Historically, Indiana is the first state in the country that tried to implement education with government support. Although this initial plan in 1816 did not go well, this just shows the state’s focus on education. This is the reason why some of the top schools in the country are in this state. The following are only some of the best universities in Indiana:

• Notre Dame University – Located in the northernmost region of the state, the home of the “Fighting Irish” is well known for their science-related courses. Notable are the chemistry related degrees as well as astrophysics. Being established in 1842, the school boasts of having the oldest astrophysics laboratory in the country. The sports program in the university is also well known especially on football and basketball.
• Indiana University – the university’s main campus is in Bloomington and the first university to accept students with the help of state funding. The university is often rated among the best in the country because of the city’s friendliness to students as well as the technology available. The university is often preferred by students who wanted to obtain a degree in arts and sciences. The school is also notable for supporting more than 600 student-athletes.
• Purdue University – named after the man who donated the lot for the university (John Purdue), the main site was established in 1869. The school is among the best in the country because the degrees offered are not easily found in other states. Purdue offers world-class aeronautics and aerospace related degrees. In terms of sports, the university is well known for their basketball team (men and women) as they are the most successful university in Big Ten Championships.

Indiana doesn’t just offer random degrees for students. A coveted degree for a better future is most likely offered in one of these universities in Indiana.

The cities in Indiana practically have everything a person needs to survive, have fun, learn and raise a family. The great cities in Indiana are not just your regular metropolitan destinations. Sports, education, culture and history can be found in various cities in Indiana.

Indianapolis – the Complete Package

If you’re planning to visit Indianapolis for just a day, you’ll never be able to appreciate the city’s magnitude. The structures dedicated to sports alone will require you at least a day to visit them all. Aside from sports stadiums, there are also a good number of museums that should not be missed. Among them is the Children’s Museum and Conner Prairie Living History Museum which is a testament of the state’s past.

Fort Wayne – Big but Very Personal

The second biggest city in Indiana (after Indianapolis) should never be compared to the state’s capital. While Indianapolis is bustling with activities, Fort Wayne is known to the locals as a place where they can be at home even in a big city setting. Thus, it is considered an ideal city to raise a family. The city is also known for their altitude. Even though the city doesn’t have massive structures, it is still higher compared to many cities in the state.

Bloomington – Life with the University

As the main site of Indiana University, the city’s activities mostly surround the school program. Some of the best parties in Bloomington happen because of annual activities in the school. But this doesn’t mean the city is just about the university. There are also music and art festivals in almost every season.

South Bend – Another City Known for their University

South Bend will always be associated with Notre Dame University. The school’s rich history is tied to the city’s culture. But there are other interesting places in South Bend that should gain the interest of a tourist. Lake Michigan, the Century Center and the Hannah Lindahl Children’s Museum are only some of the attractions in the city.

Every state has been called home by various personalities and Indiana is not an exception. There are notable individuals that came from the state and they were able to influence various industries that have entertained us and changed history. Some of them are still active in their industry:

• Larry Bird – as the home of various sports organizations, it’s no wonder that one of basketball’s greatest athletes came from Indiana. Larry Bird is from West Baden Springs which is a very small town located in the state’s southern region. An inductee of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he was instrumental to Boston Celtic’s three NBA Championships. His final stint in basketball was working as a coach for the Indianapolis Pacers.
• Wilbur Wright – the older brother of Orville Wright was born in Millville, Indiana. Together, the Wright Brothers would develop a fully functional aircraft. The town is located in the western region of the state. Today, a small museum can be found in Millville commemorating the birthplace of the great inventor.
• Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 – Gary, Indiana will never be the same again because of the Jackson 5 and the music industry was forever changed because of its youngest member, Michael Jackson. Their home where the brothers grew up is now considered a shrine after the Michael Jackson passed away in 2009. It’s still a two-room property and flowers are laid there by fans coming from various countries.
• Colonel Harland Sanders – the founder of KFC or Kentucky Fried Chicken has called Indiana home all his life. He was born in Henryville and his small restaurant operations started in Corbin when he was 40. His first restaurant is actually a service station.

Indiana has been called home by popular personalities in sports, music, food and other industries. Many museums of these popular personalities were created and most of them are found in cities where they grew up.

Food is a reflection of the place’s past and traditions. The food popular in these places were developed because of certain conditions found in the area. In Indiana, there are certain foods that are very popular in the state that also has a historical background. Although there is no “state food”, there are certain recipes that should not be missed out in Indiana:

Breaded Pork Tenderloin

The state’s fondness to meat is from the fact that Indiana is a major meat producer. But the development of breaded pork tenderloin is believed to be from Huntington wherein a food peddler used to sell “Breaded Pork Sandwich”. The preparation process requires a wooden mallet used to tenderize the pork. Legend tells that the peddler’s brother accidentally made the process as he used his stomp to prepare the pork.

Sugar Cream Pie

A very popular type of pie in Indiana and was developed by the Amish community that lived in the state. This sweet concoction was created when apples are not in season. But the recipe started to spread and soon, locals were making this very sweet pie all year long. Inside the pie’s crust is a collection of all sweet: butter, maple and cream. A variation exists with brown sugar instead of maple.

Corn Dogs

This delicacy is not necessarily from Indiana and no one in the state claims they created this type of preparation. But the way corn dogs are made in this state should not be missed by any tourist as locals have learned to perfect the way they are prepared. Inside every corn dog is the combination of ketchup and mustard which gives unique taste as it works perfectly with hotdog deep fried from corn oil. Some squeeze the ketchup and corn in the middle of the hotdog while others generously pour various condiments to add more flavor.