Ever heard of First Friday?

Neither had I until a friend mentioned it to me as we were milling about the City Market this afternoon. (Have you gone yet? The season is coming to an end GO! NEXT WEEK! GO GO!)

Apparently on the "First Friday" of every month from 6-9 p.m. over two dozen art galleries in downtown Indianapolis open their doors to the public for a family friendly art crawl (is that what you guys call them here? Back in Utah we called them art crawls...I'm the writer here so art crawl it is.)

Just imagine...first Friday of the month...milling about...taking in the vast array of visual arts available right here in downtown Indianapolis. Travel from Mass Ave to Fountain Square to other pockets of art greatness around the city and end up at the closing reception (the venue for this changes each month.)

There's nothing I love more than some good milling about.

At last month's First Friday my daughter's best friend was able to paint with her feet in a parking lot. You're thinking "AWESOME!" right?

You will be able to visit with local artists (several dozen are involved in "the scene") and walk from gallery to gallery in some some if downtown Indianapolis' richest cultural districts. (Yes, we totally have cultural districts and yes they are totally fantastic.) Maybe you'll even get to paint with your feet.

There's an online map available at the Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association site (IDADA) and maps are also available at participating galleries.

I spent a few days last week in the city that never sleeps (and consequentially makes me verrry tired.) Oddly enough I spent more time in airports than I actually spent awake in NYC. And a majority of that time was spent in La Guardia International Airport.

La Guardia smells like feet.

The Indianapolis Airport used to smell like feet.

NOT ANYMORE!


I love New York, LOVE. Also, Indianapolis and I got off to a really bumpy start. Only recently have I fallen head over heels with this city. You know what made me crush even harder? Coming home from New York's foot smelling airport to Indianapolis' shiny! new! well! designed! airport!

Nothing says welcome home like well lit hallways, your luggage arriving before you make it off your plane and fresh modern art installments to entertain you the whole way to baggage claim.

I secretly beam with pride when one of my friends or family members fly into town. I may even be a few minutes late just to be sure that my airport pickupee is able to fully enjoy what the Indianapolis airport has to offer. I always thought the Indianapolis Convention Center was a thing of beauty, until they finished the new airport.

Coming for a visit? Prepare to be impressed. We may be Midwest but there's nothing middle of the line about our airport, downtown or convention center.

Only a few minutes from downtown Indianapolis and so well designed that anyone coming on an Indianapolis vacation may have a hard time making it to the parking garage in one trip under the polka dot light art installment. (It is this particular art installment that keeps me from getting grumpy when my husband is inevitably 45 minutes late to pick me up everytime.)

Our airport totally kicks other airports trash. But luckily we are more than happy to share ours with you.

Welcome to Indianapolis.

First of all, remember when we were all sayonara Komodo Dragons! See you later! And their set goodbye date was September 6th? Well, they're still here and still a fantastic example of giant creepy I-want-to-eat-your-little-girl glory. No promises on when they'll actually be leaving but in case you missed them over the summer you really should check the giant scaled things out. Plus you'll get to have a sneak peek at the new exhibit coming next spring, CHEETAHS.

My husband is already dead set on racing one. I'm considering selling tickets. Anyone interested? It should be the Indianapolis sports event of the season.

Once again, just like last weekend this one (September 18-20) promises something for everyone.

For those of you going through fair withdrawals, Conner Prairie is hosting the Country Fair this weekend. Imagine the state fair only instead of carnies, think corn hole. Replace deep fried Snickers with sack races. And of course, replace MC Hammer with the bearded lady. So really they're nothing alike aside from a good time with the family.

Right in downtown Indianapolis at Military Park is the 14th annual Irish Fest. Yes. There will be beer. But! There will also be music, dancing, food, hurling (and not from the beer) and a even a special Mass on Sunday. There's free admission offered during certain hours of the festival and if I keep going I'm going to do my Irish heritage dishonor by typing with the Lucky Charms Leprechaun accent. Every detail can be found with links here.

