12 Free Days of Christmas 2013

I love finding new free things to do in Indianapolis (and other cities), especially at Chrismtas time. Guests are in town, kids are on school break and you want to check out something holiday-themed. Here are 12 places in downtown Indy, opening up for free this year and compiled by IndyDowntown.

Friday, Dec. 13

Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library, open noon – 6 p.m.

Get a glimpse into Kurt Vonnegut’s personal items and artwork or pull a book off the library shelves and relax with it in a comfy chair. All guests will receive a FREE bumper sticker.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Pan Am Pavilion, open noon – 8 p.m.

Skate for FREE in the same arena where the Indiana Ice play! Note: skate rental is extra or you can bring your own. Enjoy the festivities on Georgia Street during the FREE City Sidewalks.

Sunday, Dec. 15

Elevator rides to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle and Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, open 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

 Take an elevator ride to the top of the Monument. The observatory at the top offers views of Downtown Indianapolis. Also visit the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum in the basement of the Monument.

Monday, Dec. 16

Indiana State Museum, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Experience Celebration Crossing and the L.S. Ayres Santa Claus Express train. Santa and Mrs. Claus will entertain visitors in their home on level 3 of the museum.

Tuesday, Dec. 17

James Whitcomb Riley Museum, open 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 Step back to the beginning of the 20th century – just as the Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley experienced it for 23 years of his life.

Wednesday, Dec. 18

Morris-Butler House, open noon – 3 p.m.

This beautiful restored 1865 home showcases the architecture, history and culture. The home also houses a collection of nineteenth-century sculptures, paintings and lithographs from all over the world.

Thursday, Dec. 19

The Indianapolis Museum of Art, open 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Grab some ideas for holiday décor during the IMA’s annual Winter Solstice. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Oldfields, the IMA will be looking to the 1900s and 1910s for decor inspiration. Warm up in the Lilly House with historic holiday decorations and music, then shop at the greenhouse and museum.

Friday, Dec. 20

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Check out the impressive display of 75 vehicles, including The Marmon "Wasp," which won the inaugural Indy 500 in 1911 and an exhibit honoring Parnelli Jones, 1963 Indy 500 winner.

Saturday, Dec. 21

Indiana Historical Society, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Spend the day enjoying the latest offerings – especially Destination Indiana and You Are There. Grab a family photo next to the leg lamp from A Christmas Story.

Sunday, Dec. 22

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, open 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Holiday season at the authentically-restored 1875 Italianate home of President Benjamin Harrison features Victorian holiday adornment. 

Monday, Dec. 23

National Institute of Fitness and Sport (NIFS), open 5:15 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Put in a little time on a treadmill or in a group fitness class and enjoy that holiday eggnog without the guilt. NIFS offers an indoor NBA regulation-sized basketball court, Pilates studio, group fitness studio, 200-meter indoor track, fully-equipped weight room and more than 100 pieces of cardio equipment. Parking is available directly across the facility in the Riverwalk Garage (NIFS will validate.) Children ages 11-17 must be accompanied by an adult. A nursery is available for children under age 11 (see hours on website).

Tuesday, Dec. 24

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, open 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Holidays sparkle at the world’s largest children’s museum. Visit Jolly Days Winter Wonderland and experience the giant Yule Slide. Take part in a number of seasonal favorites including skating in socks on an indoor “pond,” climbing and sliding on the Snow Castle, “ice” fishing and pretend-baking holiday goodies in the Tradition Kitchen.

Images Provided

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

6 Best Spots to Take Kids During Holiday Break 2011 Indy

Every year parents, grandparents and fun-loving adults ask for my opinion of places to go in the Indy-metro area with kids over holiday break from school. Here are the Top 6 Best Spots.

Jingle Rails at Eiteljorg through Jan. 8. Image/RRImages

1. Jingle Rails: Where: Eiteljorg Museum. What it is: Thirteen overhead walk-under bridges, replicas of downtown Indianapolis, The Great West and national treasures as seen via seven trains traveling throughout the display. When:  The "coolest exhibit I've ever seen," according to one child at the exhibit, is open through Jan 8. Website: Eiteljorg.com
2. Willy Wonka: Where: Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre. What it is: Roald Dahl's classic children's story. When: This is a great way to introduce kids to live theater through Jan. 7. Website: CivicTheatre.org.

   

   Willy Wonka                     Image/BTCivicTheatre

3. Jolly Days: Where: Children's Museum: What it is: Listed consistently as a national must-see museum, Jolly Days is still fun after Christmas with activities for children of all ages, including a play castle, "ice skating" and theater. When: Through Jan. 8. Website: ChildrensMuseum.org.
4. Hearthside Suppers: Where: Conner Prairie. What it is: Enjoy helping prepare an early 1800s dinner and eating it by candlelight. When: Starts Jan. 6. Website: ConnerPrairie.org.
5. Conservatory Crossing: Where: Garfield Park Conserrvatory. What it is: Running train models, and a train village in partnership with The Indiana Railroad Company. When: Through Jan. 8. Website: GarfieldGardensConservatory.org.
6. Ice skating: Where: Indiana State Fairgrounds. What it is: A great way to introduce kids to a new sport or keep active during the winter. When: Through April. Website: In.gov/StateFair

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and the following newspapers: SouthSider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Children's Museum Haunted House 2011 Vampire Vacation

Children's Museum
Haunted House 2011
Vampire Vacation

The 2011 Haunted House – Vampire Vacation – will feature a vampire family vacation with siblings ‘Vivienne’ and ‘Victor’ heading off to different “dead-stinations” around the U.S.

As is tradition with The Children’s Museum Haunted House, both Lights On hours for younger visitors and Defender Direct’s Frightening hours for those who “dare-to-be-scared” will be offered. 

Vampire Vacation will be the 48^th annual Haunted House fundraiser held by The Children’s Museum Guild to benefit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. 

“2010 was a great year for the Haunted House having been named one of the 10 best haunted houses in the U.S. by Rand McNally Online, celebrating a 20-year record attendance of more than 62,000 visitors, and contributing more than $500,000 to The Children’s Museum,” said Alli Stitle,. “Last year’s success is a great inspiration for us to build on with the 2011 Haunted House.”

For information, tickets, schedule and hours, visit ChildrensMuseum.org

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.