Known as the Crossroads of America, Indiana is truly a small-town state. Ask any local how the state came to be known as the Hoosier State and you'll hear an animated rendition of the derivation of this interesting name. What you'll also find is that each person you ask will have a different but equally believable web to spin.

Rightly associated with the steel industry because of the massive production of this metal, Indiana has other attributes often overshadowed by its industrial reputation. Lake Michigan's waters anchor many ships loaded with ore, but the lake docks pleasure crafts as well. Lake Michigan attracts a plethora of water lovers to its sandy shores. Dunes, wildlife habitats, and diverse species of flora contribute to the natural attractions in the area. Water has always played a significant role in the development of Indiana. The Wabash Canal connected Lake Erie via Toledo with the Ohio River. Lakes, reservoirs, and rivers continue to attract sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts. Even gamblers flock to the water to board the recently legalized riverboat casinos.

As a significant portion of the land is devoted to agriculture, pastoral landscapes, huge red barns, and silos dominate the countryside. Indiana claims a large number of round barns and even has a museum in Rochester dedicated to this interesting structure. Such agricultural attributes and the prospects of religious freedom brought Amish and Mennonite immigrants to the land. You'll find a popular area in Elkhart and LaGrange Counties where tourists can visit workshops, auctions, markets, and a variety of things Amish. The city of Berne, designed with Swiss chalet-style facades, also attracted significant numbers of Amish as well as Swiss settlers.

The southern portions of the state retain their ancient terrain of hills and hollows. The Hoosier National Forest covers many acres of this hilly region that attracts leaf viewers every fall who flock here to witness nature's colorful display. Artists such as J.C. Steele, a member of a group of impressionists known as the Hoosiers, established colonies in this impressive area that provided inspiration for their paintings.

Indianapolis, the only large city in the state, clearly contrasts with the rural atmosphere of the state. A cosmopolitan metropolis, it offers cultural activities including an art museum, a symphony orchestra, and the world's largest children's museum. The Monon Trail, a recreational path, caters to walkers, skaters and cyclists. All roads seem to radiate from this vibrant hub in the center of the state. For many, the Indy 500 is synonymous with the Circle City.

Pokagon State Park is a well-loved year-round destination for swimming, canoeing, and camping. Its toboggan run attracts winter visitors. South Bend is home to Notre Dame University, with its gold dome and wonderous garden. Brown County State Park and the Hoosier National forest attract hordes of visitors during the leaf viewing season. Nearby Nashville, once a thriving artists' colony, rests amid the hills and hollers and still caters to artists and their crafts. Just up the road to the east, Columbus shows its many architectural faces. Buildings conceived by world-renowned architects make Columbus an open-air museum of the works of some of this nation's best building designers. Ranked the sixth most architecturally interesting city in the United States, Columbus will please the architectural enthusiast.

Indiana truly is a small town state. To really appreciate the diverse destinations of Indiana, you need to cross a covered bridge, attend a bluegrass festival, visit a tasting room at a winery, and stroll the streets of towns like Vevay, Madison, and New Harmony.