Off the beaten path in Indiana, travelers will find gems in sleepy small towns and in the Amish countryside. The state's best-kept secrets include wine, windmills and the just plain weird.

Abbey, Winery

Indiana's tourism Web site offers a number of suggested trip itineraries, including a day that includes a tour of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Saint Meinrad, in southwest Indiana. The archabbey was founded in 1854 by two Benedictine monks and is now home to 100. Visitors join them at prayer on the picturesque grounds in the Archabbey Church and tour the campus' historic buildings. Later, try free samples of the offerings at Winzerwald Winery in nearby Bristow. Spend the night at the Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast.

Windmills, Bearded Dragon

Looking for a day of pure low-stress relaxation? Get a taste of the state's rural history in the state's northeastern corner at the Mid-America Windmill Museum in Kendallville, where more than 20 restored windmills are on display. Later head to the Black Pine Animal Park at Albion, a "last-chance" sanctuary for rescued exotic pets – more than 70 big and small cats, bears, primates, reptiles and other animals. The nonprofit does not buy, sell, breed or trade animals and visitors.

Anderson

The 60,000-population city of Anderson, about 45 minutes northeast of Indianapolis, is home to the opulent 1,458-seat Paramount Theatre, opened in 1929, just a few months before the stock market crash. The venue's rich history includes performances by world-class entertainers and several generations of movie magic. But the aging theater fell to the brink of demolition before it was rescued by a local heritage group, lovingly restored and reopened in 1995. Anderson is also home to the Hoosier Park Racing Casino and Good's Candy Shop, a local landmark where five generations of Good family members have been making some of Indiana's finest sweets.

Amish Country

Menno-Hof is an Amish history museum in a red Amish-built barn in Shipshewana, where visitors can learn about early practitioners of the religion who were persecuted in the dungeons of Europe but made it to America in the 17th century. Visitors like to grab lunch at the Blue Gate Restaurant, which serves family meals in a building that seats 600 – more than the town's population. Shoppers flock to the area for more than 70 shops and often stop at Amish Acres in Nappanee, a heritage farm, and spend a night at the inn there.

Hamilton County

One of the nation's fastest-growing regions, Hamilton County on Indianapolis' north side is home to eight fun small towns full of antique stores, upscale shopping areas, art galleries and trendy eateries. County officials recommend cite these as among the county's "hidden gems": hikes at Cool Creek Park in Westfield; bluegrass concerts at Hedgehog in Arcadia; the ghost walk tour and tales of the Underground Railroad in Westfield; artisan goods at the Atlanta Mercantile in Atlanta and a hand-dipped cone by Morse Lake in Cicero.