Nashville? Indianapolis? About This Page:

[loobyoxlip]

I'm looking for someplace fun to take the kids for a weekend the beginning of April. What are some fun things to do in either of these cities for kids? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, guys.

[Bert & Sully]

Is it the NCAA museum that's in Indianapolis? I can't remember now! Hopefully Marcie will come along and correct me. We were out there a few years ago visiting friends. I imagine that time of year you can also show them the racetrack.

We also went to another cool museum I can't recall the name of and my friend is unavailable right now.

[Luvsun]

Indianapolis has a great zoo. Also a wonderful hands on children's museum. Downtown there is the Circle Center mall with a video arcarde and huge movie theater. There is an ice skating rink downtown too - it is inside. I don't know when it is open to the public - check with the chamber of commerce on that. Just a few ideas. Hope it helps!

[Mitzi&Kevin]

NCAA is in Indianapolis down by the White River State Park. The is also there zoo, Imax, Eteljorg museum, down by there. Victory Field is also by there, it is has been voted the BEST minor league park in America, you can also take cooler and sit in the grassy area behind the outfield fence.
There is also the Children's Museum nearby. It is the largest children's museum in the world.
If you need any other information you might want to check out digitalcity indianapolis.
Hope this helps you out.
Mitzi

[LilMarcieMouse]

<font color="blue">Don't forget the Speedway, there is a nice Mussuam there too. I love the Zoo here and am hoping to have a Passporter meet there this summer as soon as I can figure out when. Tina if you come to Indy let me know maybe we can meet if i don't ahve to work. At the zoo maybe. </font>

[CRCrazy]

From the replies - looks like Indianapolis it is!

If you do end up going to Nashville - let me know what you find, we'll be going there in June for the first time!

[Wendyismyname]

We do have the World's largest Children's Museum here in Indy. There's also the Indy 500 museum. We have a nice zoo. Today, they turned the canal green for St. Patty's day!

I think we do have the NCAA museum here too, but I know nothing about sports related stuff!

wendy

[loobyoxlip]

Thanks for the info, guys.

Oh, Marcie, an Indy meet would be cool. Maybe I will save Indy for this summer, then, so we can come to that!

[LilMarcieMouse]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the info, guys.

Oh, Marcie, an Indy meet would be cool. Maybe I will save Indy for this summer, then, so we can come to that!

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">That would be great!!! </font>

[MickyRuble]

Hey! I am from Indianapolis, and I have to say that it is a wonderful city. We have the zoo, which is great, the Children's Museum, we actually have a year round pass my children enjoy it so much, the IMAX, the Indiana State Museum, Circle Center...there are just tons of things to do. I do have one little tip, you might try calling the Embassy Suites in Indianapolis, they run a special now and then (not sure of the dates) but it is a "Kids Getaway" and it includes a room with a seperate living area, a bedroom (i think in total it sleeps 4-6), you also get a free pizza and 2 liter of soda, an in room kids movie and free tickets to either the Childrens Museum or the Zoo and it is only $125 (maybe a little less, I can't remember exactly). Anyway, I just thought I would throw in that idea. Hope you have a wonderful time!

If you have any other questions, I would be more than happy to help out!

Micky

[loobyoxlip]

Micky, welcome to Globetrotting. Thanks so much for the info on the hotel. That sounds great! I will definitely look into it!

[momsgoofy2004]

Hi!

I actually live about halfway between both cities and have visited each a few times.

Indianapolis is a great city! My son's grandfather is from there so we have family to visit, but he loves going to the War Memorial in the Circle...his great grandfather's name is on it. A few blocks away is the Hard Rock Cafe, where you can see Roy Orbison's guitar that the cleaning crew cleaned...they wiped off the autograph. DUH?
For race fans, of course, there is Indy speedway to see.

