Trip Tips: How Much Does it Cost?

Posted on May 16, 2023

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 family and budget friendly!

From free self-guided tours to movie nights that won't break the bank, this guide includes plenty of crowd-pleasing additions for your travel to-do list. 

Free Family-Friendly 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 souvenir, gift items, and more at local shops. Santa Claus Christmas Store and Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop even offer free personalization on ornaments!
  • Beverly J. Ellen
  • Dale Floral & Gifts
  • Darlena's Holiday and Gift Shoppe
  • Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop
  • Lakeview Orchards
  • Pumpkins & More
  • Saint Meinrad Archabbey Gift Shop
  • 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. for just $5 (plus tax, of course!).
• 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.
• Paddle away on Lake Lincoln at Lincoln State Park! Canoes, rowboats, and single kayaks can be rented for just $10.70 an hour. Double kayaks and paddle boats are available for $16.05 an hour. And for just a little more than $20—$21.40 to be exact—you can rent the fun Duck or Dragon Paddle Boat (a "splurge" that's totally worth it!).

Budget-Friendly Theme Park Fun

There’s plenty of savings to be had when visiting Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. A general admission ticket gets you into TWO parks, which include some of the world’s best wooden coasters and water coasters! If that's not enough, you also get:

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