15 Best Resorts in Indiana - The Crazy Tourist

Indiana, the Crossroads of America, welcomes visitors with its rich history, charming small towns, and vibrant urban centers like the grand city of Indianapolis. From exploring the iconic Motor Speedway to delving into the heritage of the Amish community in Shipshewana, Indiana offers a delightful blend of Midwestern hospitality and diverse attractions to enthrall every traveler.

Many vacationers come to the state for its waterfront attractions and recreation opportunities. The state is bordered to the north by Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes of North America, providing pristine coastline along that part of the state. Therefore this list includes many waterfront properties. However, you will also find a few that are nestled away in the forest, a couple of resorts nearby winter ski villages, and even one on a college campus.

Let’s have a look at the best resorts in Indiana:

1. French Lick Resort

French Lick Resort is home to two award-winning AAA Four-Diamond hotels – French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel. Both hotels are stunning examples of historic architecture with French Lick being on the National Register of Historic Places and West Baden being a National Historic Landmark.

The resort is tucked away in the hills of the Hoosier National Forest just a short drive from Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati, and is both family-friendly and perfect for a couples getaway. The hotel has a plethora of amenities and entertainment options including a 45-hole Pete Dye golf course, two luxurious, world-class spas, a Vegas-style casino, horseback riding, and plenty of activities for kids.

Website: https://www.frenchlick.com

2. Turkey Run Inn

Turkey Run Inn located at Indiana’s Turkey Run State Park provides visitors with a relaxing forest refuge. The Inn was built in 1919 but has undergone many upgrades and renovations over the years. Today the inn is a popular weekend retreat and vacation destination with both the comfort and convenience of a modern resort hotel as well as the rustic ambiance of a country inn.

Accommodations include sixty-one guest rooms in the main lodge as well as five buildings with cabin-style rooms and three stand-alone cabins. Enjoy everything that Turkey Run State Park has to offer during your stay as well as the amenities of the hotel itself including an indoor heated pool with sundecks, a game room, bike rentals, and the on-site Narrows Restaurant.

Website: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/inns/turkey-run-inn-at-turkey-run-state-park/

3. Andrews Lakeside Resort

This bay-side resort is family-owned and managed, sitting on the shores of Lake Shafer. The resort is popular among family travelers and is near a range of different locations that offer various rentals for the lake to suit the size of your group. The resort is located near Indiana Beach where you can find a miniature golf course, arcade, and a water park all within walking distance.

The resort itself has an Indoor pool and hot tub making so you can have fun on the water no matter what time of your you visit. There are also grills, fire pits, kayaks, floats, boats, and more on hand your you to use. Guests rave about the hotel’s beautiful deck and fire pit which are perfect for watching the sunset. The Penthouse Suite offers 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and two large furnished outdoor patios overlooking the lake.

Website: https://www.alexanderslandingresort.com/

4. The Lighthouse Lodge

The Lighthouse Lodge sits on the relaxing shores of Lake Shafer. Accommodations include seven deluxe suites that are each equipped with kitchenettes, balconies, and fireplaces. There are also two stand-alone cottages that have full kitchens and provide additional space and comfort.

Amenities include a daily breakfast and a recreation room with pool tables, card tables, and darts. With the proximity to the lake, activities on the water are always close-at-hand. Guests can swim at the lake’s shallow beaches or take a scenic cruise. Nearby Crooked Creek offers horseback riding and there are several golf courses in the area.

Website: http://www.thelighthouselodge.com

5. Swan Lake Resort

Swan Lake Resort is a golf-centered resort located on 500 acres of countryside in Northern Indiana. The resort features a total of 36 holes of golf and is home to the United States Golf Academy which offers golf lessons and camps. Rooms at the resort range from standard hotel rooms to suites, cottages, and cabins as well as special fairway villas that have a good view of the 18th hole.

The golf theme extends to resort dining as Swan Lake Resort is home to the only Sam Snead’s Tavern and Grill in this part of the country. The restaurant is decked out with artifacts from the golfing legend’s personal collection and serves a delicious menu of steak and seafood.

Website: http://www.swanlakeresort.com

6. Indiana Beach Amusement Resort

Indiana Beach Resort is a well-known family amusement park featuring roller coasters, a variety of old-fashioned rides, and traditional carnival games. The park also has a water park section that has several water slides among other attractions. The resort offers a range of accommodation options including cabins, campgrounds, motels, and inns.

Options include the Beach House Inn, Indiana Beach Jellystone Park, Indiana Beach Cottages, and the Boardwalk Motel. With a wide range of fantastic options, there is something for everyone looking for a place to rest their head after a busy day playing at the amusement park.

Website: http://www.indianabeach.com

7. Potawatomi Inn Resort and Conference Center

Potawatomi Inn Resort and Conference Center is located on the shores of Lake James within the grounds of Pokagon State Park. The rustic resort has taken inspiration from their wooded surroundings and features knotty pine walls and beds adorned with traditional Amish-made quilts.

