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Four Must-Do Activities at White River State Park in Indianapolis

Activities at White River State Park in Indianapolis, IN
Covering 250 acres along the western bank of the White River, White River State Park is arguably one of the most scenic urban parks in the country. Several iconic attractions dot the landscape of the park, while photo-ops and recreational activities abound. Whether you're looking to get some culture, enjoy the outdoors, or learn more about Indiana, here are some must-do activities at White River State Park.

Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn

Formerly known as the Lawn at White River State Park, the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn is one of the country's best music venues. Opened in 2003, this outdoor venue seats over 50,000 people for a concert event unlike any other. Past artists cover a variety of genres and include the Black Keys, Bob Dylan, Florence and the Machine, The Avett Brothers, LL Cool J, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Grab your tickets online before the show, or come the day of the show to snag a ticket at the box office.

Indiana State Museum

With exhibits featuring art, culture, history, and science, the Indiana State Museum is one of the state's largest museums. In total, the museum houses 452,000 artifacts over 40,000 square feet. On both Level 1 and Level 2, the museum has several permanent exhibits, including three that were recently renovated. These include information about the Ice Age in Indiana, the founding tribes and settlers of Indiana, Civil War artifacts, and other artifacts tied to the history of the Hoosier State. Throughout the year, the museum hosts several traveling or temporary exhibits on a variety of topics. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $14.95 for adults (ages 18 to 59 years), $13.95 for seniors (60 years and older), $12.95 for Indiana college students with a valid ID, $9.95 for children (ages 3-17 years), and free for children under age 3.

IMAX Theater

If you're in the mood for a flick or you're not into museums, you can still hop inside the Indiana State Museum's IMAX Theater. Featuring a six-story screen, this IMAX theater is the biggest in the state. A 12,000-watt premium sound system electrifies the setting. Head in for an educational movie or one of the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Tickets for non-educational films are $16.50 for adults (ages 13 and over), $13.50 for children (ages 3-12), and free for children 2 years and under on their parent's lap. Educational movies are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65 years and older), and $7 for children.

NCAA Hall of Champions

College sports fans will be in heaven at the NCAA Hall of Champions. Featuring hands-on displays, interactive exhibits, sports simulators, and a retro gym, the hall is a museum experience unlike any other. It has features and information on all 24 varsity college sports, so whether you love famous Hail Marys, buzzer beaters, or heroic performances, you'll find them all here. The Hall of Champions is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults (ages 19-59 years), $3 for youth (6-18 years) and seniors (60 years and older), and free for kids 5 years and under. From sports, music, and entertainment to cultural learning experiences, White River State Park has a little something for everyone. Image via Pixabay
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4 Fun Summer Activities You Can Drive to Near Indianapolis, IN

With hundreds of exciting events and festivals on the calendar, it can be difficult to narrow down your list of summer activities. We've made it easy for you with this guide to our picks for the best things to do in Indianap o lis, IN, this season. 4 Fun Summer Activities You Can Drive to Near Indianapolis, IN 1. Greenbriar Community Center Summer Festival Enjoy the nice weather with your neighbors at this fun summer festival. You'll find food, a petting zoo, a bounce house, face painting, and even a mechanical bull ride. Stay cool by playing splash volleyball or running through the sprinklers in the splash zone. The event is free to enter, and for a $5 donation, you can see an exclusive world premiere of the new comedy Daddy Daughter Trip with Rob Schneider. more Greenbriar Community Center is located at 1259 West 8th Street in Indianapolis. The event is from 1 to 3 p.m., with movie showtimes at 1, 3, and 5 p.m. 2. Bloombox Festival Once known as the Independent Music and Art Festival, this event is celebrating its 22nd year in downtown Indianapolis. Bloombox is an all-day, free festival where you can hear live music from 10 local bands and see original work from local artists. You can even shop for handmade clothes, jewelry, beauty products, posters, and much more at the event's INDIEana Handicraft Exchange. Bloombox Festival will take place on Saturday, June 17 from noon to 8 p.m. It's held at the Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 North Delaware Street in Indianapolis. 3. Sunrise Yoga on the Canal Start your morning with a relaxing stretch and a gentle workout at Sunrise Yoga on the Canal. This free class is open to all skill levels, and it's hosted by The Hot Room Yoga and the Indianapolis Culture Trail. If you plan to attend, make sure you register in advance at The Hot Room's website. Yoga on the Canal occurs every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. through September. Bring your own yoga mat and meet the group at the Admiral Spruance Basin, 410 West 10th Street at the end of the Downtown Canal in Indianapolis. 4. Indianapolis City Market Experience some of the best local produce and fresh food available in the city at this weekly outdoor market. Indianapolis City Market was established in 1821 and features more than 30 different vendors. The City Market is located at 222 East Market Street in Indianapolis. The outdoor market takes place every Wednesday from May through October, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. City driving is a snap with the Jeep Renegade, a sleek yet rugged compact crossover. Check it out in person today at Tom O'Brien Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Indianapolis.