Also this Saturday, the ladies of the Indiana Fever, our very own WNBA team, have made it to the playoffs. Their next playoff home game is this Saturday at 7pm at Conseco Fieldhouse. Want to know more about taking the family to a Fever game? Go here. The excitement around the playoffs should make for an even more exciting atmosphere.

For a complete list of things to do in Indianapolis this weekend check the "What to Do" calendar at visitindy.com.

Let's talk about Downtown Indianapolis for a moment.

Oh how it breaks my heart when one of my friends announced "We just don't go downtown that often."

My first response is "WHY THE HECK NOT?" (Yes, heck. You can take the girl out of Utah but apparently you can't take the Utah out of the girl.)

I spent the last weekend in another midwestern city within driving distance to Indianapolis, which shall remain nameless. We headed downtown to walk around and do some of that milling about I'm such a big fan of.

Their downtown was dead.

No one walking around. No one dancing on fountains or playing music on the street corner. No one eating outside at a sidewalk cafe in the sunshine. There were hardly any cars on the streets let alone people walking around.

Of all the free things to do in Indianapolis, going downtown has to be one of the best. It can be composed of anything you want it to be. There are theaters, markets, museums, restaurants, cafes, sports, restaurants, shopping,restaurantss and music all within walking distance of any downtown Indianapolis hotels.

We go downtown often. Sometimes it's just my daughter and I, other times it's just my husband and I. Sometimes it's just me. Or me and my girlfriends. Or all of us as a family.

You get the idea.

Morning, afternoon, nights, weekends, weekdays, there's always SOMETHING.

If you haven't been downtown, or it's not on your list of things to do or see, fix that. Now. Because we have one of the most fantastic downtowns I've been in. Seriously.

Well, I honestly almost feel like I'm insulting your intelligence when I tell you one of the best things to do in Indianapolis for free is to visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art. If you live locally, you automatically tell everyone you know . . . if you want something free to do in Indy, then the IMA is the place to be.  In fact, Casey blogged not too long ago about the fantastic free Family Tours going on now through May '10.  And there are so many other great opportunities, too!

If you're feeling fallish, there's no better place to be on the Autumn Equinox, greeting the new season (which is Sunday, September 20th this year for you non-sciencey geeky types who don't live to stand eggs up on their end once or twice a year) from Noon to 4:30 PM than the IMA.  You can sample delicious locally grown fall fare from a special Farmer's Market, get advice from IMA horticulturalists, let the kiddos create art themselves, or watch a master Artist create a Fall Landscape before your very eyes.  There's nothing about standing eggs on end, but I bet if you bring your own, they might let you.  There will be tours to take, galleries to visit, and you can even buy fall plants for your own grounds at home.  

It's a perfect way to spend an Indy fall Sunday afternoon (*ahem* especially since the Colts play Monday Night Football that week!).  Check out the Indianapolis Museum of Art's Calendar on their website for more details.  And oh, please let me know if you get the egg to stand up on end.  I've never remembered to do that and am still not convinced that it wasn't just my Science teacher's ploy to get kids to bring him enough eggs to last a month.

Promise I'll shoosh about the City Market soon enough. But I have taken four different people on three different Wednesdays now and all of them rave about how fantastic the City Market in downtown Indianapolis is.

Music. Food. Fresh flowers. Corn. Angel Food Cake. (OH THE CAKE!) Tamales. 

All here, free smells. Cheap zucchini. (Seriously, 2 for $1.00 , fresh, from a local farm.)





Every Wednesday now through October 28th.

Just East of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

Pardon my absence, but I have been outside from sun up to sun down with my little kid enjoying the sunshine and this fantastic weather. (Plus she got a new bike and if I let her ride it to Illinois I'm pretty sure she would.)

I've missed out on telling you about some fantastic things to do in Indianapolis this weekend so fasten your seat belts because HERE WE GO!

First of all, the CIRCUS! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in downtown Indianapolis now through Sunday September 13th, Cherie covered it all here but if you need more info go here.