The resort is open year-round but is especially popular in the wintertime when guests can fish and ice skate on the lake as well as enjoy the park’s exhilarating toboggan run. The toboggan slide is the only refrigerated one in the state making it possible to ride even when there is no snow. Potawatomi Inn offers several options of suites, cabins, patio rooms, and six kids’ rooms that are a fantastic choice for families.

Website: https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/inns/potawatomi-inn-at-pokagon-state-park/

8. Raccoon Lakeside Lodge

Raccoon Lakeside Lodge is comprised of a collection of waterside apartments and suites. The accommodations range from one to three bedrooms and sleep six to eight people. Each room comes with a well-equipped kitchen and a patio with a gas grill and table seating. The highlight of the lodge is the lake and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy it.

Pontoon boats and jet skis are available for rent and the resort has a nice swimming pool. There is also a public beach only a few minutes away. For golf lovers, the nearby golf course offers an affordable option for a round of golf.

Website: http://raccoonlodge.com

9. Belterra Casino Resort and Spa

Belterra Casino Resort & Spa is a resort built around a casino riverboat that is docked on the Ohio River. The resort is geared towards adults with a few activities for older children. There are more than 600 guestrooms on the property including some specialty suites. There are even some pet-friendly rooms for those who like to travel with their furry friends.

The resort offers a wide range of entertainment such as shows, concerts, and of course, Vegas-style casino gambling. The resort has a full-service luxury spa as well as a pool and several shops. Guests can also use Belterra’s Tom Fazio Golf Course which is one of the best in the region.

Website: https://belterracasino.boydgaming.com/

10. Beachwalk Resort

Beachwalk Resort is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. Accommodations at the resort consist of a group of small lakefront cottages. The resort is a quite popular family getaway in the summer and many of the surrounding community’s attractions cater to the summer tourists that flock to the area during the warm months.

Even though the property is built to be a relaxing getaway, the resort has plenty of options for keeping active. Beachwalk features a golf course, dining options, and a beach with sand dunes. Families especially love the property’s playgrounds, tennis courts, and the fishing pier on the lake.

Website: https://www.beachwalkvacationrentals.com/

11. Paoli Peaks

Paoli Peaks is a popular ski resort in the Southern Indiana area. The ski resort features natural slopes with a 300-foot vertical drop. The slopes feature something for any type of skier as they range from beginner and intermediate to advanced and expert slopes. They even have a family slope where the whole family can ski together.

Paoli Peaks also has a tubing park with nine lanes of hills for tubing. The resort has a snow-making machine to provide skiing, boarding, and tubing fun when it’s cold but there isn’t snow. Paoli Peaks Lodge is strictly a day lodge, but guests who wish to stay overnight can stay at the Trailview Ski Lodges which are rustic cabins located on the slopes themselves, or several other hotels in town.

Website: https://www.snow.com/

12. Oakwood Resort

Oakwood Resort is located in Syracuse on the shores of Lake Wawasee. The lake is the largest natural lake in the state and provides the perfect ambiance for a special occasion, family vacation, or weekend escape. Oakwood offers 77 guest rooms and suites and an additional ten vacation homes on their property which means they can cater to a variety of group sizes and budgets.

Resort amenities include a full-service salon & spa with Aveda-trained professionals and Aveda products. The resort also has an on-site restaurant and bar that features a stylish indoor dining room and seasonal outdoor seating.

Website: http://oakwoodresort.com

13. Morris Inn

Morris Inn is a AAA 4 Diamond hotel located within the campus grounds of Notre Dame University. The Hotel has 18 well-equipped suites and 132 modern, renovated guestrooms. The Grand Suites feature 48-inch televisions, 1 ½ bathrooms, and a large amount of living space making them a comfortable option for families and couples looking for a bit more room.

There are three on-site restaurants offering a range of dining including fresh seafood, light bites, and casual outdoor dining. Guests at Morris Inn can take advantage of many of the University’s amenities including the Warren Golf Course, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, and sporting events at the campus stadium.

Website: http://morrisinn.nd.edu

14. Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina

Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina is a casual lakeside retreat that is perfect for families. The property is located on Lake Monroe in Bloomington and is part of the Fairfax State Recreation Area. The inn has 118 guestrooms which offer a relaxed but elegant experience.

The highlight of the property is the lakeside location and a plethora of water activities including fishing, relaxing on the private beach, swimming in the indoor/outdoor heated saltwater pool, and a full-service marina offering jet-ski and boat rentals. Fourwinds has many land-based activities as well including picturesque hiking trails, a fitness center, and sports facilities including tennis and basketball courts and miniature golf.

Website: http://www.fourwindsresort.com

15. New Harmony Inn Resort and Conference Center

New Harmony Inn is tucked away on a bend of Southwest Indiana’s Wabash River. The resort is the perfect relaxing retreat for couples wishing to have a romantic getaway. The peaceful property has acres of rolling hills, hiking trails and walking paths, beautiful waterfalls, ponds, and carefully landscaped gardens.

There is a covered heated pool outdoors in the garden as well as a fitness center and other amenities. The resort offers a curated package for couples in their all-inclusive Harmony for Two packages. The package includes dinner and breakfast for two, chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne, and the option to have a late checkout.

Website: https://www.newharmonyinn.com