Fire up the grills, dust off your camping gear, and pull out your swimsuit because May in Southern Indiana means it's officially three-day weekend season! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, summer begs us to take Friday off and hit the road. Read on for the best ways to fill those lazy days.
Gather Around The Campfire
Sleep under the stars this summer at one of O’Bannon Woods State Park’s 281 campsites. Each site includes electricity, making it the perfect retreat after all of your adventures. O’Bannon Woods is also home to Wyandotte Caves which open for public tours beginning Memorial Day weekend.
For the perfect escape from life’s hustle and bustle, set up camp at Hillbilly Acres Campgrounds. Choose between an RV site with a fire pit and picnic table, or one of Hillbilly Acres’ fully furnished cabins. Either way, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful campgrounds and scenic views of the surrounding Greene-Sullivan State Forest.
Hit the Links
Tee up your weekend for success with a round of golf at one of our region’s award-winning courses! With 45 holes of legendary golf split between The Pete Dye Course, The Donald Ross Course, and The Valley Links Course, French Lick has a course for golfers of all ages and skill levels. For the complete golf weekend, head to Sultan’s Run in Jasper. This beautiful course is hosting the 2023 Senior LPGA Championship and was named by USA Today as a top ten must-visit golf destinations in the Midwest!
Or, practice your swing on a smaller scale with a round of putt-putt at Shotz Lazer Tag and Miniature Golf. Choose between the indoor 9-hole cosmic golf course, and the outdoor 18-hole course, or try them both.
If traditional golf isn’t your style, try your hand at disc golf. Dubois County Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course that is free to the public. The course is open seasonally from April until November each year.
Make a Splash
In the Midwest, Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the season for water recreation. Lather on that sunscreen and have some fun in the sun at one of our many water attractions.
Big Splash Adventure’s 40,000-square-foot indoor waterpark is open year-round, offering the perfect dose of poolside fun for families no matter what the unpredictable Indiana weather brings. Stay at Big Splash’s hotel, or just stop by for a day of fun.
Patoka Lake, the second largest reservoir in the state, makes for the perfect lake day with its beach, ten boat ramps, and two marinas. Whether you want to swim, fish, boat, or enjoy the view, Patoka Lake has something for everyone.
Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, a theme park and water park just outside of our region, is a fun addition to any Southern Indiana trip. The park is close enough that you can make it a day trip while staying in our region and exploring our eight counties. Splashin’ Safari, home to the world’s longest water coaster, reopens for the season on May 20.
For more ideas on how to spend Memorial Day weekend in southern Indiana, explore our website.
