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100 Things to Do

Posted on March 31, 2022



Here are 100 things to do in Santa Claus, Indiana, and at sites throughout Lincoln’s Indiana Boyhood Home!
How many can you cross off your list?

Your List of Things to Do 

  1. Race to the finish on Cheetah Chase at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari—the world’s first launched water coaster. 
  2. Step back in time as you tour 13 Lincoln-era replica cabins at Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum.
  3. Make a pit stop for a chili dog or cheeseburger at the drive-through or walk-up windows at Fat Daddy’s Grill & Chill. Fat Daddy's Grill & Chill restaurant with walk-up window and outdoor seating
  4. “Rough it” in style at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph in one of their cozy cabins or cottages. 
  5. Get the freshest fruits and veggies around at Lakeview Orchards. 
  6. Have an ornament personalized (for free!) at the Santa Claus Christmas Store to commemorate your visit. 
  7. Get delicious barbecue piled high on potatoes, nachos, and mac and cheese at S&S BBQ & Pizzeria. 
  8. Fish in five lakes, play on two playgrounds, and make a splash at the splash pad at Santa’s Lakeside Cottages. 
  9. Enjoy a peaceful, private stay at The Corner House Bed & Breakfast. 
  10. Play like a pro at the championship Christmas Lake Golf Club. 
  11. Have a picnic at Lincoln Ferry Park and enjoy gorgeous river views from the spot where Abraham Lincoln operated his ferryboat business (which sparked the first legal case Lincoln ever tried—against a rival ferryboat operator!). 
  12. Browse home decor and gifts, floral arrangements, and even local meats and produce at Beverly J. Ellen
  13. Stroll the grounds and marvel at the amazing architecture at Saint Meinrad Archabbey.
  14. Salute the red, white, and blue as it waves from the top of the National Park Service’s tallest flagpole at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.
  15. Plan a wedding or other special celebration at the beautiful Matilda's Event Barn
  16. Travel with your extended family when you stay at the roomy six bedroom/five bathroom Mistletoe Manor vacation rental. 
  17. Relax and get back to nature when you set up camp at Oakridge Campground.  
  18. Be sure your four-legged friend is having fun during your pet-friendly getaway. 
  19. Sip award-winning wines, flavored whiskeys, and more at Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery. 
  20. Pick out a fun Christmas keepsake or a gorgeous new outfit (and accessories) at Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop. 
  21. Dine outside on burgers and ice cream treats at Scoops Ice Cream 
  22. Get an Instagram-worthy shot of the towering 22-foot-tall Santa Statue at the Santa Claus Museum & Village. 
  23. Have a beach day at Lake Lincoln, located inside Lincoln State Park.
  24. Enjoy Mexican favorites in a genuine train caboose at Los Panchos. 
  25. Keep an eye on the calendar and find out where and when area events—like Spring Heritage Day, Holidays in the Sky Drone and Fireworks Spectacular, and more—are happening. A gathered crowd watches costumed interpreters during Spring Heritage Day at Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum
  26. (Over)indulge in the famous frozen hot chocolate at Santa’s Candy Castle. 
  27. Feel the thrill of launching from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds on The Thunderbird steel roller coaster at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. 
  28. Fuel up before a hike or horseback ride with a healthy snack from Stone Ridge Station.
  29. Stay in a Lincoln-themed cabin (that’s close to area attractions) at Lincoln Pines Lakefront Resort. 
  30. See a rare Rocker “Beater” Loom (one of only 66 in known existence!) at Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum. 
  31. Lace up your hiking boots and discover more than 10 miles of trails at Lincoln State Park. 
  32. Find out why locals rave about the pork chops at New Boston Tavern. 
  33. Find the 20+ Santa Statues located throughout the town and take a #SantaSelfie. (This video can help with your search.)
  34. Hit the trails on horseback at Santa’s Stables 
  35. Make an appointment and shop ’til you drop at Darlena’s Holiday and Gift Shoppe. 
  36. Celebrate a win on the course with a meal at the Back 9 Grill, located at Christmas Lake Golf Club. 
  37. Fill your days with mini golf, paddleboating, gem mining, scheduled family activities, and more at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph.
  38. See nationally touring acts perform all summer long at Lincoln Amphitheatre. 
  39. Stay hydrated and un-sunburnt with free soft drinks and free sunscreen at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. 
  40. Arrive hungry at Jenk’s Pizza and tackle one of their famous strombolis. 
  41. Stay at the secluded Alpha Air vacation rental and get a greeting from Rex and Toby, the friendly dogs that live on site. 
  42. Bite into a giant cookie from the Santa Claus Christmas Store. 
  43. Take a hike—and get a history lessonalong the Trail of Twelve Stones at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.  
  44. Grab some grub-to-go from Brothers Grub and have an impromptu picnic. 
  45. Wind down your day with a swim when you choose a place to stay with a pool. (Find places to “just keep swimming” here.) 
  46. Pay tribute to Lincoln’s life as you stroll through the Lincoln Bicentennial Plaza, inside Lincoln State Park. 
  47. Bring your quarters and try out all the video games at Frosty’s Fun Center. Frosty's Fun Center Arcade Games
  48. Eat like a king—and admire the castle-like exterior—at The Chateau.
  49. Stay right across the road from the entrance to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari when you choose the Peppermint House vacation rental. 
