We will be vistiting family at the end of October in Southern Indiana about an hour south of Indianapolis. We've never been anywhere near the Mid-West, I have no idea what to expect.. I'd love ideas for restaurants and sites to check out.
Also what kind of weather can we expect at that time of year?

I cant' make suggestions of what to see, but our local newspaper ran this scavenger hunt that brought out over 300 entries. I did it with my friends as I traveled along the East Coast this summer and it was quite a hit. It will give the kids something to watch for. (take photos of your find) Here's the list:
1. A building shaped like something else (coffeepot, hot dog, etc). 2. An unintentially funny sign. 3. A covered bridge. 4. A town sheriff. 5. A tree whose bark seems to show a face. 6. Gas selling for less than $2.75/gal. 7. A librarian in a library holding up a copy of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road". 8. A red caboose. 9. A bride and groom. 10. A machine that flattens pennies. 11. A vehicle unique to the region you're visiting. 12. An old-fashioned soda shop that serves phosphate. 13. Firefighters having a meal in a fire station. 14. Dad on a merry-go-round. 15. On odd drive-through service. 16. The travelers playing a miniature golf course. 17. Smokey Bear. 18. A menu or sign selling root beer floats. 19. Something very unusual not on the list. 20. Farm machinery in a field. Have fun!

You will be visiting Indiana at its prime time--the temperatures should be pleasant with warm days and cool evenings, and the leaves should be at their peak fall colors. If you can, try to visit Nashville for its quaint shops and perhaps a dinner of fried chicken and bisquits at the Nashville House. Just a short drive up the highway is Gnaw Bone (yes that its name!) where you can visit a sorghum mill powered by horses. Or Bloomington is another top choice, the Indiana University campus is always alive with activity, expecially on football game days. Perhaps you are more interested in spa and gambling, then a trip to French Lick and its newly renovated facilities would be fun. Just a few suggestions.
What to expect from the midwest? Friendly, laid back people and a more country atmosphere.

Thanks all. We will be close to Bloomington and it's seems like an interesting place. Any restaurant ideas? I'd something that has been around awhile, you know a classic old school kind of place.

I don't know how far Chicago is from where you plan to be, but we used to go to the midwest to visit the inlaws in St. Louis. We always wanted to drive up to Chicago but never did.

This last summer we finally did (just flew straight there!) and what a great city. The people in Chicago have the midwest mentality. Very nice, downhome, helpful, we loved it!

It is an amazingly clean city, beautiful parks, wide lovely boulevards, great public art, don't miss the wonderful water tour of the city's architectural buidlings.

I just wish we had had more time there.
It is a must see city. It reminded me a lot of Paris - kinda our American version.

glimmer2, when you travel to the area of southern Indiana, not only are you traveling to a location with great natural beauty (around the Hoosier National Forest; with rolling hills; quaint, rustic towns; and beautiful fall foliage) but back to a slower, more simpler and relaxing time.

Assume you are you flying into Indianapolis? Then recommend that while you are there that you visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum located at the famous "Brickyard".

Totally agree with the suggestion to go to Bloomington and Nashville, IN. Brown County State Park would be a great place to visit, weather permitting. In fact, if you wished to rent a log cabin, there are quite a few in this area. Don't know about the availability at this late date and the time of year you are coming.

When you go from Indianapolis, you'll want to take these scenic roads to get there: SR #37 from the Indianapolis area to Bloomington and, especially, SR #46 between Bloomington and Nashville.

If you continue on SR #46 eastward, you will come to Columbus, IN, recognized for the world-class architecture.

Another location in which you might be interested is situated west of Indianapolis. Parke County, IN has 30+ covered bridges. You can pick up maps to drive to them in Rockville, IN.

Turkey Run State Park, 8 miles from Rockville, is also recommended and you might be able to stay at the Inn there. The drive north is lovely and on a beautiful autumn day, breathtaking.

