Puerto Rico. The Bahamas. Cancun. Disneyland. The list goes on and on. This earth has loads of sunny, exotic vacation destinations perfect for some R&R over Summer Break. However, not everyone can manage a pricy, itinerary-requiring vacay. So while old Naptown might not have beaches and coconuts to sip, Hoosiers have plenty of entertainment opportunities.

Just east of Indiana’s center, Fortville is homebase for plenty of our very own Marauders.  The cozy town has been around for over 150 years; in other words, this little town has quite a history to its name. While it is not exactly packed with tourists and a buzzing nightlife, there is an abundance of nearby sweet-spots. For example, the Sunrise Cafe is a great spot to grab coffee with a friend, and Studio 309 has plenty of art projects to become addicted to.

Fortville cannot be discussed without mentioning the Fortville Skatepark. Serious skateboarders travel for miles to try out the professional-grade course.

The Post Road Recreation Center is less than a twenty minute drive away. This place makes a great day trip for the entire family with go-karts, mini golf, and tasty lunch options.

Created in 1920, Falls Park in Pendleton is a short trip for a quiet afternoon. The park boasts a golf course, swimming pool, numerous trails, historic center, sports complex, and all kinds of playgrounds. There are even ducks to feed if your inner child gets restless over break.

After you’ve exhausted all of the local treasures, you can always make the short trip to Indianapolis. Every Hoosier knows Indy possesses the canal, exotic cuisines, a vibrant nightlife, and dozens of sporting events.

Who needs a trip anyway? There are plenty of gems right here-you just need to know how to look.