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3 Great Winter Activities You Can Drive to Near Indianapolis, IN

Winter in Indiana can be a magical time, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures and indoor fun. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly vacation, there are plenty of options to choose from. In this article, we'll explore three of the best winter activities that you can drive to near Indianapolis, IN. 3 Great Winter Activities You Can Drive to Near Indianapolis, IN Skiing and Snowboarding at Perfect North Slopes Located at 19074 Perfect Place Ln, Lawrenceburg, Perfect North Slopes is a premier winter destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The ski resort boasts a full-service ski and snowboard rental shop, so you don't need to worry about bringing your own equipment. more When you arrive at Perfect North Slopes, you'll be greeted by friendly staff who can help you get started with your skiing or snowboarding adventure. If you're new to the sport, they offer group and private lessons to get you up to speed. For more experienced skiers and snowboarders, there are plenty of challenging runs to keep you entertained. Ice Skating at the Indiana State Fairgrounds If you're looking for a fun and family-friendly winter activity, ice skating at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is a great option. Located just a short drive from downtown Indianapolis at 1202 E 38th St, the fairgrounds offer a 17,000-square-foot ice skating rink that's open to the public from November through January. The rink is open seven days a week, and it's a great place to enjoy a winter day with friends and family. In addition to ice skating, the fairgrounds offer a variety of other fun activities, such as a holiday light show, a Christmas market, and a winter wonderland complete with a snow tubing hill. Sledding at Fort Harrison State Park If you're looking for a fun and free winter activity, sledding at Fort Harrison State Park is a great option. Located at 5753 Glenn Rd, the park offers some of the best sledding hills in the area, with plenty of space to enjoy the snow and the beautiful winter scenery. When you arrive at the park, you'll find plenty of parking and easy access to the sledding hills. There are slopes of varying sizes and steepness. You can bring your own sled or rent one from a nearby sporting goods store. While you're at Fort Harrison State Park, be sure to take advantage of the other fun activities that the park has to offer. You can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the park's trails or simply enjoy a winter hike or nature walk. There are also plenty of picnic areas and shelters where you can warm up and enjoy a snack or a cup of hot cocoa. Grab your warmest coat, pack the car, and hit the road to explore the winter wonderland that Indiana has to offer! When you bring your friends or family to these places with you, you're going to want to make sure they can all ride comfortably. So make sure you're driving a roomy car like the new Jeep Compass Latitude. Check one out at Tom O'Brien CJDR – Indianapolis today!

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3 Great Spots for Birdwatching You Can Drive to From Indianapolis, IN

A popular activity among Americans of all ages, birdwatching is a fantastic way to take a break from the routine and relax in nature after a busy week. If you are searching for new destinations to discover in your 2022 Jeep Gladiator, here are three fantastic spots you can reach in less than two hours from downtown Indianapolis, IN. Fill up your tank, don't forget your camera, and hit the road! 3 Great Spots for Birdwatching You Can Drive to From Indianapolis, IN 1. Yellowwood State Forest Home to over 180 different species of birds, Yellowwood State Forest is one of the most popular destinations among birdwatchers and wildlife photographers from Indianapolis. Established by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, this public recreation area covers a territory of over 23,000 acres and features several miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. more Some of the bird species you can find while exploring this sprawling nature reserve include wood thrush, blue-winged warbler, common yellowthroat, chestnut-sided warbler, wild turkey, broad-winged hawk, yellow-billed cuckoo, and indigo bunting. Yellowwood State Forest is located about 50 miles south of the Indianapolis city center and can be reached in a little over one hour via route IN-135. 2. Morgan-Monroe State Forest Another beautiful nature reserve featuring thick forests and over 100 bird species, Morgan-Monroe State Forest is located a little under 40 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis, making it an easy day trip destination that can be reached in less than one hour via route IN-37. This public recreation area was established in 1939 and offers not only excellent opportunities for birding and wildlife watching but also picnic shelters and several miles of hiking and biking trails. Spanning an area of about 24,000 acres, Morgan-Monroe State Forest is managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and provides habitat to large populations of red-bellied woodpecker, chimney swift, Acadian flycatcher, eastern-wood pewee, American crow, hooded warbler, northern cardinal, mourning dove, and downy woodpecker. This public recreation area features a large family campground for those wanting to stay overnight. 3. Fort Harrison State Park Located just 12 miles northeast of downtown Indianapolis, Fort Harrison State Park is a wonderful destination to spend a day checking out some beautiful bird specimens without driving too far from the city. Established in 1996, this nature reserve spans about 1,700 acres and welcomes almost 900,000 visitors each year. Some of the bird species you can find here include the common yellowthroat, cerulean warbler, Kentucky warbler, and yellow-breasted chat. Are you thinking of buying a new or used vehicle to take your friends and family on memorable adventures in Indiana and beyond? If the answer is yes, don't think twice and visit us today at Tom O'Brien CJDR – Indianapolis! Check out our latest models, ask one of our agents about our custom financing plans, and take home your favorite car.