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Hamilton County, Indiana is abuzz this fall with excitement of the much-anticipated openings of IKEA and Portillo’s in Fishers, but don’t let your craving for Swedish meatballs or Chicago dogs keep you from sampling other recent arrivals.

The culinary scene continues to grow across the county. Here are a few of the new and planned eateries you should check out this fall.

What's happening in #VisitHC this month? Grab your calendars and read below for inspiration for things to do.

Weeks begin on Wednesdays, which is when our weekly events email goes out to subscribers. Join the list here.

There’s nothing like driving scenic roads in a not-so-familiar part of the country. Everything from the unique sights and smells to the new experiences you encounter along the way makes you wonder why you don’t take adventures like this more often.

But lucky for you, your PTO has cleared and you’re ready to explore every inch of Indiana’s most charming county. Get behind the wheel of the car of your choice from CarRentals.com and open your eyes to all the things to do in Hamilton County, Indiana.

It’s taken many years and plenty of trial and error to figure out which wines I really love. In our early twenties, my husband and I went on a trip to Napa and had no clue what we were doing or what anyone was talking about. We had a ton of fun (and wine, of course) but admittedly needed some education.

Are you someone who…
     Can’t get enough of cooking competition shows?
     Seeks out Martha Stewart’s tips and tricks for party planning, home décor and beyond?
     Enjoys good food, complemented by beer, wine and spirits?

Then block off the afternoon of Oct. 7 on your calendar, and make plans to be at Clay Terrace in Carmel, Indiana for the inaugural IndyStar Food & Wine Experience, featuring Martha Stewart Culinary Experts.

There are so many things to do in Hamilton County, Indiana this fall, with festivals every weekend through the end of October. From the quintessential to the quirky, there’s a fall festival for you to enjoy. Celebrate sweater weather and the return of crisp fall air with these can’t-miss events.

One of the best things about summer is eating outdoors. Picnics at the park, cookouts in the backyard, breakfast on the porch…there’s just something relaxing about meals that include sunshine, breeze and birds.

A few crisp mornings remind us summer won’t last forever, and we’ll have to drag ourselves back inside. But before we do, let’s take advantage of every last meal we can enjoy outside. Below are some of my top picks for outdoor dining at restaurants across Hamilton County.

There’s still time to cross off those can’t-miss experiences from your summer bucket list.

Summer may be slowly winding down, but festival season is in full swing in Hamilton County. Celebrate the last blast of the season with two popular festivals in Carmel, Indiana: Artomobilia and Greekfest. Since they fall on the same weekend, it’s a one-two punch of festival fun and memories to be made.

There’s nothing worse than being hungry and searching for a restaurant as your kids begin melting down in “hanger.” Recently, my husband and I found ourselves on yet another Friday night, trying to decide where to head for dinner with our kids. Our criteria for a great restaurant is like most parents: yummy food for the whole family and kid-friendly options on the menu - bonus points for quick service or fun kid activities. Luckily for us, Hamilton County, Indiana is full of family-friendly dining options!

Whether you’re the world’s craft cheeseburger connoisseur, a culturephile looking for a Hawaiian vacation right in your backyard or a local food fanatic seeking nature’s bounty all in one place, Hamilton County, Indiana has something just for you. Check out some of Yelp’s favorite things to do, see and eat along the Monon Trail.