The Indiana Insider Blog

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Carrie Lambert — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:19:18 +0000

Have you heard of Ivanhoes? If you love ice cream, then be ashamed if you haven’t. Ivanhoes takes me back to my college days at Taylor University in Upland, IN – about an hour and a half north of Indy on Interstate 69. Think middle of corn fields.

But in the middle of this little town is the mecca of ice cream places – Ivanhoes.They specialize in ice cream. And by specialize I mean 100 different kinds of shakes and 100 different kinds of sundaes. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the menu.I could go on and on here about my favorite shake (strawberry crumb) or the ability to even create your own specialty if you don’t find it on this list (which doesn’t seem possible), but I will let a picture do the talking …We got the strawberry shortcake. A seasonal favorite that is wonderful. But if that isn’t your thing … there are about 100 other options for you to try!

And if that isn’t enough, Ivanhoe’s food is delicious as well. I’ve tried burgers, tenderloins (thin, just the way I like them), french fries, tator tots, harvest grilled cheese and I’m sure much more. I’ve never been disappointed. Well, only if you count being so full that I haven’t been able to finish every bite!

Ivanhoes. Go find out for yourself.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream! is a post from The Indiana Insider Blog. Check out more great content from the Indiana Insider.

The post I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream! was written by Carrie Lambert for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

Finch’s Brasserie

Carrie Lambert — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:32:33 +0000

If you’ve ever visited Bloomington, then you know they have many, many wonderful restaurants. Upon a friend’s request awhile back we ended up at Finch’s Brasserie. Located right on Kirkwood Avenue and literally a stone’s throw from historic Sample Gates on IU’s campus, their location is wonderful. We had just spent the afternoon strolling around the shops and walked ourselves right in.

Finch’s specializes in farm to table which in a nutshell means they incorporate local, fresh ingredients in their menu. And it was delicious. We spent quite a bit of time deliberating over what items we were going to get. It was difficult decision. We opted for the crab cakes for starters. Melt in your mouth good. And then our entree … these bad boys …One was “The Roman” – sausage, smoking goose bacon, tomato sauce and mozzarella. The other was the pie of the night and while I can’t remember the name it had white sauce, several cheeses and didn’t last long.

AND Finch’s also has over 60 wines and close to 90 artisan beers to compliment your dinner. Score.

Note to self: the menu changes seasonally which basically means I have to go at least four times a year to make sure I’m getting the full experience!

I know the restaurant choices are unlimited in Bloomington, but do yourself a favor and eat at Finch’s Brasserie. You won’t be sorry.

And for more Bloomington hot spots, be sure to visit their website for hotels, attractions and more!

Finch’s Brasserie is a post from The Indiana Insider Blog. Check out more great content from the Indiana Insider.

The post Finch’s Brasserie was written by Carrie Lambert for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

Veach’s Imagination Station and More Family Fun in Richmond!

Carrie Lambert — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:06:03 +0000

Have you heard of Veach’s Imagination Station toy store in Richmond? If not, then I feel sorry for you.:) I was privileged to visit with my four-year-old daughter, Maggie, a few weeks ago. Oh. My. Word. We thought we would pop in, pop out. It’s a toy store, right? We were there over 45 minutes and could have been there much, much longer.They have every toy you can possibly imagine and the beauty is all of their inventory is meant to be interactive and educational meaning you won’t find many electronic games here … or really any at all. (Note: this picture shows maybe a third of the entire store!)Veach’s Imagination Station started out as a family operation in 1938 – that’s 75 years ago! And on August 17 of this year, they will be having an all-out celebration open to everyone!! Check out this video of John Veach as he tells you even more about their cool history.

But the fun didn’t end there for Maggie and me. We visited the 466 acres at Hayes Arboretum and learned about bees, trees and more! And it was FREE!!Then it was time for a history lesson. One of the most interesting visits for me was the Levi Coffin House. Levi Coffin had an integral part of the underground railroad in the mid 1800s. What makes this site so authentic is the journal that Levi left behind telling the stories of how he helped the 2,000 slaves get to freedom. You read that right – 2,000! His home is still standing and guided tours are available. Here Maggie is standing by what may have been a hidden space for slaves to hide. Seriously worth a stop for everyone in your group. Cost is $2/adult and $1/child (6-18).

