3 Weekend Getaways Near Indianapolis

This family-centric town offers a nice variety of affordable activities. The big lure is Holiday World and Splashin' Safari (left), with a plethora of colorful rides and slides that will elicit squeals from the backseat. (Grown-ups will cheer for the free pop, parking and even sunscreen.) In town, you can read kids' letters to Santa at the Santa Claus Museum or try frozen hot cocoa at Santa's Candy Castle. But the area isn't all kitsch. Plan to visit a handful of Abe Lincoln sites, canoe on the Blue River or tour Marengo Cave. Lake Rudolph Campground provides RV rentals for newbie campers, or, if your crew prefers plusher digs, the Leavenworth Inn is lovely—and kids are welcome. santaclausin.com