My mom was in town this last weekend and I took her and her grandchild to Holliday Park, by far one of our favorite free things to do in Indianapolis. My mom claimed that Holliday Park was by far the best playground she had ever seen in her life (told you so!) Only about fifteen minutes from Downtown Indianapolis (where it is loud, paved and busy) Holliday park offers more shade one could ever sit under, especially on the hiking/nature trails where it is at least ten degrees cooler and there is always a breeze and the sound gentle sound of water and songbirds.

For those of you with teenagers who may look upon a playground as laaaame you can set them free in the miles of hiking trails. Who knows, maybe nature will un-teenage them for a moment. For those of you with little kids only hit the trials with kids who can walk well unassisted or can who can ride in a backpack. Also, be prepared to get a little muddy if it has been raining. But really? It all just adds to the ambiance.