If you were looking for a site for information, there is a magazine called Midwest Living and they have much information, including driving tours of southern Indiana, restaurants and lodging. Take a look at their website.

glimmer2
I vote with Poconolady. Nashville Indiana is a great little town to spend a day in (and very close to Bloomington) with lunch at the Nashville House. The Brown County State Park should have trees at their fall beauty. See: http://www.browncountystatepark.com/

If you want to stay in the area, there is quite a bit to do. Southern Indiana can be quite hilly and, yes, you should hit the fall colors at the right time with pleasant days and cool nights. There are lots of very nice state parks, Turkey Run SP northwest of Bloomington being one of our favorites [the Inn inside the park has a very nice restaurant]. We also like McCormick's Creek SP, about 15 mi from Bloomington. The area is also known for 100 + yr old covered bridges such as in Putnam and Parke Counties, with many nice towns. Most county web sites can provide suggested routes or google "Indiana covered bridges".

Visit the Brown County area. http://www.browncounty.com/. You can do a google search on that area for additional information.

Check out Scholar's Inn in Bloomington.

http://www.scholarsinn.com/cafebloomington/awards.shtml

Also heard Tallent is good, but haven't been there

http://www.restauranttallent.com/

I posted earlier, but don't see it now, so I'll try again...
Check an old United States thread from 2004: Weekend trips from Indianapolis."

Wow, thanks to all of you. I skimmed a bit through those web sights. To tell the truth I wasn't looking too forward to this trip, but now I am. I thought the landscape would be all flat. Our family lives near Brownstown, which I'm guessing is near the Nashville area.
Is Louisville close enough or worth a day trip from there?

Nashville - Louisville is about 170 mi. Should be doable for day trip. May be a fairly long day, but doable.

Yes, I think you should look forward to the trip. Just another look at a great part of the country with some things that are uniquely MidWest IMO.

glimmer2 - well, before I get flamed, I blew my last response. Sorry, I was obviously thinking TN instead of IN. Nashville IN - Louisville is around 70 mi, so yes, doable in a day.

glimmer2, you'll probably be driving right through the Columbus, IN area to get to Brownstown. If you go west on #46 from there, it will take you right into Nashville and then Bloomington.

By the way, did you know that John Mellencamp hails from Seymour, IN? Brownstown is only 10 miles away, both are in Jackson County.

But getting back to Brown County, I looked at the website for Bean Blossom to see if anything was happening there. But it appears that the last event will be the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall Of Fame & Uncle Pen Days Festival at the end of September.

If you go to Nashville, make sure you go to the T.C. Steele historic home and studio, called the "House of the Singing Winds". And if you go to Rockville, go to the Billy Creek Village. (They sometimes have civil war re-enactments at the latter, too.)

If you go to the Billy Creek Village website, they have virtual tours online.

Check the weather forecast before you go! We've lived in Indianapolis for over a dozen years and I can remember some Halloweens that I've brought the kids around the neighborhood dressed in shorts and other years, dressed in ski jackets. We've had an unbearably hot and dry summer but who knows if that will translate into an Indian summer. Check before you go so you won't be dressed inappropriately for whatever weather Indiana throws at you.

If you have the time, I'd spend a day in Indianapolis. We have a wonderful art museum, a sports museum, a botanical garden, a children's museum so good you don't even need a child to have a reason to see it, and a fabulous zoo. Among other attractions. Indianapolis is a lovely and often-overlooked city.

Exiledprincess, yes I did know that about John Mellencamp. Our cousin, who we are visiting, I believe was lucky enough to have met him through a long time friend...pretty cool.
Mermaid, the weather sounds like California, although more time than not the kids are sweating in their costumes around here.
All have you have been wonderful in your suggestions. If any others pop in your mind fill free to add 'em.

While in Bloomington be sure to check out the IU campus. A long time favorite pub is "Nicks".

Oh Glimmer what a beautiful time to be visiting Indiana. I would agree with all the replies you received and be sure and visit Nashville, IN and also try to visit West Baden Springs/French Lick and tour the West Baden Springs Hotel with it's golden dome. Here is a website that looks pretty good to me. http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/ No Indiana is not all flat. LOL

Several years ago we spent a couple days in Parke County visiting the covered bridges. We lost count after a while. Its a lot of fun wondering the back roads searching for them.

http://www.countyhistory.com/coveredbridge/start.html

http://www.coveredbridges.com/