  50. Shop for everything from fresh produce to local crafts at Pumpkins and More Farm Market. 
  51. Taste the signature wines at Pepper’s Ridge Winery, including Bluff City White and Lakeview Peach. 
  52. Start a busy day with a hearty breakfast at Darlena’s Lincolnland Restaurant. 
  53. Get the charm of a 1900’s farmhouse with all the modern conveniences when you stay at the Wilmes Farmhouse vacation rental. 
  54. See a hutch made by Abraham Lincoln and his father, Thomas, at Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum. 
  55. Take home the perfect inspirational keepsake from Saint Meinrad Archabbey Gift Shop. 
  56. After playing a round, enjoy a menu of family favorites at The Rustic. 
  57. Take a dip in your own private pool when you stay at Santa’s Vacation Villas. 
  58. Take a leisurely drive along the Ohio River Scenic Byway and enjoy gorgeous river views and the sites of the countryside. 
  59. See a movie on the big screen—and under the stars—at Holiday Drive-In. Holiday Drive-In
  60. Feast on all your Mexican food favorites at Jimador Bar & Grill. 
  61. Hop aboard the Reindeer Express Train, for a fun ride around the property at Santa’s Lakeside Cottages. 
  62. Find the perfect wine pairing for the summer grill menu at Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery. 
  63. Enjoy a s’more (and then some more) during a camping trip at Lincoln State Park. 
  64. Fill up on house-smoked barbeque and made-to-order thick or thin crust pizzas at Opie's
  65. Start a family travel tradition during your visit to this area. 
  66. Discover a great place to stay in a lovely country setting at “X” Marks the Spot vacation rental. 
  67. Visit the Santa Claus Post Office (the only one in the world that bears Santa’s name!), and see displays of the famous Christmas postmark from year’s past. 
  68. Delight your kids (and your inner child) with hard-to-find candy favorites from Santa’s Candy Castle. 
  69. Shop local for meats, produce, gifts, and more at Beloved Farms
  70. Treat your taste buds to raw aged cheeses, pastured poultry, and more from Steckler Grassfed Farms. 
  71. Pack a picnic and play all day at one of the area's beautiful community parks. Playground equipment at community park in Dale, Indiana, with green trees in background
  72. Get a glimpse of what Lincoln’s Indiana life looked like at the Living Historical Farm inside Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. 
  73. Find your favorite wing flavor among the 20+ options at Hoosier Land Pizza & Wings. 
  74. Enjoy the comforts and conveniences of the fully renovated Medcalf Place vacation rental. 
  75. Write your letter to Santa inside the town’s original post office at the Santa Claus Museum & Village (and get your personalized reply in December). 
  76. Book a stay at Santa’s Lodge for the Christmas-iest visit this side of the North Pole. 
  77. Get educated and entertained by the interactive exhibits at Lincoln State Park’s Nature Center. 
  78. Stay close to area attractions when you book a room at the Baymont Inn & Suites, Quality Inn & SuitesLocust Hill MotelMotel 6, or Stones Motel. 
  79. Be first in line at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari when you stay at the Gingerbread House vacation rental, located near the park’s front entrance.  
  80. Bring little equestrians to Santa’s Stables for a ride on Foxy the Pony. 
  81. Get your carb fix at Angelo’s Pizza when you try their locally famous breadsticks. 
  82. Retire to your private gazebo at the Blackhawk Creek vacation rental after a long day of fun.
  83. Visit Lincoln Landing to see the monument commemorating the spot from which Abraham Lincoln launched a flatboat trip to New Orleans (where he first witnessed the cruelty of slavery). 
  84. Experience a moment of peace and reflection at Monte Cassino Shrine, a small chapel located near Saint Meinrad Archabbey. 
  85. Enjoy a peaceful stay at the House on Sunset vacation rental, located in a quiet neighborhood a short drive from Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.
  86. Savor local sips and live music weekends at Pepper’s Ridge Winery. 
  87. Go non-traditional with your pizza order and try the Alfredo Pizza from Frosty’s Fun Center. 
  88. Play where you stay when you enjoy Santa’s SplashDown WaterPark at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph. 
  89. Browse (and play) your way through the thousands of specialty toys at Santa’s TOYS. 
  90. Practice your swing in a peaceful setting at The Rustic Golf Course. 
  91. Experience the trip of a lifetime on The Voyage wooden roller coaster at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. 
  92. Get some fresh air and fabulous views from the two decks at The Potter Cottage vacation rental. 
  93. Reach for the stars when you try the rock-climbing wall and bungee trampoline at Santa’s Express Ziplines. 
  94. Rent a bike from Santa Claus Hardware and pedal your way around town. 
  95. Find everything you need to deck your halls for the holidays at the Santa Claus Christmas Store. Exterior of Santa Claus Christmas Store with a mom, dad, and children walking up to the entrance
  96. Take advantage of the fantastic outdoor area—including a covered shelter house, swing, and fire pit—at the Christmas Cottage vacation rental. 
  97. Plan a peaceful getaway at the secluded Hollow Creek Cabin vacation rental. 
  98. Snap a postcard-perfect pic with the Santa statue outside the Santa Claus Post Office. 
  99. Book both units at the Holiday Guest House Suites and bring the extended family on your visit. 
  100. Stop in the Spencer County Visitors Bureau to pick up brochures, ask for directions… or just to say “hi” to us! 

What’s Open When? 

Hours can vary for this area’s attractions. See our What’s Open page to ensure you arrive right on time for fun!