Second. Up at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the Pepsi Coliseum is the All American Horse Classic. It's free parking and free admittance for everyone and it's fantastic just to sit back and watch dozens of horses go hoof to hoof in various competitions. The All American Horse Classic runs through Saturday the 12th.

Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. at Military Park Downtown is the Chinese American Festival, with food, festivities and thousands of years of Chinese culture in one place for one (quite possibly perfect) day.

For you artsy types, don't forget that the Penrod Arts Fair is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the campus of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. There's an admission fee to Penrod but for locals and art lovers alike it's an absolute at the end of every summer.

And don't forget about the Safari Sundays (SUNDAES, AS IN ICE CREAM) every Sunday up at Trader's Point Creamery.

Is that everything? No. Of course not. But it's some of our family's favorite things to do in Indianapolis as summer winds down and fall starts up.

Check the calendar at VisitIndy.com for even more events in Indianapolis this weekend.

True confession time.  Even though it sounds completely horrible, I have a secret desire.  I'd love to go downtown and visit the The Children's Museum of Indianapolis without my kids, The Eldest Princess (who's 7) and the Youngest Princess (18 months old).  Whew.  There, I've said it and it's out there now.  Going to the Children's Museum with my kids has given me some wonderful lifetime memories but there are times when I'd just like to look around and explore without potty breaks, meltdowns, or a case of the gimmes in the food court or gift shop.  Maybe you have felt a little like me, no?  Well if you have, now through September 30th, the Children's Museum invites you to "Be a Kid Again."

In fact, they want you to reclaim your childhood SO much that they're offering Adult Admission at Child's Admission Price (with coupon), making it up to $10 off for 2 adults.  So if you're looking for fun things to do in Indianapolis, don't automatically rule out a traditionally "kid-centric" attraction like the Children's Museum.  There's plenty to do and see whether you have little princes and princesses of your own or not (or whether you choose to bring them with you or not). 

And while you're there, be sure to take advantage of the great King Tut Exhibit at the Museum right now with or without kids.  But if you see me there, please do me a favor and don't tell my kids!  That's one I'd never hear the end of around the Castle.

One last thing before I forget, if you can't squeeze your trip to the Children's Museum in before the end of September, don't forget you can print a coupon good for a free child's admission (with adult purchase) on Visit Indy AND don't forget there are a ton of great Indianapolis Hotel Packages that feature Children's Museum tickets, too.

Ok so there are totally days when I feel like I live in the middle of a three ringed circus.  If you're anything like me, somedays you feel like the bearded lady and somedays the ringmaster and somedays simply a clown.  This week, if you're looking for things to do in Indianapolis and you feel like you already have your circus card, why not head to the most Amazing Show on Earth right in downtown Indianapolis.  That's right, September 10-13 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey are rolling into town to set up their "tent" at Conseco Fieldhouse.  

And of course the Queen wouldn't want you to blow your bucks at the Circus without saving a few so here are your best bets for a successful circus trip that doesn't leave you needing to join the circus just to pay off your tickets.

1) Go on opening night!  You can get tickets for as low as $10 on Opening Night.  Woohoo.  The Office hasn't premiered yet, you have no excuses.

2) If you're military personnel (including Retired, National Guard, Reserve, or Active Duty), check out these great ways you can save at any Circus performance.

3) Take advantage of the Animal Open House 90 minutes before the show which is free to all ticket holders!  You can get up close and personal with the animals and the performers for a once in a life time experience!

If you want to print a free commemorative certificate to celebrate your experience at the circus, you can do that here.  And if you're still thinking about running away to join the circus check out the Aptitude Test here.  I say embrace your inner Circus Clown and throw a bucket of confetti at the crowd.

Ok so it's not a major Hollywood Blockbuster (or the subsequent sequel) but many area Indianapolis Museums are participating in National Museum Day 2009 on Saturday, September 26.  What does that exactly mean?  Well I'm so glad you asked.  Those fine folks at Smithsonian Magazine have decided to pay for you AND a friend to go to the museum for the day.  Yep, aren't they sweet?  It's your chance to learn a little more about Indianapolis History (and just learn period) for free!

