Corydon

In southern Indiana, the state’s first capitol city, Corydon, is rich in history that dates back before Indiana applied for statehood. Groups wanting to learn more about the area should visit Corydon Capitol State Historic Site to tour the original state capitol building, which was in use from 1816 to 1825, before the state capitol was moved to Indianapolis. Governor William Hendricks’ headquarters and home is also worth a stop. The two-story Federal-style brick building was completed in 1917.

The Battle of Corydon Historic Site commemorates the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana, when 450 members of the Harrison County Home Guard tried to delay Confederate troops from marching through the southern part of the state. The park features a memorial, an original cabin from the era and historical markers describing the events of July 9, 1863.

The Harrison County Discovery Center is a great stop to learn more about state and local history through interactive and hands-on exhibits, and experience the Battle of Corydon through a 360-degree movie.

Zimmerman Art Glass, which is downtown within walking distance of the visitor center and capitol, is a family-owned business offering glass-making demonstrations from start to finish. It is surrounded by antique stores, coffee shops, candy stores and boutiques.

Groups that like to gamble will want to visit Caesars Southern Indiana Casino, and outdoors lovers will want to visit three natural caves in the area: Indiana Caverns, with its Bat Chaser aerial coaster; Marengo Cave, which is a historic landmark; and Squire Boone Caverns and Zipline Adventures, which offers Indiana’s longest zipline.

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Bloomington

Near the center of the state, Bloomington is not only a university town — the University of Indiana Bloomington calls the area home — but it also is situated on the largest inland lake in Indiana, Lake Monroe. Centrally located between Chicago; Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; and Columbus, Ohio; the town is an ideal getaway from just about anywhere in the country.

Outdoor recreation abounds, with Monroe and two other recreational lakes offering kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and other water sports. Indiana’s only national forest, Hoosier National Forest, surrounds the town, offering opportunities for hiking and mountain biking.

The city, which considers itself an artistic haven, has more than 350 restaurants and locally owned shops. Live music is offered everywhere, and visitors looking to experience art and culture can visit the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, as well as the Lilly Library, a rare book and manuscript library that includes the first printed edition of “The Canterbury Tales,” a New Testament of the Gutenberg Bible and George Washington’s letter accepting the office of president of the U.S.

Bloomington is known for its famous Salem Limestone, which was used to build many of the nation’s most famous buildings, including 27 state capitols, the Lincoln Memorial and the Empire State Building. As they journey along the self-guided Indiana Limestone Heritage Trail, visitors can learn how and where the limestone was quarried and how it was used throughout history. One stop on the trail, Bluespring Caverns Park in Bedford, offers boat tours of the caverns on America’s longest navigable underground river.

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