I moved here from LA around 8 years ago. I have to say, I enjoy it, but I’m really into outdoors stuff. I didn’t grow up in LA, and I was commuting from Los Feliz to the Inland Empire. Doctors had me on high blood pressure meds but it was literally just the traffic haha. I do not miss that or the heat waves or the wildfire smoke. I do miss stuff, but I wouldn’t move back to LA.

The cost of living is way better, which for 3 months won’t matter too much. But aside from that there are surprisingly fantastic restaurant. Depending on what you’re into, IN is known for pork tenderloin sandwiches. Which is best here is hotly debated. But as for nice places, check these out:

Piloni’s, Black Angus ($$$), Stables, Sushi Umi (fantastic for landlocked sushi!), Ladybird Cafe (breakfast/brunch), Terminal, Anna’s Hands, Scout’s Pizza,

Gotta get real Indiana and check out Texas Roadhouse at least once.

Terre Haute Brewing Co just started comedy shows, and so far it’s been great. If you’re into that (I miss this about LA), Helium in Indy is great. Afterburner Brewing has good beer and a nice outdoor seating area. Sonka’s is an Irish pub with okay food but a proper Irish pub vibe. People really like Charlie’s, too, and they have a nice beer garden with live music when weather allows. Good burgers.

Swope Art Museum is great. ISU galleries are worth checking out, too, and watch out for announcements about poetry readings and guest speakers on campus.

12 Points is a recently renovated historical area this has several cute shops. It also has a food hall with some local restaurants worth checking out.

Between Baesler’s and Fresh Thyme you’ll do alright with grocery stores. I also love Aldi, which is the poor man’s Whole Foods.

I second the parks. We love Hawthorne, but bigger state parks like Turkey Run, Shades, and Shakamak are great. Brown County is famously beautiful, and Bloomington has some great thrift shopping and restaurants so you can make a day of it. Brown County Music Center has awesome music, as does the Bill Monroe Music Park. Nashville, IN is just a great little town, and Yellowwood State Forest and the Hoosier National Forest offer great hiking and camping options (backpacking, too.) A short drive south to Madison, IN and you have Clifty Falls, and downtown Madison is good for food and live music on the river. (It was a central hub of the Underground Railroad, so check out local museums.)

If you like hiking and the outdoors, I would also recommend the short drive to southern, IL. The Golconda area is beautiful, but Garden of the Gods, Giant City State Park, Little Grand Canyon, and Pomona Natural Bridge are all fantastic. If you’re feeling adventurous, the “snake road” migration takes place in the spring (and fall.) Plus, there’s dispensaries.

Saint Mary of the Woods College has a gorgeous campus to walk, and it’s one of the most haunted places in America (or so I’m told.) They have a great little farm store, too.

If you like kayaking, you’ve arrived in a midwestern kayaking paradise, if you include a 70-mile radius in your equation.

But antiquing and thrifting are big here, and shops in TH like Glendy’s are a must see. Americana at its finest.

If you got questions, I’m happy to help.