Riding Solo

story by TAMMY TILLEY

Whether your best adventure involves strolling or cliff-climbing, you can find everything you want when you journey solo in Indiana.

Solo travel has surged in recent years, especially as more and more people started enjoying expanded work flexibility. What once felt niche is now mainstream, with more travelers embracing independent journeys, flexible itineraries, and the freedom to explore on their own terms. Jamie Ward has traveled solo for four years and calls it a true passion. “As an empty-nester, I’ve fully embraced exploring the world on my own terms.”

Amber Neace credits traveling solo with restoring balance to her life. As a stay-at-home mom juggling a packed family schedule, she needed time to recharge. A weeklong getaway inspired her to make at least one solo trip a yearly priority.

If you’re new to solo travel, Ward and Neace recommend a few practical safety habits: stay in well-populated areas, use navigation and location-sharing apps so loved ones can track your route, and research destinations in advance. Ward also shares detailed safety tips on her blog, “Cornfields and High Heels.”

First on our list of solo spots is Hobart, a charming town in Lake County, where you can stroll along the waterfront of 270- acre Lake George or catch outdoor concerts at the Revelli Bandshell. Inland, visit the Albanese Candy Factory, known for its gummies and chocolates, or dive into the city’s brickmaking history.

For solo travelers, downtown Michigan City offers history, shopping, dining, and beachfront access, all within a walkable area. Shop for vintage goods, tour the historic Barker Mansion, and visit local galleries. For a unique overnight stay, book a home through North Star Properties. And if you’re tired of walking, grab an eco-friendly pedicab through JOYRide.

In LaGrange, join the “Bloomfield Lavender Immersion” at Bloomfield Schoolhouse Lavender. At the only lavender farm in northern Indiana listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, owner Marion Wiggins welcomes guests to walk through fields of lavender. Design a one-of-a-kind fragrance using lavender and build your own bath salts to treat yourself at the Apothecary.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn hosts its namesake festival September 3-5. Join the fun with a 1920s-style gala, classic car parades, and garage cruises. You can also tour the National Auto & Truck Museum, browse the Garrett Museum of Art, shop downtown, or catch a movie at the Auburn Garrett Drive-In Theater.

Solo travel blends culture, nature, and college-town energy in Lafayette and West Lafayette. The Wabash Heritage Trail, Clegg Memorial Garden, and Celery Bog Nature Area invite scenic wandering. Creative stops include All Fired Up pottery studio and Rose + Wick Custom Candle shop, while the Haan Museum of Indiana Art and Columbian Park Zoo round out your itinerary.

At Prophetstown State Park, prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and rivers converge across a landscape built for exploration. Hike, bike, fish, or swim, then visit the Native American village, interpretive programs, and The Farm at Prophetstown.

Whether you want to “Boiler Up” or stay at one of the world’s best 500 hotels, book a room at the luxurious Union Club Hotel at Purdue University, Autograph Collection. Its limited-time Golf and Spa package delivers what General Manager Damon Bell describes as “an effortless way to enjoy Purdue hospitality with ease and indulgence.”

In Boone County, wellness-focused travel unfolds with spa treatments, yoga classes, and outdoor time along the Big 4 Trail connecting Zionsville, Whitestown, Lebanon, and Thorntown. Downtown Zionsville’s cobblestone streets feature boutiques and dining, while Thorntown’s Sugar Creek Art Center showcases local artists.

Kokomo is a fantastic, budget-friendly destination for a solo getaway. From vibrant artisan shopping and historic mansion tours to unique outdoor roadside attractions. Stops include Kokomo Opalescent Glass, American’s oldest glass art company; the Seiberling Mansion, an 1891 Victorian home; and “Geek Street,” an entire block of unique treasures in downtown. Bike enthusiasts will enjoy miles of trails, along with the free bike share program, KokoGo.

Ward and Neace recommend Parke County’s Turkey Run State Park, where hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and horseback riding highlight the rugged scenery. Neace praises the knowledgeable stable staff and calls the park’s pool “fabulous after a long hike in the hot weather.” The region, known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World,” also features 31 historic covered bridges, a must-see.

In Hancock County, start off visiting the world’s largest Hallmark shop at Cynthia’s Hallmark in Greenfield, located just south of I-70. Travel right down State Street and then west on Main Street to the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum. Tour the home, the museum, the gift shop and the gardens. Visit the J. W. Riley Emporium, a large antique mall, Ella Junes, Redefined Boutique, and other downtown merchants. Have a late lunch (but before 2 p.m.) at Lincoln Square Pancake House. And finish your day with a walk on the Riley Arts Trail, which takes you all around downtown Greenfield.

Nearby Henry County celebrates basketball history at the Hoosier Gym and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, while the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum and the Jane Ross Reaves Octagon House spotlight aviation and architecture. For outdoor recreation, head to Summit Lake State Park or Westwood Park.

Centerville delivers on small-town charm with stops at Warm Glow Candle Company and “Antique Alley” along Main Street. Maplewood Park offers quiet trails, while American Wellness hosts spa and yoga sessions. Browse Luxe Lizzies, Village Forager, and Lavender and Sage before settling in at Sweet Autumn AirBnB, an adorable historic row house with one of the towns’ arched passageways.

Franklin County’s Whitewater Canal Trail and Brookville Lake trails draw hikers and cyclists, while Whitewater Canoe Rental and Morgan’s Brookville Canoe and Outdoor Adventures offer water excursions. Rent an e-bike from Metamora Barnyard and explore the historic storefronts in Metamora, Brookville, New Trenton, and Oldenburg.

History shapes your solo getaway in Vincennes. Tour George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, the Indiana Military Museum, and the Wabash River riverwalk before stopping by the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy.

French Lick blends relaxation and nightlife with wineries, casino gaming, boutique shopping, and rides on the French Lick Scenic Railway. The French Lick–West Baden Museum offers a quieter cultural stop when you want to slow the pace.

If outdoor adventure sounds appealing, Perry County delivers with more than 60,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest and 40 miles of Ohio River shoreline. Hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and scenic drives create room for both adventure and solitude.

Madison rounds out a restorative solo retreat with scenic drives along the Ohio River Scenic Byway and the REVerie Roads trails. You’ll find a walkable downtown with shops and cafés, guided golf cart and trolley tours, and plenty of outdoor recreation. Neace especially recommends Clifty Falls State Park for its “beautiful hiking trails,” waterfalls, and overlooks.