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.

White River Gardens is about to go through a transformation. (Okay, so all of Indianapolis, Indiana is about to go through a transformation, but White River Gardens has all sorts of trees in one place and they're all labeled so it really makes life easier.)


The changing of the colors is one of the main end of summer Indianapolis events.

Pretty!

Colors!

And since the butterflies have moved on to greener pastures (or hopefully South America) tiny little well manicured Bonsai trees have moved into their place Saturday, September 26th-November 8th.

I have always, always wanted a model train circling my Christmas tree.

Also, I had a friend in high school who was embarrassed that her dad had remodeled their entire downstairs to accommodate a full on model train set, it circled through every room, in and and out of walls and culminated in a giant village with lights and wee little townspeople.

She was embarrassed, I was jealous.

It was awesome.

I know there's a lot of train enthusiasts/dorks/fans/hardcore hobbyists out there. Not to mention I'm well aware of train infatuations with the 4' and under set. Thomas who? (So thankful I have a girl.)

Coming to theIndiana State Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday September 26-27th from 10 am- 4 pm is The Great Train Expo, a travelling train show for those who love things that go Choo. $7 for adults and totally free for kids 12 and under. We're talking scale layouts, trains to ride on and LEGOs. LEGO trains people.

Sure we have the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 race and plenty of other things to do in Indianapolis that involve wheels, but you parents of little boys, you look at those little bug squishers in the eye and ask them if a race car capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph has anything on trains. Then you look in the mirror and ask yourself, has Ringo Starr ever narrated the Indy 500?

I think you know the answer.

Trains rule, cars drool. (This weekend at least.)

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.

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.

I typed the title of this post with a New York accent. Could you tell?

A little over a week ago Lara Neal posted about Stanley's New York Deli, one of the newer restaurants Indianapolis has to offer that is getting a lot of attention.

Well I take Lara and Stanley's Pastrami Sandwich and raise them the Shapiro's pastrami sandwich on rye.



HOLY NOM NOM NOM-I-NOM.

Think you know your pastrami? Are you a trans plated New Yorker? A New Yorker here with Indianapolis business? Maybe you're just a New Yorker at heart or have a weak spot for thinly sliced brisket, slightly melted Swiss cheese, fresh rye bread and a kiss of spicy mustard? *drool*

Well I hear by challenge you to a Pastrami off.

Stanley's vs. Shapiro's.

May the best brisket win.

(To be fair I haven't made it up to Stanley's yet. I'll make it someday! But Shapiro's...I drive by it at least once a week...oooh...pastrami...)

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.)

"All weapons associated with a costume - for volunteers, entertainers, artisans and guests - must be sheathed and peace tied. Security strictly enforces this rule."

I love this city.

When we do something with a theme? We do something with A THEME, in all capitals said with serious eyes.

In this case the above quote is from the 5th annual Fishers Renaissance Faire taking place the first weekend of October (Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th) up at Conner Prairie. How many of you locals knew about this? Apparently over 14,000 visitors come to the faire in one weekend.

I've told you about things to do in Indianapolis that involve drums, Storm Troopers, Wiggles and fried candy bars.

Now I bring you jousting, knights in shining armor (remember who you came with ladies) over a hundred shows and all of the people participating in period costume and acting the part (which means swooning is completely acceptable.)

Traveling from out of town? Renaissance Faire Indianapolis packages can be found here.

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.

Dear Downtown Indianapolis Restaurants,
I know you've been missing me. But you see, the Indiana State Fair is in town and with all this food I can only eat once a year not much room is left for all of your healthy non fried options.
Behold, I bring unto you the true Indianapolis attractions during fair season.


Deep Fried Snickers Bar.


Funnel Cake, Fried Pickles and Cream Puff (in back.)

"Fresh" fried vegetables.

Can you feel the heartburn? I know I could. I will say that while I did try every single item listed above I did not finish any of them. Because really? One bite is all it takes. (Not pictured, roasted corn, Indiana Tenderloin Sandwich, lemon shake up, ice cream from the Dairy Barn, elephant ear and King Tater.)

The Indiana State Fair runs through August 23, 2009. Plenty of time to get your antacid on.

If you have a little kid then you know that their attention span is that equivalent to a wasp at a picnic table.

CORN! STEAK! LEMONADE! POTATO SALAD! 

All. over. the. place.

