Best Weekend Getaways from Indianapolis for Families

Kristy Pepping:  Columbus has tons to do for the whole family. There are several natural parks to explore and even one located in the heart of the city, Columbus Commons with a carousel. If you want to check out a fun museum, Columbus offers quite a few kid-friendly options. Try COSI, Columbus' science museum complete with an indoor playground. And if all these activities are making you hungry, head to North Market where your family can try local farm fresh food.

Dawn Denning:  Named Ohio's Largest Playground, your family is sure to have a great time! If you have a roller coaster fan in the family, then you must take a trip to Kings Island. Open year-round, the park offers rides for all sizes, Dinosaurs Alive! and Soak City waterpark during the summer hours. While in Warren County, be sure to check out Great Wolf Lodge where you can have your water fun year round in this indoor waterpark and stay overnight.

Rides, not your speed? Warren County has festivals, skydiving and zip lining - fun for everyone in the family!

Kristy Pepping:  Batavia is one town that is near the lake of William H. Harsha. This lake offers boating, hiking trails, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, camping, museums, waterfalls and much more. They are also a wildlife habitat so great nature watching for the kids!

Kristy Pepping:  Sandusky has over 26 miles of shoreline for your kids to explore. They have scenic parks, historical architecture and fun summer events. Activities include Ghostly Manor, Cedar Point, Merry-Go-Round Museum and Lagoon Deer Park.

Dawn Denning:  Home to the Newport Aquarium and riverboat cruises, Newport, Kentucky is full of fun. Newport Aquarium is the host to gators, sharks, stingrays and more. Spend the afternoon with amazing underwater creatures that you can touch, see or explore. After a day at the aquarium, book a cruise on BB Riverboats. BB Riverboats offers family cruises with a buffet and even a themed pirate cruise for your kids to enjoy.

Dawn Denning:  Cincinnati is a fantastic destination for families! The Cincinnati Zoo is home to an array of adorable animals, catch a Red's game or visit the Reds Hall of Fame. If you can visit in the summer, Coney Island offers a 2-mile long pool for your family to splash! If your kiddos love trains, check out the world's largest train display at Entertainment Junction! Another crowd favorite is Jungle Jim's, International Market. Jungle Jim's offers 20,000 square feet of market space for groceries, tastings and demos. There is something for everyone in Cincinnati!

Dawn Denning:  Pine Lake Waterpark is a must do in the summer for your family. The waterpark is full of slides, platform jumps, cable rides and log runs. There is even a teeter-totter in the water! Once you are done sliding and flipping, be sure to stop by Quabache State Park for hiking, fishing and picnicking with the family. If you are tired of the sun and have an interest in history, Swiss Heritage Village is an area museum dedicated to the Swiss settlers in the area. It is hours of fun and a "must do" to add to your vacation list!

Yoli B:  Lake James is a small town located in the Northeast corner of Indiana and offers some of the best lake sunsets that I have ever seen! The lake offers all water sports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, pontoon-ing, jet ski-ing, and I've even seen a fly board or two. Lake James is surrounded by Potawatomi State Park and is in the quaint town of Angola, which has plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities!

Kristy Pepping:  Taylorsville Lake is located in Taylorsville and is a favorite fishing and camping area. They offer horseback riding near the lake as well. If your kids are looking for a breath of fresh air, there are plenty of hiking trails and outdoor activities near this lake setting. Activities include boating activities, state park, and Red Scooter Gift Shop.

Dawn Denning:  This historic little town hosts millions of visitors every year. Home to a large Amish population, visit delicious restaurants with homegrown ingredients, quaint shops and enjoy a buggy ride. While there, visit Black Pine Animal Sanctuary which is home to bears, lions, reptiles and more. This is a fun day or weekend trip for your family.

Dawn Denning:  Home of the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Kentucky Derby and the Louisville Zoo, your family could spend a day or weekend exploring this great city. Be sure to check out downtown for their underground zip lines housed in a former limestone mine under the downtown city- the only underground zip line in the world!

Dawn Denning:  Named the "Little Smokies," Brown County State Park, is a 16,000-acre area of hills, trails, trees and hiking trails. Your family can horseback ride, canoe/ kayak, zip line or just walk around. Have fun in nature, enjoy a picnic and some family bonding in this beautiful park. After your day in the park, be sure to stop in Nashville, Indiana. This small town has tons of shops and restaurants for everyone to enjoy. If you aren't too full from dinner or tired from the day in the park, Brown County offers year-round shows and festivals.

Kristy Pepping:  Campbellsville is an easy drive from Indy and is home to Green River State Park. This lake has tons of activities to do if you love water sports: rental houseboats, ski boats, jet skis and pontoon boats. There is also fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

Kristy Pepping:  Monroe Lake is Indiana's largest lake and is located near the Indiana University campus. There are a scenic stone-bluffed shoreline and wooded hills. Activities include Indiana University, trail rides, boat rentals and WonderLab Science Museum.

Kristy Pepping:  Lake Cumberland, known as the Houseboat Capital of the World, is the largest lake in Kentucky. It's a fun tourist destination and offers several kid-friendly activities. Your kids will enjoy fishing, mini golf, outdoor adventures, water activities, camping and more.