2015's Top Ten Summer Travel Destinations

Travel and Leisure has chosen this year's Top Ten Summer Travel Destinations, as follows:

Number 10 - Rome, Italy

With their free museums, fountains, and The Pantheon, Rome has a number of free things to see while traveling to the ancient city.

9. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen has beautiful white sand beaches that offer free admission

8. London, England

London has more museums than most any city, and the majority of them offer free admission.

7. New York City, New York

The first time you step into New York City the sight alone is breathtaking! Some amazing free things to see include the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Times Square and much more!

6. Paris, France

Although there's a fee to climb to the top, you can a view of the Eiffel Tower is free.

5. Punta Cana, Domican Replublic

4. Cancun, Mexico

3. Orlando, Florida

2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Plan your trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina around one of their free festivals, the city has almost 50!  The Annual Cruise to the Coast Car Show is one of my favorites.

1. Las Vegas, Nevada

Ranked #1 in TravelandLeisure.com's Listing, Las Vegas has a number of free things to do and see!

Feel free to list your favorite vacation destinations and where you'll be traveling this year in the comments below.

Summit Lake State Park

Summit Lake State Park is located at 5993 N Messick, New Castle, Indiana 47362.

Known for it's fishing, Summit Lake State Park has three boat ramps and a large lake on it's 2680 acres.

The trails range from accessible to moderate, and .75 to 2 miles in length.

Onsite:

• swimming beach
• fishing
• cross country skiing
• camping
• hiking
• boating

Nearby:

• Hoosier Park Racing and Casino
• Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
• Boondocks Farms
• Wilbur Wright Birthplace and Museum

What's FREE to See!

• Veteran's Memorial "Garden of Memories" - Washington Street, Knightstown, Indiana
• The Hoosier Gym - unchanged from the 1950's, made famous by the movie "Hoosiers"
• Hoover Hall built in 1875

Visit the Henry County Events Page to find what's FREE to See during your visit!

Indiana State Parks

Shakamak State Park

Shakamak State Park is located at 6265 W. State Road 48, Jasonville, Indiana 47438.

Donated abandoned mines, are now the result of 400 acres of water in the form of 3 manmade lakes in this park.

Four hiking trails exist in the park ranging from 1.4 miles to 3.95 miles in distance, and moderate in skill.

The park was named from Kickapoo Indians meaning "River of Long Fish".

Onsite:

• waterpark
• swimming pool
• camping
• boating
• fishing
• hiking
• horseback riding

What's Nearby:

• Terre Haute Children's Museum - admission $7
• Pioneer Village in Fowler Park
• Boot City Opry

What's FREE to See!

• Swope Art Museum
• Clabber Girl Museum
• Candles Holocaust Museum
• Irishman's Covered Bridge

Check out the city of Terre Haute's Calendar of Events to see what's FREE to see during your visit!

Indiana State Parks

Irishman's Covered Bridge

The Irishman's Covered Bridge is located on Feree in Fowler Park, in Terre Haute, Indiana.  The park is located in Vigo County. 

The bridge is 80 feet long and 14 feet wide.

The style is Queen-post through truss.

The bridge was built in 1845.

In 1971 the bridge was relocated over Honey Creek on Feree Road, in Fowler Park.

Sunday River Covered Bridge

The Sunday River Covered Bridge is also known as the Artist's Covered Bridge, because it has been painted by so many artists.

The bridge is located on Sunday River Road, in Newry, Maine in Oxford County.

The bridge was built in 1872 and is 87 feet long.

The style is Paddleford truss.

It is located about 4 miles northwest of North Bethel.

Shades State Park

Shades State Park is located at 7751 South 890 West, Waveland, Indiana 47989.

The park is known for it's sandstone cliffs that overlook Sugar Creek, incredible ravines, rock formations and gorges.

Shades State Park is a favorite for hikers as it has several trails ranging from easy to rugged, and from .5 miles to 2.5 miles in length.

Pine Hills Nature Preserve - self-guided nature trail thru amazing rock formations known as backbones - gigantic rock walls with narrow trails along the tops.

Park Features:

• Devil's Punchbowl - hollowed-out bowl in the rock formations
• Silver Cascade Falls - waterfalls
• Lover's Leap, Steamboat Rock, Maidenhair Falls - located on Trail 2
• Turkey Backbone and Devil's Backbone - two of the popular backbone formations

Onsite:

• hiking
• canoeing
• camping - non-electric sites
• birdwatching
• fishing

Nearby:

• Rotary Jail Museum - One of 7 in the country
• Linden Depot Museum - Admission only $4
• Myers Dinner Theatre

What's FREE to See!

• Ropkey Armor Museum
• Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County
• Deer's Mill Covered Bridge and Darlington Covered Bridge

To find out what's FREE to See during your visit, check out the Montgomery County Calendar of Events!

Indiana State Parks