For a nice way to trick your kids into a little culture while participating in some free things to do in Indianapolis on a weekend, the IMA offers free half hour tours for families on the second and fourth Saturday of each month through May of next year. The tours begin at 1:30 and 2:30, perfect timing for the wee ones to be asleep in a stroller and the older ones to be fresh out of energy and on a full stomach.

Which is really the best operating circumstances for little people. Worn out and well fed.

Also, take heart that the security guards and docents at the IMA will follow you around like hawks whether you have your elderly grandmother with you or a sticky fingered four year old with you. So don't take it personally, just pretend they're not there. (Well, and don't touch. Duh.)

While there are a lot of Indianapolis attractions that feature plenty of green space and foliage, the Oldfields-Lilly gardens that share the grounds of the IMA have come to grow like mold on my little heart. If Tinkerbell were to live anywhere in Indiana, it would be here.

Indianapolis attracts passionate people.

This weekend especially.

This weekend brings Gen Con to downtown Indianapolis. (Starting August 13-August 16)

Last year over 26,000 people traveled from all over the world to attend the largest annual gaming convention that is held right here in downtown Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Convention Center and surrounding hotels.

Last year I was part of a Ninjas vs. Pirates peace summit. I watched a Sith slay a Jedi. I talked to a mechanical phoenix on a guys shoulder. I walked through a room where people played Dungeons and Dragons 24 hours a day for the entire four day conference. I was plumed by pirates and sat next to Storm Troopers later that night at dinner.

Ask any local and they'll tell you that Gen Con is one of the best times to head downtown for people watching. You don't even need a conference pass to people watch. But if you're interested, passes can be purchased on site for up to all four days and all events of the conference.

While there will be child only activities throughout Gen Con, Sunday is specifically set aside for families. For $28 a family of four can get in on all of the action as Gen Con winds down for yet another year.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to brush up on my WoW knowledge.

This past weekend Indianapolis hosted the Drum Corps International World Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium and my views of Drum Corps and marching music will forever be altered. (Notice how I didn't say marching band? Bands have woodwinds, Drum Corps do not. You say "marching band" in front of drum corps fans and you will be corrected.)People traveled from all over the nation to downtown Indianapolis, some even spent all afternoon in darkened movie theaters in various cities across the country to watch dozens of hours of coverage of this end of season spectacular. Lucas Oil Stadium proved to be perfectly suited for hosting DCI and I can only imagine will continue to grow each subsequent year.

(Oh yes, they already announced that tickets are available for next year.)

As far as the people who went with me, my daughter lasted for a couple of hours, the color guard lines and flags were pretty enthralling to her, although she did want to know when the football players were coming out.

My husband would have stayed longer but the little kid was getting restless (we had spent the day swimming,) besides, he would have liked football players to come out too.

Now I truly believe the best way to enjoy a DCI show is to find a friend who grew up participating in similar events. This was my neighbor. Sitting next to her made it even more fun. What's even better? When I mentioned on my own personal blog that I had gone to the DCI semifinals dozens of my readers came out of the band geek woodwork.

I can promise you that you too have an undercover band geek friend.

This is serious stuff people.

It's amazing to me what fantastic events Indianapolis events there are, especially around this time of year. Almost everyone has been here for a conference, or knows of some annual gathering here. If you have one coming up (Gen Con? FHA? DCI? Indy 500? State Fair? IBE? Circle City Classic?) you should really consider turning your reason for coming here into an excuse for an Indianapolis vacation.

I'm talking to you moms and dads of little kids. Enough with the Happy Meals and considering restaurants that hand out toys fine dining. Devour Downtown is back for its summer run August 10-23rd.Book that babysitter and make plans to eat at a real grown up restaurant, no sloppy second chicken nuggets at these joints.

Devour downtown started in 2005 as Indy Restaurant Week and has since grown to twice a year lasting for two weeks both in the summer and in the winter. You could eat at a new restaurant every night in downtown Indianapolis for as little as $30 (plus tax and gratuity) for the two of you. And this isn't just a plate of appetizers, these are three course meals from some of the best restaurants Indianapolis has to offer.

You know the ones I'm talking about, the ones where the grown ups sip wine and talk theater while you walk by with your stroller and sippy cup talking Tigger. Devour Downtown gives us weary parents who don't get out much an excuse to go downtown and go on a date. A REAL DATE. WITH REAL FOOD. I'm surprised that none of my friends ever make it a point to go downtown on a date. Downtown Indianapolis after dark is not something to shy away from, I dare say downtown is romantic.

Make your reservations for a babysitter and dinner at one of the dozens of participating restaurants now. GO. NOW.