed and breakfasts and inns. If you are visiting
South Bend during a Notre Dame football home game,
you might want to book a room at one of the South
Bend IN hotels as far in advance as possible, especially
for those accommodations closest to the school.
If the summer sun is shining and the weather is
nice, you may head to the northwest section of Indiana,
where you will find that the state enjoys a small
bit of Lake Michigan coastline. While the
city of Gary,
Indiana is not the world’s most pleasant
place, nearby Michigan City is a popular getaway
spot for natives, as well as for those coming from
nearby Chicago.
Michigan City is close to the Indiana Dunes State
Park, which is a joy to visit. You can opt
for vacation rentals here, and Michigan City has
plenty in the way of selections for Indiana hotels
and discount lodging in Indiana. As far as
dining goes in Michigan City, you can find everything
from fast food and seafood, to fine dining and bars
and grilles. Besides enjoying the beaches
and the summer events here, you might also explore
the museums. A trip to the Old Lighthouse
Museum is a great way to spend a good part of a
day.
For those who love the Great Outdoors, Indiana
is particularly a joy to visit. The state
has the nation’s fourth largest park system,
which includes 13 state forests, 9 reservoirs, 24
state parks and 14 nature preserves. You can
find discount lodging in Indiana near the state
parks and recreation areas, and if you want to rough
it a bit, the Indiana cabins will serve nicely.
In the southern portion of Indiana, the rolling
hills and forest areas are a joy for hikers and
mountain bikers, and there are numerous campgrounds
spread about. There is a new resort in French
Lick, and the surrounding Hoosier National Forest
is pure fun for the outdoors enthusiast. Not
far north of French Lick, the college town of Bloomington
is worth a day or two’s visit. Bloomington
is home to Indiana University. Besides a great
selection of restaurants, Bloomington also offers
up a good selection of Indiana hotels. There
are quaint inns and bed and breakfasts here, and
of course the discount lodging in Indiana in the
form of chain hotels can be found here too.
The Bloomington campus, in and of itself, is a joy
to explore, as it is heralded as one of the most
beautiful campuses in the nation. Bloomington
exhibits a diverse demographic scene, and the city
has been a “Tree City” for over two
decades.
If you are just passing through Indiana, or are
spending some well-deserved time here, the Indiana
hotels will more than meet your needs. In
the state’s larger cities, like Indianapolis,
Ft.
Wayne, South Bend and Evansville,
the choices will run the gamut, from Indiana budget
hotels to upscale inns and hotels. Throughout
the rural countryside, the rolling hills contain
charming bed and breakfasts, lodges and the chain
Indiana budget hotels. If discount lodging
in Indiana is your goal, then a search online will
reveal some discounts, and if you choose to visit
in the winter, you will have the best selection
of Indiana budget hotels, as rates are generally
reduced.