Your Ultimate 4th of July Weekend Itinerary

Posted on April 11, 2019

Santa Claus isn't the only one coming to town for the holiday weekend! If the 4th of July Weekend has you visiting Santa Claus, Indiana, and sites throughout Lincoln's Indiana Boyhood Home, we've got you covered.

4th of July Weekend

Thursday, July 4, 2019

• • Plan on getting to town early, or staying the night before, so you're able to enjoy the whole day!

• • Head to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. Spend the day zooming through the air on top-rated roller coasters. Ride the world's longest water coaster, Mammoth, in a nationally ranked water park. And then top it all off with specialty sweets and treats throughout the parks.

• • You'll want to stick around until 9:00 pm CT for 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. This firework spectacular will wow you, even if you're a little tired from your fantastic day.

Friday, July 5, 2019

• • Grab breakfast at Darlena's Lincolnland Restaurant. Or, here's a list of all restaurant options.

• • Stop by the Santa Claus Post Office to see postmarks from years past and send a postcard to someone from Santa Claus, Indiana.

• • If you're looking for an adults-only activity, stop by two local wineries: Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery and Pepper's Ridge Winery. Both spots are featured on the Hoosier Wine Trail in southern Indiana. Each winery offers complimentary wine samples.

 Saturday, July 6, 2019

• • Visit the Santa Claus Museum & Village and write a letter to Santa, take a picture with a 22-foot-tall Santa statue, and wander through the Santa Claus Museum.

• • Next, you'll want to make a stop at Santa's Candy Castle. The frozen hot chocolate is fantastic!

• • Start your holiday shopping early with a trip to Santa's TOYS, get a personalized ornament at the Santa Claus Christmas Store, and browse Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop to find classy and sophisticated women's clothing.

• • Next, make your way to the Rockport City Park and Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum for the Abraham Lincoln Freedom Festival. There will be a car show, food vendors, live entertainment, a firework show, and more! Take advantage of the free admission -- today only -- at Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum. Tour cabins and browse artifacts.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

• • Today is all about sightseeing! Start at the Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Explore the grounds and don't forget to stop at the unique gift shop.

• • Make your way to the Monte Cassino Shrine just outside of St. Meinrad. Learn all about the history surrounding this shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
  • Get outside and explore. Lincoln State Park is the next stop. Go for a hike around Lake Lincoln, rent paddleboats or canoes, try your luck at fishing in the lake, or soak up some sun on the beach. Pack a picnic for your family and enjoy in the shade at one of the shelter houses. There are also grills available for use.

• • Next, head over to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. You could spend hours exploring this park. Learn all there is to know at the visitors center and watch a short film shown every half hour. Go for a hike through land that the Lincolns once owned and stop by the Living Historical Farm. Finally, make sure you visit the memorials to Nancy Hanks Lincoln, Lincoln's mother, and the Lincoln family cabin.

There are so many activities for the whole family that will keep you busy all weekend long! Use this itinerary as a guide to making your 4th of July weekend getaway an unforgettable one. Browse overnight lodging options here. And, for a complete list of attractions and things to do, click here.

This blog post has been updated from June 2017.