One more FREE destination – Joseph Moore Museum on Earlham College’s campus. The museum gives Earlham students the opportunity to learn about museum education through work as tour guides, curators, animal caretakers and exhibit specialists. One of my favorites was getting a chance to see what an ant hill looks like underground. I had no idea!!The museum has recently revamped its exhibits to be more hands-on for your kiddos – which was a huge hit!And in the basement, they have live animals: snakes, lizards, etc. If you have any interest at all (which we didn’t!) you can have a staff member take them out to touch and feel them for yourself.

It was a great visit for us. Maggie was entertained the whole time and even learned quite a bit too – a huge plus! Thanks Richmond/Wayne County for a fabulous visit!

For more info on any of the above destinations, visit Richmond’s website.

Veach’s Imagination Station and More Family Fun in Richmond! is a post from The Indiana Insider Blog. Check out more great content from the Indiana Insider.

The post Veach’s Imagination Station and More Family Fun in Richmond! was written by Carrie Lambert for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

Madison in Bloom!

Carrie Lambert — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:58:37 +0000

Madison is a wonderful town in the southeast corner of the state that is rich in history, architecture and beauty. But what makes this time of year extra special is the Madison in Bloom tour.

Held two weekends this month (May 11-12 and 18-19), visitors have the opportunity to tour private gardens that are otherwise not open to the general public. And the cherry on top … the gardens are in Madison’s National Historic Landmark District.

Because of Madison’s location right on the Ohio River, it quickly became one of Indiana’s most important cities in the early to mid 18002. Both the steamboat and railroad eras brought great wealth to the area and the architecture proves it.

Three sites in Madison, the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, the Shrewsbury-Windel House and Eleutherian College are designated at National Historic Landmarks. Madison has even been awarded National Historic Landmark District designation joining Savannah and Charleston as national treasures.

During the Madison in Bloom weekends, visitors are welcome to tour the various other historic sites in town and truly get a feel for the history that made this town what it is today.

Before you visit, be sure and check out dining and shopping options in Madison as well. With all there is to do, I recommend making overnight accommodations!

Tickets for Madison in Bloom are $12 for adults and children 12 and under are free! Call 800-559-2956 to get your tickets today!

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The post Madison in Bloom! was written by Carrie Lambert for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Month of May!

Carrie Lambert — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Start your engines everyone because May is here and in Indy that is HUGE news! It is race month and there are so many activities and events to take advantage of:

All month long – Hall of Fame Museum. With extended hours in May, it is the perfect time to get a refresher on your IMS history!
Saturday, May 4 – OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon! This will be the 37th year the race has taken place and downtown will be hopping all day with runners, entertainment and people! I’m happy to say that out of my three sisters, I’m the only one who HASN’T run the mini. I think I may stake claim to that for … well, ever. Not sure I have it in me.
Saturday, May 11 – Kids’ Day. Located in the heart of downtown, this is the state’s largest outdoor, FREE festival for kids. Some of the highlights include prizes from vendors, mini-car racing, race-themed arts and crafts, face painting, clowns, food. You won’t want to miss it!
Wednesday, May 22 – Community Day. One of the highlights of this day is the opportunity to drive YOUR own car around the track. You can also get tours of pit lane and the official timing and scoring area and of course autographs from your favorite drivers. Cost is $8 in advance; $10 at the gate and 6 and under are free!
Saturday, May 25 – 500 Festival Parade. The parade is the only 500 Festival event that has taken place every year, beginning in 1957. Indy will see more than 300,000 spectators take their place along streets of downtown to get a look at the parade. If you want a really good spot … purchase tickets and be in the middle of the action!

If visiting the track is your priority, then check out IMS’s full list of events at the track here. Or check out listings for a free downtown concert, the Snakepit Ball and more on the 500 Festival’s event page.

Or … go to the race itself. We have gone several times. Quite an experience and one you’ll never forget. Purchase tickets ahead of time or even find some the day of! We were able to score one ticket right across from the yard of bricks!And the other tickets we had gave us a great view of pit road!So get out there and enjoy the history, tradition and fun of May in Indianapolis!

Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Month of May! is a post from The Indiana Insider Blog. Check out more great content from the Indiana Insider.

The post Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Month of May! was written by Carrie Lambert for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

HandleBAR Pedal-Pub: a Brew Way to Tour Indianapolis

Mike Magan — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:49:30 +0000

As mobile food trucks have made a big impact in cities across the state, you knew something like a mobile bar was inevitable.

The HandleBAR PeddlePub of Indianapolis is a pedal-powered, 4 wheeled bicycle that can hold 16 passengers and a “driver.” Think of the state fair trolley with pedals for riders and a bike at the front instead of a tractor.

Patrons pedal their way around Indianapolis and drink the beer they bring, while stopping at areas of interest along the way.

