Thinking about taking a travel nursing assignment in Indiana? From its rolling hills and stunning Indiana Dunes to its delicious farm-to-table cuisine, the Hoosier State has a lot to offer for visiting travel nurses. Learn more about this vibrant Midwest state, including the best cities to visit and popular things to do, in this Indiana travel guide!
Knowing what to expect ahead of time is key for travel nurses visiting Indiana. To make the most of your travel nursing assignment, here’s what you need to know about Indiana, including the best travel seasons, local weather, transportation, and more.
Situated in the rolling plains of the Midwest with Lake Michigan to the northwest, the landscape plays a significant role in shaping the climate in Indiana. The state’s weather consists of hot summers, cold and snowy winters, and temperate springs and autumns.
As you prepare for your travel nursing assignment in the Hoosier State, consider the season as you pack so that you have weather-appropriate clothing and other items that suit the time of year.
Getting around the Hoosier State is no problem, thanks to its variety of convenient transportation options. However you prefer to travel, Indiana has plenty of public transit and is also easy to navigate by car.
Wherever you take your travel assignment in Indiana, the 11 regions of the Hoosier state each offer something unique for visitors to enjoy.
There are all kinds of things to enjoy when visiting Indiana at any time of year. However, there are more popular travel seasons. Keep this in mind as you plan your travel nursing assignment!
The most popular time to visit Indiana is during the late-spring and summer months between May and August. This is largely due to the warm weather, which makes it easy to take advantage of outdoor recreation like camping, biking, and kayaking.
The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are similarly temperate, making them a less busy but still-fantastic time to travel to the Hoosier State.
Meanwhile, you’ll be able to see a whole new side of this Midwest state when you visit Indiana in the winter. Taking a ride on a snowmobile or toboggan, or even skiing and skating, are popular outdoor recreation options at this quieter time of year.
Whether you’re looking to learn about your next travel nursing destination or are researching places to visit on your days off, here are some of the best cities in Indiana to visit.
Bloomington may be home to the flagship campus of Indiana University, but it’s far more than just a college town. As the seventh most populous city in the state, it’s also a cultural hot spot featuring arts, entertainment, and a vibrant foodie scene.
An economic hub for the Tri-State Area, Evansville offers urban amenities but with the feeling of a smaller city. Visitors to this popular Indiana city will find a variety of museums, parks, and fun events to enjoy year-round.
Home to historic Art Deco architecture, cultural festivals, and several museums and historic sites, Fort Wayne is the perfect place for art and history lovers to take a travel nursing assignment.
As the state capital, Indianapolis is a thriving metropolis in the heart of the Hoosier State. In addition to being the “Racing Capital of the World,” Indy has great restaurants and breweries, a rich arts and culture scene, and so much more.
Known for its beautiful historic architecture and waterfront views of the St. Joseph River, South Bend is a fantastic destination for travel nurses. The city has plenty of urban amenities and recreation to enjoy, including a college sports scene, great food, and more.
Wherever you take a travel nursing assignment in Indiana, there are tons of things to do and see throughout the Hoosier State. Here are some of the best things to experience while working as a travel nurse in Indiana.
Shaped by the water and wind of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park spans 15,000 acres of natural landscape, including wetlands, prairie, and the area’s iconic sand dunes. The park also offers more than 50 miles of hiking trails and 15 miles of coastline to explore.
During your trip, be sure to hit the beaches to see the shelf ice that sits off the coast of Lake Michigan. Experienced hikers may also be interested in the 1966 Hiking Challenge, which consists of 19 ranger-led hikes over 66 miles of trail. Other popular activities at the park include bird watching, fishing, and camping from April through October.
With diverse landscapes from hilly, glaciated terrain to prairies, and other features including the states many cave systems, Indiana boasts plenty of outdoor recreation to enjoy.
Tour a historic frontier mansion at Lanier State Historic Site or visit the beautiful waterfalls at Clifty Falls State Park near Madison. Go swimming in the summer or ice-fishing in winter at the stunning Monroe Lake near Bloomington. Walk the Crystal Palace and Dripstone Trail, go gemstone mining, or try pedal karting at Marengo Cave near Marengo. Or see why Ouabache State Park near Bluffton was once called the “Greatest Wildlife Laboratory in the United States,” with prairie wildlife such as grazing bison, pheasants, quail, and more.
Indiana has a wealth of arts and culture to experience. From contemporary art galleries to live music, art lovers will always find something to do in the Hoosier State.
Get tickets for live musical performances from indie acts and major artists or catch a comedy show at the Ford Center in Evansville. Enjoy expert-led lectures at the recurring Artful Conversations event, or explore rotating exhibits dedicated to visual arts at Newfields in Indianapolis. See works from local, regional, and international artists featured across 13 galleries on the first Friday of every month during the Gallery Walk in Bloomington. Listen to classical and contemporary arrangements played live on stage at the South Bend Symphony Orchestra in South Bend. Or watch stunning ballet performances by the Fort Wayne Ballet in Fort Wayne.
There are always plenty of events and festivals in Indiana going on throughout the year that can satisfy your food, arts, and entertainment needs!
See live music from a lineup of local and nationally known artists, play yard games, or try food from area vendors at the Middle Waves Music Festival in Fort Wayne. Stroll among beautiful paper lanterns and enjoy food, drinks, and art at the historic Feast of Lanterns festival in Indianapolis. Sample some of the state’s best beer, wines, and ciders from more than 100 vendors, play games, and sample local food at the annual Springfest in Bloomington. Or support local music and art at the free annual Rebel Art Fest in South Bend.
For more than 100 years, the Indianapolis 500 has been one of the nation’s most iconic sporting events. Experience the action first-hand with a trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and don’t forget to grab fan-favorite concessions like the Tenderloin or Track Dog.
In addition to the race itself, the speedway also has a variety of activities and events to check out. Take a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum for a behind-the-scenes look at the history of the race. Practice your golf swing at the on-site golf course, Brickyard Crossing. Or catch some of the most popular electronic artists during the annual Snake Pit concert event.
With its thriving agricultural industry, Indiana is a fantastic place for foodies, with a number of great restaurants across the state—many of which offer farm-to-table items. Enjoy locally sourced dishes like Creamy Vegan Pasta or Wood Farm’s 8oz Filet Mignon in an upscale setting at Copper Spoon in Fort Wayne. Dine on a surf and turf menu featuring items like Skuna Bay Salmon and Pot Roast Uptown Café in Indianapolis. Grab some breakfast with classic menu items like the Chicken & Waffle, French Toast, or a Denver Omelet at PEGGS in South Bend.
Indiana also has great breweries and wineries to explore. Experience a curated wine flight at Indiana’s oldest family-owned winery, Easley Winery, in Indianapolis. Get together with friends and sip on house-crafted brews at Keg Grove Brewing Company in Bloomington. Or craft your own flight from a menu of more than a dozen beers at a popular microbrewery Damsel Brew Pub in Evansville.
Interested in taking a travel nursing assignment in Indiana? With travel jobs in cities like Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Indianapolis, and more through TRS Healthcare, you’ll find plenty of career opportunities in the Hoosier State!
Healthcare facilities where we have travel assignments in Indiana include (but are not limited to):
Check out current travel nurse job openings in Indiana, or apply with TRS Healthcare now to start your next travel assignment!
