4 Great Mini-Vacations Right in Your Back Yard

Autumn is a great time of year in Indiana. It’s great time to get out of town and enjoy everything that our state has to offer. Here are 4 great mini-vacation destinations within a hundred miles of Indianapolis.

Beautiful Parke County, Indiana

Parke County is truly one of Indiana’s treasures. Hike the trails and watch the leaves change at Turkey Run and Shades State Parks. The annual Covered Bridge Festival just wrapped up this past weekend, but it is a Parke County event worth checking out next year.  With almost 40 covered bridges scattered around the county and festivals throughout the year, Parke County is a great destination.  Look for their Maple Syrup Festival in the early Spring, the Mansfield Mushroom Festival in April, Stawberry Festival in June and Farmer's Markets in the summer.  You can find more information about all their events on their website.

Visit Historic Nashville, Indiana

Nashville, Indiana is one of the coolest places to visit in the state. With dozens of shops and restaurants, it’s the perfect place to spend the day. Its close proximity to Brown County State Park means that you can do some hiking and enjoy the fall foliage.  To learn more about what Nashville has to offer check out the Brown County Tourism website.

Spend the Day at Oliver Winery in Bloomington, IN
Located just North of Bloomington on State Road 37, Oliver Winery has held its place as Indiana’s premier winery since its inception in 1972. Fall is a great time to visit the winery grounds, enjoy a wine tasting, have a picnic and tour the facilities. This year Oliver released Beanblossom Hard Cider, which is a made with locally grown Indiana apples.Visit their website to plan out your visit.


Family Fun in Kokomo
Kokomo is Halloween central with more haunted attractions than anywhere else in the state of Indiana. The list of haunted attractions includes:

Haunted Trail Walk – Saturday October 29 – 6:00pm to 8:30pm at Jackson Morrow.
The Haunt at Easy Acre Farm – October 22 & 29 – Features haunted barns & a corn maze.
Edge of Insanity – Haunted Insane Asylum – Open every weekend in October.
Gray’s Fright Night – Haunted House – Open every weekend in October.
Twisted Darkness – A Haunted House in Downtown Kokomo – Open every weekend in October.

The Kokomo Visitor's Bureau can give you specific dates and times of these events.

Great Things To Do In Indy

Ok, the month is half over but there are still some great things to do in Indy this week related to the 500 Festival. Some of them are well known, others not so much. Here's a quick run down.....

Wednesday, May 20
A community favorite, Community Day at the Track. The track will be open 9-6 with admission just $7 per person (6 and under free). Get tickets at gates 2 or 10. Activities you can participate in include taking a lap around the track in your own vehicle (enter through gate 10 off 30th Street).
Tour the IRL car transport trailers. Visit Pit Lane and check out the vintage cars on display. Pro Series drivers and past champions will be there to sign autographs.
Ever wonder what it feels like to be in Victory Circle? Well, now's your chance, you can have your photo taken in Victory Circle, just like you’re the winner in a car with a trophy, a wreath and a glass of milk!
Tours will be available for the suites and the official timing & scoring area in the pagoda.
And if that's not enough you can watch the Media Pit Stop Competition, enjoy live music, question and answer sessions much more!
Plus, visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum since admission is included.

Thursday, May 21
Out at the track gates open at 9 a.m. with the Firestone Freedom 100 Practice from 9:00-9:45 and again from 11:45-12:30 with Firestone Indy Lights qualifying from 3:00-4:00. Admission for the day's events are free.

Friday, May 22
While May is a month of Celebration in Indy it is also a time of remembrance of all those who have so valiantly served this country. A must do this week is the 500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls-Royce on the north steps of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument on the Circle. This free service begins at noon and is open to the public.
Highlights of the event will be a wreath-laying ceremony, dedicated to the memory of all Hoosiers in all wars and conflicts who sacrificed their lives in defense of our great nation, a military funeral Cortège, and ceremonial fly-over.
You can enjoy a jam packed day at the track during the Miller LIte Carb Day festivities. Gates are open from 8-6 with admission just $10 (5 and under free). The full line up of events includes: Indy 500 practice from 11:00-noon with the Firestone Freedom 100 pre-race activites at 12:15. Racing action begins at 12:30. The ever popular Pit Stop Challenge event will begin at 1;30 with the culmanating event of the day, the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert featuring 3 Doors Down to begin at 3:30.

