About this trip idea

Allow 2-3 days.

Planning a trip for the entire family brings on a special set of challenges. How do you find something for everyone in just one spot? With places like Santa Claus and Lincoln City on the list, the kids will be racing you to the car!

Get into the Christmas spirit – any time of year
Santa Claus, Indiana – you know there must be something about the man in red around town. From the many Santa statues (there are 17), to the Santa Claus Christmas Store and Santa Claus Museum , it’s easy to catch a little Christmas spirit, even in the summertime. Surprise your family with a holiday-themed stay at Santa’s Lakeside Cottages . These cottages comfortably sleep six and offer fishing from your deck, your own picnic grill and easy access to the campground’s playground, park and fire pits.

Something special for the thrill seekers
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari  is known for their quality rides, friendly staff and park cleanliness (voted Cleanest Park on the Planet 11 years running and Friendliest Park for 12 years). This family-owned park even offers free, unlimited soft drinks, sunscreen and Wi-Fi all summer long.

Check out their wooden roller coaster fun on The Raven, The Legend and The Voyage, which was voted #1 Wooden Coaster on the Planet four years in a row! Need something a little tamer for the small ones? Children under 54 inches tall can ride Rudolph's Round-Up, play in the Safari Sam's SplashLand and spend time with Santa Claus! 

Get wet in Splashin' Safari on these wild rides: Pilgrims Plunge, Wildebeest and the Mammoth. Pilgrims Plunge is the world’s tallest water ride that drops you 131 feet! The Wildebeest is a one-third mile wild adventure of uphills, drops, twists and turns. And, the Mammoth, the newest addition to the park, is sure to thrill as you speed through dark tunnels, down seven stories and, even, backwards. Grab the family to challenge this beast!

A little something for the history buff, too

As a boy, Abraham Lincoln and his family lived in Southern Indiana. Step back into Lincoln’s day at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial living historical farm. The farm is a recreated pioneer homestead where rangers in period clothing perform a variety of activities typical of the 1820 era. In nearby Lincoln State Park watch an inspiring play about Lincoln all summer long, titled A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale in an outdoor amphitheatre. The park also offers camping, hiking and other outdoor activities.

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