So basically what you need to do is go here and pick your Indianapolis Participating Venue.  I'm having a hard time choosing between the Indianapolis State Museum (pictured left) in Downtown Indianapolis and Conner Prairie in nearby Fishers because I love both.  And then the agony sets in when I realize that I've never been to the Benjamin Harrison Home, the Indianapolis Art Center, OR The Museum of Miniature Houses and Other Collections which I am POSITIVE the Eldest Princess who is aged 7 would love, love, love.  National Museum Day why do you torture me so?!?  Oh, I'm sorry.  You were wanting to know how to get free passes, weren't you?  I got a little sidetracked.  

After you make your agonizing decision of which amazing place to go, then you simply fill out this form and print two admission passes.  Easy cheesy and of course free.  And since you're all in the mood of saving money and doing fun things in Indianapolis, check out Visit Indy's Restaurant Coupon Page to have some dinner out on the cheap after all that learnin'.  

Did you know downtown Indianapolis will be transformed into a Regatta this weekend?  I didn't either until one of my Loyal Royal Readers informed of it on Facebook today.  I hopped on over to the Visit Indy site and sure enough, there she was.   A first for Indianapolis, check out the inaugural IUPUI Regatta, a half mile canoe race on Canal!  

The competition is held between students, alumni, faculty and staff of the University and unfortunately the registration has passed.  However, you can still watch all of the racing this weekend for free!  And better yet, there will be free live entertainment and free parking, too.  And there are a plethora of vendors, carnival activities (bounce house, face painting, and caricatures), and a DUCK race! (I am assuming they are rubber ducks, no?  Because I'm not sure real ducks are that interested in racing.  I have never seen a duck with racing stripes, have you?)  I am positive the Youngest Princess might have a conniption fit quacking if that's the case.  "Quack" is one of her best words.

So if you don't have plans tomorrow, paddle your way downtown and check out Indy's first (hopefully of many) Regatta.  Great free fun for folks of all ages.  And do me a quick favor by sending out a quack or two at the passing ducks (or canoeist or two if you don't see a duck; they'll just think you're cheering for them).  The Youngest Princess thanks you for using one of her favorite words and enjoying free fun.

Let me let you in on a little known secret.  Some of the very best parts of Indianapolis, you can't visit.  Nope, it's not because we're trying to keep you out of our secret hiding places.  And it's not some sort of sacred Hoosier Code.  It's because some of the very best Indianapolis Attractions aren't Attractions at all, they're people.  Indianapolis' people would still make her an awesome city even if we didn't have great events like Indianapolis 500 Race or great hotels or great restaurants (all of which we do and we're glad).

Indy's Queen of Free hopes from time to time to highlight some of the amazing places that show that Indy is a City that Cares.  First up in this series, is The Earth House Collective.  Self described as "a group of peace activists, conservationists, artists, musicians, Methodists, teachers and many more dedicated to peace, wellness, community and culture on the corner of New York and East streets in downtown Indianapolis," Earth House has so much to offer!  From a 100% Organic and Fair Trade Coffee Shop to Social Justice Film Festivals (where oftentimes the directors themselves appear for Q & A after the film), Art Exhibits, Yoga and Dance Classes, Lectures, and Live Music, the place busts with culture.  In fact, Earth House was even a venue for the recent Indy Fringe Festival.  But the best thing about Earth House is that is fueled by the power of people -  many volunteers and donations keep the place running.  And they seek to pour any money that is made back into the community, filling it with more life and energy.  I can guarantee that you'll come away from Earth House with a different lens on the world, realizing that there are truly caring people seeking to make it a better place, taking on the really big problems facing us one by one in creative ways.

If you haven't been to the Indianapolis Zoo yet to see the Dragons of Komodo exhibit then you need to make plans now as they'll be leaving the zoo after this week.

