1. The Indianapolis Mini Marathon/5K (Indianapolis)
There are plenty of races in Indiana throughout the year, but the one that seems to really get a lot of attention is the Indy Mini. Tens of thousands of people register every year to do the 13.1 mile trek, and plenty of businesses in the area get involved in some way. One of the more unique aspects of this race is how the path of the race takes you into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to do a lap of the track. The racetrack is enormous and is a lot to take in. The park at the end of the race is packed full of things to look at afterward, including food trucks, a massage station, and different vendors. For those who want part of the experience for just a portion of the amount of running, there is a 5K at the beginning of the day. The Indy Mini is usually the first weekend in May, so even though it is too late for this year, it’s a great time to start training for next year!
2. The Quilt Gardens (Elkhart/Middlebury/Goshen area)
Beginning May 30 and going through October 1, the quilt gardens are a collection of 18 gardens that have flowers set in the shape of patchwork quilt patterns. Along with the gardens, there are also 21 different quilt-themed murals that can be viewed. The gardens and murals are free to view during this time, so you’d only be spending money on gas. There is a specific route to take to view the gardens in the different towns, which can be viewed at this address: http://www.amishcountry.org/assets/QGHTMap2018.pdf
3. Taltree Arboretum and Gardens (Valparaiso)
Taltree offers quite a wide variety of land on which to hike and explore. There are hiking trails there that pass through wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and manicured gardens that total 6+ miles in length. There are facilities available to rent for different venues, plus an area where concerts are performed a few times per year. One of the main attractions of the arboretum is the Railway Garden, a garden scale model of a train system with miniature trees, bridges, and water. Taltree costs $10 for general admission, though it offers discounts for young children, military, seniors, and college students. It is open April-October from 8am-7pm.
4. Gravity Hill (Mooresville)
This is an interesting phenomenon that involves optical illusions and a sense that you are defying gravity. The idea behind Gravity Hill is that you find the hill, put your car in neutral, and you get seemingly “pulled” uphill (backwards). Because of no real horizon line and the rolling hills around you, it looks and feels like you are going uphill, but you actually are not. There is no specific address to use for a GPS, but here are some helpful directions from Only in Your State’s website: “(the closest we can give you is 705 Keller Hill Rd.), but you will find it roughly a mile from the turnoff from Hwy 42 onto Keller Hill Road. It works best when you are facing west (away from Hwy 42—you will be pulled east, back toward the highway). When you think you’ve found it, stop your car at the bottom of the hill and shift into neutral. Be patient; it takes a few seconds for your car to start rolling. It may take you a few tries, but it really is worth the effort.” Be cautious while doing this, however. It is an active road with plenty of regular traffic, so be sure to use your hazards and be aware of other cars.
5. Wellfield Botanic Garden (Elkhart)
If you enjoy bright spring flowers, Wellfield is the place to go. The botanic garden is home to plenty of colorful flowers, especially tulips. You’ll find hundreds of tulips of different hues throughout the gardens, along with waterfalls, an Old English cottage, and a Japanese bridge. Like Taltree, there are plenty of events to watch for throughout the seasons, such as concerts, yoga classes, and other outdoor-themed gatherings. Wellfield is open from 9am-7pm Mon-Sat and 11am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is only $8 for adults and $4 for kids, and for a place where guests typically spend 2 hours at, that’s a great price.
6. Connor Prairie (Fishers)
Connor Prairie is a park in which you can immerse yourself in different aspects of Indiana’s history. It is divided into different areas, each of which represents an era of time. Staff in these areas dress in ways that people in that specific era would dress and show guests what life was like for someone during that time period. There is often quite a bit of audience participation involved. There is an area where a Civil War town is recreated, an area that shows what the pioneer lifestyle was like, a wigwam/log cabin area, and an area where the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra puts on performances. One big draw here is the 105 foot helium balloon, which is tethered to the ground and gives rides to passengers to up to 377 feet in the air. Two other great areas are the petting zoo area and the treetop adventure, which has a 4 story treehouse with all kinds of engaging activities around it. Admission to Connor Prairie is $18 for adults and $13 for kids ages 2-13 (the balloon ride is $9-17 extra depending on the day you go). They are open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm.
7. Lavender Lane (Rome City)
Lavender Lane is a unique garden whose name is self-explanatory. The farm grows over 21 different types of lavender and allows guests to roam around and take in the lovely smells. Peak time is June, so hurry in this month to get the most out of this experience! There are over 700 lavender plants here, as well as a gift shop that sells all things lavender: soap, tea, honey, lotion, shampoo, etc. For those who aren’t aware of lavender’s great qualities, it is know as a plant with soothing/relaxing properties that can even help you sleep. It also heals minor bug bites, scars, burns, and acne. Lavender Lane is open from April to December from 10am-4pm Tuesdays-Saturdays. DISCLAIMER: The farm’s Facebook post says this year in particular wasn’t great for crops due to the volatile temperatures, so there isn’t as much lavender as usual for 2018.
8. Rustic Driving Range and Miniature Golf (Indianapolis)
This is not like any type of mini-golf you have played before. This place offers 27 holes that are about 3 times as long as a typical mini golf hole and don’t have any barriers keeping your ball from going off the “green” …you’re playing in grass. It gives mini-golfers a chance to hit their golf balls a little harder than usual and is much more challenging (most pars are a par 4). Prices are as follows: $7 for 9 holes, $9 for 18 holes, and $14 for 27 holes. It is CASH ONLY. They are open from 10am-10pm Mon-Sat and are open from noon til 8pm on Sundays. There is also a driving range here.
9. Hiking
Hiking will honestly be on each of the lists I make of “things to do” for the 4 seasons. Indiana offers such a wide variety of hiking opportunities that a lot of time is needed to explore them all. Plus, hiking in spring is a totally different experience than hiking in the fall. If you’re willing to pay the $7 fee to enter a state park, I highly recommend it. If you’re looking for free hiking, check out a previous entry of mine where I detail some great free hiking places. Nature preserves are great for those not looking to spend a whole day hiking, as most preserves have trails that total 4 miles or less. There are also many state recreation areas, state forests, and city parks that contain great trails.
10. The Exotic Feline Rescue Center (Center Point)
This is a place that is worth the drive, no matter where in Indiana you’re coming from. Just like the name states, it is a rescue center for more than 200 exotic felines that have been abused or neglected. Since it was founded in 1991, the EFRC has rescued cats in 24 different states and has given them a home in which to live out the rest of their years. These animals get treated well and are quite cared for by a loving staff and plenty of volunteers. As more cats come in, the center continues to grow; the initial 15 acres bought for the cats has now turned into 108 acres. The public has the opportunity to come in and take a 1-hour tour of the center with a guide for $10 ($5 for kids under 12). One thing to realize is that this is not a zoo; it is not meant to be flashy by any means. Also, you will only get a chance to see about 25% of the cats at the center on your tour. For $200, 2 adults can stay overnight at a house of the premises that is not a part of the public tour area. The EFRC is one of the very few places that exist on Yelp and TripAdvisor that has a 5-star rating with over 100 reviews, and it is well worth the money to check out. They are open from 10am-5pm daily.
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