How to Visit Santa Claus, Indiana, on a Budget

Posted on April 28, 2025

Looking for a family vacation that's big on fun but easy on your wallet? Santa Claus, Indiana, and the sites throughout Lincoln’s Indiana Boyhood Home offer tons of activities and things to do that are budget friendly and fun for all ages.

From free self-guided tours to movie nights under the stars to theme park thrills, your visit to the Santa Claus, Indiana, area will be packed with experiences, not expenses!   

Free Things to Do

• Track down the 20+ Santa statues located throughout town and get a #SantaSelfie with each!
• At Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial you can tour the Visitor Center, explore the Living Historical Farm, hike the trails, and more all for free.
• Santa’s Candy Castle is free to tour. But don’t be surprised if you just have to purchase a frozen hot chocolate or other sweet treat before you leave!
  
• Tour the Santa Claus Museum & Village, see "Santa's Indiana office," and write a letter to the jolly elf himself in the town’s original post office.
• The Colonel Jones Home is open for scheduled events and tours by appointment and is free to visit.
• Hit the trails throughout Santa Claus to walk or bike your way through town. 
• Take a self-guided tour of the beautiful and historic Saint Meinrad Archabbey, one of only two Archabbeys in the United States and one of 11 in the world.
• Take your picture in front of the Santa Claus Post Office, then head inside to see a display of the famous Santa Claus picture postmarks from over the years. 
• Sip for free! Wine tastings are complimentary at Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery and Pepper’s Ridge Winery
  
• It’s always free to browse! Check out souvenirs, gift items, and more at local shops. Santa Claus Christmas Store and Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop even offer free personalization on ornaments!
  • Antique Shak
  • Beverly J. Ellen
  • Dale Floral & Gifts
  • Darlena's Holiday and Gift Shoppe
  • Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop
  • Lakeview Orchards
  • Pumpkins & More
  • Saint Meinrad Books & Gifts
  • Santa Claus Christmas Store
  • Santa Claus Hardware
  • Santa's TOYS

Things to Do for Less Than $10

• A child's ticket for a double feature at Holiday Drive-In is only $6.
• Enjoy a pint of what's on tap at Santa Claus Brewing Co.
• Tour the museum and cabins at Lincoln Pioneer Village & Museum. Admission is $5 for adults and just $3 for kids. 
  
• Purchase a glass of wine at Pepper's Ridge Winery and Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery.
• Indiana residents can enter Lincoln State Park for $7 and out-of-state visitors for $9 to enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, the Nature Center, and more.
• From delicious shakes at Annie's Ice Cream to a soft-serve swirl at Fat Daddy's Grill & Chill, you can get ice cream and other sweet treats throughout the area for $5 or less!   

Things to Do for Less Than $20

• Purchase an adult ticket to Holiday Drive-In for only $12—that's TWO movies, plus, you can bring your own picnic!
  
• Get artsy at Good Life Designs and create a paint-your-own ceramic masterpiece you can take home for less than $20,

Affordable Theme Park Fun

If you're looking for budget-friendly theme park fun, you won't find a better choice than Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari—HomeToGo named it the best in the US for affordability and attractions in 2024! 

A general admission ticket gets you into TWO parks, which include some of the world’s best wooden coasters and water coasters. If there's too much fun to fit into just one day, you can purchase a Next Day ticket at Guest Relations for a reduced rate or find two- and three-day Flex tickets on the Holiday World website.

If all that's not enough, you also get:

• FREE Parking
• FREE Sunscreen
• FREE Wi-fi
• FREE Soft drinks

Tips for a Budget-Friendly Stay

Finding the perfect place to stay is an important part of any trip—and it can also be the most costly. But there are ways to make the most out of your lodging dollars when you visit the Santa Claus, Indiana, area.

Santa's Lodge, Quality Inn & Suites, and Baymont Inn & Suites offer free breakfast with every night's stay. Or choose lodging with a kitchen, like a cottage, cabin, or vacation rental, and make a few meals on your own. 

Speaking of vacation rentals, many are roomy enough to accommodate more than one family. Invite the relatives or family friends and split the cost so everyone saves!

Camping is another great way to stretch your lodging dollar further. The area's campgrounds accommodate everything from RVs to tents and even offer great onsite amenities, like free mini golf at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph and easy access to outdoor recreation at Lincoln State Park.

Free and Easy Trip Planning

Ready to start planning your budget-friendly visit? Here's one more money-saving tip—use our FREE trip-planning tool and mobile app! It's easy to use and can help you pick a place to stay, find things to do, and so much more.