The two Komodo dragons will be leaving their downtown Indianapolis home this weekend. Their last day will be Sunday, September 6th.

My family went to the zoo a few weeks back and enjoyed our time, as always, with the animals. Visiting the zoo is one of our favorite things to do in Indianapolis. As fall weather starts making its appearance in our city, the weather couldn't be better to enjoy a stroll through different animal attractions and lovely, gardened areas.

You can get a video glimpse of the dragons by crawling on over to the VisitIndy.com website and watching their Doing Indy video podcast.

I have to admit that anytime I see a red sign marked "SALE" I get chills up and down my spine.  Nothing turns my crank like a good deal.  And I have all of these warm fuzzy memories of when our local mall used to have Sidewalk sales in the late summer/early fall.  Somehow, seeing the goods normally stuffed inside the store walls out in the hallway transformed the mall into a magic place.  And you could buy everything for a fraction of its original sale price.  It seems that my strange passion for cheap buys started early in life, huh?

Well if you're looking for something to do in downtown Indianapolis this Labor Day Weekend and you love Sidewalk Sales, too you're definitely going to want to check out the Sidewalk Sale on the Indianapolis Canal.  The sale features goods from both the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and the Indiana State Museum's Indiana Store (which is stocked with great IN made products INCLUDING Vera Bradley Bags which will be up to 50% off!).  Simply check out the sidewalk behind the Museums to get the skinny on all of the great deals.  The Sale will be held Saturday September 5th from 10 AM - 4 PM.



On top of that, on Labor Day - Monday September 7, the Eiteljorg is featuring $1 General Admission to the Museum (one of the best cultural and historical Indianapolis Attractions in my opinion!).  Wander on over from the Rib America Fest and get in a little culture on the cheap or maybe you can score a great deal at the Sidewalk Sale, too.

Have a seat. We need to talk about something.

Everyday I drive past a corn field to get to wherever I'm going. And I pretty much live in the city.

With corn growing right across from my driveway why on earth would I ever want to buy produce at the grocery store that I can find at one of over a dozen Indiana Farmer's Markets or U-Pick orchards?

Let's face it, Indiana may be in the Midwest and far away from the glitz and glamor of big swanky cities but we have the chance to get apples for our Labor Day pies from the farmer who grew them. And corn? Hello!



So you're on your Indianapolis vacation. Sick of drive thrus eating out. You don't have a kitchen so cooking is kind of out of the question but you want something. You just don't know what it is. You've seen all the popular Indianapolis attractions, now head out and see the real reason we locals have Hoosier pride.




Head over to visitindy.com, type "farmer's market" into the search box and you'll find all that our fine city has to offer, from Downtown Indianapolis, to Zionsville. Regular local markets to all out festivals. Weekends, weekdays and holidays.

The weather has been beyond perfect, so this Labor Day why not spend time with your family eating all that Indiana Farms and Farmers have to offer you? I can promise you, it's A LOT.

There's about a week left (ends 09/07/2009) of the hundreds and hundreds of free flying butterflies inside the conservatory at White River Gardens. You know? That giant glass building next to the zoo that always gets neglected? (At least by the people I know?)

Most people have no idea that there is a very intricate (very peaceful) garden right in downtown Indianapolis, let alone that this is the 11th season of butterflies. They are always our first stop before we head over to the zoo. It's rarely ever crowded and the gift shop and nature center inside the building are awesome. There's even a plant that you can tickle. Tell me what kid isn't going to be interested in that?The zoo is obviously one of the main things to do in Indianapolis when you travel here with a family, and since admission to the Butterflies and White River Gardens is included in your zoo admission why not take the extra hundred steps over to one of my (and my kid's) favorite places in Indy?

I've written before that going to a WNBA Indiana Fever Game is not a horrible way to spend quality family time. I know because I took my family in downtown Indianapolis and we had a really good time. The fans are a lot more passionate than NBA fans honestly!(okay, when I say passionate I mean politely dedicated. NBA fans can get a LEEDLE CRAZY.) and the interaction and activities for kids is fantastic.