According to Brian Lindsay, one of the brother pair that brought the pedal bar to Indy, the group’s mission is to provide a safe, fun, environmentally friendly way for groups of 8-16 adults “to get some fresh air while exploring interesting parts of downtown Indianapolis.”

And to drink beer.

Image courtesy the HandleBAR Pedal Pub

At $300 for a two hour tour Sunday – Thursday, and $400 for a 2-hour tour Friday and Saturday, you might think it’s pricy for a traveling suds-bucket, but with a full bike it evens out to $10 per rider. Lindsay says they often have people ask about longer tours, and pricing is pro-rated beyond the 2-hr mark.

There is perhaps no other bar stool in the city that will allow you to maximize your people watching like the stools on The HandleBar. Why tailgate in a lawn chair when you can swing by every single tailgate spot outside the stadium!

And according to Lindsay, the best reason may just be “why not?”

To book a beer-quest, visit the website or call (317) 620-1448.

HandleBAR Pedal-Pub: a Brew Way to Tour Indianapolis is a post from The Indiana Insider Blog. Check out more great content from the Indiana Insider.

The post HandleBAR Pedal-Pub: a Brew Way to Tour Indianapolis was written by Mike Magan for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

Bicentennial wine tasting at Switzerland County Visitors Center

Kendal Miller — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:32:41 +0000

Switzerland County’s The Ridge Winery will present a Bicentennial wine tasting at the Switzerland County Visitors Center in Vevay. The event will take place on First Friday, May 3, from 6-9 p.m. The center is located at 128 West Main Street.

Vevay-Switzerland County is having a 200th birthday and they’re popping the cork on a special edition wine to celebrate!

The Switzerland County Visitors Center in Vevay will host the county’s award-winning winemakers Tom and Mary Jane Damaree of The Ridge Winery for a Bicentennial wine tasting. The event takes place on May 3, from 6-9 p.m. during Vevay Main Street’s First Friday. The Visitors Center is located at 128 West Main Street.

The Demarees’ have produced the sweet red grape blend table wine in celebration of the 1813-2013 Vevay-Switzerland County Bicentennial. The wine is presented in a cobalt blue bottle and features a label designed by artist Donna Weaver.

A Switzerland County Indiana Artisan, Donna Weaver is also a sculptor-engraver who once worked for the U.S. Mint. Weaver designed and sculpted many state quarters, commemorative coins and gold medals. Although retired since 2006, she continues to participate in the Mint’s Artistic Infusion program and designs for specific coinage projects.

The wine tasting is free and open to the public, although no youths will be permitted in the designated tasting area of the Visitors Center. The special edition wine will be sold for $14.95 per bottle. A 10% discount is available for four or more bottles, with a 20% discount per case or more. The Ridge Winery will make a donation to the Bicentennial organization from the sale of each limited production bottle. A complete list of Bicentennial events is listed on their website at http://www.vevaybicentennial.org.

Visit Switzerland County–the Birthplace of the First Successful Commerical Winery in the United States–and let the celebration begin!

For more information on the wine tasting, Switzerland County lodging, eateries and events, contact the Switzeland County Visitors Center at 812-427-3237 or log on to http://www.switzcotourism.com. Switzerland County Tourism-Vevay, IN, is on Facebook.

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The post Bicentennial wine tasting at Switzerland County Visitors Center was written by Kendal Miller for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

Oliver Winery

Carrie Lambert — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:00:12 +0000

While heading down to IU Basketball games in the winter, we always drive past Oliver Winery just north of Bloomington. I visited years ago and always mention to my husband that I’d like to stop. But it never works out because we are always trying to make it to tip-off. Well a few weeks ago it did work out.Headed down to Bloomington on a beautiful Saturday for a Willie Nelson concert on IU’s campus, we had enough time to stop by Oliver. It was the first beautiful day of spring, and we were hoping we were the only ones to plan a visit. Not so much the case.We waited a bit to try and finagle our way to the tasting bar, but had no luck. What I wish I would have known … they just opened another tasting location in downtown Bloomington. That will certainly be a stop next visit! (They do charge a nominal fee of $5 for wine tasting which features more than 30 wines. This is a great way to make sure you find the perfect wine for your next dinner party!)

