What's the best time to visit Indiana?
The best time to visit Indiana is from late spring to early fall (May-September), when the weather is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities. However, winter brings frigid temperatures, limited activities, and unpredictable weather. Fall offers a favorable alternative with pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and the opportunity to experience the beauty of fall foliage.
Planning a visit to Indiana? Choosing the right time to go can unlock the best of what this diverse state has to offer. From scenic landscapes to exciting local events, we’ll help you find the perfect season for your Indiana getaway!
The Overall Best Time to Visit Indiana
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The best time to visit Indiana is in the late spring to early fall, including the summer, when you can experience the best weather and spend plenty of time outdoors. From May to September, the state is at its best.
Summer in Indiana is short but warm. Average high temperatures in Indianapolis are around 85 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August. This is great weather for walking around and exploring. Summer is one of the best seasons to explore Indiana’s nature, especially Indiana Dunes National Park.
This national park on the shores of Lake Michigan is a popular destination for a beach trip for locals and out-of-state visitors alike. You can enjoy the sandy shores and swim in one of the Great Lakes to cool off.
Summer is also peak festival season in the state. From music and art in Indianapolis to quirky local celebrations, there is something for everyone as locals gather outside to take advantage of the nice weather.
Popular summer events include:
- Rosedale Strawberry Festival (June), celebrating strawberries in all of their forms
- Indy Pride Festival (June), celebrating Indianapolis’s LGBT community
- Madison Regatta & Roostertail Festival (July), an annual hydroplane race on the Ohio River
- Post. Festival (July), a festival in Indianapolis celebrating the city’s rock scene
- Indiana State Fair (August), an annual fair celebrating the state’s bounty
Summers in Indiana are nice, but this normally low-key state can get crowded, especially at popular attractions such as the beaches at Indiana Dunes. The weather can also get notoriously humid.
If you want to enjoy the benefits of summer but avoid most of the drawbacks, visit during late May or early September. The weather is still warm and pleasant, but it is slightly less crowded and not as humid.
Sports fans should definitely visit Indianapolis at the end of May. Every year, the Indianapolis 500 takes place over Memorial Day weekend. Besides the car race, you can enjoy outdoor music and other fun events as the entire city gets caught up in the festival atmosphere.
Cheapest Time to Visit Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, USA – JUNE 17, 2024: Indiana State Museum on downtown Canal Walk. Indianapolis/Popova Valeriya/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Indiana is in the winter and spring (January–April) when the state tends to receive fewer visitors. While winter has the lowest prices, we also recommend visiting in spring to avoid the worst of the winter chill.
Spring still brings unpredictable weather to Indiana, with plenty of rain and cool temperatures in the high 50s. Sudden snowstorms can still happen, bringing the state to a standstill. The benefit of this unpredictable weather is lower tourist demand, which in turn means lower prices for accommodations.
Popular resorts, such as the French Lick Resort, are in their low season during the spring months, so you can find good deals on accommodations in March and April. In cities such as Indianapolis, hotel rooms in the spring are 20%–30% lower than usual prices.
Other travel expenses are also lower in the spring. Flights to Indianapolis, which is how many out-of-state visitors make it to the state, are usually at their lowest between January and early April (of course, if you are driving, the cost of visiting stays the same no matter what time of year).
Least Busy Time to Visit Indiana
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While winter is the absolute least busy time to visit Indiana, we recommend visiting in the fall (September–November), when the weather is still nice but you can enjoy fewer crowds at popular attractions.
Fall in Indiana is the quintessential American fall experience. The weather is cool and crisp, with average high temperatures of 62 degrees in October. While there is rain, the weather is usually less unpredictable than in the spring.
Fall is the perfect time to visit the Indiana countryside because of the glorious fall foliage. The official Indiana Dunes National Park website recommends visiting in the fall to see the beautiful changing leaves of the maple trees.
Other beautiful places to explore the fall foliage are Fort Harrison State Park, Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, and some of the many state parks around Indiana. Fall is also one of the best times to visit Indiana for festivals. The big-name music events may be winding down, but this season is when small towns shine.
Harvest festivals, Halloween-themed spooky events, and all kinds of other festivals make a road trip through Indiana in the fall a charming prospect.
Some of the best local fall festivals include:
- Bargersville Harvest Moon Fall Festival (September)
- Parke County Covered Bridge Festival (October)
- Historic Irvington Halloween Festival (October)
- Riley Festival (October)
Visiting Indiana in the fall is the perfect opportunity to get to know the state the way the locals do. The more manageable crowds mean plenty of leisurely days exploring pumpkin patches, antique shows, and other quirks of small-town life that are fully expressed in the autumn.
Worst Time to Visit Indiana
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The worst time to visit Indiana is during the state’s long winter when the temperature is usually too cold for any meaningful exploring. Indiana’s winter weather is no joke. Temperatures are often bitterly cold, and the winds coming off of the Great Lakes and the flat expanses of Indiana make it even colder.
While average high temperatures in January in Indianapolis are 36 degrees Fahrenheit, at night temperatures can drop as low as 20 degrees. The state gets surprisingly little snow for a place with such cold weather, which means that you won’t have to deal with snowstorms messing up your winter plans.
However, snow is sometimes the only thing that can brighten up a cold winter, and most winter days in Indiana are just gray and dreary. Some people think about visiting Indiana in the winter because that is when prices are usually lowest and there are the fewest tourists around.
But this isn’t worth it because Indiana is not normally an expensive destination or very crowded. The benefits you get from visiting during this time are minimal, and you will have to wear long johns every time you leave your hotel in return.
Most attractions outside of major cities such as Indianapolis also reduce their hours or close for the season, which means that you won’t get to do as much. However, you can still experience Indiana in the winter, it just takes more careful planning.
This is a good time to visit indoor attractions such as the museums of Indianapolis. In December, many of the towns and cities go all out for Christmas lights. Plus, intrepid (and well-dressed) explorers can try their hands at cross-country skiing in Indiana Dunes National Park, with only the wind and the snow for company.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you’re still thinking about when to visit Indiana, here are some other questions that can help you plan your trip:
What month is the warmest in Indiana?
July is the warmest month in Indiana. Average temperatures reach a high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but the humidity levels sometimes make it feel hotter.
What is the best time of year to visit Indiana Dunes?
Summer is the best time of year to visit Indiana Dunes because you can go swimming. To beat the crowds, visit in late May or early September when they are a bit more manageable.
What is the rainiest month of the year in Indiana?
June is the rainiest month of the year in most of Indiana. May also brings a lot of rain—Indianapolis averages over five inches of rain during this month.
What are the best months to visit Indiana?
The best months to visit Indiana are May, June, July, August, and September. These months have the best weather and the most things to do.
Is it worth visiting Indianapolis?
If you’re in Indiana, you must visit Indianapolis. The city has great museums, an interesting cultural scene, and plenty to do for sports fans.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Indiana?
Indiana is the most fun when it is warm, so visit during the summer to make the most out of a trip to the state. To save some money, try visiting in the late spring or in the autumn for fewer crowds and fun harvest festivals. Happy travels!