There are four games left in the regular season and the Fever has a special offer just for fans in Indiana. Using the code WNBABLOG at Ticketmaster when purchasing Fever tickets will get you one free ticket for every ticket you purchase. Have a family of four? Buy two tickets and all four of you are in for the price of two.

There aren't many things to do in Indianapolis with this kind of sweet deal.

Plus how awesome is it to be able to show our little girls some real role models?

Pretty awesome.

The dates for Gen Con are August 5-8 in 2010. Put it on your calendar because then you can't say I didn't warn you.

You don't play games? That's okay! You won't have very many opportunities to eat a cheeseburger with a Storm Trooper or get your picture taken with an ogre anywhere else so you had better embrace the opportunity while you have it.

A full conference pass is under $100 and you'll have access to everything Gen Con, or simply do what we do each year and take a walk through the Indianapolis convention center. Maybe you'll be invited in on an impromptu game of who knows what, see an ogre or have the opportunity to throw coins at an enormous tower of Magic cards for charity's sake.

No one has ever come away from Gen Con disappointed with their experience, be it a simple pass through the convention center or 19 straight hours of Dungeons and Dragons. And as usual there is always family day on Sunday where you can spend the day with your family at the best four days in gaming at the most attended gaming conference in the world. THE WORLD!

(Also, the "Gen" in Gen Con is short for Geneva, since the conference originated up at Lake Geneva. Con is for conference. I pass all my wisdom on to you people.)

Okay so if you want to get all intelligent and say that the Artsgarden is a garden for growing art, then okay, it's a garden.

But if you're like me you'll be a little surprised when you go into the gigantic glass bubble suspended 17 feet over the busy intersection of Washington and Illinois in downtown Indianapolis and not see very many gardeny things.

The art however is apparent.

Almost every afternoon at lunch time there is a free concert in the Artsgarden featuring any and every type of music you can imagine. A great place to bring your lunch and spend part of your afternoon whether you are a local or in town for business.

Another fantastic feature of the Artsgarden is that it also houses a visitors center that is staffed during normal business hours. This is the place to go if you just got in and need a list of any and all cultural events going on in the city. Constantly updated and well stocked with literature you're sure to find something to do (you know, if you don't find it here first.)

The Artsgarden connects the Circle Centre Mall to several Indianapolis hotels and also if the weather outside is frightful you can even make it all the way over to the Indiana Convention Center by just following the signs and sky walks.

A great place to get out of the house in the heat of summer or the freezing temperatures of winter, it's always the perfect temperature with perfect views of downtown Indianapolis.

IT'S ALMOST HERE! I've been waiting for what feels like an eternity and it's about to start up again. NFL pre-season games are already in full swing and teams are getting pumped for the upcoming games.

Indianapolis sports is taken seriously here in the city. The question at hand though is where's the best place to watch a Colts game? If it's an away game or if you're not one of the lucky ones with tickets to watch them live at Lucas Oil Stadium, where's the best place to enjoy the game with friends and food?

Let's hear it!

Where's the best place to watch a Colts game in Indianapolis?

I'm guessing one of BW3's Indianapolis locations would work, I'm sure there would be a heavy crowd at Scotty's Brewhouse downtown as well. They'll be opening their downtown Indianapolis location at 10 a.m. and serve breakfast for all Colts home games this season. I've heard quite a bit about the Blew Crew Sports Grill on the north side as well. Champps Downtown has loads of TV's, I'm sure that would work. My son loves sports, so I'm curious if there are any family friendly locations to watch the game.

Help me out and leave a comment on where you think the best place to watch a Colts game is this season. Even if you don't like football, what other location is the place to be to catch some Indianapolis sports in high-def goodness? It doesn't matter if it's in downtown Indianapolis or one of the surrounding areas. If it's a great place to watch the game, I want to hear about it!