Saturday,May 23
Probably the most well known event of the Festival is the IPL 500 Festival Parade. The parade kicks off at noon at the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Streets, heading south to Washington Street. West on Washington to Meridian and north on Meridian around the east side of the Circle to 11th Street.
But before you head to the parade did you think about attending the 500 Festival Costumed Character Breakfast? This event is held at Jillian's at 141 S. Meridian Street beginning at 9:30. This year's guests include SpongeBob SquarePants, The Wiggles and Pablo and Tyrone from The Backyardigans plus many more. Ticket price includes breakfast buffet, a $10 Jillian's game card and one bleacher seat ticket to the 500 Festival Parade.
As if your day hasn't been full enough, top the evening off at the Regions 500 Festival Snakepit Ball beginning at 6 p.m. at the Indiana Roof Ballroom where you can dance and sway to the music of legendary funk band The Ohio Players. This black tie, see and be seen event is known as the place to see the stars that are in town for the race weekend activites. Call 269-0420 for ticket information.

Sunday, May 24
The culmanating event for the month...what you've all been waiting for....The Greatest Spectale in Racing...the running of the Indianapolis 500. Gates open at 6:00 a.m. with driver introductions at 12:30, racing at 1:00. Ticket prices start at $20.

12 FREE DAYS OF INDY CHRISTMAS

Looking for FREE things to do to celebrate the season in Indianapolis? The following is a list of free activities in and around Indianapolis this Holiday Season. These Indianapolis area attractions have come together to give you the gift of FREE ADMISSION to their attractions on the date scheduled.

Day 1; Sat, Dec 13-Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Day 2; Sun, Dec 14-President Benjamin Harrison Home
Day 3; Mon, Dec 15- Indy Wine Trail
Day 4; Tues, Dec 16-Indianapolis Arts Garden and James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
Day 5; Wed, Dec 17-Morris-Butler House
Day 6; Thu, Dec 18- Indianapolis Museum of Art and Lilly House
Day 7; Fri, Dec 19- Indiana Historical Society
Day 8: Sat, Dec 20-Indiana Medical History Museum
Day 9; Sun, Dec 21-Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art
Day 10; Mon, Dec 22- Indiana State Museum
Day 11; Tues, Dec 23-Free dessert at participating downtown restaurants
Day 12; Wed, Dec 24-Children's Museum of Indianapolis

OTHER INDIANAPOLIS HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS:

A Christmas Carol
Indiana Repertory Theater
Now to 12/28/08
http://www.irtlive.com/

Christmas at Lilly House
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Now to 1/11/09
http://www.imamuseum.org/

Winter Solstice
Indianapolis Museum of Art
12/18/08, 5:30-9 pm
http://www.imamuseum.org/

Duke Energy Yuletide Celebration
Indianapolis Symphonic Orchestra
Hilbert Circle Theater
Now to 12/23/08
http://www.indianapolissymphony.org/

Gingerbread Village
Conner Prairie
Now to 12/30/08
http://www.connerprairie.org/

Jolly Day Winter Wonderland
The Children's Museum
Now to 1/4/09
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/

Marsh Christmas at the Zoo
Indianapolis Zoo
Now to 12/27/08
http://www.indyzoo.com/

Santa's Holiday Breakfast
Indiana State Museum
Saturdays now to 12/27/08
7:30-9am, reservations required
www.in.gov/ism

The Polar Express: an IMAX 3D Experience
IMAX Theater
Now to 1/4/09
www.imax.com/indy

This information was provided to this agent compliments of Chicago Title.