When searching for a fun activity to do for #avaiationday, I discovered that just an hour away is the birthplace of Wilbur Wright. Although I couldn’t make the trip on the actual date (you know, work), I did take off for an afternoon with my son to check it out. We visited the area on two separate days, but you could easily combine this itinerary for a perfect day in Henry County. It has been so wonderful being able to get back to finding new places for my Explore Indiana project! Wilbur Wright was born on April 16th, 1867 near Millville, Indiana. The Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum has a rebuilt version of the house that he lived in for three years, a full-size replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer and a wonderful little museum FULL of historical facts and personal anecdotes about the Wright Brothers. The museum even houses a replica of the camp Wilbur and Orville set up at Kitty Hawk. We found this part of the exhibit especially interesting. I was really impressed by how much information this museum held. It is out in the middle of nowhere, but well worth the drive if you have any interest in the Wright Brothers or the beginnings of flight. After browsing the museum, we headed into nearby New Castle for a quick bite to eat. As we were headed into town, we saw a large roadside stand called Weenee World. How could we not stop, right? Stop at the local hot dog stand My son ordered a coney dog and said it was delicious – a large dog with...
Until this summer, we’d forgotten how much we love spending time at the lake. Years ago, we lived on a lake so we definitely know the BEST way to enjoy a day at the lake! As one of our summer day trips, we headed over to Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana to spend some time in the water and sunshine. Start with a boat! When visiting a lake, the first order of business is to get yourself a boat. If you are lucky enough to be visiting lake friends, you may be covered. But, if not, there is typically at least one lakeside marina where you can rent a boat for the afternoon. Insider tip: call ahead of time to reserve your boat. Most marinas have a limited amount of rentals and you might not be able to get what you want if you just show up. We were able to rent a deck boat for the afternoon through Lake Shafer Boat Rentals which was perfect for a day of tubing and cruising. When we arrived, we were given instructions and a short lesson on how to drive the boat. We watched them disinfect it before we climbed aboard which was comforting. Lake Shafer Boat Rentals has life jackets, or if you have your own, you can just bring them along. You will need one jacket per person, so plan accordingly. Insider tip: think about what you want to do and how many people are with you when you decide which boat to rent. A pontoon boat is ideal for cocktail cruising and larger parties. A ski boat is...
Well, it’s been the summer of outdoor adventures! This week, I’m sharing with you the best hidden outdoor adventure in Eastern Indiana. I’ve lived in Indiana most of my life and traveled it pretty extensively, but this summer I’m discovering there are some really amazing State Parks I didn’t know about! Whitewater Memorial State Park in Eastern Indiana is one of them. Covering 23,000 acres, Whitewater Memorial State Park was established as a memorial to local American soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and World War II. It’s one of Indiana’s 25 state parks, and definitely one of the largest. If you love hidden outdoor adventures, then visiting this State Park should be added to your list. It’s approximately 2 hours from Indianapolis, and only an hourish from Dayton, Ohio. The drive itself is lovely, with rolling hills, lots of trees and quaint small towns. Do you want to save money on your next vacation? After all, the more money you save, the more places you can go. Get your FREE copy of 5 Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation! Liberty, Indiana The nearest town is Liberty, Indiana which is the home of the Union County courthouse. What a beautiful building. Even though we were anxious to get to the park, we stopped in town to walk around the square. In addition to the lovely courthouse, the town square boasts the Templeton Log Cabin built in 1805. Liberty also has a few local restaurants (a must try once we feel comfortable eating out again), a bakery, and several antique type shops. Whitewater Memorial State...
Our recent Explore Indiana day trip included both waterfalls and windmills! If exploring waterfalls is something your family loves, this short Indiana waterfalls road trip to Warren County in Northwestern Indiana should be added to your summer fun! Add a short stop in Benton County to check out the windmill farms and you’ve got a full day of adventure and education. Williamsport, Indiana (a little less than a two-hour drive from Indianapolis). is home to not one, but two gorgeous waterfalls to explore. Although very different experiences, both are entertaining ways to get wet and enjoy the beauty of the state. Waterfalls at a Nature Preserve We started our trip at Fall Creek Gorge Nature Preserve. This lovely preserve is truly one of the most beautiful areas of Indiana I’ve discovered. Don’t worry when the GPS takes you a mile and a half down a gravel road – the hidden gem you’ll discover at the end is well worth the drive. Insider tip: there aren’t any picnic grounds and the parking area is quite small, so plan accordingly – either enjoy lunch elsewhere or plan on eating in your car. Once you arrive, follow a short trail down to the water. This first section contains a fairly large water area along with a series of small waterfalls. After a bit of splashing around, head up the stairs and hike a bit further upstream. The trail is narrow and high, so be careful. We exited the second section and decided to walk the stream back to the entrance. There are several deep sections, and numerous potholes, so watch where you...
Exploring while social distancing? Yes, it’s possible. Last week we enjoyed a unique day trip on the Garfield Trail in Grant County, Indiana searching for 14 Garfield statues as well as enjoying the charm of several small towns. What is the Garfield Trail? Garfield’s creator, Jim Davis’s hometown is Fairmont, Indiana, so the county Fairmount is in, Grant, created a Garfield Trail. There are 14 Garfield statues all over Grant county, in towns such as Marion, Gas City, and of course, Fairmount. The weather was lovely, so we had a fun time hopping in the car and seeing how many we could find. Do you want to save money on your trips? So you have more to spend on your vacation? Get your FREE copy of 5 Tips to Save On Your Next Vacation! To participate, download the map from the visitor’s site. In addition to a map of the locations of all the statues, the addresses and a short description are mentioned – it made it very easy to find each Garfield. Each sign also has a handy phone number to call to learn a little more about the statue as well as the location. Pretty cool! Insider Tip: Be sure to call or text the number listed on the map ahead of time so you can learn which statues are currently out for renovation – you don’t want to drive all the way to a location and find out the statue isn’t there. Talk about frustrating! Garfield Statues in Marion, Indiana We started our day in Marion as it was the furthest city North of Indy and...
Are you looking for Midwest weekend getaway ideas? Have you found yourself asking “Where should I go for a weekend getaway?” If you live near Indianapolis (or anywhere in the Midwest), then I’ve got 5 unique, fun, and cheap weekend getaway ideas perfect for families or couples. Ready for the fun? Fun in Franklin, IN Franklin, Indiana is a short drive from Indianapolis, so it’s the perfect weekend getaway if you hate to drive! Franklin has delicious local restaurants (love Richard’s Brick Oven), lots of fun family activities, and an adorable downtown. Make sure to arrive on a night that the Artcraft is showing a movie – you don’t want to miss this local treasure. If you have kids who love to swim, the Franklin Family Aquatic Center has plenty to keep them entertained. On your way out of town, take the time to stop at the Hoosier Cupboard Candy store for homemade ice cream and treats for the short drive home. For more details on all the great things to do in Franklin, check out this series of blog posts: Friday Night Fun in Franklin, Farm Animal Yoga and Downtown Dining and Exploring and Enjoying Franklin, IN Bumming around Batesville, IN There is so much to do in Batesville, IN that a weekend may not be enough time to do it all! You’ll want to start your weekend getaway by checking into The Sherman – I don’t think you’ll find a hotel quite like it anywhere else in Indiana. In addition to the hotel, you’ll want to find time to visit the Biergarten as well as enjoying at...
Hi! I’m Pam. I’m a busy mom of two teens who loves to travel and enjoy each and every day. My hope is to inspire other busy moms to create family memories and discover everyday adventures wherever they are! Check out my About Pam page for more details.
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