Nashville, is one of our favs...we can be there in about 3 hours and it's the closest location with a Rainforest Cafe, located in the big Opry Mills mall. The mall in itself is a neat place...huge Bass Pro Shop for the nature lovers...Godiva chocolate store for the chocolate lovers...and many specialty shops. The Opryland Hotel is a sight to see...downtown there is a Hard Rock Cafe...you can see the Grand Ol' Opry, and several country music places...for history visit the Hermitage, home to Andrew Jackson...you can take a cruise on a paddlewheel boat on the river...many things to do. We tend to stay near the Opry Mills mall.

Both cities offer interesting sites for all ages! For more info check the websites...check search for Nashville, TN and Indianapolis, IN.

Have a great time!
Laura ºoº

[Lilyian]

I live in Indpls, so I can certainly give you some info. If you have kids who are elementary school age or younger, I would definately go to the zoo. It is nice and sprawling. They have a pony ride, small carousel, and small roller coaster available as well. Go in the morning to avoid the crowds. Right next to the zoo, there is a huge butterfly exhibit (with the butterflies flying everywhere). I haven't gone to it, because my kids are usually tired out after the zoo, and it is an extra charge. Sounds fun, though.

The Indiana State Museum has just moved to a brand new building and location (right down near the zoo...I think. --I don't live downtown, so I am a bit hazy on the specifics.) Anyway, it is supposed to be a lot of fun, and I think it is the museum with the IMAX theatre, which may or may not have a good kids' movie then. The Eitlejorge Museum is right there, too, but would be boring for kids. The Children's Museum is big and fun, but never go on a weekend. It is so packed then that you can't move or do anything. Although, if you go on Sunday morning, it is pretty empty for a while. This museum has a huge beautiful carousel, plays in the children theater for kids, a rock climbing wall, and plenty of interactive things.

Something very uniwue that no one has mentioned is Conner Prairie Farm. This is on the north side of town (about 30 minutes north of downtown). It is a recreation of an 1800s town. Acres and acres have been devoted to this, and it really is like walking back in time. You enter a "town" with buildings, homes, schoolhouses, etc., and all the staff are in period costumes and totally act out the part, They will talk to you as if you all live in the 1800s. They might ask where your strange clothes came from, and are you Northeners or Southerners. It is pretty amusing for the kids because the staff will not drop their act! Their are farm animals as well, of course, and a mini Indian reservation (later era houses, not teepees, though). I just looked up the website: www.connerprairie.org. It is very well done.

Here are some further ideas: If you go to Conner Prairie, after you are done head south on the road which it is on (Allisonville)and take the kids to the popular outdoor custard shop, Ritters. They will have a blast. Then if you are staying downtown, head down there and go to the museum or the zoo. (It is better to do the zoo, rather than the museum, in the afternoon because it will always seem less crowded since it is outdoors). There are a ton of restaurants downtown. Feel free to e-mail me if you need any suggestions. There is also a huge movie theatre if you want to catch a movie. There is the baseball stadium (I don't know if they are playing yet; I'm not a sports fan.)You can take carriage rides as well.

There is a big shopping mall downtown, Circle Center Mall. Be careful there, though, because day or night it has proven to be a spot for some troublemakers. I myself, wouldn't go there with my kids...although trouble does not happen too often there. If you go, just keep your kids together and keep in mind that some gangs pass through there.

Safetywise, downtown is not a small town, so crime does exist. Just act like you are in Chicago, and keep your eyes open. I don't have any worries about going to the museums, zoo, restaurants, etc downtown with my children.

Now, if you choose to stay further north (where prices might be better) and drive to the attractions downtown, there are nice areas with fun shopping areas and restaurants. Indpls is not too large, so it only takes 20-30 minutes to get almost anywhere. Just e-mail me if you need names of places! Have fun!

[loobyoxlip]

Lilyian, wow, thanks so much for all the info. My kids (and I) would enjoy Connor Prairie Farm so much!! I've always wanted to do something like that. I appreciate all your input.