Spring Mill State Park Inn

Sometimes things like spas, gourmet cooking and cell phone service aren't as important as sitting by the fire playing a board game and living a simpler life surrounded by nature. For these times, Spring Mill State Park Inn is a great place to visit!

I visit Spring Mill State Park every March as the overnight stop on a wine trail in Southern Indiana. Located about an hour south of Bloomington, it's a cute, no frills state park inn. Walking in the main doors into the lobby, you immediately see a lot of sitting areas with a fireplace, and usually a lot of people reading and relaxing in front of the fire. The basement has an indoor pool that is typically overrun with kids, but also another fireplace with plenty of places to sit and chat, board games, and an arcade with air hockey, ping pong tables, and some limited vending machines. If you get hungry late at night, I suggest bringing your own food as the cafeteria closes early, and the only options are vending machines that don't take credit cards (or if they do, it never seems to work).

I wouldn't call the kitchen and dining room a restaurant. I think cafeteria is much more fitting. I had Sunday brunch there recently, which was a $7 buffet that had all of the staples on it: eggs, meats, fruits, yogurt and granola, pancakes, juices, etc. For $7 a person, you couldn't beat it.

A few notes: Wireless internet is available for free in the rooms and common areas. Parking is free (and half of the structure is covered), but there is NO CELL SERVICE!