Sweatshirt weather is finally here, which only means one thing: It's time to layer up, grab a pumpkin spice latte, and hit the road. Lucky for us, Hoosiers, we don't need to go far to witness the magic of the trees turning from green to beautiful hues of yellows, oranges, and reds. And if you're looking for peak fall foliage, Central Indiana offers up some of the best autumn colors for you and your family to “ooooh and aaahhh” over. To help you, we've rounded up a palette of the season's best colors to view on a scenic drive or an afternoon hike on a nature trail.
1. Nashville, Indiana: Home to Brown County State Park, you’ll find 16,000 acres filled with tree-lined roads and many scenic vistas. Fall colors are plentiful with maples, oaks, and sycamores, and many other trees. While you’re down there, stop into downtown Nashville for lunch and browse around the quaint antique stores, boutiques, and specialty shops. A fall family tradition, Hoosiers travel from across the state to visit. And our CENTURY 21 Scheetz Bloomington office is just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
2. Heritage Trail: This scenic winding drive takes you through the communities of Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Bristol, Wakarusa, and Shipshewana. You’ll be able to see glimpses of Amish life along this 90-mile route, rich with a diverse heritage. Now, Heritage Trail has a free audio driving tour to accompany your visit, ensuring you don't overlook must-see attractions and special historical tidbits. Truly an immersive experience!
3. Indiana’s newly minted National Park is next on our list: Indiana Dunes State Park. With over 15,000 acres, you'll find vibrant autumn colors abound on your view from a scenic drive or up close with a hike or just wandering through. There are many different terrains to explore, with 50 miles of trails over dunes, bogs, prairies, serene forests, and 15 miles of Great Lake shoreline.
4. High above the Ohio River, Madison, Indiana’s most famous sightseeing locale, is also prime leaf-peeping: Clifty Falls State Park. The falls are covered in hilly trails with stairs and walking paths installed to help you navigate the terrain. Check out the Clifty Canyon, which offers exciting year-round hiking and scenery. And while you’re there, learn about the native bat population and how the DNR is helping to protect them from winter temps and disease.
5. Don't have a full day to devote but need a quick fall foliage fix? Indianapolis can satisfy your leaf-longing with Eagle Creek Park or Fort Harrison State Park. Located within 15 minutes of downtown Indy and both with an under $5 entrance fee, either one can serve as an extended lunch viewing or a scenic hike through trails with a view.
Want an Indiana insider secret? You don’t have to go far at all to see the autumn splendor. Much of Indiana can look just outside their front door or take a quick walk around their neighborhood to breathe in the crisp autumn air and see a wide array of maples, oaks, and poplar trees, among others. If you need a resource for more seasonal splendor, reach out to a CENTURY 21 Scheetz REALTOR® today. They love where they live and are always willing to share their favorites!