After perusing their selection of wines and choosing some perfect gifts, we walked around the beautiful grounds. They offer an assortment of gourmet picnic foods and visitors are welcome to bring a friend and enjoy a lazy afternoon by their pond … with a bottle of your favorite wine of course! When you plan your visit to Oliver, here are a few notes to keep in mind:

If you go on on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, they offer free tours of their production facility in the afternoons. I’m always fascinated by the science behind wine making and while we didn’t have the time to take the tour this time, I have been in the past and enjoyed learning more about the process. Certainly made me appreciate my bottle a bit more!
Tunes on the Terrace – A great way to relax on a summer night. Four concerts are scheduled for this summer and ticket prices include complimentary wine tasting and one glass of wine. Food vendors are available as no outside food is allowed.
Oliver University – interested in learning more about wine making? Here is your chance. Summer courses are open to register.
Personal note: Creekbend Vineyard – Made exclusively with Oliver’s Indiana grown grapes. It is my favorite collection and if you don’t believe me, I have a few empty bottles to prove it!

For more information on Bloomington’s restaurants, attractions and hotels be sure and check out their website!

Oliver Winery is a post from The Indiana Insider Blog. Check out more great content from the Indiana Insider.

The post Oliver Winery was written by Carrie Lambert for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

Turkey Run State Park

Carrie Lambert — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:01:17 +0000

Did you know that April 22-29 is National Parks Week? A perfect time to reflect on one of my favorite Indiana State Parks! Located less than an hour and half west of downtown Indianapolis is the state’s second oldest park – Turkey Run. I admit, I haven’t made it to every single Indiana State Park (future bucket list?), but I have been to many of them and Turkey Run is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful!For starters, there are 11 marked trails on the property ranging from easy (half a mile) to very rugged (1.7 miles) which offers unusual hiking between steep walls. Or if you are solely looking for distance you can try the three mile moderate/rugged course that takes you through a covered bridge. All trail information is found on DNR’s website so you can review before you visit.If hiking isn’t your thing, no fear. Turkey Run offers many other options to keep you busy. Nature Center, fishing, play grounds, swimming pool and saddle barn are all available.

But, I highly recommend making this an overnight visit. Tent camping … not for me so much. Maybe for you and that is fine. They offer tent sites, 213 electric camp sites, a state park inn with 79 rooms and my personal favorite – cabins! You get the feel of camping without sleeping on the hard ground!And if you are a history buff make sure and hike to the Colonel Richard Lieber Cabin,. It commemorates the contributions of the father of Indiana’s state park system.

What are you waiting for? Get out there and visit an Indiana State Park today!

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The post Turkey Run State Park was written by Carrie Lambert for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx

Yelp’s Great Getaway to Columbus, IN!

Brittany Smith — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:30:22 +0000

Less than an hour south of Indy stands the charming city of Columbus, Indiana – you may know her for a thriving architectural culture or historic ice cream parlor, but have you dabbled in her beer and listened to the music all while perched in a fanciful Roman-style garden? Bet not.

Fancy a day trip?

Join Yelp in celebrating one of southern Indiana’s best day trip/weekend getaway destinations May 4 at the Inn at Irwin Gardens. Before anything else this is a 21+ only event, all must RSVP & ALL food & hooch & entertainment is entirely complimentary!

What to expect:

With the help of Ashley Weddings & Events, Claudia’s Florabunda and Connie Duglin Specialty Linen the scene will be set for a an evening in the garden! Light eats will be provided by 240Sweet Artisan Candies (gourmet marshmallow s’more bar), Lemley’s Catering (candied bacon sticks), Flatrock Bread Company (oven roasted pizzas on-site),
Icing on The Cake (intense vanilla based cupcakes with notes of exotic cardamon spice/cream cheese icing), Zaharako’s Ice Cream Parlor and more!

We can slurp it all down with the help of Mallow Run Winery, Burton’s Maplewood Syrup (can you say “extra-special cocktail?”), Hawcreek Brewing Company, Powerhouse Brewing, Chateau de Pique Winery and many more! Be sure to stay tuned for entertainment details.

There will be no shortage of Kodak moments either, as Solar Flare Photography will provide a station for you to remember how insanely happy you looked. Stacy Abel Photography will also be roaming the crowd, so check your teeth for gourmet

marshmallows, bacon bits and cake!

So, how do you get in? Easy as 1-2-3! RSVP by clicking here!

Yelp’s Great Getaway to Columbus, IN! is a post from The Indiana Insider Blog. Check out more great content from the Indiana Insider.

The post Yelp’s Great Getaway to Columbus, IN! was written by Brittany Smith for the Indiana Insider Blog and can be found at The Indiana Insider Blog. If you read this post somewhere other than the link above, please contact us and let us know: http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/contactUs.aspx